London Bridge will be closed to general traffic from March for essential maintenance in the latest headache for the Southwark’s motorists.
The City of London Corporation has revealed this week that the bridge will close to cars and lorries from March 16 for a seven-month schedule of waterproofing and bearing replacement.
Works will take place to the northern side of the bridge between March and May, while the southbound side will see work from June to October. The bridge will reopen for traffic at the end of October 2020.
Diversions will be in place for general traffic via Tower, Southwark and Blackfriars Bridges, while bus stops on the bridge will be suspended.
“These river crossings will be extremely busy,” states TfL advice. “Seek alternative routes across the river if possible.” Roads on the approaches to London Bridge are also expected to be busy.
Pedestrians will still be able to use the crossing, although they are expected to be busier than normal. Buses and licensed taxis will still be able to use the bridge.
The Corporation said the works on London Bridge, opened in 1973, are needed to make the bridge safe for years to come.
“The waterproofing protects the concrete bridge deck and reinforcement from water,” it states. “The bearings support the bridge deck, allowing it to move.”
This is the latest in a string of headaches for motorists in Southwark, who are battling disruption as construction of Cycleway 4 continues.
This schedule of work is seeing disruption along Tooley Street and Jamaica Road as a major segregated cycle route is constructed, which will ultimately run from Tower Bridge to Greenwich.
The first phase of the route is expected to be completed in April. For more information about the improvement works to London Bridge, visit the City of London Corporation website here.
Alternatively, find travel advice from TfL here.
