Motorists travelling through Bexley are being warned to brace for months of disruption as major structural repairs get under way on the Harrow Manorway flyover from today.
The scheme, which starts on Monday 28 September, centres on the section of the flyover that carries Harrow Manorway over Felixstowe Road, close to the Abbey Wood station exit. Bexley Council says the programme is scheduled to be completed in December 2026.
Drivers can keep up with the latest on the scheme through Bexley Council’s website and social media channels, while live traffic information is available from the usual journey planning services. With the programme running through the autumn and into December, regular users of Harrow Manorway and Felixstowe Road are encouraged to build extra time into their journeys over the coming months.
KEY FACTS: Harrow Manorway flyover works
- What: Replacement of worn-out bridge bearings plus concrete repairs to the flyover structure
- Where: Where the flyover crosses Felixstowe Road, Bexley, beside Abbey Wood station
- When: Monday 28 September 2026 until December 2026
- Immediate impact: Two-way temporary traffic signals on Felixstowe Road for around two weeks, parking suspensions, and a footway closure
What the repair work involves
Engineers will remove the existing bridge bearings, carry out numerous concrete repairs to the bridge structure, and then install new bearings. The works are being delivered by specialist contractor Ekspan Ltd on behalf of Bexley Council.
Most of the work will be carried out during normal daytime working hours, Monday to Friday. A small amount of night-time working will also be needed, and the council says it will publish further details once the dates for the overnight shifts are confirmed.
What drivers need to know
From today, two-way temporary traffic signals are in operation on Felixstowe Road, adjacent to the railway station exit. They are expected to remain in place for around a fortnight so the works can be carried out safely.
While the temporary signals are in force, parking will be suspended on the car park side of the road. Motorists heading through the area are advised to allow extra time for their journeys, particularly during the morning and evening peaks, when queues are likely to build around the signals.
Drivers who can switch to public transport may find the train a smoother option: Elizabeth line services run from nearby Abbey Wood, putting central London within easy reach without the roadworks. Rail passengers should still check before they travel, as the wider network is seeing its own programme of engineering work — south-east London has already coped with recent Southeastern engineering works that shut stations over weekends.
Those sticking with the bus should also plan ahead, with bus connections across Bexley likely to feel the knock-on effects of slower traffic around Felixstowe Road.
Why the bridge bearings matter
Bridge bearings rarely make the headlines, but they do a critical job. They sit between a bridge deck and its supports, allowing the structure to flex slightly as traffic passes over it and as temperatures rise and fall through the year.
When bearings wear out, the bridge can no longer move and distribute loads in the way it was designed to, which is why engineers replace them before the deterioration starts to threaten the structure itself. The concrete repairs being carried out at the same time should extend the working life of the flyover well beyond the end of the current programme.
Pedestrians face a footway closure
It is not only drivers who will need to adjust. The footway on the car park side of Felixstowe Road will be closed for the full duration of the works for safety reasons. Pedestrians will be directed to the footway on the opposite side of the road, which will remain open as usual.
Council apologises for disruption
Bexley Council has apologised for any inconvenience caused by the works and says it will do everything it can to minimise disruption while the scheme is carried out.
Residents with queries or special requirements relating to the works have been advised to contact the council’s engineering services team.
