Disruption warning as rail bridge work set to begin

More than 570 wheel timbers that are 25 years old and in poor condition will be replaced by engineers.

The London Overground and District line are set to be partially closed over four weekends in September and October, as work commences on repairing Kew Railway Bridge in south-west London.

Network Rail will replace part of the Grade II-listed bridge over the River Thames between Kew Gardens and Gunnersbury stations during the work.

More than 570 wheel timbers that are 25 years old and in poor condition will be replaced by engineers.

Network Rail hopes the replacement of the wheel timbers will improve train reliability for passengers as the existing ones cause track faults, leading to delays.

Wheel timbers are used to hold the rails in place across the whole length of the structure on both lines.

The new wheel timbers will be made from a material that is more durable, needs less maintenance and lasts longer than conventional wheel timbers.

Disruption increase

Simon Milburn, Network Rail Anglia infrastructure director, said the work was necessary "so that we can continue to run trains over the River Thames safely and reliably in future".

Kew Railway Bridge carries both London Overground’s Richmond-Stratford line and the District line.

It is located on an intensively used stretch of the railway that has seen an increase in disruption in recent weeks.

Other work along the stretch of line will include improving train detection systems, replacing points that allow trains to change tracks, and upgrading signals at Richmond.

Engineers will also cut back vegetation to improve signal sighting for train drivers, reduce the likelihood of flooding at Gunnersbury and lower the risk of obstructions on the line.

Rail replacement buses will operate while the works are taking place.

Works will take place on the following weekends:

• Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September

• Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September

• Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September

• Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October

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