Work to replace the railway bridges carrying London Overground services over roads in Forest Gate is set to start later this summer, Network Rail has confirmed.

The bridges due for renewal are at Talbot Road (E7 0DX), Strode Road (E7 0DU), Stracey Road (E7 0HG) and Latimer Road (E7 0LH).

The existing structures are closely monitored and remain safe, but at roughly 130 years old they now need replacing to prevent unplanned disruption and to underpin reliable journeys in the years ahead. The new bridges are expected to remain in service until around 2150.

All four bridges are on the Suffragette line, between Leytonstone High Road and Woodgrange Park stations.

Work will begin at Talbot Road and Stracey Road on 1 September, with teams then starting at Strode Road and Latimer Road on 28 September. The road and pavement beneath each bridge will be closed for the duration of the project, and additional short-term road closures in the wider area will be required during 2027.

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The first phase will extend the support structures at the ends of the existing bridges so they can carry the new decks. Demolition of the old bridge decks and installation of the new spans is planned for spring 2027, with the overall scheme due to finish by late summer 2027.

Some weekend closures on the Suffragette line will be needed in 2027 to allow the works to take place safely.

Residents and businesses have been contacted by letter, and public drop-in sessions are planned for August at the Forest Gate Learning Zone, 1 Woodford Road, London, E7 0DH (use the entrance on the corner of Dames Road and Clinton Road). The sessions will run on:

- Thursday 6 August, 10.30am–1.30pm

- Wednesday 12 August, 5.00pm–7.30pm

Further updates will be provided as the works progress, with additional drop-in events to be arranged in the coming months. The project is being delivered by Network Rail's contractor, BAM.

Joe Kennedy, infrastructure director for Network Rail Anglia, said: "Thousands of people travel over these old bridges every day by train, passing through residential areas in east London. Our project will deliver four brand new bridges that will serve the surrounding community and rail passengers for several generations. We're really sorry for the disruption and we'll work very closely with residents and businesses to keep the impact to a minimum while we get the job done."