Albert Bridge in Chelsea will undergo a week-long closure for vehicles to facilitate necessary maintenance work by the council.

Detours will be established through either Chelsea or Battersea Bridge starting from 07:00 BST on 27 May until 06:00 BST on 2 June.

The Kensington and Chelsea Council has scheduled this work during the summer half-term to lessen the disruption for drivers.

Repairs will encompass the bridge deck, street lighting, and expansion joints, while any pavement repairs will occur in phases to ensure one footway remains accessible for pedestrians at all times. Cyclists are permitted to cross if they dismount.

The bridge deck consists of 715 separate panels anchored to the timber structure.

These panels are susceptible to weather damage, and vehicular traffic can adversely affect the carriageway’s surface, allowing water to seep into the timber parts.

Approximately 10% of the deck is reported to be in a deteriorating condition and will be replaced.

Additionally, the rubber seal between the joints, which helps prevent water from reaching the bridge’s bearings, will also be renewed.

Johnny Thalassites from the council remarked, “Maintaining an iconic registered bridge requires ongoing care. We must act as responsible caretakers of Albert Bridge, which is not only a prominent feature of the London skyline but also an essential crossing point.”

He expressed appreciation for the drivers’ patience during this “temporary inconvenience.”

In January 2024, the council began implementing a weight limit of three tonnes for goods vehicles to safeguard the bridge’s integrity, imposing fines on vehicles that exceed this limit.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed that the council generated over £630,000 in revenue from fines issued to drivers violating this weight restriction.