Broadmead Road Bridge
Background
Broadmead Road Bridge is a critical part of Redbridge and North East London’s infrastructure. It runs over the Central Line and connects the north and south of the Woodford area as well as vehicles from Essex, Epping and North London that do not use the A406, providing vital links for residents to schools, shops, and health care services.
The bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic since July 2023 affecting approximately 15000 vehicle journeys daily using DfT annual average daily flow data, with access limited to cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Constructed in 1937, it is approaching the end of its serviceable life due to extensive structural defects that pose serious safety risks. This closure, though disruptive, was necessary to ensure public safety, including the safe operation of the Central Line running beneath the bridge.
Redbridge Council is actively pursuing funding to enable it to rebuild Broadmead Road Bridge and secure its future for generations to come.
Background
Broadmead Road Bridge is a critical part of Redbridge and North East London’s infrastructure. It runs over the Central Line and connects the north and south of the Woodford area as well as vehicles from Essex, Epping and North London that do not use the A406, providing vital links for residents to schools, shops, and health care services.
The bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic since July 2023 affecting approximately 15000 vehicle journeys daily using DfT annual average daily flow data, with access limited to cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Constructed in 1937, it is approaching the end of its serviceable life due to extensive structural defects that pose serious safety risks. This closure, though disruptive, was necessary to ensure public safety, including the safe operation of the Central Line running beneath the bridge.
Redbridge Council is actively pursuing funding to enable it to rebuild Broadmead Road Bridge and secure its future for generations to come.
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Broadmead Road update - Tuesday, 18 July 2023
Share Broadmead Road update - Tuesday, 18 July 2023 on Facebook Share Broadmead Road update - Tuesday, 18 July 2023 on X (formerly Twitter) Share Broadmead Road update - Tuesday, 18 July 2023 on Linkedin Email Broadmead Road update - Tuesday, 18 July 2023 linkA 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 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.
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Broadmead Road update - Friday, 14 July 2023
Share Broadmead Road update - Friday, 14 July 2023 on Facebook Share Broadmead Road update - Friday, 14 July 2023 on X (formerly Twitter) Share Broadmead Road update - Friday, 14 July 2023 on Linkedin Email Broadmead Road update - Friday, 14 July 2023 linkA 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.
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.
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Director of Property and Major Projects
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Broadmead Bridge session slides 18 November 2024 (1.16 MB) (pdf)
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241118 Broadmead post session FAQ (82.7 KB) (pdf)
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Broadmead Bridge January 2025 Update Report (4.08 MB) (pdf)
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Broadmead Road Principal Inspection Report [207 mb]
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Concrete Testing Report [39.1mb]
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Broadmead Road Bridge - Technical Report (10.2 MB) (pdf)
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Broadmead Road Bridge Assessment Report Non-Technical Exec Summary (606 KB) (pdf)
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Broadmead letter May25.pdf (123 KB) (pdf)
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Broadmead Bridge Public Meeting June 2025.pdf (1.13 MB) (pdf)
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Broadmead Road Bridge Options Report (35.4 MB) (pdf)
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GLV bid to Structures Fund (39.5 MB) (pdf)
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Broadmead Road Bridge bid to Structures Fund (90.8 MB) (pdf)
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Inspection of bridge - July 2023
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Closure of bridge - July 2023
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Organising access for hammer tap surveys with TfL - August 2023
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Hammer tap surveys and Principal Inspection of the Bridge - September - January 2024
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Removal of containers - January - March 2024
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Asbestos Survey & Report - April 2024
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stageNo asbestos found in the bridge.
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Hammer Tap and Principal Inspection of the inside units of the Bridge - June - July 2024
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Concrete Testing - May - September 2024
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Concrete Testing Analysis - October 2024
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Analysing feedback from laboratory - October 2024
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Begin calculation of structural loading - November 2024
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Counter checks of structural loading - November 2024
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Additional Topographical and Laser Surveys - December 2024
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Finalise structural load calculations of as-is bridge capacity - January 2025
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Technical report to determine current and as-built load capacity - May 2025
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Options Report - Spring 2025
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Formal decision on the options for the future of the bridge (Cabinet) - 17 July 2025
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Bid to Structures Fund submitted - 3 August 2026
Broadmead Road Bridge has finished this stage -
Funding
Broadmead Road Bridge is currently at this stage
- Why is the bridge on Broadmead Road closed?
- When were the issues with the bridge discovered?
- What is the Council doing to help alleviate traffic in the area?
- Why doesn’t the Council stop all roadworks in the area?
- What is the latest update on Broadmead Road Bridge?
- What option is the Council taking forward?
- Has funding been secured?
- How much funding has the Council applied for?
- Why can't the Council pay for the bridge itself?
- When will residents know if the funding bid has been successful?
- Would there be disruption during the works?
- Will the bridge remain open to pedestrians and cyclists?
- What would happen if nothing was done?
- How important is Broadmead Road Bridge?
- Who supports the funding bid?
- How will you keep residents informed?
- What happens next?