BAM starts replacement of four Victorian rail bridges on Suffragette line in Forest Gate

BAM UK & Ireland has started work for Network Rail on replacing four Victorian railway bridges carrying the London Overground Suffragette line through Forest Gate in east London, with new decks due to be installed in spring 2027.

The bridges, at Talbot Road, Strode Road, Stracey Road and Latimer Road, sit between Leytonstone High Road and Woodgrange Park stations. BAM said they are around 130 years old and have reached the point where replacement is necessary.

Network Rail said in a July release that work would begin at the Talbot Road and Stracey Road bridges on 1 September, with engineers starting on site at Strode Road and Latimer Road on 28 September. BAM confirmed on 26 October that work began in September.

Richard Prime, Managing Director, Transport at BAM UK & Ireland, said: "BAM brings proven experience in delivering complex bridge replacements in busy urban environments. We'll apply that expertise to replace these four Victorian structures, helping secure a more reliable railway for east London for generations to come."

The programme

The first phase involves extending the existing bridge supports so they can carry the new decks, according to BAM. Network Rail described this as extending the support structures at the ends of the existing bridges.

The existing decks will then be demolished and replaced with new spans in spring 2027, BAM said. Both BAM and Network Rail's July release put overall completion at late summer 2027.

Both organisations said the new bridges are expected to remain in service until around the year 2150.

Network Rail said the old bridges are monitored closely to check they are safe, but at 130 years old need replacing to avoid unplanned disruption.

Disruption

Network Rail said the road and pavement under each bridge would be closed throughout the project. Some weekend closures of the Suffragette line will also be needed in 2027, it said.

Joe Kennedy, infrastructure director for Network Rail Anglia, said: "Thousands of people travel over these old bridges every day by train, passing through residential areas in east London."

He added: "We're really sorry for the disruption and we'll work very closely with residents and businesses."

BAM said it is working closely with Network Rail to minimise disruption to passengers, residents and local businesses, with regular updates and opportunities for the community to engage with the project team.

Background

The Suffragette line runs from Gospel Oak to Barking Riverside, according to Transport for London (TfL). TfL said the name pays homage to the East London Federation of Suffragettes, a largely working-class suffragette movement in the East End.

BAM UK & Ireland describes itself as part of Royal BAM Group, which it calls one of the largest construction and civil engineering groups in Europe.

Network Rail's project page lists the Talbot Road bridge at postcode E7 0DX.

The deck demolition and replacement at all four sites is scheduled for spring 2027.