Bridging the gap in Dalston

A key route over the railway has fully reopened after Network Rail finished delivering a replacement bridge on Kingsbury Road that is designed to last for 120 years.

The poor condition of the old bridge meant that it needed to be closed and replaced to keep everyone’s journeys safe and reliable. Built around 1916, it was made using iron girders, which had become extensively corroded over time.

Now that the new bridge is open, pedestrians and cyclists can cross the railway at this location again, with diversions having been removed. Cycleway 1, which links Tottenham and Waltham Cross with the City, has returned to its original Kingsbury Road route. The bridge will remain closed to motorists, as it has been since the 1970s.

Underneath the structure, railway lines take London Overground trains between Canonbury and Dalston Kingsland / Dalston Junction stations. Trains were able to keep running for most of the rebuild project, with occasional closures of the line needed to allow major milestones to be achieved.

Network Rail carried out the work with its contractor, J Murphy and Sons, and in partnership with Islington Council and Hackney Council.

Engineers demolished the old bridge over Christmas 2023 and then lifted in the replacement with a crane over the last weekend of January 2024.

The project also involved:

• diverting electricity and telecoms connections over a temporary structure, and then reinstalling them once the new bridge was in place
• repairing the abutments, which support the structure at either end of the bridge
• fitting the new steel parapets (the walls of the bridge)
• pouring, curing and waterproofing the new concrete bridge deck
• putting the road and pavement back, and adding new bollards

Simon Milburn, Network Rail Anglia’s Infrastructure Director, said: “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.”

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