Millennium Bridge Refurbishment Delayed Until 2026 Due to Contractor Shortfall

A £3.5m refurbishment of the Millennium Bridge, originally set to begin this spring, has now been postponed until next year. The City Bridge Foundation, which owns the pedestrian crossing, has cited a “lower than expected number of responses” to its tender process as the main reason for the delay. The works, aimed at resurfacing the deck, repainting the steel structure, and re-tensioning the suspension cables, will now be split into two separate projects and retendered.

The tender, published by the City of London Corporation, outlined the need for contractors to propose how the bridge could remain open for as long as possible during the work. It stated: “Contractors are encouraged to explore alternative solutions and approaches to maximise the time that the bridge can remain in operation during the project.” The estimated cost of the refurbishment ranges from £2.75m to £3.5m.

However, due to the lack of contractor interest, the City Bridge Foundation has confirmed that the works will not commence until 2026. A spokesperson for the foundation said:

“Due to a lower than expected number of responses, we have taken the decision to retender for the work, splitting the bridge redecking and painting and the re-tensioning of the cables that support the bridge into two separate briefs.”

The Wobbly Bridge Turns 25

Opened in June 2000, the Millennium Bridge quickly gained notoriety when excessive swaying forced its closure just two days later, earning it the nickname the “wobbly bridge”. It remained closed for nearly two years while engineers carried out stabilisation works, reopening to the public in February 2002.

Now, almost a quarter of a century later, the bridge is facing new structural concerns. A spokesperson for the City Bridge Foundation explained:

“Millennium Bridge marks its 25th birthday this year and with thousands of people walking over it every day, that inevitably takes its toll. The aluminium bridge deck is beginning to become worn, meaning it is now smoother and more slippery than it used to be, so we need to act now to ensure the bridge remains safe for people to use.”

City Bridge Foundation and Future Plans

The City Bridge Foundation, a 900-year-old charity responsible for five Thames crossings, Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Millennium Bridge, and Blackfriars Bridge, has assured the public that further announcements regarding the refurbishment timeline will be made in due course.

For updates on this and other London infrastructure projects, visit EyeOnLondon City.

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