The road takes its name from Lea Bridge, which crosses the River Lea at Leyton Marshes. A bridge over the river at this point was built to replace a ferry, either in 1745[2] or sometime after 1757.[3] The second road bridge opened circa 1890 and the present third Lea Bridge Road Bridge was opened Mon 21 August 1995. The name Lea Bridge Road was adopted for an existing lane previously called Mill Field Lane.[4]
Lea Bridge railway station, on the north side of Lea Bridge Road near the junction with Argall Way/Orient Way, actually opened on Sunday 15 May 2016, but officially on Monday 16 May 2016. The first rail station at Lea Bridge Road opened on 15 Sept 1840, though it was renamed Lea Bridge during 1841, but it was closed on 8 July 1985.[7]