London railway bridge reopens for pedestrians and cyclists

A pedestrian and cycle bridge on a vital route at Dalston in East [1] is now fully open after the previous bridge was demolished and replaced by a new one designed to last 120 years. The bridge in Kingsbury Road crosses [2] tracks between Canonbury and [3] / [4] stations. It was built in 1916 but had deteriorated so much that in the 1970s it was closed to motorists but remained open to open, pedestrians and cyclists.

The old bridge before demolition. // Credit: Network RailThe old bridge before demolition. // Credit: [5]

In recent years, the iron girders from which the bridge suffered continual extensive corrosion, which resulted in Network Rail deciding to replace it completely.

During the rebuilding, train services were mostly unaffected, although the line was occasionally closed to enable major project milestones to be achieved.

[6] telling the story of the bridge replacement project. // Credit: Network Rail

The original Kingsbury Road bridge was demolished[7] during Christmas 2023. A crane lifted the replacement bridge into position[8] over the last weekend of January.

The reopened Kingsbury Road bridgeThe reopened Kingsbury Road bridge. // Credit: Network Rail

Work to demolish the old bridge and install the new one included:

  • Diverting electricity and telecoms connections over a temporary structure.
  • Repairing the abutments that support the structure at either end of the bridge.
  • Constructing new steel parapets.
  • Pouring, curing, and waterproofing the new concrete bridge deck.
  • Reinstalling electricity and telecoms connections once the new bridge was in place.
  • Reinstating the road and pavement and installing new bollards

The construction work was carried out by Network Rail with its contractor, J Murphy and Sons in partnership with Islington and [9] Councils.

The reopened cycle route. // Credit: Network RailThe reopened cycle route. // Credit: Network Rail

With the bridge's reopening, pedestrians and cyclists can again use it to cross the railway. Cycleway 1, which links Tottenham and Waltham Cross with the City, has also returned to its original route along Kingsbury Road, but the bridge will remain closed to motorists. Kingsbury Road is on a really key route for walkers and cyclists, and it also sits over busy London Overground lines carrying thousands of passengers every day.

Our replacement bridge will serve the community by helping to keep everyone moving for decades to come.

I'd like to thank all those who were affected by the disruption we're grateful to have had your patience and support on this vital project.

Simon Milburn, Network Rail Anglia's infrastructure director

References

  1. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  2. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  3. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  4. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  5. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  6. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  7. ^ Kingsbury Road bridge was demolished (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  8. ^ A crane lifted the replacement bridge into position (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  9. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)

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