8 Day Summer Interruption to Local Train Services Announced
More work taking place on Barnes Bridge
Earlier work taking place on Barnes Bridge. Picture: Network Rail
May 21, 2025
Services on the Hounslow Loop train service are set for extended closures over the summer due to more work being carried out on Barnes Bridge by Network Rail.
The line between Barnes and Hounslow will subject to closures for eight days between 23 to 31 August meaning interrupted services at stations such as Kew Bridge, Chiswick, Brentford, Syon Lane and Isleworth.
On Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August buses will replace trains between Barnes and Feltham via Hounslow. Then from Monday 25 to Friday 29 August buses replace trains between Barnes and Kew Bridge only. Trains will run to and from Kew Bridge to Feltham. On Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August buses will replace trains between Barnes and Feltham via Hounslow again.
It is the second phase of a project to repair and maintain Barnes Bridge. Network Rail will be removing the middle girder on each span of the bridge and replacing 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. It will also be replacing wheel timbers under the track for services heading away from London. Network Rail says that many of the current wheel timbers are old and no longer fit for purpose. The wheel timbers will be replaced with lighter, more weather resistant blocks, which last 50 years, 30 years longer than the current blocks.
Work on the project will begin in mid-July when scaffolding will be erected in preparation for the installation of the new girders but there is not anticipated to be any impact on services.
From 28 July to 2 August 2024, Network Rail renewed and strengthened the pins that join the steelwork together on Barnes Bridge. It says this allowed it to lift a speed restriction from the bridge, improving the reliability of journeys. The wheel timbers beneath the track running towards London were also renewed. Once the closures are over it is hoped to finish the remaining work by mid-September without any further interruption to services.
Network Rail anticipates some noise and light disturbance due to the work but says it will do all it can to keep disruption to a minimum and it will be sending letters to households nearer the start date, so they are aware of what is happening.
Work on the footbridge at Chiswick station will also begin in mid-July including the installation of new steel work, removal of the temporary scaffold support, water-jetting and re-painting. Network Rail says this will end the need to regularly do maintenance work on the building. This work will require the closure of the footbridge from 2 August to 15 September during which time it will be necessary to use the Grove Park Park bridge to get to the opposite platform.
The footbridge at Chiswick Station. Picture: Google Streetview
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