Joy and Relief as Chiswick Station Footbridge Reopens
Mayor of Hounslow on hand to cut ribbon for long awaited return
Damian of Coffee Caravan and Amy Croft, Mayor of Hounslow do the honours. Picture: Lesley Thonas
February 27, 2026
The pedestrian footbridge at Chiswick Station has reopened on the morning Friday 27 February, ending more than six months of disruption for commuters and residents and prompting a small but warm community celebration. The reopening had been promised earlier in the month by Network Rail, which confirmed the date after completing extensive structural repairs and reinstating the bridge span.
Local residents gathered to mark the reopening, organising a small ceremony attended by the Mayor of Hounslow, Cllr Amy Croft, ward councillor Gabriella Giles, and neighbourhood police officers. Smiling crowds welcomed the return of the crossing, which restores a key walking route between the station platforms and surrounding streets.
Among those taking part was Damian, the operator of the Coffee Caravan, who became a familiar presence during the closure and helped keep commuters’ spirits up. He was invited to “cut” the ribbon alongside the Mayor in recognition of his support for the community throughout the disruption.
The footbridge, removed last August after engineers discovered significant deterioration, has been fully refurbished and returned to service following months of off‑site repairs. Network Rail had initially hoped to complete the work sooner, but inspections revealed the structure was in worse condition than expected, extending the closure into early 2026.
The bridge was lifted back into place during engineering works earlier this month.
For many residents, the reopening brings an immediate improvement to daily life. The closure forced long detours via the level crossing or alternative routes, adding time and inconvenience to school runs, commutes and local journeys. The restored bridge now reconnects the station’s entrances and provides a safer, quicker route across the tracks.
Residents and station users welcome the reopening. Picture: Lesley Thonas
Network Rail has thanked the community for its patience during the extended works and said the refurbishment will ensure the bridge remains safe and usable for years to come.
With the bridge now open, attention is likely to turn to broader accessibility issues at Chiswick Station, where step‑free access remains a long‑standing aspiration for many residents.
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