Published: Wednesday 15 April 2026
A temporary prop has been installed as planned at Albert Bridge to reduce the future risk of the structure having to close to pedestrians and cyclists.
The prop supports the weakened cast iron component in the north-eastern abutment that led to the closure of the bridge to motor traffic and will remain in place while a permanent fix is designed and implemented.
Albert Bridge was temporarily closed to pedestrians and cyclists from Wednesday 8 April until Friday 10 April after data captured by sensors showed some unexpected changes in the bridge’s movement.
What caused the changes?
The changes were likely caused by a rise in temperature and, while that alone is not usually a cause for concern, any movement needs to be investigated to ensure the bridge’s condition is not significantly worsening.
Andrew Burton, director of highways and regulatory services, said:
"While safety will always be our top priority, we appreciate the inconvenience that temporary closures can have on pedestrians and cyclists.
“We’ve been working at pace to develop and install a temporary measure that will help reduce the need for further closures.
“We will continue to monitor the bridge as we work towards implementing a permanent fix.”
When did Albert Bridge close?
Albert Bridge has been closed to motor traffic since 7 February 2026. It is under constant, careful monitoring and remains closed to traffic.
What are the plans for future work to the bridge?
The Council decided on a permanent fix and further improvement works in March. Read more about the decision and see the initial announcement about the bridge’s closure.