Shock at Network Rail Admission on Chiswick Station Footbridge
Structure will remain closed until February
The footbridge at Chiswick Station is closed until next year
September 12, 2025
There has been a shocked and angry reaction from local residents to an admission from Network Rail that the footbridge at Chiswick Station is to remain closed until next year.
Rumours have been circulating in the area that it was unlikely to reopen on the scheduled date this Monday (15 September) but even the most pessimistic had predicted a delay of a few weeks.
However. Network Rail has now confirmed that the refurbishment is not anticipated to be completed until February 2026, citing the need for additional steel repairs and restricted access to the railway during non-operational hours. The announcement, shared with stakeholders by letter September, acknowledges the disruption caused and offers apologies to the local community.
The footbridge, which provides a vital pedestrian link across the railway for Grove Park residents and commuters, has been shut since the beginning of August forcing lengthy detours for some. The latest delay has prompted renewed concern from Chiswick’s Conservative councillors, who are calling for improved engagement and transparency from both Network Rail and Hounslow Council.
Cllr Jack Emsley, who represents Chiswick Homefields ward, said, “We all agree that the bridge must be made safe – no one would want the works rushed at the expense of public safety. But Grove Park residents and schools have already experienced major inconvenience from previous closures, and communication throughout the process has been poor. This must change.”
Cllr Gabriella Giles (Chiswick Riverside) highlighted the impact on local students adding, “This delay will have a particular impact on students at Chiswick School if the works continue during term time, making daily journeys far longer and more difficult. I specifically asked Network Rail to explore the option of a temporary replacement crossing, but unfortunately, this was turned down. At the very least, Network Rail must now engage far earlier with schools, residents and businesses before any disruptive works take place.”
Network Rail’s update attributes the extended timeline to the deteriorated condition of the bridge and the logistical challenges of scheduling works during train-free periods. The organisation has offered to arrange on-site briefings for stakeholders and pledged to provide further updates as the programme progresses.
Cllr Peter Thompson (Chiswick Riverside) concluded, “We will continue to press Network Rail to deliver this project as swiftly as possible, but also to put communication with residents front and centre. Our community deserves a safe bridge and clear, honest updates on when they can expect it back.”
The councillors reiterated that while safety must remain the priority, the community should not be left in the dark about timelines and disruptions. They are urging Network Rail and the local authority to improve coordination and ensure residents are properly informed ahead of any future closures. The company has not yet responded to our request for comment.
Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We've always done that and won't be changing, in fact we'd like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we'd be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you'd like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |