NEW OVERNIGHT CLOSURES FOR TEDDINGTON FOOTBRIDGES
A further week of overnight closures is required this coming week from 18 November to 22 November in order to replace the bearings on the lockcut bridge, Richmond Council announced. The bridges will be closed from 9pm to 6am, Monday to Friday.
According to the Council the essential maintenance works to repair the suspension footbridge main structure and lockcut iron truss footbridge will ensure this vital crossing can continue to be used safely for many years to come.
A principal inspection of both structures was undertaken in 2019.
The inspection assessed the condition of the structures and categorised any required interventions. Those classified as ‘safety critical’ or ‘urgent’ have been taken forward and included within the scope of the project.
Phase one of the works began in summer 2023 and involved removing the areas of corrosion, repairing and replacing any steel work across both structures along with the application of a new protective paint system.
Repair works have also been undertaken to the timber structures on the island between the bridges and on the Ham approach.
Phase two of the works involved replacing the Ferry Road approach ramp – a complex phase which included installing a dam around the ramp to allow the casting of the foundations for the new ramp structure and provide footings for the temporary ramp which was installed to maintain access to the bridge during the works.
Following the removal of the corrosion in phase one, work was also carried out to inspect the bearings on lockcut iron truss footbridge.
These critical pieces of infrastructure are central to the safe operation of the bridge by allowing them to flex and absorb movement during hot and icy spells of weather.
Without this ability to expand and contract due to weather conditions the bridge structure would sustain damage rendering it unsafe.
Phase three of the project involves replacing the bearings on lockcut bridge. To do this access needs to be restricted to enable the bridge to be jacked to access the bearings.
The phase three closures have taken place from Monday to Friday from:
- 28 October to 1 November
- 4 November to 8 November
- 11 November to 15 November
The Council said: “We are undertaking the works overnight on weeknights to limit the disruption to commuters and schools. The bridges will be closed from 9pm until 6am on each of the weeknights above.
“Some further weeknight closures will be required to complete the work. We will share the details of these weeknight closures as soon as they have been finalised.”
Local businesses such as The Flying Cloud, The Anglers, Tide End Cottage and The Boat Shop will remain open as usual.