Broadmead Road update - Tuesday, 23 January 2024

Broadmead Road Bridge remains closed to vehicular traffic to prevent potential loss of life or serious injury. The official diversionary route is via the A406 to either Chigwell Road or High Road, Woodford.

The bridge was constructed in 1937 and has now unfortunately come to the end of its life. The Council has written to the Secretary of State for Transport to request urgent funding to repair the bridge, at an estimated cost of over £25 million.

While we appeal for government support work is ongoing. Structural engineers are completing the final elements of the hammer tapping surveys to the spans and legs of the structure under the remainder of the bridge, while completing their principal inspection report. At the same time engineers are applying a concrete mortar to replace any removed concrete as a result of the hammer tapping to protect the structure.

As these hammer tapping surveys are undertaken at night adjacent and on the central line, the engineers are still having to adhere to the working restrictions of approximately 1.5 hours to 2 hours per night. This is for the safety of the engineers and to ensure the Central line continues to operate as normal.

The Council is also programming in drainage works on and under the bridge to ensure any surface water is kept away from the legs and spans of the bridge, this will reduce deterioration.

Clearance works underneath the structure has commenced and will be completed shortly, removing any fly tipping that has taken place. The Council will also be continuing to work with any businesses or residents that rent space under the structure.

The Council is monitoring current roadworks in the area on the Redbridge network and is also looking at roadworks planned in the future by utilities to reduce their duration and impact of their works.

The the bridge remains open for pedestrian use and opening up the traffic management to allow for cyclists and motorbike use is under consideration.

We would like to apologise for the inconvenience the bridge closure is causing local users.