Published: Tuesday 21 May 2024
Albert Bridge will be closed for four days for essential maintenance during the summer half term holidays from 28 May to 1 June 2024.
A diversion will be in place for drivers via Chelsea Bridge or Battersea Bridge. Works will be taking place to the pavements too, but this will be done in stages so that one footway will be open to pedestrians at all times. Cyclists can pass the bridge but are encouraged to dismount.
When is Albert Bridge closed?
Drivers are asked to allow more time for their journeys and avoid Albert Bridge next week. The listed river crossing will be closed to vehicles in both directions from 7am on Tuesday 28 May 2024 and reopen from 7am on Saturday 1 June 2024.
Work is anticipated to be complete on time. This page will be updated if the dates change or extend due to adverse weather.
What are the works at Albert Bridge?
Engineers at Kensington and Chelsea Council are carrying out essential maintenance work to replace some of the carriageway’s deck panels. The panels form part of the listed structure and require care to ensure the bridge remains in a good condition. The Council is also doing some essential lighting maintenance during the closure.
Cllr Cem Kemahli, lead member of planning and public realm, said:
“Albert Bridge is an icon of the London skyline but its also an important river crossing. As a responsible guardian of the bridge, it’s crucial that we undertake essential maintenance so we can keep the bridge in good health and keep it operational now and in the future. We’re sorry for the short-term inconvenience this will cause to some drivers and their journeys and we hope we can limit some of this by doing the work during the half term holidays.”
Is there a weight restriction on Albert Bridge?
In January 2024, the Council began to enforce a three-tonne weight restriction on the bridge for good vehicles. Since then, the Council has been issuing penalty charge notices to vehicles breaking the weight limit.
In April alone, despite the warning signs on the approaches to the bridge, there were 2,811 breaches of the weight restriction, putting unnecessary strain on the bridge. In line with Government regulations, enforcement is based on the vehicle’s official revenue weight, also known as the maximum gross weight.
Drivers can find this out using the DVLA’s website. This is the most accurate way to check as some vehicle log books provide a different measure of weight.