Network Rail To Replace 130-Year-Old Bridges On London Overground Route

Network Rail is preparing to start a major bridge replacement project on the London Overground Suffragette line in the Forest Gate area later this summer.

The work will see four ageing bridges replaced between Leytonstone High Road and Woodgrange Park stations. The structures carry London Overground trains over local roads and are now around 130 years old.

Although the bridges are closely monitored to ensure they remain safe, Network Rail says replacement is needed to reduce the risk of future unplanned disruption and keep services running reliably. The new bridges are expected to remain in use until around 2150.

The bridges being replaced are at Talbot Road, Strode Road, Stracey Road and Latimer Road.

Work will begin at Talbot Road and Stracey Road on 1 September, before engineers move onto Strode Road and Latimer Road from 28 September. Roads and pavements beneath each bridge will be closed for the duration of the project, while further short-term road closures in the surrounding area will also be required during 2027.

The first stage will involve extending the support structures at the ends of the existing bridges so they are ready to carry the new decks. The old bridge decks are then due to be demolished and replaced with new spans in spring 2027.

The full scheme is expected to be completed by late summer 2027. Some weekend closures on the Suffragette line will be needed during 2027 while the work is carried out.

Residents and businesses have already been sent letters about the project, and public drop-in sessions will take place in August to allow people to speak directly to the project team.

The sessions will be held at the Forest Gate Learning Zone, 1 Woodford Road, London, E7 0DH, with access via the entrance on the corner of Dames Road and Clinton Road.

The drop-in sessions are:

• Thursday 6 August, 10.30am – 1.30pm
• Wednesday 12 August, 5.00pm – 7.30pm

Further updates will be issued as the scheme progresses, with more drop-in sessions planned in the coming months. Network Rail contractor BAM is delivering the bridge replacement project.

Joe Kennedy, infrastructure director for Network Rail Anglia, said:

“Thousands of people travel over these old bridges every day by train, passing through residential areas in east London. Our project will deliver four brand new bridges that will serve the surrounding community and rail passengers for several generations. We’re really sorry for the disruption and we’ll work very closely with residents and businesses to keep the impact to a minimum while we get the job done.”

Image: Network Rail