Drivers warned major bridge to shut over half-term due to maintenance work

Drivers are being warned to avoid a major bridge this half-term due to scheduled maintenance works.

Albert Bridge, which connects Chelsea on the north bank of the Thames to Battersea on the south, will be closed to vehicles in both directions from 7am on October 28, and will reopen from 7am on November 2.

A diversion will be in place for drivers via Chelsea Bridge or Battersea Bridge. 

The closure has been put in place by Kensington and Chelsea council to allow engineers to carry out essential maintenance work to the carriageway’s deck panels. 

The panels form part of the listed structure, which is one of the oldest bridges across the Thames, and requires care to ensure the bridge remains in a good condition. 

The bridge was closed for maintenance works in the May half-term earlier this year. The upcoming repairs will replace the next section of decking and improve the river crossing’s street lighting and pavements.

Across the October half-term, one footway will be open to pedestrians at all times and cyclists will still be able to pass the bridge but are encouraged to dismount, the council said. 

Councillor Cem Kemahli, lead member of planning and public realm, said: “The iconic Albert Bridge is in safe hands with our engineers, who are completing these essential works to protect it for the future. 

“We’re very grateful to drivers for being patient in the short term so that we can keep the listed bridge intact and operational now and in the future. 

“We hope by using the half term holiday for the works again we can limit some of the inconvenience.”

In January 2024, the council began to enforce a three-tonne weight restriction on the bridge for good vehicles to protect the bridge. Since then, the local authority has issued nearly 20,000 penalty charge notices for drivers breaching the weight restrictions.

From October 30, TfL will also be completing works on Battersea Bridge, but work begins on the south side in Wandsworth. Battersea Bridge will be open to traffic with a lane closure from October 30.

Pictured top: Albert Bridge is one of the oldest bridges across the Thames (Picture: Mermayden/Wikimedia Commons)