Waterloo Bridge could face a full closure by the end of the 2029-30 financial year unless further repairs are carried out or additional measures such as weight limits are introduced, according to documents provided to Bloomberg by Westminster Council.
Structural damage found
An inspection of the bridge, which was built in 1942 to replace the original Georgian structure, found water damage and cracks up to 2mm wide. The report warns that without action, there could be a full closure of Waterloo Bridge.
The bridge has served Londoners for decades as traffic volume and vehicle weight have increased, and years of wear and tear have taken their toll.
Other London crossings at risk
Waterloo is the latest bridge to raise concerns over its condition. Structural issues have already closed Hammersmith and Albert Bridges to vehicle traffic. Westminster, Vauxhall and Lambeth Bridges have also been placed on a 'critical' watchlist by Transport for London, with all scoring under 40 – a benchmark that prompts investigation or action.
From July, Vauxhall Bridge had a weight restriction imposed, making it off-limits for large commercial vehicles such as fully loaded lorries exceeding 18 tonnes. The limit affects around 0.5% or 200 of the roughly 39,500 vehicles that use the bridge daily.
Ongoing repair challenges
Hammersmith Bridge, closed to cars in 2019 after cracks were found on its pedestals, remains open only to pedestrians and cyclists. In June, Hammersmith and Fulham Borough shelved plans for a full restoration due to a lack of financial options to cover the estimated £300 million repair bill. The closure has worsened congestion on both riverbanks, particularly in Wandsworth, and diverted buses and traffic to Chiswick and Putney bridges.
Albert Bridge in Kensington and Chelsea, nicknamed 'The Trembling Lady,' was also closed to cars earlier this year after movement was detected in the structure. It is now restricted to pedestrians and bikes, with the council committing to repairs costing around £8.5 million. Kensington and Chelsea Borough said: 'We are committed to reopening Albert Bridge to traffic as soon as it is safe to do so in 2027. Given the complex nature of the repair works, and that specialist sub-contractors will be needed, it is not currently possible to provide a definitive reopening date.'
