The London Overground and District line will partially close over four weekends from September to October for repair works.
The closures have been put in place for Network Rail engineers to repair the 155-year-old Kew Railway Bridge, which runs over the River Thames between Kew Gardens and Gunnersbury stations.
The major works are needed as the 25-year-old wheel timbers on the Grade II listed bridge, which hold the rails in place, are in poor condition. This makes them more likely to cause track faults and delays for passengers.
The bridge carries the Overground and District lines. Network Rail said it has been working with Transport for London (TfL) to reduce delays for passengers as journeys across the bridge have experienced an increase in disruption in recent weeks.
The works will see engineers replace more than 570 wheel timbers on the bridge with those made from a more durable material that will need less maintenance and last longer. They will install new rails near the bridge to replace sections that are worn out.
Engineers will also carry out maintenance on the route, including improving train detection systems, upgrading signals at Richmond and cutting back plants to improve visibility for train drivers and reduce the risk of flooding at Gunnersbury. They will also replace points, which allow trains to change tracks, at Gunnersbury and Richmond.
Network Rail said the works will improve the reliability of services for passengers by slashing the risk of faults occurring on the lines. Simon Milburn, infrastructure director at Network Rail Anglia, 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 during the works. Network Rail advised passengers to check TfL’s website before they travel on the affected weekends.
Which weekends are affected?
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September
There will be no Overground service between Richmond/Shepherd’s Bush and Gospel Oak. A special train service will operate between Willesden Junction (low level) and Stratford via Kensal Green, Queen’s Park, Kilburn High Road, South Hampstead, Camden Road and all stations. There will be no District line service between Richmond and Turnham Green.
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September
There will be no Overground service between Richmond and South Acton until 1pm on Saturday. There will be no Overground service between Richmond and Willesden Junction after 1pm and all day Sunday. There will be no District line service between Earl’s Court and Richmond/Ealing Broadway.
Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September
There will be no Overground service between Richmond and South Acton, and no District line service between Richmond and Turnham Green.
Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October
There will be no Overground service between Richmond and South Acton, and no District line service between Richmond and Turnham Green.
