Albert Bridge reopens to pedestrians and cyclists

The 153-year-old Albert Bridge spanning the River Thames between Chelsea and Battersea has reopened to pedestrians and cyclists after an inspection by engineers.

Kensington and Chelsea council closed it to walkers and bikes on Wednesday 8 April as a precaution after sensors picked up "small changes" to movement on the Grade II listed bridge.

The bridge closed to motor vehicles in February for £8.5m of repairs when a crack was found in a cast iron component.

The council's director of highways and regulatory services, Andrew Burton, said the recent closure was necessary "so we could monitor the bridge and ensure the extra movement we were seeing didn't put people at risk".

Burton added: "Our top priority is safety and protecting the bridge for the future, so it's important that we act when our sensors pick up any change."

The recent pattern of movement does not present any additional risk and it is safe to reopen to cyclists and pedestrians, the council said.

"We have a temporary solution coming in very soon which will stabilise the damaged component and help reduce the need for further closures for pedestrians and cyclists," Burton said.

A temporary prop will be installed to help support the weakened component and the work is expected to be completed by 17 April.

The council said temperature can impact the way the bridge moves and was the "likely cause" of the change on Wednesday, when temperatures in London reached 25C.

It said temperature changes alone are not a cause for concern, but the bridge is under careful monitoring because of the cracked component "to ensure the condition is not significantly worsening".

Bridge repairs are expected to last a year, the council said.

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