Passengers are being urged to avoid travel if they can during major railway disruption on Sunday 20 September until 4pm when Network Rail removes Oxhey Grange footbridge near Watford in an emergency operation to keep the railway safe.
The bridge, which crosses the West Coast Main Line south of Watford Junction, was closed on 26 July after routine inspections revealed it had deteriorated more quickly than expected and required urgent intervention. Engineers have decided it must now be removed as soon as possible to protect passengers, railway workers and the local community.
To complete the work safely, Network Rail will close all four West Coast Main Line tracks and the adjacent London Overground Lioness line beneath the bridge from midnight on Saturday 19 September until 4pm on Sunday 20 September. The bridge will be lifted out in a single operation using a specialist 100-metre-tall heavy-lift crane capable of lifting 1,200 tonnes. This approach significantly reduces the amount of time the railway needs to be closed compared with alternative removal methods.
The closure will affect journeys between London Euston and Watford Junction until 4pm, with amended services operating across the West Coast Main Line.
Passengers travelling between London, the West Midlands, North West England and Scotland are being advised to avoid travel if they can. Those who need to make journeys should check before travelling and allow extra time. Updated timetables for Sunday 20 September will be available in journey planners from Monday 7 September.
During the closure:
- Avanti West Coast services to and from Scotland and North West England will start and terminate at Milton Keynes Central, with additional services starting and terminating at Rugby.
- London Northwestern Railway services will operate between Milton Keynes Central and destinations to the north, with an hourly shuttle service running between Milton Keynes Central and Watford Junction.
- London Overground Lioness line services will be limited to two trains per hour between Euston and Willesden Junction, while London Underground Bakerloo line services will continue to operate normally.
- Passengers travelling between England and Scotland will still be able to travel using alternative rail and replacement bus arrangements, although journey times will be longer than usual.
Gary Walsh, director for Network Rail’s West Coast South route said: “Following a routine safety inspection, Network Rail closed the footbridge at Oxhey Grange after identifying significant deterioration of the structure. The safety of residents, bridge users, railway colleagues and passengers remains our top priority, and further assessments have shown the bridge now needs to be removed as soon as possible.
“We know this work will disrupt journeys on Sunday 20 September and we’re sorry for the inconvenience. By using a specialist heavy-lift crane, we’re able to remove the bridge in a single operation and reopen the railway as quickly as possible. Passengers are advised to avoid travel until 4pm and allow extra time for their journeys.
“At the same time as progressing plans to safely remove the existing bridge, we are continuing to develop proposals for its replacement and will engage with the local community as this work progresses.”
Preparatory work is already under way at the site, including structural monitoring, site surveys and construction of a crane platform. Temporary speed restrictions are also in place beneath the bridge as a precaution while removal plans are completed.
Network Rail is continuing to develop plans for a replacement crossing and will engage with local residents and stakeholders as the project progresses.
Image credit: Network Rail