Network Rail Gives Update on Brooks Lane Footbridge Closure
Noisy works scaled back and repairs confirmed to last five weeks
The bridge was also closed unexpectedly last year
July 27, 2026
The emergency closure of the Brooks Lane footbridge has entered a new phase after Network Rail confirmed that the structure will remain shut for around five weeks while engineers carry out essential repairs. The announcement follows continued pressure from Chiswick Riverside councillor Rick Rowe, who has been engaging with Network Rail and the on-site team after residents raised fresh concerns over noise, communication and the impact of the sudden shutdown.
The pedestrian bridge, linking Waldeck Road and Brooks Lane across the railway line, was closed without warning on Friday 24 July after engineers identified serious structural defects during a routine inspection. The abrupt closure — less than a year after a similar shutdown — left residents frustrated at the lack of notice and unclear timelines.
Cllr Rowe visited the site again on Sunday morning after receiving reports of excessive noise from jet washing and other works continuing late into the evening. He said the disturbance had affected families living nearby, including children whose sleep had been disrupted.
Following his intervention, the site manager confirmed that all jet washing and other particularly noisy works would be completed by 1pm on Sunday 26 July. The manager explained that the extensive jet washing was necessary to strip away years of paint and rust so engineers could properly inspect the steelwork and assess the full extent of the damage.
Network Rail has now advised that the bridge will remain closed throughout the repair period. With limited trackside access available, the works are expected to take around five weeks, with the current expectation that the bridge will reopen at the end of August, subject to progress on the repair programme.
While Cllr Rowe welcomed the steps taken to reduce noise and minimise disruption, he reiterated his disappointment at the lack of communication from Network Rail. “Residents and local ward councillors should have been informed as soon as the decision was taken to close the bridge, particularly given the disruption to people travelling through the area,” he said.
The latest update adds to longstanding frustrations about the bridge’s condition and the way closures have been handled. Last year’s emergency shutdown followed a similar pattern: no warning, missed deadlines and confusion over reopening dates. The bridge remained closed for weeks after engineers were unable to complete repairs on time.
Residents have previously proposed alternative designs to make the crossing fully accessible, but Network Rail declined to consider them. A refurbishment proposal in 2023 was rejected at the pre-planning stage by Hounslow Council because it was not a like-for-like replacement, leaving the structure reliant on ageing timber components.
Cllr Rowe said he will continue to press Network Rail for timely updates and clearer communication as repairs progress. With the bridge forming a key pedestrian link between Chiswick Village and Strand-on-the-Green — and used daily by commuters, families and schoolchildren — residents are hoping this latest closure will finally lead to a more reliable long-term solution.
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