Tower Bridge is to undergo three months of structural repairs later this year, and will close for three months.
Civils contractor Bam Nuttall will carry out the works, paid for by the Bridge House Estate, the charitable trust tasked with maintaining five bridges that cross the Thames.
The City of London said that heavy use had taken its toll on the timber decking of Tower Bridge, which was last refurbished in the 1970s. More than 40,000 people cross over the bridge, including 21,000 vehicles, each day. The work to the 122-year-old structure will include:
- Replacement of the decking on the bascules (the swinging middle section);
- Corrosion prevention and repair operations;
- Replacement of worn expansion joints;
- Resurfacing of fixed roads and walkways;
- Waterproofing of approach viaducts;
- Overhaul and maintenance of key mechanical and lift components;
- General cleaning and repairs to the towers;
- Replacement of river navigation and traffic signal lights.
The City of London said the bridge will be closed for vehicles but will will remain open to pedestrians for all but three weekends of the planned works.
Chris Hayward, chairman of the City’s planning and transport committee, said: “This decision to close Tower Bridge to vehicles has not been taken lightly, and this course of action has been taken after extensive consultation and planning in conjunction with numerous stakeholders.
“We will use this time to repair, refurbish, and upgrade London’s most iconic bridge, which has gone without significant engineering works for more than 35 years.
“We will work hard to minimise disruption to both pedestrians and motor vehicles, and the bridge’s viewing walkways and exhibitions will stay open for the entirety of the works.”
Leon Daniels, managing director of surface transport at TfL, said: “We’ve been working closely with the City of London to minimise the impact of the vital refurbishment of Tower Bridge and to ensure that Londoners have the travel advice they need.
“Our advice to those traveling in the area is to check before they travel and to plan an alternative route or allow more time for their journeys as roads will be busier than usual.”
