A project to replace the 150-year-old Stanhope Road Bridge and protect the capital’s longest local nature reserve is underway.
Part of Parkland Walk, a 4.5km pedestrian and cycle route between Muswell Hill and Finsbury Park, the bridge needs replacing to achieve a 120-year lifespan.
A co-production exercise was undertaken to choose the best design option.
What progress has been made?
The demolition of the existing bridge was completed in early September 2024 before the installation of the new piled foundations. Recently, the new reinforced concrete abutments have been completed that will soon support the new bridge deck.
The design of the concrete was developed through co-design with local young people and was chosen to complement the natural surroundings of the Parkland Walk, ensuring the bridge integrates with the natural environment. Rather than using plain grey concrete, a coloured and textured finish has been used to enhance the bridge's visual appeal, adding character to the structure and ensuring it aligns with the nature reserve setting.
What will happen next
The next project milestone is to install the new bridge deck. The steel deck has been fabricated in Kent and will be bought to site in a single piece and lifted into position by crane. Due to the size of the bridge deck and logistics requirements the deck will be bought to site overnight on 16 January.
This will require a full road closure of Stanhope Road from 8am on Thursday 16 January to 6pm on Friday 17 January.
The time either side of the lift is necessary to install the road protection mat and prepare the site for the crane lift.
How this will affect you
Vehicle access
The road closure will only affect the section of Stanhope Road directly beneath the Parkland Walk bridge, with no through traffic possible between the junctions with Avenue Road and Parkgate Mews. Access to all properties will be maintained at all times.
During the road closure, traffic will be diverted via Shepherds Hill, Crouch End Hill, and Hornsey Lane. Signs will be in place to advise motorists.
Buses
The W5 bus will be diverted via Shepherds Hill and Archway Road during the road closure. For full details of the diversion, visit the Transport for London bus status updates page.
Pedestrians
For safety reasons, there will be no pedestrian access through the Stanhope Road worksite during the crane lift, between 5pm on Thursday 16 January and 7.30am on Friday 17 January. Signs will be in place to advise pedestrians of any diversion routes.
Parkland Walk will remain open on the current temporary pedestrian diversion around the worksite.
Parking
Parking will be suspended on the route to prevent obstruction to the deck delivery vehicle. Parking on the north side of Shepherds Hill will need to be suspended between Archway Road (A1) and Stanhope Road, and also on the east side of Stanhope Road between the worksite and Shepherds Hill. This will be from 3pm on Thursday 16 January through to 10am on Friday 17 January. Vehicles in contravention of this order causing an obstruction will be towed.
Why the works are happening at night
The deck is a single piece 19m long by 4.5m wide so is considered an abnormal load. As such, the delivery vehicle and the crane will require a police escort and are therefore limited by Transport for London (TfL) and the Metropolitan Police to only moving at night.
Given the requirements set on the council due to the abnormal load, the arrival time is therefore out of the council’s control and down to the arrangements set by TfL, the police and other authorities.
The proposed night works are not anticipated to be disruptive and will cause only a low level of noise. The contractor will take all possible measures to reduce disruption and minimise disturbance caused by the necessary night works.
As much preparation work will be undertaken as possible during the day to minimise the work required at night.
Expected completion
Due to a number of unforeseen challenges, including adverse ground conditions and uncharted utilities, further work has been required that has delayed the original programme.
Following the installation of the deck, Stanhope Road will be reopened under single alternative lane traffic management while the new access ramps and stairs are constructed. The embankments will be reformed and the entire area will be landscaped and replanted with a mix of plants that enhance the biodiversity of the site.
A further road closure will be required for approximately 2 weeks in early March to allow for sewer connections and resurfacing the carriageway. Further details will be available in due course.
The bridge deck is expected to be opened in mid-March, with minor landscaping and site remedial works continuing until early April.
Further information and contacts
We are committed to working with local people affected by these works, and to reducing the project impact wherever possible. We thank you for your attention and apologise in advance for any inconvenience that may be caused by the works.
During the works, the following site personnel can be contacted for further information and assistance:
- Hassan Soboh, Milestone Infrastructure Ltd, Senior Project Manager – phone 07817 262 454
- Ryan Carley, Milestone Infrastructure Ltd, Site Agent – phone 07811 581 072
Alternatively, if you would like more information, please email frontline.consultation@haringey.gov.uk.