Network Rail & Southeastern Alliance - press release
Motorists in Sheppey and Sittingbourne are being advised to plan ahead, leave more time to travel and travel at quieter times of the day from 22:00 on Friday 25 October to 05:00 on Sunday 3 November, when the Kingsferry Bridge closes for eight days.
Network Rail will use the time to complete the replacement of the ropes that lift the bridge for shipping.
The October closure comes after scans of the steel ropes found they had degraded, meaning the rope replacement which was planned for 2026 had to be urgently brought forward. If the work isn’t done before winter, there is a risk that the ropes could fail and the bridge would close for a much longer period.
The lifting ropes in the Kingsferry Bridge towers and the counterweight ropes that balance the bridge deck when it lifts were replaced over a series of closures in June and July. The lifting ropes in the Kent towers will be replaced in the Kent school half-term in October.
Taking on board lessons from the previous closures, Network Rail, has decided to complete the works in the half term when most schools will be closed, there will be less traffic on local roads and people will have more flexibility with their travel plans.
To further reduce road congestion when the Kingsferry Bridge is closed in October, Network Rail and Kent County Council have agreed that the traffic management from the northbound A249 will be temporarily removed.
As with the previous closures of the bridge, free vehicle recovery will be in place from Cowstead Corner to Bobbing Roundabout, all requests for non-emergency roads in the area will be rejected and shuttle buses will be in place for rail passengers, pedestrians and cyclists, as well as under 50cc moped and motorbikes.
David Davidson, Network Rail’s Route Director for Kent said: “We know there’s never a good time to close the Kingsferry Bridge. It’s vitally important to rail passengers, motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, commercial shipping and leisure boats. The local road network is busy with holiday traffic in summer and school and commuter traffic, as well as road freight the rest of the year.
“During the October half-term around nine in 10 schools in the area are closed, meaning that the roads will be quieter and people will generally have more flexibility with their travel plans.
“The Grovehurst roundabout works are already increasing journey times for local people, but unfortunately we can’t delay the rope replacement until that work is complete. If the ropes failed over the winter, it would take time to mobilise a repair team. Also, doing the work in winter when weather is more challenging would take longer, and there is a higher risk the Sheppey Crossing could close due to the winds, cutting the island off completely.
“We are sorry for the disruption people will face, but we have no other option but to get the ropes replaced now.
“To help manage the impact on the area, we’re working closely with Kent County Council to put a range of mitigations in place. We’re also asking those people who can change their travel plans to do so. We’re fully aware that many people can’t change their travel plans, but if you can shop locally, car share, travel outside of peak times or work from home for the week, please do, as this will make journeys easier for people who have no other option but to travel."
Scott Brightwell, Southeastern’s Operations and Safety Director, said: “If you need to travel when the line is closed then we are providing a regular replacement bus service between Sheerness and Sittingbourne stations. Online journey planners are up to date, and you can also visit our website for more detailed information. Thanks for bearing with us over the summer and again for this final time while the essential repairs to the Kingsferry Bridge are completed.”
