Albert Bridge closed to vehicles after inspection raises safety concerns
Albert Bridge was closed to vehicles this week after a routine inspection raised concerns about the condition of the historic crossing between Chelsea and Battersea.
Kensington and Chelsea Council said the decision was taken as a precaution while engineers assess the findings from planned maintenance work on the 150-year-old structure. The bridge remains open to pedestrians, with traffic diverted via neighbouring crossings.
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Engineers are now analysing the inspection results to determine whether further work is required before vehicles can return. No date has yet been set for reopening the route to traffic.
Councillor Johnny Thalassites, the council’s lead member for environment and planning, said the bridge required regular monitoring because of its age. “The safety of the bridge’s users is our absolute priority,” he said. “We have taken the precautionary step of closing the bridge to vehicles while our expert teams carry out further investigations.”
Local impact
Motorists are being diverted via Chelsea Bridge and Battersea Bridge, a change expected to add pressure to surrounding routes during peak hours. Pedestrian access across Albert Bridge has not been affected.
Opened in 1873, Albert Bridge is a Grade II listed structure and one of only two Thames crossings in London never to have been replaced, alongside Tower Bridge. Its listed status means any repair work must be carried out in line with heritage requirements overseen by bodies such as Historic England.
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