The footbridge beside Kingston Station will be removed next month as part of the Kingston Co Cycle programme.

Major roadworks will be taking place on the weekend of April 14 and 15 while the bridge over Kingsgate Road is removed, and extensive traffic disruption is expected.

Diversions will start from 5pm on Saturday, April 14, and are expected to remain in place until Sunday afternoon.

Kingston Station will be closed, as will rail lines in Wimbledon and Surbiton, and there will be rail replacement buses in place.

Buses 65, 111, 216, 281, 285, 411, 461, 481, X26 will be affected by the works.

Routes 111, 216, 285, 411, 461, 481, will terminate at Wood Street opposite Bentalls, while route 65 will be diverted via the 371 route so it will not stop at Clarence Street, Kingsgate Road and Richmond Road to Upper Ham Road.

Route 281 will stop in Wood Street at Bentalls and passengers must continue their journey from Cromwell Road bus station.

Route X26 will be diverted via Richmond Bridge.

Your Local Guardian: From April 3, pedestrians and cyclists will no longer have access to the bridge 

The council has confirmed the town centre will “remain open for business” with clear signage to allow drivers to get around easily. All carparks will be open and accessible from both Kingston and Richmond.

Drivers from east to west along Wood Street will not be able to access the A307 Richmond Road via the part of Kingsgate Road under the footbridge and railway- they will instead be diverted along Horse Fair to a diversion route via Hampton Wick and Richmond.

Kingston Bridge will be open for buses, cyclists and motorists who want to park in the Bentalls and John Lewis car parks.

All other eastbound traffic from the western side of the bridge will be diverted at the Horse Fair roundabout in Hampton Wick as follows:

• Via Richmond- between Hampton Court Road and Richmond Road via Sandy Lane, Twickenham Road and Star and Garter Hill.

• Via Kingston- between Hampton Court Road and Wheatfield Way via Hampton Court Way, A3 Kingston by-pass and Ewell Road).

• Vehicles over 15’9 will be diverted from Hampton Court Road and Wheatfield Way via Summer Road and Portsmouth Road.

• Seven Kings Way: The one-way system on Seven Kings Way in Kingston will be temporarily reversed to assist with traffic management. Drivers will still have access to Seven Kings Way via Richmond Road and Sury Basin. Kingsgate Road and Sopwith Way can be used to exit from Seven Kings Way.

Pedestrians and cyclists will no longer be able to use the bridge after April 3 until its replacement is ready for use in six months.

Alternative routes:

If approaching the station from Skerne Road, pedestrians can use the underpass under the railway line and then turn to reach the station via Kingsgate Road, Sopwith Way and Richmond Road.

Pedestrians and cyclists approaching from Skerne Road can also use the traffic lights at the intersection of Wood Street, crossing towards Bentalls and heading towards the station along Wood Street on the south side of the carriageway before crossing back over Wood Street at the pedestrian lights at Fife Road to the station forecourt.

Cyclists will need to use Dolphin St and Fife Road to connect to the station.

As part of the removal, the bridge will be cut into three and craned onto a lorry.

According to the council, the Kingston station works are aimed at improving accessibility into the town centre, transforming cycling facilities, enhancing the public space and improving road safety.