Barnes Bridge Closure to Disrupt Rail Travel
Nine days of engineering works will require replacement bus service
Barnes Bridge. Picture: Network Rail
August 11, 2025
Network Rail has announced that Barnes Bridge will be closed for nine days from 23 to 31 August to allow for essential strengthening works, with rail replacement buses operating between Barnes and Kew Bridge throughout the period. The closure is expected to cause significant disruption for residents in Barnes and Putney who rely on South Western Railway services along the Hounslow Loop for commuting, school travel, and leisure.
The engineering works will involve the removal and replacement of the bridge’s middle girders, which play a critical role in supporting the tracks and trains above. In addition, wheel timbers on the outbound line from London will be replaced with longer-lasting, eco-friendly materials designed to reduce future maintenance and environmental impact.
The disruption coincides with the August Bank Holiday and the start of the new school term, a period when travel demand typically increases. Network Rail has stated that the timing was chosen to minimise impact, noting that fewer people travel during the last week of August.
On the weekend of 30–31 August, the closure will extend further, with buses replacing trains between Feltham and Barnes. This will affect fans attending Brentford’s Premier League home fixture against Aston Villa, with both Network Rail and South Western Railway urging supporters to plan ahead.
In addition to the bridge works, the passenger footbridge at Chiswick station will be closed from 2 August to 15 September for refurbishment and strengthening. A footpath diversion will be in place, requiring pedestrians to use Grove Park Bridge to cross the railway.
Mark Goodall, Wessex Route Director at Network Rail, acknowledged the inconvenience but emphasised the long-term benefits of the upgrades. “There is never a good time to close the railway,” he said, “but these works are vital to ensure the bridge remains safe and reliable for years to come.”
Peter Williams, Customer and Commercial Director at South Western Railway, added, “These upgrades will help keep the railway reliable and resilient for many years to come, and we’re grateful to our customers for their patience while they are carried out.”
The works follow a series of renewals carried out last summer, which allowed engineers to lift a speed restriction on the bridge and improve journey reliability. This year’s upgrades are expected to further enhance the structural integrity of Barnes Bridge and reduce the need for future closures.
Passengers are advised to check travel updates before their journey and allow extra time while the replacement bus services are in operation.
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