Major engineering work completed on Barnes Railway Bridge

Aerial photograph of Barnes Railway Bridge; Network Rail

Work to strengthen the bridge’s three spans completed on schedule

Network Rail say they have completed the work they have been carrying out on Barnes Railway Bridge to strengthen it.

The track between Barnes and Kew Bridge has been closed since Saturday 23 August, meaning there have been no trains passing Chiswick Station, while the work has been carried out.

Engineers removed the middle girder on each span of the bridge and replaced them with brand new girders.

‘The middle girders do most of the heavy lifting when supporting the tracks and trains above, acting as the backbone of each span’, say Network Rail.

The new girders will allow faster, heavier trains to run over the bridge, including freight as well as heavier maintenance vehicles, which the railway operator says means they will be able to respond to serious faults on the line faster.

Karl-Anthony Daher-Cusack, Southern Renewals Enterprise site agent pointing out the new central girder; photograph Network Rail

The work has been carried out on time and the line has now been reopened.

Speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, Peter Williams, Customer and Commercial Director at South Western Railway, said:

“We’re grateful to our customers for their patience whilst these important works to strengthen Barnes Bridge have been completed. These works will allow trains to continue to run safely over the bridge for many years to come.”

Engineers are also refurbishing and strengthening the passenger footbridge at Chiswick station, including installation of new steel work, water-jetting and repainting and the removal of temporary scaffolding.

READ ALSO: No trains through Chiswick Station 23-31 August, footbridge closed until 15 September