Time for the once ‘wobbly’ Millennium Bridge to get an overhaul

By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter

The Millennium Bridge is to undergo a £3.5 million refurbishment. with work expected to begin in the next few months.

According to a tender published by the City of London Corporation, the City Bridge Foundation is looking for a contractor to resurface the crossing’s aluminium deck to make it less slippery, repaint the steelwork, and re-tension the suspension cables.

It is currently unknown whether any temporary closures will be required, with further details to be revealed once a contractor has been appointed.

An estimated start date was given of February 10, with the contract to last six months.

A City Bridge Foundation spokesman however says it may not be the spring until all the proposals submitted by companies have been sifted through. The tender closed last week.

The Millennium Bridge opened in June 2000, linking St Paul’s Cathedral with the Tate Modern Gallery on the south side of the Thames. It was quickly closed due to excessive swaying, earning it the nickname the ‘wobbly bridge’. Following works to stabilise the crossing it was reopened in February 2002.

The City Bridge Foundation also writes it is important that disruption to users of the crossing is minimised while work is carried out, though it’s for contractors to pitch to the City Bridge Foundation how they will achieve this.

The value of the contract is estimated as between £2.75m and £3.5m. A City Bridge Foundation spokesman said: “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.”

The City Bridge Foundation is a 900-year-old charity which looks after five Thames crossings; Tower, London, Southwark, Millennium and Blackfriars. Its sole trustee is the City of London Corporation, and elected members sit on the foundation’s board.

Pictured top: View of the City from Millennium Bridge (Picture: LDR Talia Shadwell)