People travelling to and from the Isle of Sheppey are being asked to plan ahead from Friday 28 June, when the first eight-day closure of Kingsferry Bridge, linking Sheppey to the mainland, takes place.
The work means that the 1960-built bridge will be closed so that engineers can continue to replace the 40 steel ropes that lift the bridge when it opens for maritime traffic.
During a weekend closure earlier this month, Network Rail’s engineers completed the replacement of the counterweight ropes on the Sheppey side of the bridge – the ropes that stabilise the bridge deck when it lifts for shipping.
The lifting ropes on the Sheppey side of the crossing will be replaced during the upcoming closure beginning on Friday. The counterweight and lifting ropes on the mainland side of the bridge will be replaced during the remaining closures.
When work is taking place, the bridge will be closed to motorists, rail passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and all maritime traffic, including jet skis and other leisure craft.
The closures take place between:
- 22:00 on Friday 28 June to 05:00 Sunday 7 July
- 22:00 on Friday 12 July to 05:00 on Monday 15 July
- 22:00 on Friday 19 July to 05:00 on Sunday 28 July
Last trains will depart the island around midnight on Friday when the bridge closes, while the first trains will run from approximately 05:43 on the days when the bridge reopens.
David Davidson, Network Rail’s Kent route director, said: “While the first weekend closure went very smoothly with traffic on local roads being very light, we’re expecting the roads to be much busier and more congested over weekdays with school and commuter traffic.
“We’re grateful to people of Sheppey and the surrounding area for their patience as we complete these urgent repairs and our people who use the bridge is to please continue to plan ahead and leave more time to complete your journeys.
“This next phase of work involves the replacement of the ropes on the Swale side of the bridge, which means that there will be 10 more days of closures after this, one weekend and another 8-day closure.
“We want to remind jet ski and speed boat users that for the safety of everyone, including those working on the bridge, they can’t pass under the bridge when work is taking place – it’s too dangerous. We hope people will understand why this is the case, and we thank them for their patience.”
Scott Brightwell, Southeastern’s Operations and Safety Director, said: “We support these bridge repairs, but we appreciate it does make journeys more difficult for our customers.
“There remains a regular replacement bus service and there is ample cycle space at Sheerness and Sittingbourne stations, including an overnight facility at Sheerness if needed. We can also provide taxis for any customers that have accessibility needs.
“Please check before you travel and thanks for bearing with us while this essential work is carried out.”
Information on the project, closures and associated travel advice is available at www.networkrail.co.uk/KingsferryBridge.
Image credit: Network Rail
