Network Rail is set to carry out track work on the Grade II listed Kew Railway Bridge between Kew Gardens and Gunnersbury stations during four weekends from September to October.
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, with Network Rail and Transport for London working together to drive down delays.
Engineers will be replacing more than 570 wheel timbers, which are used to hold the rails in place across the whole length of the structure on both lines. The existing wheel timbers on the bridge are over 25-years-old and are in poor condition, which means they are more likely to cause track faults which lead to delays for passengers.
The new wheel timbers will be made from fibre-reinforced foamed urethane (FFU) which is more durable, has a longer service life, is easy to repair, and can be repurposed or recycled at the end of its service life.
As part of the job, engineers will be installing brand new rails near the bridge, replacing some sections which are worn out.
Elsewhere along this stretch of line, teams will be taking the chance to deliver additional targeted maintenance at the same time as the bridge works, including:
- Improving train detection systems.
- Replacing points (which allow trains to change tracks) at Gunnersbury and Richmond.
- Upgrading signals at Richmond.
- Cutting 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.
All of this work will help reduce the chance of faults occurring with these crucial pieces of infrastructure, improving reliability and performance for passengers.
Simon Milburn, Network Rail Anglia infrastructure director, said: “We need to replace the deteriorating wheel timbers on Kew railway bridge so that we can continue to run trains over the River Thames safely and reliably in future.
“This is a vital job that will help to keep this wonderful heritage structure operating as a key part of these busy railway lines. We will also use this closure to carry out other maintenance work to help deliver a reliable service for our customers.”
Rail replacement buses will operate while the works are taking place. Passengers are advised to check before they travel at tfl.gov.uk on the following dates.
- Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September
- Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September
- Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September
- Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October
Image credit: Network Rail
