Broadmead Road Bridge - join our online meeting

Update 22 November 2025

An online meeting was held, with Cllr Kam Rai, Leader of Redbridge Council, on 18 November 2024.

Local people were invited to dial in, to hear about the condition of the bridge following assessments from structural engineers, and to find out the next steps for this crucial local infrastructure.

A video of the meeting is below. 

 

Questions asked by local people in the online meeting:

 

Structural Assessment & Technical Details

What is the current structural status of the bridge, and what are the specific defects identified?

The bridge is closed due to safety concerns following inspections that identified cracks, falling concrete, and concrete corrosion. Detailed inspections revealed extensive structural defects such as carbonation and chloride contamination, which have compromised the bridge’s integrity.

Are the full inspection reports and risk assessments available for public review?

We will receive reports one by one between now and Feb/March next year. Once we have assessed the content of the reports and drafted detailed summaries of the findings, we will make the reports available online for the public to read.

Why can't the bridge be opened for one-way traffic or limited vehicle use?

We are still awaiting a detailed assessment of the concrete structure, and as such, we cannot allow any heavy vehicles to pass over it. From the analysis and inspections carried out to date we believe the bridge’s current load-bearing capacity is insufficient for any vehicular traffic due to the extent of structural damage. Pedestrian, cycle, and motorcycle traffic are permitted since they have a negligible impact on the load.

What are the technical options being considered (repair vs. replacement)?

From early high-level discussions with the consultants there will be various options put on the table from partially renewing elements of the bridge and protecting it, to strengthening elements and protecting it, to a full demolish and re-build. The full detail will be contained within the options report.

 

Timeline & Project Management

What are the best and worst-case timescales for reopening the bridge?

A reopening date depends on the chosen repair/replacement option and securing funding. Even under the best-case scenario, reopening will require extensive time due to the complexities of construction over the Central Line

When will the final options report be released?

We expect to receive the final report, which will then be presented to Cabinet*, in the spring of 2025. This is the report that Cabinet will use to inform their decision.
(*Cabinet is the group of senior local councillors, including the leader, who work to make decisions on their areas of responsibility. Many of these decisions are then voted on, at Full Council, which consists of all elected Councillors for the area.)

Once funding is secured, what is the estimated timeline for completion of works?

This will depend on the options identified in the final report that sets out next steps, and the decision that is made. We expect to receive this report in the spring of 2025.

What immediate actions are being taken while longer-term solutions are developed?

We, with structural engineers through the contractor, have calculated structural loading and completed the designs for some additional propping by the Central Line if needed.

We have installed additional drainage to ensure water is taken away from the joints and structure of the bridge itself. This will reduce the rate of deterioration and corrosion from water-based effects such as seepage and chloride contamination.

We have re-opened the road to cyclists and motorcyclists to minimise disruption as much as we can. This has been assessed by experienced contractors and is safe, however we are not able to safely reopen to heavier vehicles such as cars.

How does this compare to similar projects like Hammersmith Bridge?

Hammersmith Bridge is a very complex project. However, structure age, wear and tear, natural effects are all factors that we see across the country where bridges were built pre-World War 2 and are now coming to the end of their lives.

 

Funding & Financial Considerations

What is the estimated total cost for the various options?

The cost of repairs is estimated to be over £25 million, with higher costs likely for full replacement. These estimates are based on similar projects completed elsewhere in the UK​.

Which organisations have been approached for funding, and what were their responses?

We have approached the Department for Transport and Transport for London. We are still working hard to gain the support of the DfT, but initial conversations with TfL are promising. Unfortunately, both organisations are in difficult funding positions themselves, and have a number of projects across London and nationally that also require significant investment.

Why hasn't the Council set aside funds for this since taking ownership in 1985?

The Council assesses its budgetary needs on a regular basis and through regular inspections of its assets will allocate funding as required, but also within its means. At the time of taking ownership the Council did not need to set aside funds for a bridge replacement, nor did prior inspections show an immediate need to consider replacing the bridge. Local Authorities have faced cuts of over 50% to their government funding since 2010. Redbridge is the third-lowest funded borough in London.

Councils do not have surplus budgets to set aside funding for potential scenarios of this scale. This is why we are lobbying Central Government for additional funding to help restore traffic to the bridge.

Will TfL contribute to the costs given the bridge's position over the Central Line?

We have approached Transport for London, but they have made no commitment to contributing to the cost. Since 1985, the bridge has been owned by, and is the responsibility of, Redbridge Council.

Has the Council considered reallocating funds from other projects (e.g. the Lido)?

We have considered a number of funding options. If we were to reallocate funding from the lido, we would still need to find over £20m to fix the bridge. Unfortunately saving on the lido project would not give us anywhere near enough to resolve the funding issue for the bridge.

Additionally, the lido project is an “invest to generate income” project. The spend on the lido would not only give local people a new leisure facility to enjoy, but the income it would generate would cover its costs and provide us with long-term revenue, which we would invest back into vital council services.

We simply don’t have the spare money to rebuild this 87 year old bridge and this is why we are doing all we can to secure funding from central Government.

Has the Council considered taking out loans?

Taking out a loan to cover some of the cost of bridge replacement may be an option, however we will need to be fully appraised of the bridge’s condition and the viable options for repair or replacement. We will not have this information until the options report is presented.

We would need to weigh up the ongoing cost of interest on the loan, and how this would impact the money we have available for other Council services.

Has the Council considered implementing tolls?

This is not currently part of our thinking, but the legal powers exist for local authorities to use should they wish to do so.

Has the Council considered applying for specific government grants?

No potential source of funding is off the table.

 

Traffic Management & Safety

What measures are being taken to manage diverted traffic (including speeding, congestion and air pollution and deteriorated road surfaces) in surrounding residential areas?

We have had correspondence from residents around speeding on various roads in the area. We are getting data on those roads, and we will consider what may be possible to help alleviate this. On Kings Avenue there are already priority give-way points, but due to the volume of traffic now, we need to re-assess their effectiveness and see what else may be appropriate and effective. In the first instance we will be liaising with local Police to see if they can do some community roadwatch with local residents and also request some additional monitoring.

We will investigate Cherry Tree Rise, and the complaints received from residents concerning that road.

Why do the traffic lights still show green for coming off the bridge?

We approached Transport for London as soon as the bridge was closed to inform them of the closure and requested an adjustment to the traffic signal timings to accommodate the traffic. All signals that direct traffic over and from the bridge have been given the absolute minimal green signal timings the system can allow, whilst now accommodating the cycle and motorcyclist traffic flow across the bridge. To switch these lights off would require replacing with temporary lights, which would cost the council a minimum of £150,000 a year to hire and maintain.

We will continue to liaise with TfL to re-prioritise any signals they can in the wider area to assist traffic flow. We understand this is causing frustration for many people and we will look into potential solutions.

Why have the streetlights on the bridge been switched off?

The Council conducts structural testing on its lamp columns which is an important part of maintaining and keeping our infrastructure safe, as part of its programme, Broadmead Bridge was chosen as part of this year’s programme due to the closure of the bridge and the wider structural problems with the bridge itself. Following the tests, it was observed that there was corrosion at the base of some of the columns due to water ingress. As a result, four lamp columns were cut down for safety reasons. These were located on the eastern side of the bridge. Temporary lighting has been set up to keep the bridge well-lit until permanent replacements can be manufactured and installed. This process can up to twelve weeks.

We have replaced the diesel generator temporary lights that were installed promptly to restore some lighting to the area with battery operated generators. These should be much quieter.

What is being and will be done to prevent unauthorised vehicle access?

We have removed the untidy heras fencing and replaced it with planters spaced to allow bicycles and motorcycles through, but not cars. This ensures the environment looks appealing but prevents heavy vehicle access. We will install additional plain text signage to forewarn motorists about the bridge closure. We will ensure appropriate signage is in place to direct cyclists and motorcyclists away from the footway.

 

Wider Infrastructure Impact

What is the status of other bridges in the area, particularly Station Way bridge?

We are aware of ongoing issues on Station Way; however, Essex County Council has ownership of the bridge by Roding Valley station. We will engage proactively with ECC to try and mitigate knock-on impacts as far as we can.

Is there a risk assessment for other similar-aged bridges in the borough?

We undertake inspections as part of a routine programme for all our bridges and structures that we own. As part of those assessments, we build a programme of works to maintain those structures as required. This is work we do on an ongoing basis.

What contingency plans exist if other bridges require closure?

The Council We will assess any bridges through our inspection programme and will follow the CS 450 management of sub-standard structures where we consider all urgent mitigation measures, not just road closures. Diversion plans already exist for principal roads and bridges if any future bridges require a closure, but this option is taken as an absolute last resort.

 

Public Transport & Accessibility

What alternative transport options are being considered/implemented?

We have already consulted on a changed bus route through residential roads, in order for there to be a bus service that takes school children to the western point of Broadmead Bridge. We listened to residents who gave us strong feedback that they were not in favour of the parking restriction changes required to allow the bus to go through their roads.

How are you addressing access issues for elderly and disabled residents?

We are considering a number of options, including learning from Hammersmith Bridge where greater use of Dial-a-ride was implemented. This is purely subject to availability of the service and is something we will raise with TfL.

Are there plans to improve bus routes and public transport links?

We are aware that bus routes are affected awe very much understand the impact this has on people who rely on them. We did carry out a consultation to assist school children with amended bus routes, but this required parking amendments on some residential roads and the feedback we received was overwhelmingly against the scheme. The reason we need to amend parking restrictions such as adding double yellow lines in at junctions, is to allow buses to use these residential roads to be able to turn onto Broadmead Road. This is because there is not enough room on Broadmead Road for a bus to perform a u-turn in a single manoeuvre.

 

Communication & Community Engagement

How will residents be kept informed of progress?

We will continue to update residents on our Let’s Talk Redbridge page, on the council’s website, and on our social media channels.

Will there be regular public meetings, both online and in-person?

We will continue to meet with residents, and we have committed to an in-person public meeting in the first three months of 2025.

How can residents participate in the decision-making process?

The options report and subsequent recommendations will be presented to Cabinet in 2025. Residents are encouraged to take part in the democratic process, and committee and cabinet meetings are open to the public. We welcome your views, and you can write to the council or to your councillor to express them.

How can residents join working groups or contribute to the planning process?

Residents can initially contribute by signing our petition and writing to your local MP. It is vital that we get government support for funding whatever is put forward following the Council’s decision, based on the options report. Regardless of the chosen option, the work will be extensive, time consuming and naturally disruptive. But we are working at pace with our specialist consultants to get to this stage.

If this bridge was in Ilford the work would have been done by now.

This is not true. We would and would rightly have to follow the same processes with the same inspections, as set out in the national guidance. We would procure the same specialists in their fields to conduct the inspections, testing, and surveys, and the time taken to do that would be the same We would also have similar, if not greater problems with getting track access time on the Elizabeth line corridor.

 

Historical Context

When were structural issues first identified?

On Thursday 13 July 2023 Redbridge Council undertook a structural survey of Broadmead Road. The survey outcome recommended immediate closure of the road to vehicular traffic, pending further assessment.

Following guidance from the structural engineering team, Broadmead Road Bridge was closed.

What actions were taken following the 2014 warnings?

We have undertaken inspections since 2014 and have carried out maintenance work to the bridge since 2014. The inspections are a snapshot of the condition of the bridge and those inspections revealed no reason to close the bridge at the time.

Who owned and maintained the bridge before 1985?

The Greater London Council (GLC) was responsible for the structure up until the GLC was abolished in 1985, and its assets were divided between the London boroughs. When the Greater London Authority was formed in 1999, it did not assume control of structures once owned and maintained by the GLC, and the bridge remained the property of Redbridge Council.

What maintenance has been carried out since the Council took ownership?

We have undertaken inspections and maintenance during this period. Our records show we instructed concrete repairs to cracked and spalled, and rust-exuding areas of the beams and columns of the support frames, between 18-19 and 24-25, below the movement joints and iron pyrite rust spots.

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Cllr Kam Rai said, “I share in everyone’s frustration that the bridge is not currently open, and I am acutely aware of the disruption this is causing to people who live, work, or study near to this junction and in the wider area.

“Following significant structural defects discovered during site inspections, we had no choice but to close Broadmead Road Bridge to vehicles to protect the public travelling over the bridge, and to protect people travelling on the tube line under the bridge. Now that much of the structural assessment is drawing to an end, it is clear that the bridge is not structurally sound to reopen to vehicles. It is nearly 90 years old, and has degraded over time.

“We are lobbying regional and national government for funding for this infrastructure. Even if we had available funds for this, the work required is extensive and would likely take several years to bring the bridge back into full use. It is imperative we receive Government support after 14 years of under funding to local authorities – we have been stripped of around half our funding as a Council since 2010 and while we are stretching the funding we have as much as we possibly can to maintain our core services, we simply do not have millions to repair or rebuild this bridge. Since I became council Leader in July, I have written to the Secretary of State for Transport and met with the Deputy Mayor of London for Transport to outline the challenge we face, explain why the bridge is important and needs their assistance. I will continue to advocate for Woodford, and work to secure the funding we deserve."