An important part of the work that has required the complete closure to road traffic for four months of the railway bridge in Nazeing New Road in Broxbourne in Hertfordshire has now been completed.

During the closure, the central spans of the bridge over the main line between London, Hertfordshire, Essex, and Cambridgeshire, and train services were suspended with rail-replacement buses provided on some routes with alternative travel options suggested for other journeys.

The main body of work took place between 13th and 18th January when Network Rail’s contractor, J Murphy and Sons, dug out the road over the central part of the bridge, lifted out the structure of the old bridge and installed the structure of the new bridge.

Train services resumed on time on Thursday, 19th January, but the bridge will remain closed to road users until Sunday, 30th April because of the work that still needs to be done, including:

• pouring, curing and waterproofing the new concrete bridge deck;
• reinstating the road and pavement;
• reinstalling gas, electricity and internet connections that are currently routed over a temporary structure;
• strengthening other parts of the bridge to avoid the need for major work in the future.

Although remedial works were carried out between 2010 and 14, the old bridge continued to deteriorate and has reached the end of its useful life. The decision to carry out this made to ensure passengers, drivers, and pedestrians remain safe, and to avoid a more disruptive closure at short notice in the future. The new bridge is designed to last 120 years. Whilst the road remains closed alternative pedestrian and vehicle diversionary routes will be signposted.

Kate Snowden, Network Rail Anglia head of communications, said: “I’m really sorry that this work has disrupted passengers over the last six days and I’d like to thank them for bearing with us. Local residents and road users are also affected by the ongoing project and I’d like to thank them too.

“The condition of the bridge meant that a replacement was urgently needed and this work will help people have safe and reliable journeys for many decades to come.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused while our trains were unable to run under the Nazeing New Road bridge. Our teams were on hand to help customers continue their journeys during the period. This is a crucial project that will help to keep trains running reliably on the line.”

As well as the work at Broxbourne. other engineering work will be taking place on the West Anglia main line on the weekends of 21st/22nd and 28th/29th January, and anyone intending to travel on those weekends should check before they travel.