Kingsferry Bridge repairs
We carried out repairs to the iconic Kingsferry Bridge, replacing the 40 steel ropes which lift the bridge for vital maritime traffic.
The Kingsferry Bridge was built in the 1950’s and is a rail, road, pedestrian and cycle link for the people of Sheppey. It is also vital for the movement of billions of pounds worth of goods each year, lifting to allow ships to pass under and access the busy docks along the Swale.
What did we do?
The bridge utilises 40 steel ropes to lift the bridge’s central deck for shipping. The ropes, last replaced in 1995, came to the end of their life. Magnetic Resonance Testing (MRT) found some of the ropes had degraded and urgently needed to be replaced.
We replaced the 40 steel ropes in a series of staggered closures over 2024 to allow the local community and commercial shipping worth billions of pounds to work around the closures.
What are the benefits?
The risk of a sudden unplanned closure of the bridge due to a rope failure has now been removed.
The ropes on the bridge will safely and reliably lift the bridge for another 30 years, supporting the local economy and the people of Sheppey and north east Kent.
Doing the work as part of a carefully planned programme allowed local people and vital shipping to plan around the closure.
Get in touch
For more information call our National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41, visit our contact us page, or contact us on X @NetworkRailSE.