Four ageing bridges on the London Overground's Suffragette line will be replaced, leading to multiple weekend closures in 2027. The bridges, located between Leytonstone High Road and Woodgrange Park stations in Forest Gate, are 130 years old and need replacement to prevent unplanned disruption, according to Network Rail.
Timeline and road closures
Engineers will begin work at Talbot Road and Stracey Road bridges on September 1, 2026, followed by Strode Road and Latimer Road on September 28. The first phase involves extending support structures at the ends of the existing bridges to carry new decks. Demolition of old decks and installation of new spans is scheduled for spring 2027, with completion by late summer 2027.
Some nearby roads will close temporarily during the project. The Suffragette line will only shut during some weekends in 2027, with exact dates to be confirmed nearer the time.
Community engagement
Drop-in sessions for affected residents will be held at the Forest Gate Learning Zone, 1 Woodford Road, London, E7 0DH, on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 10:30am to 1:30pm, and Wednesday, August 12, from 5pm to 7:30pm. Attendees should use the entrance on the corner of Dames Road and Clinton Road. Additional sessions will be arranged in the coming months.
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."
Long-term benefits
The new bridges are expected to last until around the year 2150, ensuring reliable service for decades. Network Rail emphasized that the replacement is essential to avoid unplanned disruptions in the future.
