Published: Thursday 26 March 2026
Albert Bridge will have a full repair to reopen to motor traffic, along with improvements to the road surface and preventative work to protect it for the future.
The investigation into the bridge has found that the cast iron component that has cracked supports a joint between the catenary/cable-stay/edge-girder. This joint rocks when temperature, wind and traffic levels change. The damage was caused when the axle in this rocker seized.
The bridge is being monitored by sensors, installed to measure its movements. This data is being used to model the bridge, check the movements are as expected and ensure that the bridges condition is not worsening. It remains closed to motor traffic, but is open to pedestrians and cyclists.
The Council’s leadership team decided on Wednesday 25 March 2026 to:
- Fully repair the cracked component and unseize the axle in the structural joint which is thought to have triggered the damage.
- Take the opportunity to further improve the bridge while it is closed, with preventative measures to stop the components seizing again, as well as a new road surface, refurbished toll booths and bringing forward planned replacement lighting to improve energy efficiency.
- Continue existing mitigations with monitoring and emergency mitigation measures while permanent fixes are installed.
The cost of the works is estimated to be around £8.5 million and will take around 12 months.
Cllr Johnny Thalassites, lead member for environment and planning, said:
“We know the closure of Albert Bridge is frustrating and inconvenient and I’m very grateful for everyone’s patience. It’s not just important for our residents; it’s a national landmark and a vital river crossing for London. We are committed to reopening the Bridge to traffic and protecting it for generations to come.
“After the initial investigations, we’ve decided to not just fix what is broken, but to also put in extra measures to try stop this happening again in the future.
“The bridge is unique, which makes the repair complex and costly. We’re taking the prudent step of accounting for the pressure of a permanent repair in our capital programme, whilst we actively explore external funding options with the Department for Transport and Transport for London.”
Albert Bridge has been closed since early February 2026, when during a routine inspection one of our council inspectors found a cast iron component had cracked at one of the bridge abutments.
Albert Bridge is designed to move slightly, for example to accommodate a change in temperature or traffic. It was nicknamed "The Trembling Lady" shortly after it opened in 1873.
The Council has been seeking a temporary fix which may allow the bridge to open to motor traffic sooner while a permanent repair is in progress. We continue to explore this option but currently the advice is that the bridge’s fragility and complexity means a temporary repair is unlikely.
Read our previous news story about the closure of Albert Bridge.
See the report to the Leadership Team on Wednesday 25 March 2026 and watch the meeting on YouTube.