Albert Bridge closure to last until 2027, costing £8.5m
A crack in a cast-iron abutment has kept the Chelsea bridge closed to vehicles since February 2026, prompting resident frustration.
News London evidence indexOpen analysis ▾
Includes named council officials and quoted open letter, but lacks multiple independent sources.
Higher is stronger
Explains impact, quotes residents and officials, but offers limited detail on future actions.
Higher is stronger
Dramatic language used but story remains proportionate to the reported disruption.
Lower is better
Albert Bridge, connecting Chelsea and Battersea, has remained shut to motor vehicles since February 2026 following the discovery of a crack in a cast-iron abutment. While reopened to pedestrians and cyclists in April 2026, the continued closure to traffic is causing significant disruption, with repair costs estimated to reach £8.5 million and potentially extend the closure until 2027.
Resident concerns over disruption
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An open letter, signed by more than 1,100 residents from Chelsea and Battersea, has been sent to Kensington & Chelsea Council, Wandsworth Council, the Mayor of London, and Transport for London (TfL). The letter describes the closure as a "significant quality-of-life issue", stating that residential roads are gridlocked for extended periods. Journeys that previously took minutes now take 40-50% longer, impacting school runs, bus reliability, local businesses, and emergency service access. The signatories are calling for a collaborative and urgent approach to minimise the impact during the repair period.
Council and Mayor's response
Kensington & Chelsea Council confirmed it has applied for partial funding from TfL and the Department for Transport. However, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, stated that the responsibility for funding and renewing Albert Bridge lies with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea as the bridge's owner. He added that TfL would offer support where possible.
New Addington tram line to close for weekend engineering works
Transport for London has confirmed a temporary closure of the tram service between Sandilands and New Addington.
Councillor Josh Rendall, Lead Member for Transport on Kensington & Chelsea Council, acknowledged the disruption and residents' frustration. He emphasised that safety is the primary focus for the repairs on the 150-year-old structure, which predates motor vehicles. Councillor Rendall is in contact with campaign groups and is pressing for traffic signal arrangements to be reviewed while the work is underway.
Wandsworth Council, the Mayor of London, and TfL had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
Questions this report answers
+Why is Albert Bridge closed to traffic?
Albert Bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic since February 2026 because a crack was found in one of its cast-iron abutments. The structure is over 150 years old and requires significant repairs to ensure its safety.
+How much will the repairs to Albert Bridge cost?
The repairs to Albert Bridge are expected to cost up to £8.5 million. Kensington & Chelsea Council is seeking partial funding from Transport for London and the Department for Transport.
+When will Albert Bridge reopen to traffic?
It is unclear exactly when Albert Bridge will reopen to traffic. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has indicated that repairs could keep the bridge closed until 2027, with safety being the primary consideration for the work.
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