Drivers face major disruption around Brent Cross from Wednesday evening as work begins on a £10.8 million project to strengthen and renew one of north London's busiest road junctions.
Transport for London (TfL) is starting the first phase of long-planned works at the Brent Cross Interchange, where the A41 Hendon Way crosses the A406 North Circular Road. TfL said the scheme is needed to ensure the long-term safety and reliability of the structure and avoid the risk of emergency closures in future.
One lane each way and two-year programme
The Brent Cross Flyover will be reduced to one lane in each direction from Wednesday evening. The project could take up to two years to complete, with more than 120,000 vehicles using the route every day.
Overnight closures and lane restrictions are planned over the coming months. Heavy goods vehicles are expected to return to the flyover once the strengthening works are finished.
Strengthening, barriers and waterproofing
The upgrade will strengthen the flyover, replace safety barriers and install a new waterproofing system, according to TfL. It will also pave the way for heavy goods vehicles to use the route again after they were banned in 2022 because of safety concerns.
Motorists are being urged to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys, with congestion expected on parts of the A41, A406 North Circular Road, A5 Edgware Road and A1 during the works.
Diversions, bus services and Christmas pause
For longer journeys, TfL is advising drivers to use the M25 rather than travel through the Brent Cross area where possible. People making shorter local trips are being encouraged to walk or cycle. Local bus services will continue to run, although they will be subject to the same restrictions as other traffic.
Among the first disruptions planned are overnight closures on sections of the A41 and A406, along with lane restrictions on Hendon Way from October and a contraflow system on the flyover from 29 October, reducing the amount of road space available to traffic. Lane restrictions on the westbound A406 are expected to remain in place until November 2026.
TfL said signed diversion routes would be provided during closures and that residents and drivers would receive advance notice of significant traffic changes. The transport authority also plans to introduce signal improvements and other measures aimed at reducing congestion.
In a boost for retailers, shoppers and motorists, the works will be paused during the busy Christmas trading period because of the flyover's proximity to Brent Cross Shopping Centre. Construction is due to stop at the end of November before resuming in early January.
The current project marks the first stage of a wider renewal programme for the Brent Cross Interchange. Future phases are expected to include work on the junction's roundabout and North Circular slip roads. TfL is urging road users to check conditions before travelling and consider alternative routes where possible.
