Groves Bridge Structures Fund Bid

The London Borough of Newham has submitted a funding application to the Department for Transport (DfT) through the Government's new Structures Fund programme to secure investment for the refurbishment of Groves Bridge, a key bridge carrying Stratford High Street (A118) over the Waterworks River.

If successful, the funding will help protect an important transport link used every day by residents, businesses, buses, cyclists and freight vehicles, ensuring it remains safe, reliable and fit for the future.

The Structures Fund application reflects Newham's commitment to maintaining and improving critical transport infrastructure, ensuring residents, visitors and businesses continue to benefit from a safe, resilient and well-connected highway network.

What is the DfT Structures Fund?

The Department for Transport's Structures Fund provides capital funding to support the repair, strengthening and replacement of local highway structures such as bridges, flyovers, tunnels, retaining walls and other critical transport assets. The fund is intended to help local authorities address essential infrastructure needs that cannot be funded through existing budgets alone.

The programme supports four key Government priorities:

· Economic growth by improving connectivity and reducing disruption.

· Cleaner energy by reducing congestion and avoiding unnecessary diversion routes.

· Healthier and safer streets by maintaining safe transport networks.

· Breaking down barriers to opportunity by keeping communities connected to jobs, education and services.

Why is Groves Bridge Important?

Groves Bridge carries the A118 Stratford High Street across the Waterworks River and is one of the main gateways into Stratford. The bridge supports:

· Local and strategic road traffic

· Eight bus routes

· The Cycle Superhighway (CS2)

· Walking and cycling connections

· Access to Stratford town centre, Westfield Stratford City and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

The bridge is also part of an important diversion route when incidents affect nearby major roads.

Why Does the Bridge Need Investment?

Built in 1930, Groves Bridge is approaching 100 years old. Recent structural inspections identified significant deterioration affecting several critical parts of the structure, including:

· Cracking and spalling of reinforced concrete

· Water damage caused by ageing waterproofing systems

· Deteriorated expansion joints

· Corroded bridge bearings

· Defects affecting footway slabs and supporting beams

Without major refurbishment, the bridge could require future traffic restrictions, including weight limits on heavy vehicles and buses, potentially affecting local connectivity and increasing congestion on surrounding roads.

What is Newham Applying For?

The Council has submitted a bid for £2.655 million of DfT Structures Fund investment, alongside a local contribution of £257,000, creating a total project value of £2.912 million.

What Work is Planned?

The proposed refurbishment programme includes:

Structural Repairs

· Repairing damaged reinforced concrete beams, deck slabs, columns and abutments.

· Treating areas affected by corrosion and cracking.

Waterproofing and Expansion Joint Renewal

· Replacing ageing expansion joints.

· Installing new waterproofing systems to prevent future water ingress.

Bridge Bearing Improvements

· Refurbishing or replacing corroded bridge bearings that support the bridge structure.

Footway and Service Bay Upgrades

· Replacing existing precast footway slabs.

· Installing new reinforced concrete slabs with integrated waterproofing protection.

Long-Term Resilience

· Improving durability and reducing future maintenance requirements.

· Extending the operational life of the bridge while maintaining its full load-carrying capacity.

Benefits for Residents and Businesses

If funding is awarded, the project will help:

· Keep Stratford connected for all road users.

· Maintain reliable bus services and freight movements.

· Protect access to jobs, schools, healthcare and local businesses.

· Reduce the risk of future bridge closures or weight restrictions.

· Support walking and cycling routes.

· Improve the resilience of Newham's transport network for decades to come.

Project Timeline

Subject to funding approval:

Read the Full Funding Application

You can view the full Groves Bridge Structures Fund application below:

London Borough of Newham - Groves Bridge Structures Fund Application Form Final Submission (PDF)