HGV drivers warned to steer clear of Albert Bridge and its new rules

By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter

Delivery drivers are being urged to avoid Albert Bridge by their own trade association to avoid £130 fines for a new weight-limit restriction.

Hauliers have been warned a three-tonne limit for goods vehicles on the bridge comes into force on Thursday.

The Road Haulage Association said goods vehicles and coach operators needed to ensure their drivers used the “appropriate” sat navs to avoid being fined by Kensington and Chelsea council.

A spokesman for the Hauliers’ Association said: “We understand that local authorities need to impose restrictions on vehicles to ensure road users and pedestrians are kept safe.

“We would urge haulage and coach operators to ensure that their drivers use appropriate sat navs and comply with the new directions.”

Councillor Cem Kemahli, lead member for planning and public realm at Kensington and Chelsea council, said he did not want the bridge succumbing to the same fate as Hammersmith Bridge, which has been closed to motor traffic for five years because of a structural fault.

He said: “The bridge is structurally sound and perfectly safe, but it is a listed structure and an important river crossing so we need to make sure we protect both the surface and the structure for the long term.”

The council previously relied on width restriction barriers to deter heavy goods vehicles from using Albert Bridge – a rule that has been in place since 2012. It also recently spent £100k resurfacing the deck in October.

It said drivers regularly using the bridge have been given advance notice, with warning signs on the street and more than 1,400 warning notices issued since December 6.

Picture: Albert Bridge (Picture: Wikimedia Commons)