Drivers are being urged to plan ahead and avoid Albert Bridge next week as it closes for essential maintenance.
The iconic West London river crossing will be closed to vehicles in both directions from 7am, Tuesday, May 27, to 6am, Monday, June 2.
A diversion will be in place for motorists via Chelsea Bridge or Battersea Bridge, though traffic is expected to be heavier than normal. Kensington and Chelsea Council, which manages the bridge, said the works are taking place during summer half term to minimise the impact on drivers.
During the six-day closure council engineers are expected to repair the bridge deck, street lighting and expansion joints. These allow the bridge to expand and contract with temperature changes and adjust to the weight of vehicles and wind.
Kensington and Chelsea Council said works will also take place to the pavements, but this will be done in stages to allow pedestrian access across the bridge at all times. Cyclists are being urged to dismount when crossing.
The bridge deck is made up of 715 individual timber panels fixed to the timber sections below, according to the council. Around 10per cent of the entire deck is said to be rotting and will be replaced during the closure.
The panels deteriorate with the weather and traffic which can affect the surface of the carriageway and allow water to seep into the timber sections below. Council workers will also replace the rubber between expansion joints. The rubber, which is placed between the joints to prevent water reaching the bearing beneath the bridge, has faded and needs replacing.
Cllr Johnny Thalassites, Lead Member for Environment and Planning, said: "Keeping an iconic listed bridge operational does take regular maintenance. We have to be responsible stewards of Albert Bridge which is both a landmark of the London skyline and a vital crossing point.
"We know this is a short-term inconvenience to drivers so we're grateful to everyone for being patient. Without these works, we risk harm to the bridge so it's not optional. If we want to keep the bridge open, we have to look after it, now and in the future."
In January 2024, the council introduced a three-tonne weight limit on the bridge for goods vehicles. Between January 11, 2024, when enforcement began, and April 20, 2025, the council issued 37,954 penalty charge notices for drivers breaching the weight restriction.
The council said they fine motorists based on their vehicle's official revenue weight, also known as the maximum gross weight, which is available on the DVLA's website.
In June last year, The Local Democracy Reporting Service found Kensington and Chelsea Council made just over £630,000 fining drivers breaking the three-tonne weight restriction.
From January to May 27, 2024, drivers received 11,766 fines worth £130. It also found more than half - 68 per cent - of motorists had their fine reduced to £65 because they paid within the 14-day window.
Got a story? Email adrian.zorzut@reachplc.com
Want more from MyLondon? Sign up to our daily newsletters for all the latest and greatest from across London here.
(Feed generated with FetchRSS)
Post a Comment