Keith Prince Presses Sadiq Khan Over Broadmead Bridge Delays Redbridge 2026

Key Points

• Assembly Pressure: Keith Prince AM, Member of the London Assembly for Havering and Redbridge, challenged Mayor Sadiq Khan at Mayor’s Question Time on 16 July 2026 regarding the ongoing closure and delays surrounding Broadmead Bridge in Woodford.
• Severe Traffic Impact: Broadmead Bridge has been completely closed to vehicular traffic since July 2023 following structural inspection failures, directly disrupting over 15,000 daily vehicle journeys across Redbridge and northeastern London.
• Disruption to Public Transport: Bus route 675 (running between Walthamstow and Woodbridge High School) has been on diversion since October 2023, causing widespread travel delays for local students, commuters, emergency services, and businesses.
• Complex Infrastructure Risks: The bridge spans directly over London Underground’s Central line tracks and carries essential local utilities, making structural resolution critical to wider transport and utility safety.
• Funding and Government Support: Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed Transport for London (TfL) has partnered with Redbridge Council Leader Cllr Kam Rai to write to the Department for Transport (DfT) seeking national funding under the Structures Fund, competing alongside other major London capital projects.
• Advocacy for Transport Staff: Alongside bridge restoration demands, Keith Prince AM reiterated his campaign for frontline London bus drivers working out of depots in Havering and Redbridge, calling for improved operational conditions amidst ongoing road diversions.

Redbridge (East London Times) July 27, 2026 – London Assembly Member for Havering and Redbridge, Keith Prince AM, has formally pressed Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during Mayor’s Question Time over the prolonged closure of Broadmead Bridge in Redbridge, demanding immediate capital intervention and a clear timeline for its restoration. The vital transport link, which connects northern and southern Woodford while facilitating travel between Essex and outer London, was closed to vehicular traffic by Redbridge Council in July 2023 after routine inspections revealed critical structural defects.

The ongoing closure has severed a arterial route for over 15,000 daily journeys, severely disrupting emergency service routes, surrounding residential roads, and local bus networks—including route 675 serving Woodbridge High School. Addressing City Hall, Prince highlighted that residents and local traders face daily gridlock and extensive diversions, stressing that outer London infrastructure must receive proportionate funding and oversight from Transport for London (TfL).

Why Is Keith Prince AM Pressing the Mayor of London Over Broadmead Bridge?

As reported by Political Correspondent James Hanning of City Hall News, Keith Prince AM stated during the session that

“one of the key issues I continue to pursue is the future of Broadmead Bridge, a vital transport link connecting residents across Redbridge. Its prolonged closure has caused disruption for motorists, businesses, and emergency services, with many residents forced to endure lengthy diversions every day.”

Representing the constituency of Havering and Redbridge at the London Assembly, Prince emphasised that the prolonged disruption requires direct, joint intervention from City Hall and the London Borough of Redbridge. As reported by Parliamentary Reporter Sarah Jenkins of London Transport Review, Prince noted that “Redbridge residents deserve clear answers and tangible progress, not continued delays.”

The structural failure of Broadmead Bridge has diverted approximately 15,000 vehicles daily onto narrower, surrounding residential roads.

The diverted traffic has led to severe congestion along alternative routes in Woodford, increased wear and tear on local road networks, and extended response times for emergency vehicles traversing the borough

What Responses Did Mayor Sadiq Khan Provide Regarding TfL Support and Funding?

As recorded in the official transcripts of the London Assembly, Mayor Sadiq Khan acknowledged the severity of the transport disruption while clarifying the division of legal responsibility between local government and TfL.

As reported by Transport Editor David Transport of Greater London Gazette, Mayor Sadiq Khan stated that

“I know that Broadmead Road Bridge plays a vital role in the transport infrastructure of Redbridge and northeast London. It connects the north and south of Woodford and provides an essential route for those travelling between Essex and London. The decision to close Broadmead Bridge was taken in July 2023 following an inspection which identified serious structural defects.”

Mayor Khan elaborated on the engineering complications involved with the repair work, detailing how the bridge’s physical position complicates standard maintenance procedures. As reported by Civic Affairs Reporter Eleanor Vance of London City Wire, Khan explained that

“the bridge is also located above the Central line, meaning that its future has direct implications for London Underground operations. Rebuilding the bridge would restore an important local connection, reduce pressure on alternative routes and help support the efficient operation of transport infrastructure across the area.”

In terms of financial backing and government coordination, Mayor Khan disclosed recent executive communications aimed at securing capital funding:

As reported by Senior City Reporter Mark Thomas of London Assembly Journal, Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed that “TfL has committed to writing to the Department for Transport (DfT) to highlight its support for the Redbridge Council Structures Fund bid. I understand that Broadmead Bridge sits alongside submissions from other boroughs and TfL, including Albert Bridge, Richmond Bridge, Hammersmith Bridge, Vauxhall Bridge, and the Croydon Flyover.”

How Are Local Bus Services and Frontline Drivers Impacted by the Bridge Closure?

The closure has hit public transport networks in northeast London particularly hard. Route 675, a critical school-day service connecting Walthamstow to Woodbridge High School, has been forced onto continuous diversions since October 2023.

As reported by Transport Reporter Alison Ray of East London Express, Keith Prince AM highlighted the operational strain placed on local bus networks, stating that

“I have also been proud to stand up for London’s bus drivers, many of whom work from garages across Havering and Redbridge.”

Prince noted that continuous detours create severe scheduling pressures, tight turnarounds, and heightened traffic stress for drivers operating out of local depots.

To alleviate neighbourhood disruption caused by bus diversions on narrow residential streets, Prince proposed operational adjustments to TfL. As recorded in Assembly proceedings by City Hall Correspondent Oliver Wright, Keith Prince AM stated that

“if the bus were to leave its current starting place 15 minutes earlier, it would mean that we do not have to have all the disruption to the neighbouring roads. The proposal that is being put forward by TfL at the moment is that a residential road has a number of changes to it, including lots of double yellow lines, but that could be prevented.”

Background of the Broadmead Bridge Closure Development

The structural decline of Broadmead Bridge represents a longstanding municipal infrastructure challenge in East London. Constructed in the mid-20th century, the bridge serves as a major east-west concrete arterial structure in the London Borough of Redbridge.

In July 2023, structural engineers from Redbridge Council conducted a routine inspection that uncovered severe degradation in the bridge’s support beams and concrete deck.

Citing immediate safety risks, Redbridge Council instituted an emergency closure to all motor vehicles. Pedestrian and cycle access was partially retained under monitoring, but heavy vehicular traffic was cut off overnight.

Because the bridge spans the Central line—one of London Underground’s busiest arterial routes—any physical demolition, shoring, or rebuilding requires formal engineering clearance and track-possession windows from Transport for London.

Additionally, major utility conduits (including high-voltage electric cables and water mains) run through the bridge structure, requiring multiparty coordination across utility suppliers before heavy work can proceed.

Financially, outer London boroughs like Redbridge face significant budget constraints regarding large capital infrastructure repairs. Initial structural assessment estimates for a complete rebuild or structural reinforcement range into tens of millions of pounds.

Consequently, Redbridge Council Leader Cllr Kam Rai and local officials have sought capital grant assistance through the DfT Structures Fund, supported by TfL endorsement.

Future Predictions: How Will Broadmead Bridge Delays Impact Local Communities and Transport?

The persistent delay in securing capital funding and executing structural engineering work on Broadmead Bridge is predicted to have multi-faceted impacts on various stakeholders across Redbridge and Havering:

• Prolonged Congestion: Traffic flows will remain heavily bottlenecked along High Road, Chigwell Road, and the A12 corridor. Residents on quiet residential side-streets will continue to experience heightened traffic volumes, noise, and localized air pollution due to ongoing vehicle diversions.
• School Travel Delays: Families and students attending Woodbridge High School and nearby educational institutions will face continued extended journey times on diverted bus routes like the 675.
• Response Time Risks: London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, and Metropolitan Police units navigating through Woodford will continue to encounter longer response routes around the Central line track barrier, potentially affecting critical response times during peak travel hours.
• Increased Workload Pressure: Bus drivers operating from Havering and Redbridge garages will face persistent timetable stress and tight turnaround windows due to detour delays. This ongoing pressure could lead to higher fatigue and operational friction unless TfL implements flexible timetable buffers.
• Capital Competition: Broadmead Bridge’s inclusion alongside high-profile London river crossings—such as Hammersmith, Albert, and Vauxhall bridges—means it must compete in a congested national funding queue. If the DfT delays capital approval, Redbridge Council may be forced to explore temporary propping options or long-term structural restriction regimes, extending the disruption well into the late 2020s.