Kingsferry Bridge Closures – update from Network Rail

Dear stakeholder, 

We will be making further bridge repairs between  2200, Friday 25 October and 0500, Sunday 3 November. The public in Sheppey and Sittingbourne are being advised to plan ahead and change their travel plans, if possible, as the  Kingsferry Bridge closes for eight days. Network Rail will use the time to complete the replacement of the ropes that lift the bridge for shipping. 

The October closure comes after scans of the steel ropes found they had degraded, meaning the rope replacement which was planned for 2026 had to be urgently brought forward. If the work isn’t done before winter, there is a risk that the ropes could fail and the bridge would close for a much longer period. 

The lifting ropes in the Kingsferry Bridge towers and the counterweight ropes that balance the bridge deck when it lifts were replaced over a series of closures in June and July.  The lifting ropes in the Kent towers will now be replaced in the Kent school half-term in October. 

Doing the work when schools are closed 

Taking on board lessons from the previous closures, Network Rail, has decided to complete the works in the half term when most schools will be closed, there will be less traffic on local roads and people will have more flexibility with their travel plans. 

Agreements with Kent Council County to keep people moving 

To further reduce road congestion when the Kingsferry Bridge is closed in October, Network Rail and Kent County Council have agreed that the traffic management from the northbound A249 will be temporarily removed. 

Like previous closures of the bridge, free vehicle recovery will be in place from Cowstead Corner to Bobbing Roundabout, all requests for non-emergency roads in the area will be rejected and shuttle buses will be in place for rail passengers, pedestrians and cyclists, as well as under 50cc mopeds and motorbikes. 

Getting the work done before winter 

We are sorry for the disruption people have experienced and would like to take this opportunity to remind people that we are closing the Kingsferry Bridge to replace the ropes that lift the bridge because they are at risk of failure. If the ropes fail in winter it may take a long time to repair them. We cannot wait until roadworks are complete. By doing the work now, we also remove the risk of a sudden and much more disruptive unplanned closure over the winter when the Sheppey Crossing can close at the same time due to high winds. 

Can you change your travel plans when Kingsferry is closed? 

We’re also asking those people who can change their travel plans to do so.  We’re fully aware that many people can’t change their travel plans, but if you can shop locally, car share, travel outside of peak times or work from home for the week, please do, as this will make journeys easier for people who have no other option but to travel. 

Keeping people moving 

To help manage the impact on local people and roads, Network Rail and Kent County Council have agreed a number of measures to help keep people moving. 

Network Rail and Kent County Council have agreed that the traffic management from the northbound A249 will be temporarily removed. It has been agreed that all requests for non-emergency roadworks in the area will be turned down when the Kingsferry Bridge is closed. 

Free recovery will be in place from Bobbing Roundabout to Cowstead Corner to clear accidents and breakdowns quickly. People who need support or see a vehicle that needs assistance, please call 0870 600 3444. 

A rail replacement bus will move rail passengers and people are encouraged to use it to help minimise the number of cars on the roads. A shuttle bus will be in place to move pedestrians and cyclists, as well as under 50cc mopeds and their riders. 

Note for shipping 

Shipping and boating stakeholders are reminded that the Kingsferry Bridge will not lift for maritime traffic from 1930, Friday 11 October through to 2359, Saturday 12 October.  The road and railway will not be impacted. 

This short closure is to facilitate inspections of the steelwork ahead of the planned closure from 2200, Friday 25 October through to 0500, Sunday 3 November. 

Finally, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank residents for their patience and understanding during this closure of the Kingsferry Bridge. 

Detailed travel advice for all modes will be available on the project webpage at www.networkrail.co.uk/KingsferryBridge ahead of the closure.

Commodores Hard temporary closure – Update 3


Improvement works to construct a concrete pad at the end of  the access road to Commodores Hard has been delayed by one week owing to a high tide flooding the work site last week.

1st pour concrete happened on Wednesday 25th September and the next pour will be on Friday 27th October, after this, we must wait 2 weeks for concrete to cure (harden) before any vehicles can be parked on it.

Unfortunately, the access road will remain closed until 11th October.

Medway Council apologises for any inconvenience and thank you for your continued patience

PS Waverley is coming to Medway -Updated


PS Waverley will be entering the Medway estuary around 14:00 this Sunday, she will conduct a salute to the Medway Queen and at 15:00, unfortunately, owing to tides she will not proceed to Limehouse Wharf, Rochester as planned.

This magnificent ship will still be at Gillingham Pier for the salute to the Medway Queen and you may wish to take your boat out on to the estuary this Sunday to get a closer look (at a safe distance) and welcome her to our river.

Suggested viewing points on land; Gillingham Pier and the Strand leisure park.

Join us again at an RYA Connected Conference!

Bookings are now open for our 2024 RYA Connected Conferences and we look forward to welcoming you back to this premier event for clubs and affiliates.

Following your attendance at last year’s event, we hope you will join us again this autumn to network with like-minded people, tap into RYA expertise and gain vital knowledge in our engaging sessions to help your organisation thrive.

Tickets are free and include lunch. Come along individually or as a group to represent your club or class association, Sailability group, charity or training centre!

Check out the full agenda and book your FREE place for RYA Connected Conferences

Each event is run by your RYA Regional Manager and will include a chance to hear presentations from local clubs about their experiences as well as other RYA staff, volunteers and external technical experts.

Our theme will focus on creating a safe and welcoming environment for all with a packed schedule for building a successful and vibrant future.

Whether you’re keen to get more people on the water, confused about who needs a DBS check, looking for funding or more instructors, or want to inspire the next generation, RYA Connected will cover all of these topics and MORE!

Our aim is to give you ideas, inspiration and practical know-how to answer the questions that are important to YOUR organisation.

We’ll have presentations, drop-ins and workshops to help you gain and retain volunteers, members or customers – and time for a chat because we know that some of the most important conversations happen over a cuppa.

Please do join us for an informative and sociable day.

Step aboard for your local RYA Connected event!

26 Oct 2024 – Taunton

2-3 Nov 2024 – Dundee, Scotland

09 Nov 2024 – Belfast, Northern Ireland

16 Nov 2024 – Halifax

17 Nov 2024 – Leicester

23 Nov 2024 – Ipswich

24 Nov 2024 – Crawley

30 Nov 2024 – Southampton

PS Waverley is coming to Medway

PS Waverley will be entering the Medway estuary around 14:00 this Sunday, she will conduct a salute to the Medway Queen and at 15:00 is expected to make a trial run to Limehouse Wharf, Rochester in expectation of this location becoming a new boarding point which will enable two annual sailings from London to Rochester from next September.

You may wish to take your boat out on to the estuary this Sunday to get a closer look (at a safe distance) and welcome her to our river?

Suggested viewing points on land; Gillingham Pier, the footpath around St Marys Island, Upnor, Gun Wharf, Sun Pier and Rochester Riverside

Commodores Hard temporary closure – Update 2

Surfacing works completed on 13th September, 25m excavated and replaced with new concrete.

Next week Medway Councils contractors will begin surface improvements to the end of the access road to Commodores Hard.

The works requires significant quantities of concrete pouring which needs around two weeks to cure (harden).

Because of this, we must restrict vehicle access to the Hard to prevent damage to the new surfacing before it has fully hardened.

Commodore’s Hard will be closed to vehicles from Monday 16 September to Monday 7 October 2024.

We apologise for any inconvenience