Iconic London attraction and major transport route to close all weekend – affecting hundreds of thousands
AN iconic London attraction is set to close in the coming days – affecting hundreds of thousands of visitors and locals.
The landmark, which is also a major transport route, will be closed all weekend as urgent repairs are undertaken.
Tower Bridge will be closed off to vehicles from 7.30am on Saturday until 5am on Monday.
This is on top of its overnight closures which are currently taking place this week.
The bridge will stay open to pedestrians during the day – but they will not be able to cross it at night when the planned repair works are underway.
Visitors will also still be able to go up the attraction during the day as usual.
City Bridge Foundation Chairman Giles Shilson said: ”We appreciate that closing the bridge at short notice will cause some inconvenience, including to local residents and businesses, and it’s not a decision we have taken lightly.
“However, we need to avoid a clash with the planned closures of Blackwall Tunnel which are taking place every weekend well into the spring, as Tower Bridge is the next Thames crossing along.
“As the tunnel is now remaining open this weekend, this is an ideal moment to carry out some essential work to the bridge.
“Failing to do so in good time would increase the risk that we might have to close the bridge for longer, with no notice and possibly during peak weekday hours, further down the line.”
Traffic will be diverted via Southwark Bridge, and will be signposted for drivers.
The overnight works are underway to replace four two metre-long nose bolts, which haven’t been changed in decades.
It comes a week after it was announced another major London bridge was being forced to close for repairs.
The Millennium Bridge, which runs across the River Thames from St Paul’s Cathedral to Tate Modern, will be taped off for three weeks.
The crossing featured in a number of the Harry Potter films and draws in fans from all over the globe.
The bridge, which initially opened in 2000, will close on October 14, and reopen on November 5.