Weight limit introduced on Vauxhall Bridge

[Image from here is not available to guests]
The new restriction has been described as "safety critical" by Transport for London - Image © Getty Images

A new weight restriction will be introduced on Vauxhall Bridge from 1 July after a recent assessment found signs of deterioration, according to Transport for London.

The 18‑tonne limit has been described as "safety critical" by TfL^» (Transport for London - about) and will remain in place while the transport authority develops plans to address structural concerns and sets out a long‑term strategy for the bridge.

Emergency vehicles and buses will be exempt from the restriction, with no changes to routes.

Carl Eddleston, TfL's director of streets and network operations, said: "While the bridge remains safe, limiting heavier vehicles helps us protect and keep it open while we develop the long‑term improvements it needs."

A diversion route will be put in place for vehicles weighing more than 18 tonnes travelling both northbound and southbound.

TfL said the bridge did not currently pose a risk to users and that the measures were being introduced to prevent further damage.

Vauxhall Bridge carries about 39,500 vehicles each day, of which around 200 – roughly 0.5% of traffic – weigh more than 18 tonnes and are typically heavy goods vehicles. The bridge has already been subject to restrictions since 2023 for vehicles exceeding 44 tonnes gross weight or 11.5 tonnes per axle.

Eddleston added: "Safety is our top priority, and we know how important Vauxhall Bridge is for people travelling across London. This is why we're taking this precautionary step to introduce a weight restriction to the bridge. We are sorry for any disruption caused by the restriction, and we'll continue to monitor the area closely, ensuring we keep people updated as this work progresses."

A wider problem

Vauxhall Bridge is not the only crossing facing concerns about its structural condition, amid wider issues affecting London's bridges.

These restrictions come three months after the closure of Albert Bridge in west London, which was shut to motor vehicles in February when a crack was found in a cast-iron component. The cost of the repairs will be around £8.5m and it is expected to remain closed for up to a year.

[Image from here is not available to guests]
Albert Bridge is expected to be closed to traffic for about a year - Image © Getty

The 138-year-old Hammersmith Bridge, in south-west London, also closed to motor vehicles when cracks appeared in its pedestals in 2019.

Broadmead Road Bridge, a main route in Redbridge, is another structure which has been shut to traffic, since July 2023.

Last year, the Department for Transport announced a £1bn investment in local highways enhancement projects, along with a new structures fund to help councils repair and renew bridges, flyovers and tunnels.