London Overground and Greater Anglia line to shut for 16 days as bridge replaced

Under the old bridge
-Credit: (Image: Network Rail)


The London Overground and part of the Greater Anglia rail network are due to be shut for 16 consecutive days as a railway bridge is being replaced this summer. Between 20 July and 4 August, there will be no London Overground service between Hackney Downs and Chingford stations.

This means there will be no rail service to or from Clapton, St James Street, Walthamstow Central, Wood Street, Highams Park and Chingford stations.

Greater Anglia services that usually run between Liverpool Street and Hertford East will start and finish at Stratford instead. The usual Stratford – Meridian Water services won’t run, but other services will make additional stops at both Meridian Water and Northumberland Park.

READ MORE: The 6 London boroughs with no London Underground stations at all - and the areas with the most

The bridge
The 150-year-old bridge's iron support girders are in poor condition and are continuing to deteriorate -Credit:Network Rail

Additionally, Liverpool Street to Cambridge / Stansted Airport services will be diverted via, and call at, Seven Sisters instead of Tottenham Hale. Bishop’s Stortford to Stratford services will not operate, with passengers advised to use alternative services.

The bridge on Downs Park Road, Hackney, being replaced is 150 years old and in very poor condition, Network Rail said, so has to be replaced in the interested of safety. In addition, Network Rail will be carrying out maintenance at sites up and down the route. Engineers will be working on overhead lines, points and drainage systems, as well as improving the condition of the ballast under the tracks.

How to get around the works

An impression of the new bridge
Pedestrian and cycle access will be closed in the area from July 2024 -Credit:Network Rail
  • Rail replacement buses will run between Hackney Downs and Chingford every 20 minutes, calling at all stations

  • The Victoria line will be operating between Walthamstow Central and central London throughout the period

  • Local buses will be running across the affected London Overground line, with passengers particularly advised to check routes 97, 212, 230 and 275 when planning their journeys

  • London Overground services to Enfield Town and Cheshunt will serve Bethnal Green and Hackney Downs stations

Passengers using London Overground’s Enfield Town and Cheshunt lines should also check before they travel as there will be a different timetable on these routes during the 16 days.

Train services will additionally be affected by preparatory and follow-up works on:

  • Sunday 23 June

  • Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July

  • Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August

  • Sunday 1 September

  • Sunday 8 September

Meet with Overground, Greater Anglia and Network Rail representatives

An impression of the new bridge
Work started over a month ago in the area with part of Downs Park Road being closed to vehicles. This is an impression of the new bridge -Credit:Network Rail

Representatives from London Overground, Greater Anglia and Network Rail will be available to answer questions and provide travel information about 16 days of changes to services between Saturday 20 July and Sunday 4 August (inclusive).

The events will be held on:

  • Tuesday 18 June at Hackney Downs station from 8am - 10am

  • Thursday 27 June at Liverpool Street station from 4pm - 6pm

  • Thursday 11 July at Chingford station from 8am - 10am (London Overground and Network Rail only)

  • Wednesday 17 July at Enfield Town station from 4pm - 6pm

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