Vehicles will be unable to cross Tower Bridge in London for three months from early October when the iconic structure closes for important structural repairs and maintenance, it was announced on Thursday.

 

The bridge was last refurbished in the 1970s and carries 21,000 vehicles every day. Over the years this has led to the deterioration of its timber decking.

 

The City of London said the upcoming closure would help to ensure the 122 year old bridge’s smooth operation for decades to come.

 

“This decision to close Tower Bridge to vehicles has not been taken lightly," said the City of London’s planning and transport committee chairman Chris Hayward. “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.”

 

The City said it would work with Transport for London and the boroughs of Southwark and Tower Hamlets to minimise disruption and provide effective traffic management during the project.

 

Motoring group the RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “Major maintenance will sometimes mean road closures and motorists accept that. But with Tower Bridge used by tens of thousands of motorists every day this closure is almost certainly going to increase traffic in an already very congested part of the city.

 

“London Bridge and Southwark Bridge are going to see dramatic increases in vehicles. Businesses that use the local road network regularly would do well to start to plan their new routes now – potentially avoiding the area altogether if they can.”

 

Transport for London's managing director of surface transport Leon Daniels added: “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.”

 

Tower Bridge will remain open to pedestrians throughout the project, except for three weekends and the bascules will be maintained as operable to river traffic.

 

Southwark Council's cabinet member for environment and public realm Ian Wingfield said: “We appreciate the need to carry out maintenance works along Tower Bridge but this will inevitably cause significant disruption in the north of Southwark.

 

“We are grateful for the decision to minimise disruption to pedestrian traffic by keeping the bridge open for most of the works, which will ease pressure on Tooley Street.”

 

The civil engineering works will be carried out primarily by contractor BAM Nuttall. Works will include replacement of the decking on the bascules, corrosion prevention and repair operations, replacement of worn expansion joints, resurfacing of fixed roads and walkways and waterproofing of approach viaducts.

 

There will also be maintenance of key mechanical and lift components and general cleaning and repairs to the towers, as well as replacement of river navigation and traffic lights.

 

(Photo: Martin Stitchener and licensed for reuse under this Creative Common Licence)