Technical report overview - May 2025

We continue to work to resolve the future of Broadmead Road Bridge. We are in direct dialogue with Government ministers, making the case for investment from central Government based on the bridge’s strategic role in connecting our borough, in bridging the central line, and on the continued impact of its closure.

The technical report has now been received by the Council. To ensure transparency and keep residents and neighbouring communities informed, the full report is available in the documents section of this website, with a less-technical executive summary of the report.

Intensive work has been carried out by specialist engineers to assess the structure of Broadmead Bridge. We have previously informed you of the detailed concrete testing and the Principal Inspection that has been undertaken, and the results of this work.

The technical report

In addressing a structure like Broadmead Road Bridge, we are required to move through specific analysis and reporting stages. This enables us to assess the deterioration of the bridge’s key parts and calculate the load the bridge can bear.

The most recent stage involved commissioning engineers to calculate the load the bridge can currently take to keep people safe. This was complex work, which was carried out by AtkinsRéalis. They used the concrete testing work, geometric surveys and scans, and recorded defects from inspection reports. They have also calculated the load the bridge was designed to take at its original construction 87 years ago.

Findings in summary

• The bridge can support the current use by pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, subject to no further deterioration.
• The bridge cannot safely support cars or heavy vehicles in its current condition.
• The closure of the bridge to vehicular traffic must remain in place.

Fuller detail is available in the summary report [link] and the full report [link]

Next steps

• The structure will continue to be monitored for safety reasons.
• We are working with our specialist consultants on the Options Report which is due to be published in the coming months. This report will look at the options available to us, which could include repairing or rebuilding the bridge. It will also provide high level designs and costings for the options.
• Once we have the options from the engineers, a decision will be taken by elected Councillors, in public, on the way forward.
• In the meantime, we will continue to prioritise our fight for funding.

What else have we been doing?

We have been intensively working to push central Government for the funding that will be needed to repair or replace the bridge as required.

Lobbying work has included writing to, and meeting, ministers and officers right at the top of the UK Government. We are, with a partnership group (including emergency services) urgently requesting support and are stressing the importance of this structure to local people, and the impact its closure is having on the community in Redbridge.

We truly understand the impact this is having on local people, school children and teachers, local businesses and everyone who needs to travel across this part of the borough. We live and work in Redbridge and share your frustration that we are not yet in receipt of the funding required to bring this bridge back into use.

We’d like to thank you for your ongoing patience and for supporting us in our urgent calls for funding. We will update you again upon receipt of the formal options report.