Medway and Swale Boating Association

Kingsferry Bridge closures in June and July – new dates

This email looks best with images enabled.
To view this email online, follow this link.

Network Rail Kent route

Kingsferry Bridge closures in June and July for urgent repair work – new dates

Dear stakeholder,

New dates announced for summer 2024 Kingsferry Bridge repairs

Planned repairs to Kingsferry Bridge this summer have been rescheduled to avoid a clash with school exams taking place in mid-June and a bike ride involving thousands of cyclists that is set to cross the bridge on Saturday 22 June.

The 1950s structure will close to motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and maritime traffic as follows:

22:00 on Friday 7 June to 05:00 on Monday 10 June

22:00 on Friday 28 June to 05:00 on Sunday 7 July

22:00 on Friday 12 July to 05:00 on Monday 15 July

22:00 on Friday 19 July to 05:00 on Sunday 28 July (the replanned week)

Last trains will depart the island around midnight on Fridays when the bridge closes. First trains will run from approximately 0543 on the days when the bridge reopens.

Why is the work needed?

The repairs are needed after routine inspections revealed that the condition of some of the 40 steel ropes, which support the bridge when it lifts for maritime traffic, have deteriorated. The ropes were last replaced in 1995 and are therefore reaching the end of their life. While regular testing ensures bridge users are kept safe, if the rope condition worsens it could result in an unplanned closure which would cause significant disruption to bridge users unless urgent repairs are made.

Why can’t the ropes be replaced another time?

While Network Rail’s regular testing of the ropes ensures bridge users are kept safe, if their condition worsens it could result in an unplanned closure and cause significant disruption to bridge users. The work cannot be pushed back any longer.

To reduce the risk of a sudden closure and take advantage of favourable summer weather and tides, all 40 ropes will be replaced between June and July this year. By doing the work in summer the risk of Sheppey Crossing, the alternative route to the island, closing due to high winds is also significantly reduced.

Staggering the repairs not only reduces the impact on local communities, allowing them to plan around the closures, but also on vital maritime traffic which contributes billions of pounds to the national economy.

Why have the dates changed?

There were concerns that the increased congestion on the alternative Sheppey Crossing and surrounding road network when Kingsferry Bridge is closed could result in significantly longer journeys for secondary school students making their way to exams at that time of year.

Additionally, thousands of cyclists and support staff are due to come onto the island on Friday 21 June and cross Kingsferry Bridge on the morning of Saturday 22 June. While we could have found a way to get cyclists and support staff across the bridge, thousands of people and cyclists with their bikes trying to use replacement buses to get to the island on Friday 21 June could lead to serious capacity and safety challenges on buses.

Rescheduling the work that was due to take place from 16 to 22 June to late July means that students can get to their exams without the disruption that may occur while the Kingsferry Bridge is closed. We can also ensure the bike ride can go ahead and participants and support staff can get to and from the island safely via rail.

What are the alternatives when Kingsferry Bridge is closed?

When Kingsferry Bridge is closed, motorists are advised to use Sheppey Crossing but to leave more time to travel as congestion due to existing roadworks means journeys may take longer.

People are reminded that pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles/mopeds under 50cc, and horses/animals are not allowed to use Sheppey Crossing.

Network Rail will publish details of alternative arrangements for transporting pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles/mopeds under 50cc in the coming weeks.

Trains will not run between Sittingbourne and Sheerness when work is being carried out. During the closures, a regular rail replacement bus service will be running between Sheerness, Queenborough and Kemsley stations.

People using replacement buses and local buses are also being advised to leave more time to travel as journeys will take longer.

Get in touch

If you have any questions about the work, the changes for bridge users and alternative travel options please phone our 24/7 Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or go to www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/contact-us

More information about the closure is available www.networkrail.co.uk/KingsferryBridge

SB Ardwina – London to Lower Halstow

This Monday, Ardwina will depart St Katherine Docks, her home of 45 years. for her new life at Lower Halstow.

We’ve been dodging the awful weather to try and get Edith May rigged out and ready too, as we’ll be sailing to London to meet her at 1230pm as she leaves St Kats.

The two barges will have a photoshoot in front of the iconic Tower Bridge, before heading back downriver to arrive at Halstow for early afternoon on Tuesday.

Once she’s back, we’ll be hosting an open day and will be releasing our plans for the summer.

Speed limits on water near Swale and Medway as part of measures to clamp down on ‘reckless’ jet skiers

Bob Telford – RIP

Some very sad news of former MSBA Committee member Bob Telford. Our condolences go out to Bob’s wife Judy and family.

The following was posted on the Faversham Creek Trust Facebook page:

We are very sad to report the death of our friend and ex-Trustee Bob Telford, who died this week. Bob was a descendant of the great Thomas Telford who straightened the course of Faversham Creek in the 1820s, and was himself a production engineer & systems analyst, having worked for Marconi, Lotus and DeLorean, and Contessa Yachts. He kept his boat Idle Duck at Iron Wharf, and was always willing to share his extensive knowledge about the creek, the bridge, the sluices, water quality and matters maritime. He was a generous, kindly and social man, and a great supporter of the boat-building project at the Purifier Building. Five years ago, it was his idea that St Ayles skiffs might be built here, so often to be seen now on Faversham and Oare creeks.
He helped arrange for dredging licences, and as our Chairman Philippa Dickinson says, “He did a good thing late last year in writing to Kelly Tolhurst, MP for Rochester as well as to Helen Whately to encourage them to work together regarding Peel Ports; he also introduced me to Peter Norris, now Chair of the Medway and Swale Boating Association, so that the Trust could continue the relationship with the MSBA that Bob had held for so many years. The MSBA keep a close eye on Peel’s activities at Chatham and on the Medway and involve Kelly Tolhurst who is the MSBA’s president“.
We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Judy.

Junior Sailing

Junior Sailing festival on the 22nd and 23rd of June at the Datchet Water Sailing club and windsurfers at Queen Mary on September 7-8.

Celebrate RNLI 200 at The Historic Dockyard Chatham

On Monday 4 March, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) celebrated 200 years since its formation.

In partnership with the RNLI, The Historic Dockyard Chatham have launched a commemorative five-month exhibition for the charity’s 200th anniversary year. The exhibition has officially been opened by the Chairman of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar KCB OBE DL and Chair of the RNLI, Janet Legrand OBE KC (Hon) during a special reception evening on Thursday 21 March.

RNLI 200: The Exhibition tells the exhilarating story of the history of the lifesaving charity and the stories of the people who have risked their lives to save others, come rain or shine, storm or hurricane.

The exhibition is one-of-a-kind and the first time that such a large collection of stories and RNLI artefacts have been brought together in one space.

It celebrates the lives and heroism of the crews and people involved in the organisation over its 200 year.

Already home to the RNLI Historic Lifeboat Collection, The Historic Dockyard Chatham is the perfect venue to showcase the thrilling story of the RNLI.

Included with standard Dockyard ticket.

Potential Kingsferry Bridge Closure Dates 2024 – Updated more info.

Please note, these are continuous closures and the dates/times shown are proposed start of closure and end of closure.

If any of the above closures will impact any events involving access through the Bridge that have already been scheduled please email Chairman@msba.org.uk as soon as possible with full details and this will be passed to Network Rail.

Potential Kingsferry Bridge Closure Dates 2024

The MSBA has been advised that some urgent work is required on the
Kingsferry Bridge relating to the replacement of the cables and weights.
Network Rail appreciate that this will affect Medway and Swale users
as well as commercial traffic to the Port and are therefore providing an
early warning of potential closure dates. Please be aware that these dates
have not been confirmed and as soon as more information is available, we
will advise members.

* 1st – 2nd June 2024 (2-day) – Kent Side Counterweight Ropes
* 8th – 9th June 2024 (2-day) – Sheppey Side Counterweight Ropes
* 14th – 23rd June 2024 (8-day) – Kent Side Main Ropes
* 28th June – 7th July 2024 (8-day) – Sheppey Side Main Ropes

If any of the above closures will impact any events involving access through
the Bridge that have already been scheduled please email
Chairman@msba.org.uk as soon as possible with
full details and this will be passed to Network Rail.