Chiswick Station Footbridge Reinstallation Date Confirmed
Network Rail to fully reopen crossing before end of February
The footbridge has been closed since last August
January 31, 2026
Network Rail has confirmed that the long-awaited reinstallation of the footbridge at Chiswick station will take place during a major engineering possession from 7–9 February, marking the first significant step toward restoring the vital pedestrian link.
The main span of the bridge—removed last August for extensive structural repairs—has been refurbished off-site and will be lifted back into place during a closure of the railway due to take place on Sunday (8 February).
Although the structure will be reinstated that weekend, it will not reopen immediately. Engineers will spend the remainder of February completing cabling, lighting, testing and final safety checks. Network Rail says it expects the footbridge to reopen to the public by the end of February.
The footbridge provides the only direct route between the two sides of the station without exiting onto surrounding streets. Its removal forced passengers and local residents into a lengthy detour via the road bridge—an inconvenience felt most acutely during peak hours and by those with mobility challenges.
What was initially expected to be a short closure grew significantly after engineers discovered the bridge’s condition was worse than previously anticipated, requiring more extensive repairs. The stairs have already been repaired and repainted, but the main span required full off-site refurbishment.
From 7am on Saturday 7 February, engineers will set up a mobile crane and carry out steelwork to prepare for the reinstatement with the new main span lifted into position. Then the temporary cabling that currently crosses the tracks will be removed and new cabling will be installed
To facilitate crane movements, Burlington Lane will be closed from 10pm on 6 February to 3am on 9 February.
After the main span is installed, teams will work on selected days and mid-week nights to complete remaining structural tasks up until 27 February, reinstate and test all lighting and finalise safety checks ahead of reopening. These works are expected to be less disruptive. Some additional painting may be required later in the year, depending on access.
The schedule shared by Network Rail suggests the full reopening date will be 28 February but it has not confirmed that this is the case.
Network Rail said in a letter to residents, “Our teams are working to ensure the footbridge can be reopened to the public as soon as possible. The main span has now been refurbished off site, and we will be reinstalling it during the planned line closure in early February. We would like to thank the Chiswick community for their patience while we have been carrying out these essential repairs.”
A gantry crosses the line where the footbridge used to be
The installation weekend coincides with broader engineering works in the Barnes area on Sunday 8 February. As a result:
- London Waterloo to Woking via Staines services will start from Kew Bridge
- London Waterloo to Kingston via Hounslow services will not run during the afternoon and evening
- Replacement buses will operate between Clapham Junction and Kew Bridge
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