Waterloo Bridge could face closure without repairs

Waterloo Bridge, one of the best known crossings of the River Thames in London, could face weight limits or even closure within a few years unless urgent repairs are carried out, according to Westminster City Council.

Inspections have found water damage and cracks of up to two millimetres in the structure, which opened in 1945 and now carries more than 25,000 vehicles a day, as well as large numbers of people walking and cycling between the South Bank and the Strand.

Six million pounds sought

The council, which is responsible for the bridge, is seeking around six million pounds for repairs. It says the work needs to be completed by the end of the 2029 to 2030 financial year. Without it, the bridge could have to close within three to four years.

Closure would push traffic onto neighbouring bridges and cause disruption for commuters, buses and visitors. The bridge remains open and safe to use in the meantime.

A national problem

Waterloo Bridge is not the only crossing in London in poor condition. Hammersmith Bridge has been closed to motor traffic since 2019, Albert Bridge has had restrictions on cars this year, and Vauxhall Bridge has weight limits in place.

The Government has announced a one billion pound Structures Fund to help councils across England repair ageing bridges and other structures, with allocations expected later this year. Caroline Russell, who chairs the London Assembly's Transport Committee, has called the amount a "drop in the ocean" compared with the size of the repair backlog.

Ageing structures everywhere

Many of the country's bridges, flyovers and tunnels were built in the decades after the Second World War and are now reaching the age when major work is needed. Councils have warned for years that maintenance budgets have not kept up.

Birmingham's own challenge

Birmingham faces similar issues. The city's roads include a large number of bridges, tunnels and elevated sections, from the tunnels under the city centre to the structures around Spaghetti Junction, and keeping them in good repair is one of the biggest long-term costs for highway authorities. A share of the new Structures Fund could help councils in the region with their own backlog.