Broadmead Road Bridge

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 have completed the principal inspection and the hammer tapping alongside the Central Line tracks and are now working on the remainder of the bridge where access is free at any time of the day. 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 and will be writing the formal principal inspection report to be submitted to the Council.

Clearance works underneath the structure will now involve the moving of any storage containers and cars under the structure and owners of the vehicles and containers have been notified.

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

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.

Broadmead Road was closed to traffic in July due to significant structural defects reported following an inspection of the bridge. As soon as the defects were discovered, the road was closed immediately to prevent potential loss of life or serious injury.

Following the closure, the council commissioned more detailed surveys to establish the extent of the structural issues and the next steps available to reopen the road.

Unfortunately, the size and location of the structure over the Central Line track means multiple detailed technical surveys are required to establish both the condition of the bridge and potential resolutions; these surveys must be conducted with the support of Transport for London (TfL).

The location of the bridge also means the time period engineers can conduct essential survey work consists of approximately 1.5 hours per night when the train track is not in use. We are working closely with TfL to speed up this survey work where possible.

The council is working closely with Transport for London (TfL) to speed up this survey work where possible. To reopen Broadmead Road will require extensive construction work and is expected to take a significant amount of time. At this stage, Redbridge Council is continuing survey work to establish what works are necessary to ensure the bridge section of the road is safe.

To date, Redbridge Council has undertaken the following actions to determine the condition of the bridge section of Broadmead Road:

• An initial inspection of the bridge which found significant structural defects that warranted an immediate closure to prevent potential injury and loss of life.
• A hammer tap survey which confirmed significant structural issues.
• Further hammer tap surveys have been organised for other parts of the bridge.
• A principal inspection is being organised. Following this survey, an options report will be shared with the Highways Team outlining what work needs to be completed to make the bridge safe.
• A Section 41 notice has been issued and posted at sites under the bridge, warning people parking or otherwise using space under the bridge to vacate the area, which will then be fenced off to keep the site secure. This is for safety reasons, as the area is at risk of falling debris, and to allow further inspections and any works to take place.
• Safety inspections have been undertaken at all other similar structures across Redbridge to determine if they are at risk.

To alleviate traffic disruption, Redbridge Council will:

• Continue to monitor traffic on Broadmead Road and request TfL continually review the traffic signal before the bridge section of the road.
• Install additional signs around Broadmead Road to update users.
• Review pausing the progress of any major roadworks along main roads in the area under council control to prevent further traffic disruption. Works on the A406 fall outside of the council’s control.
• Continue to support TfL in diverting buses around the road closure.
• Continue to support Essex County Council to alleviate traffic around the Station Way bridge near Roding Valley Station, which falls under their jurisdiction.

Redbridge Council has issued the following update concerning the part closure of Broadmead Road, Woodford.

Surveys of the structure on Broadmead Road took place recently, and the engineers have confirmed the decision to close the structure was necessary.

Our Highways Team have commissioned designers to start producing designs for the propping up of the bridge. Further surveys will be carried out shortly, which will inform what other measures will be needed to allow some traffic over the bridge.

We're waiting for confirmation from our designers on how long it will take for the props to be designed, produced and installed. There is currently no impact on the operation of the Central Line. Emergency services will have to use alternative routes for the time being.

We apologise for any inconvenience this is causing.

A major section of Broadmead Road in Woodford will remain closed until further notice.

On Thursday 13 July, Redbridge Council undertook a structural survey of Broadmead Road. The outcome of the survey recommended immediate part closure of the road pending further assessment.

Following guidance from the structural engineering team, Broadmead Road was closed between Charteris Road and St Barnabas Road.

A complete survey of the structure is set to commence this week. These works will be trackside and, therefore require TfL permission and take place overnight.

In the meantime, we've instructed contractors to begin designing emergency measures this week. Installation of these measures will begin as soon as possible.

We currently anticipate a six-weight week minimum closure of the bridge due to the nature of the additional survey and emergency work required. Once the survey and emergency measures are installed, the bridge will likely reopen, albeit in a restricted capacity.

The following restrictions are likely to apply for the foreseeable future:

• No vehicles above 7.5tn – which includes buses, but will possibly exempt fire engines on emergency calls, subject to Structural Engineer advice
• Single lane in each direction and a potential 20mph speed limit

There is currently no impact on the operation of the Central Line. Emergency service vehicles will have to use alternative routes for the time being.

Please expect delays to your usual journey, particularly for families dropping off children at Woodbridge High School. The closure will impact local bus routes, including the 275. Please visit Transport for London about bus diversions.

We apologise for any inconvenience and disruption this is causing commuters, cyclists and motorists.

We will keep you updated.

A major section of Broadmead Road in Woodford has been closed until further notice.

On 13 July, Redbridge Council undertook a structural survey of Broadmead Road. The outcome of the survey recommended immediate part closure of the road pending further assessment.

Following guidance from the structural engineering team, Broadmead Road has been closed between Charteris Road and St Barnabas Road while further assessments are ongoing.

We are looking to put temporary measures in place to reopen the road as soon as possible while undertaking additional assessments.

This closure will likely cause significant traffic disruption in the area concerned. Please expect delays to your usual journey, particularly for parents dropping off children at Woodbridge School. The closure will also impact local bus routes. Please visit Transport for London about bus diversions.

We will provide an update as soon as we have any new developments. We apologise for any disruption and inconvenience this may cause.