Teddington Lock footbridges future-proofed following multi-million-pound investment

A major programme of improvement works to the Teddington Lock footbridges, securing this key river crossing for thousands of pedestrians and cyclists every day, is now complete thanks to essential maintenance works led by Richmond Council.

The project, which began in June 2023, saw extensive repairs to the suspension footbridge and the lockcut iron truss footbridge, backed by a £6.7 million investment from the Council.

Councillor Alexander Ehmann, Chair of Richmond Council's Transport and Air Quality Committee, said: 

“The Teddington Lock footbridges are a lifeline between Teddington and Ham, with more than 5,000 pedestrian and 2,000 cycle movements on a typical weekday. Thanks to these much-needed improvements, the bridges are now safer, stronger, and built to last for years to come.

“We've worked hard with contractors to minimise disruption, keeping access open for the vast majority of the project. I thank residents for their patience and I am delighted that we have delivered this project on time and within budget.”

Behind the scenes: what it took to restore the bridges

The large-scale restoration involved meticulous planning and execution:

• 140 night shifts and 95 weeknight closures, plus two full weekend closures, to complete essential works
• 40,000+ working hours to deliver structurally sound and refreshed bridges
• 300 steel repairs using 14m² of replacement steel
• 340-ton bags and 2,200 sandbags to construct a dam for rebuilding the Ferry Road approach ramp
• 260 tins of specialist protective paint applied to extend the lifespan of the bridges

Three-phase restoration

A structural inspection in 2019 identified safety-critical and urgent repairs. These formed the basis of the works which were delivered in three key phases:

• Phase one: Corrosion removal, steelwork repairs, and application of a new protective paint system. Timber structures on the island and Ham approach were also repaired
• Phase two: Replacement of the Ferry Road approach ramp, a complex process requiring a temporary dam and a new foundation structure
• Phase three: Replacement of the bearings on the lockcut iron truss footbridge, ensuring flexibility in extreme temperatures and preventing structural damage

This investment highlights Richmond Council’s commitment to maintaining vital infrastructure and encouraging sustainable transport choices across the borough.

Councillor Ehmann added: “Investing in our borough’s infrastructure is about more than just maintenance; it’s about future-proofing our critical community assets. These works will ensure the Teddington Lock footbridges will remain a safe and reliable route for generations to come.”

Cllr Alexander Ehmann joined by engineers from Richmond Council, contractors from FM Conway and designers from Tony Gee and Aecom as well as ward councillors from both sides of the river.