Albert Bridge to Be Closed to Motor Traffic for Over a Year
New protective measures to be installed along with an extensive restoration
Albert Bridge. Picture: Wandsworth Council
March 30, 2026
A year-long closure of Albert Bridge to motor traffic has been confirmed by Kensington and Chelsea Council to allow for structural repairs. The bridge, which has been shut to vehicles since February following the discovery of a cracked cast-iron component during a routine inspection, will now remain closed for around twelve more months while engineers carry out extensive restoration and install new protective measures to prevent future damage.
The decision follows weeks of assessment after the initial fault was identified at one of the bridge abutments. Kensington and Chelsea Council said the extended closure is necessary to ensure the long-term safety of the Grade II* listed structure, which has long been one of London’s most delicate river crossings. Pedestrians and cyclists will continue to be able to use the bridge throughout the works.
Wandsworth Council, which represents residents on the southern side of the Thames, has moved to mitigate the impact on local roads. Additional diversion signage has been installed to guide drivers towards alternative river crossings, and the council has asked Transport for London to review traffic-light timings along Battersea Bridge Road, including the junction with Parkgate Road, to improve traffic flow. The authority has also said it will seek to restrict non-essential roadworks in the surrounding area to avoid compounding congestion.
The closure is expected to place sustained pressure on both Putney Bridge and Wandsworth Bridge, which already carry heavy volumes of daily traffic. Putney Bridge is likely to see longer queues on approach roads such as Fulham High Street, Lower Richmond Road and Putney Bridge Road, particularly during the morning peak when eastbound drivers often divert towards central London.
Wandsworth Bridge is also expected to absorb a significant share of displaced traffic. Its approaches on York Road, Wandsworth Roundabout and Trinity Road already experience regular bottlenecks, and the additional load may lead to slower journey times across a wider area.
Traffic modelling from previous closures of Albert Bridge suggests that drivers tend to redistribute unevenly, with some diverting west towards Putney and others east towards Battersea and Chelsea Bridge. This pattern can create unpredictable surges, especially during school runs and weekend shopping hours. Local transport officers anticipate that congestion may spread deeper into residential streets as drivers seek shortcuts, increasing pressure on neighbourhood roads.
Both councils say they are working closely with TfL to monitor conditions and adjust mitigation measures as needed. Residents are being encouraged to plan journeys carefully, consider alternative modes of transport where possible and stay updated through Kensington and Chelsea Council’s website, which will carry ongoing information about the repair programme.
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