An £8.5 million repair job to get Albert Bridge open within 12 months has been approved, writes Katherine Gray a Local Democracy Reporter…
The major Thames crossing between Chelsea and Battersea was closed to motor traffic in early February, after a crack was found in one of its components. Its closure has been causing significant disruption to Londoners, with around 15,000 drivers being diverted each day the bridge is shut.
Kensington and Chelsea councillors have said they are adamant that the incident will not become another Hammersmith Bridge.
At a leadership meeting on Wednesday night (March 25), the cabinet approved plans to spend around £8.5 million on a full repair job for the bridge, which would take around 12 months to complete. The council is also seeking a temporary fix in the interim which could allow the bridge to open to motor traffic sooner, although this remains “unlikely”.
Lead Member for Housing, Councillor Sof McVeigh, said that the council’s approach to the bridge closure had been “the complete opposite” to the seven-year-long Hammersmith Bridge closure. The Thames crossing has been closed to motor traffic since 2019, reopening to pedestrians and cyclists in April 2025.
“I just think the situation has highlighted how important the bridges are, but for so many people who don’t live in the borough as well. I think our approach to this has been absolutely excellent, our complete commitment to get the bridge back working – really the complete opposite to what’s happened with Hammersmith Bridge and Hammersmith and Fulham,” she said during the leadership meeting.
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.
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“The repairs will involve repairing the cracked component and unseizing the axle in the structural joint which is believed to have caused the damage. The figure also includes improvements to the bridge’s structure, such as a new road surface, refurbished toll booths and preventative measures to stop components seizing again.”
Nicknamed ‘The Trembling Lady’ shortly after it opened in 1873, Albert Bridge is designed to move slightly, to accommodate a change in temperature or traffic. The bridge is currently being monitored by sensors to ensure that its condition is not worsening.
