Westbourne Green bridge removed from Connect2 programme

Cyclists were disappointed to hear that the new bridge proposed for Westbourne Green has been removed from Sustrans's Connect2 programme. The bridge would have replaced the existing footbridge over the railway, known locally as 'Muggers' Bridge'. This news is particularly disappointing after the scheme was selected by the public to benefit from the lottery-funded Connect2 project.

This scheme would have seen the construction of a new, straight, wider bridge, with ramped accesses that would be at the heart of a network of cycle and pedestrian priority routes, linking to existing networks. Kensington Gardens, Westbourne Green, Kilburn, Kensal Green and the new City Academy would be connected by routes that prioritised walkers and cyclists. The new railway bridge, and its linking routes, as well as improvements to two existing bridges over the Grand Union Canal, would mean journeys through Westbourne Green would often be quicker, and certainly more attractive, when made on foot or by bike.

The location of the new bridge is shown in red.

The bridge, at Westbourne Park, is intended to be built using structures developed as part of the Crossrail project. However, current timeframes for Crossrail mean that the bridge cannot be completed within the five-year life span of Connect2 and so, unfortunately, the scheme can no longer be funded as part of this programme and will therefore not be delivered within the timescale originally hoped.

Carl Pittam, Sustrans’ London Director, explains; ”Major construction projects are liable to changes in timetable and in this case the Westbourne Park Bridge scheme is the innocent victim of circumstances beyond anyone’s control.

“We have been working hard with colleagues at Westminster City Council to salvage the situation and we all remain committed to delivering this project – which would benefit the thousands of Londoners who want to walk and cycle around the area. However we are committed to a tight timeline for the UK-wide Connect2 project and this unforeseen delay to Crossrail, on which the bridge depends, has meant that the development of the bridge, and its accompanying walking and cycling routes is also delayed.”