Brooks Lane Footbridge Expected to Open By Term Start
Network Rail unable to complete work by original deadline
The footbridge has already been closed for over two weeks
August 31, 2025
UPDATE: The footbridge was reopened on Sunday (31 August) afternoon.
Network Rail has missed its original deadline for the reopening of the Brooks Lane Footbridge, which was closed without warning earlier this month following the discovery of serious structural faults. The bridge, which connects Chiswick Village with Strand on the Green, remains shut as emergency repair works continue.
The closure, which began on Sunday 10 August, has disrupted a key pedestrian route used daily by parents and pupils attending Strand on the Green Schools. The bridge was initially expected to reopen by Friday 22 August, but Network Rail has now confirmed that the works were not completed during the planned line possessions last week.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said, “We are very sorry that the Brooks Lane Footbridge, which connects Chiswick Village with Strand on the Green, remains closed for emergency repairs. Unfortunately, the engineers were unable to complete the works during the planned line possessions last week. As a result, the works will continue this week, and the bridge is now expected to reopen at the end of the week.”
The delay has raised concerns among local residents and councillors, particularly given the lack of prior notice about the initial closure. Chiswick Riverside ward councillors Gabriella Giles and Peter Thompson previously criticised the communication around the shutdown, noting that many residents were caught off guard and left without clear signage or alternative routes.
The bridge was closed immediately after engineers identified damage to the timber beams supporting the span during a routine safety inspection. Although the structure had been earmarked for refurbishment in 2023, plans were not approved at the pre-planning stage by Hounslow Council. The proposed design was rejected for not being a like-for-like replacement, and some residents had hoped the upgrade would include step-free access.
Despite the missed deadline, Network Rail’s revised timeline means the bridge could reopen in time for the start of the new school term, restoring a vital connection for families and easing pressure on local routes. Councillors have continued to call for clearer communication and signage to prevent further disruption. A sign promising reopening on 22 August remains by the site prompting one resident to place a post it note with a question mark on it.
Expectations of a reopening on 22 August not realised by this Tuesday
The situation remains under review, with engineers expected to complete the remaining works by the end of this week.
The closure of Brooks Lane footbridge comes as another local crossing—over Chiswick Station—remains shut for repairs. That bridge is expected to reopen on 15 September.
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