Key Points
- Network Rail has opened a replacement pedestrian footbridge at Kennedy Road in Barking, restoring a direct walking route between Harrow Road and Kennedy Road for the first time since 2022.
- The original bridge was closed and removed after a member of the public fell through it in 2022; the individual was injured but not seriously hurt.
- The new structure, delivered by specialist contractor Taziker on behalf of Network Rail, is a steel footbridge with stepped access, reflecting the layout of the old bridge.
- Physical constraints around the railway corridor meant there was no space to incorporate ramps into the new bridge design, limiting step‑free access.
- The closure had severed a key local pedestrian route, forcing residents into longer diversions and making it harder to reach amenities, schools and transport links.
- Network Rail emphasised that it worked to minimise disruption during planning, design and installation, and says residents can now use the bridge with confidence.
- Katie Frost, route director for Network Rail Anglia, publicly acknowledged local frustration over the lengthy closure and thanked residents for their patience.
- Local councillor Alison Cormack, from the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham’s Gascoigne ward, described the bridge as an “essential access link” supporting safe and accessible active travel.
- Barking sits on the c2c route between London Fenchurch Street/Liverpool Street and Shoeburyness, and is also served by London Overground’s Suffragette line between Gospel Oak and Barking Riverside.
- The opening of the bridge follows a summer installation programme that included overnight possessions and a major crane operation to lift the new span into place.
How has the Kennedy Road footbridge reconnected two East London communities?
As reported by the Network Rail Media Centre, the newly opened Kennedy Road pedestrian footbridge in Barking has restored a direct link between Harrow Road and Kennedy Road, reconnecting residents living on either side of the railway cutting for the first time since 2022. The structure spans the railway near Barking station, providing a walking route that many locals had relied upon for daily journeys to schools, shops, churches and medical centres.
According to Network Rail’s official announcement, the bridge’s reopening marks the culmination of an extended programme to replace the previous crossing, which was closed after a serious safety incident. With the new bridge now in use, the rail infrastructure owner says the “vital local connection” has been reinstated, helping residents avoid lengthy detours along busy roads.
Why was the original Kennedy Road footbridge closed in 2022?
As detailed by Network Rail’s Eastern (Anglia) route team, the former Kennedy Road footbridge was taken out of service in 2022 after a member of the public fell through part of the structure. The incident exposed significant safety concerns about the condition of the old bridge, prompting its closure and subsequent removal on safety grounds; the person involved was injured but, as Network Rail stressed, not seriously hurt.
Rail industry specialist site RailAdvent, reporting on the project’s early stages, noted that the previous span had been condemned following this incident, leaving no direct pedestrian route across the railway between the two residential streets. Since then, local people have faced almost three years without the crossing, underscoring why the reopening is being described as a reconnection of two communities rather than simply a routine asset renewal.
What are the key features and limitations of the new footbridge design?
As reported by Network Rail and highlighted by RailAdvent, the new Kennedy Road bridge is a steel footbridge with stepped access, broadly mirroring the layout of the structure it replaces. The design provides stairways at each end to connect Harrow Road and Kennedy Road, offering what the infrastructure owner describes as a “safe and long-term replacement” for the aging predecessor.
However, Network Rail has been explicit that ramps could not be incorporated into the scheme because of the physical constraints of the surrounding area, including the tight alignment of neighbouring streets and the railway corridor. This means the crossing is not fully step‑free, a limitation that will affect wheelchair users, some disabled residents, and those with pushchairs who may still need to rely on alternative routes to reach Barking’s stations and amenities.
How did Network Rail and Taziker deliver the replacement with minimal disruption?
According to the official project briefing from Network Rail Anglia, the replacement was delivered by specialist contractor Taziker, which has extensive experience in removing and installing railway bridges across the UK network. The scheme involved a sequence of preparatory works followed by the installation of the new span during a carefully planned possession of the line, designed to limit both rail and road disruption.
Railcam UK, which streamed the bridge lift operation live, reported that the main installation work took place during a limited window between 02:00 and 17:00 on a Sunday, when the footbridge was craned into position over the tracks. Network Rail stated that its teams worked to keep noise, access restrictions and service changes to a minimum throughout the summer construction period, while still meeting safety and engineering requirements.
What has Network Rail said about the impact on local residents?
In the initial pre‑construction statement, Katie Frost, route director for Network Rail Anglia, acknowledged the effect the prolonged closure had on people living nearby. As reported by Network Rail’s media centre, Frost said: “I know how difficult it’s been for people not being able to cross the railway at Kennedy Road, but it’s not long now before this vital local connection is restored,” adding that teams were “committed to delivering a safe and long term replacement footbridge with as little disruption as possible.”
Following completion, Network Rail reiterated its thanks to residents for what it described as considerable patience during a “frustrating time” without the bridge. The organisation emphasised that the new structure has been built to modern standards, and said it is satisfied that people can now use the crossing with confidence for everyday journeys across the railway.
How has the local council described the bridge’s role in Barking life?
As reported in Network Rail’s opening announcement, Councillor Alison Cormack, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham councillor for Gascoigne ward, framed the bridge as more than just a physical crossing. Cllr Cormack said the installation and upgrading of the new footbridge provide “not just a crossing, but an essential access link between a busy residential area of the borough.”
According to the same statement, Cormack argued that the structure would significantly support and encourage safe and accessible active travel, allowing residents to reach local amenities such as parks, shops, churches, schools, public transport and medical centres more easily. The councillor’s comments align with the borough’s wider ambitions around walking and cycling connectivity, particularly in neighbourhoods bordering major rail and road corridors.
How does the new bridge fit into Barking’s wider rail and transport network?
Barking is a key rail hub in East London, served by c2c services between London Fenchurch Street or Liverpool Street and Shoeburyness on the Essex coast. As outlets covering the project have noted, the footbridge improves pedestrian access from nearby housing to these mainline services, enhancing the practicality of rail travel for commuting and leisure.
The area is also connected by London Overground’s Suffragette line, the rebranded Gospel Oak to Barking route that now extends to Barking Riverside. This 22‑kilometre orbital line, which was fully electrified in 2018 and extended to the Barking Riverside regeneration site in 2022, links Barking with a string of north London districts and carries four trains per hour in each direction, underpinning the importance of safe pedestrian access to the station precinct.
What does this project mean for rail safety and future local schemes?
As highlighted by Network Rail’s description of events in 2022, the closure and replacement of the Kennedy Road bridge underline how safety incidents can accelerate asset renewal programmes across the rail estate. The fall through the old bridge, although not resulting in serious injury, prompted a reassessment of the structure’s condition and ultimately led to its removal and replacement with a modern equivalent.
Industry coverage from RailAdvent and other rail‑focused platforms points out that Taziker’s involvement at Kennedy Road forms part of a broader pattern of targeted bridge upgrades, often involving short, intensive works to reduce disruption. Lessons learned on design constraints, accessibility, and community engagement at Barking are likely to inform future small‑scale infrastructure schemes in similarly constrained urban locations across East London and beyond.
