Network Rail conduct investigation at Kew Railway Bridge
Regular walkers, joggers and cyclists along the Thames Towpath at Kew Railway Bridge will have noticed some time ago that cracks have appeared in the brickwork of Kew Railway bridge.
The 155-year-old Kew Railway bridge is a Grade II listed structure which crosses the River Thames at Occupation lane close to the National Archives, carrying District Line Tube trains and Mildmay Overground trains between Kew Gardens and Gunnersbury station.
Kew Railway Bridge (south bank) December 2024 pre investigation works
In recent months the cracks appear to have worsened. The installation of safety fences around the arches in February 2025 confirmed to passersby that something was afoot.
Safety barriers at Kew Railway Bridge ,February 2025
The Kew Society has been informed that the safety barriers were installed by Network Rail contractors during investigation works. The works are designed to determine the root cause of the cracks and check for further stress in the structure. According to a spokesperson for Network Rail, the investigations are classed as “urgent works” with “no set timescales”. As soon as the nature of the repair work needed has been determined “their contractors will reach out to relevant stakeholders, if the works will affect them.”
Investigation works at Kew Railway Bridge
Investigation hole in bridge brick work
The Chiswick Calendar reported similar damage to the Kew Railway Bridge on the opposite bank at Strand on the Green.
The Kew Society will keep you updated on the progress of the repair works and any impact they may have on towpath and rail users.
