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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Georgia Bell

Albert Bridge closed to traffic as a 'precaution' due to safety concerns

Albert bridge will close for five days during the half-term school holidays - (RBKC)

Albert Bridge in west London has been closed as "a precautionary measure" following an inspection.

The 150-year-old bridge , which connects Battersea to Chelsea, was closed to motorists after concerns were raised about the structure during a routine maintenance inspection.

Kensington and Chelsea Council has said that the bridge has been closed while engineers analyse the findings from the inspection and work to “identify appropriate actions”.

Motorists attempting to use the bridge will be diverted via Chelsea Bridge and Battersea Bridge, but it will remain open to pedestrians.

The historic structure, which overlooks Battersea Park, connects Battersea to Chelsea (Alamy/PA)

Councillor Johnny Thalassites, the council's lead member for environment and planning, said that the structure "requires constant care and attention".

"The safety of the bridge's users is our absolute priority, so we have taken the precautionary step of closing the bridge to vehicles to allow our expert teams to carry out further investigations," he said.

This announcement threatens to add further inconvenience to London motorists, who are already facing significant disruption following the closure of Hammersmith Bridge.

Albert Bridge is a historic Grade II listed structure that was opened in 1873.

Alongside Tower Bridge, it remains one of only two London bridges that have never been replaced.

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