Hungerford Bridge To Undergo Extensive Refurbishment Programme

The 161-year-old Hungerford railway bridge spanning the Thames in central London is set to undergo an extensive refurbishment programme beginning this weekend (18 January).

Originally opened in 1864 and designed by engineer Sir John Hawkshaw, the current steel truss bridge features wrought iron lattice girders and serves as a vital link between the South Bank and Charing Cross station. The bridge’s original supports, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the earlier Hungerford Suspension Footbridge (1845-1860), underscore its historical significance.

Network Rail will undertake critical maintenance over two phases. The first phase will focus on the spans on the South Bank from January 2025 to January 2026. This involves preparing and painting the bridge, testing truss pins that connect the various supports, and replacing pin end caps on the girders while refurbishing the original metalwork. Following this, the main refurbishment will cover the remaining spans from January 2026 until 2028.

As part of the refurbishment, users can expect additional weekend closures between 2026 and 2028, with dates yet to be announced.

View of the Hungerford Bridge from the southern Golden Jubilee walkway

The bridge has witnessed a series of upgrades in its long history, having been repaired and strengthened multiple times, particularly in response to damage sustained during the Second World War. Prior renovations include a notable overhaul between 1978 and 1980 when extensive work was carried out on the bridge’s decks.

The Hungerford Bridge has evolved over the years, with adjacent pedestrian walkways completed in 2002 for the Golden Jubilee that complement its role as a key transport route while enhancing public access across the Thames. The upcoming restoration aims to ensure the longevity and safety of this vital piece of infrastructure for future generations.

This project is part of £213M to be invested by Network Rail in bridges and structures on its Kent and South East London routes over the next four years.

Network Rail Kent Route director David Davidson said: “Many of the bridges on Britain’s railway are from the Victorian era and being responsible for this national heritage is both a privilege and a challenge. Some of the structures are very old, so are vulnerable to corrosion and damage from weather.

“Refurbishment of Hungerford Bridge will take three years, and we won’t need to close the bridge to trains during this first phase as we’ll be working at times that cause the least disruption to train services. This means we are carrying out some of our work during the night.

“To avoid further disruption, we will also use barges to deliver and remove waste materials to Surrey Pier for the period of the works to avoid creating extra traffic and the resulting pollution. This will avoid the equivalent of six truck freight deliveries through central London a week.”

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