Press Release

Essential bridge works commence

31 August 2006

A significant milestone of Transport for London’s (TfL) A40 Acton Bridges project was achieved last weekend (Saturday 2 September) with the first of the new bridge beams lifted in place on Wales Farm Road bridge.  Each beam weighs over 40 tonnes and measures 40 metres in length. 

Over three further weekends (9-10, 23-24 September and 30 September-1 October) beam placements will take place, with work being carried out overnight to minimise traffic and rail disruption. One lane of traffic in each direction will remain open at all times.  Residents have been informed in advance of the night work and noise levels will be monitored throughout the project.

The three year major construction project involves the replacement of the Wales Farm Road and Perryn Road bridges in Acton, as well as improvements to the highway layout, access and crossing facilities. The bridges were originally built in the 1920s and now require complete replacement to comply with current standards to manage today's volume of A40 traffic – which carries over 100,000 vehicles a day. This project, carried out with consulting engineers Hyder Consulting and contractor, Alfred McAlpine, will also ensure the safety of the 800 trains which pass through daily on the railway tracks below.