Albert Bridge closed for repairs during half term

Albert Bridge in Chelsea will be closed to vehicles next week for the second time in six months for "essential maintenance" to the structure.

Kensington and Chelsea Council said the west London cable-stayed bridge, which is Grade-II listed, needed works to be carried out to protect it for the future.

A diversion will be in place for drivers to go via either Chelsea Bridge or Battersea Bridge while Albert Bridge is closed from 07:00 GMT on 28 October to 07:00 on 2 November.

Repairs to pavements will be done in stages so that one footway will be open to pedestrians at all times. Cyclists can cross the bridge but are encouraged to dismount.

Conservative councillor Cem Kemahli, the council's lead member of planning and public realm, said: "This is the second brief closure this year and we’re very grateful to drivers for being patient in the short term so that we can keep the listed bridge intact and operational now and in the future.

"We hope by using the half term holiday for the works again we can limit some of the inconvenience.”

It comes as Transport for London (TfL) announced work would take place on the neighbouring Battersea Bridge from 1 November as part of an 11-month programme to "reduce road danger for people walking and cycling on and near Battersea Bridge", and to change the road layout.

TfL said while work is being carried out "there may be some delays on roads and on several bus routes" and it advised people to plan ahead and use alternative routes where possible.

Hammersmith Bridge will also be closed to cyclists and pedestrians that same weekend, from 1 November at 21:00 for 24 hours. It remains closed to motor vehicles at all times.

In January, the council began to enforce a three-tonne weight restriction on Albert Bridge for goods vehicles to protect the structure.

Since then, the council has been issuing penalty charge notices to vehicles breaking the weight limit.

A Freedom of Information request revealed Kensington and Chelsea Council fined drivers more than £630,000 for breaking the rule.

It found the council issued drivers 11,766 fines worth up to £130 each between 9 January and 27 May.

Two-thirds of motorists had their fine reduced to £65 because they paid within the 14-day window.

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