London’s Millenium Bridge has been closed down and it will remain inaccessible for some time.
The decision was made after parts of the famed crossing were found to be degrading.
The development has left Londoners wondering why the footbridge between the City of London and the South Bank has been closed down, when it will reopen again, and what alternative routes they can use in the meantime.
Here is a comprehensive look at all the information available on Millenium Bridge’s closing.
Why is Millennium Bridge closing?
The decision to close down the Millennium Bridge in the capital was made to allow urgent repairs and cleaning.
The charity that looks after the crossing, City Bridge Foundation, found that parts of the bridge had started to degrade and a layer of membrane needed to be replaced.
The chairman of the charity explained that the crossing was “starting to show its age”, adding: “The separation layer under the bridge deck has started to degrade, which means it’s having an adverse effect on the bridge deck and needs addressing urgently.
“Replacing this layer is a time-consuming process, meaning we have no option but to close the bridge for three weeks and to work round the clock to get it done as quickly as possible.”
He said the bridge would also benefit from a much-needed deep clean “will leave it looking as good as new”.
This isn’t the first time the Millennium Bridge has been closed for repairs. After being built in 2000, Londoners started to report that the bridge was feeling “wobbly”, especially when the weather conditions were windy, which led to it being made inaccessible while repairs were made.
The bridge then reopened in 2002 and has had a clean bill of health since.
When is the bridge due to reopen?
The planned repairs and cleaning are expected to take three weeks.
The bridge was closed at 8am on Saturday, October 14 and it is set to reopen to the public on November 3, 2023, at the latest.
Alternative routes
While the Millenium Bridge is closed, pedestrians who want to cross from the south of the river to the north can use one of the other bridges.
The Blackfriars Bridge connects the City of London to the South Bank.
Similarly, the Southwark Bridge links the City to Southwark. London Bridge offers Londoners an easy crossing, too.
