Artist impression of Old Oak Common Lane Bridge.

Old Oak Common Lane Bridge

As part of the works for the new HS2 Old Oak Common Station, the existing Network Rail bridges are being extended to allow for the Great Western Mainline track alignment to be widened on the approach to the new station. The tracks will be rerouted to bring the Great Western Railway, Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line into the eight new overground platforms at HS2 Old Oak Common Station.

The new Network Rail bridges will span the Transport for London (TfL)/London Underground Central line and Old Oak Common Lane. The Old Oak Common Lane Bridge will be part-concrete deck, part-steel deck.

In 2023, we successfully completed the demolition of the Wycombe Single Line Bridge, over Old Oak Common Lane. The disused rail bridge was removed following a weekend road closure.

The underpass walls of the bridges will extend approximately 100 metres and will encompass Old Oak Common Lane, a pedestrian path and a dedicated cycle lane. Lighting levels along the underpass have been designed to ensure pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle safety in all locations within the underpass. Pedestrian footpaths will be elevated from the carriageway and protected via secure balustrades.

Find out more about our works in the area

Changes to Old Oak Common Lane

As we continue with the construction programme at Old Oak Common station site, we have a number of activities that will be taking place on Old Oak Common Lane throughout 2025 and beyond.

You may be aware that we will need to undertake a variety of work in Old Oak Common Lane. These works include building new rail bridges and abutments to allow the trains from the Elizabeth Line and Great Western Mainline into the new station. To make this possible, HS2 will have to move all the utilities out of the existing road and run them through mini-tunnels that have already been constructed that run under the railway. We will also need to build new retaining walls and will lower the road to allow double decker buses.

While the details and the duration of the closure needed for the work are still being finalised, we can tell you that the planned full closure will not take place before 2026. There will, however, be lane closures during 2025.

We want to make sure we can lower the road with the minimising disruption as much as we can. In order to achieve that, we need to continue to carry out surveys, analyse data and work closely with partners including Network Rail, Transport for London, utility providers and local authorities.

We will provide more information including the length of the full road closure this spring.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions

Bridge construction

Our station construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA joint venture (BBVS JV) approach to building the Old Oak Common Lane Bridge will help minimise the impacts of construction.

This includes:

Rotary board piling techniques are being used to reduce vibration.
Precast deck beams are being delivered to reduce the duration of road closures.
Lane closures will be in place throughout construction to protect the public, for example during the construction of the bridge abutments.
Where possible, electric plant is used to reduce CO2 emissions.

Some works close to the Transport for London (TfL)/London Underground Central line must take place overnight during engineering hours to ensure the safety of railway users and construction staff.

Slide 1 of 7: Artist impression of Old Oak Common Lane Bridge.

Slide 2 of 7: Artist impression of Old Oak Common Lane Bridge.

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Slide 5 of 7: Artist impression of Old Oak Common Lane Bridge.

Slide 6 of 7: Artist impression of Old Oak Common Lane Bridge.

Slide 7 of 7: Artist impression of Old Oak Common Lane Bridge.

Bridge design

In January 2023 we ran a public event to inform the community of future construction works and showcase indicative designs of the future bridge, and Old Oak Common Lane approaches to Old Oak Common Station.

Update on Schedule 17 planning submission for railway bridges over Old Oak Common Lane

The design approval of the bridges came with Planning Conditions. Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) have asked us to carry-out engagement for specific features of the design, namely the concrete finishes of the underpass wall.

Design engagement

Between February and March 2024, we sought input from the local community on the final finishes of the underpass wall. These finishes specifically refer to the aesthetic design and appearance of the walls along the length of the underpass.

As part of the design, we aim to draw inspiration from life on Wormwood Scrubs. Areas of Wormwood Scrubs are a Local Nature Reserve and recognised by Natural England as a site of natural significance due to its diverse array of plant and animal species.

Our goal is to capture and showcase the distinct beauty of Wormwood Scrubs by gaining input from the community on how the nature, flora and fauna on the scrubs can be represented in the design finishes of the underpass.

We held two open engagement events to gather input on the design. We also held a workshop with children from Old Oak Primary School.

We heard your perspective and invited you to participate in interactive activities to help develop the finished design of the new Old Oak Common Lane underpass walls.

Please see information that was shared during the engagement period, including images of the Old Oak Common Lane Bridge.

Old Oak Lane Bridge design engagement