Weight restrictions have been imposed on another London bridge due to structural deterioration. From July 1, Vauxhall Bridge will close to all vehicles over 18 tonnes to ensure the safety of bridge users.
Which Vehicles Are Affected?
Buses and emergency vehicles are exempt from the ban, meaning this primarily targets heavy industrial and commercial transport. This may include articulated lorries, 3-axle rigid trucks, 4-axle tippers, concrete mixers, heavy distribution wagons, large mobile cranes, fuel tankers, and heavy recovery vehicles.
Traffic Impact and Diversions
Transport for London (TfL) said it will affect 0.5% of vehicles currently using the bridge, which will be diverted to another crossing. No bus routes will be affected by the weight restrictions, while signed diversion routes will be in place for lorries that exceed the limit.
Background of Structural Issues
Vauxhall Bridge has already been closed to vehicles weighing over 44 tonnes since 2023, before a recent evaluation found more structural deterioration. TfL said the bridge does not currently pose any safety risk to people using it, but measures are needed to avoid further damage.
Other London Bridge Closures
The weight restrictions at Vauxhall Bridge mark another closure or partial closure of London crossings that have hampered road routes in recent years. Albert Bridge has been closed to all motor vehicles since February 7 after a crack was found in a cast iron component, and is currently only accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. Both Hammersmith and Broadmead Road (in Woodford) bridges have also been open only to pedestrians, with local authorities calling on the government to provide funding to end both lengthy closures.
Official Statements
Carl Eddleston, TfL's director of streets and network operations, said: “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. While the bridge remains safe, limiting heavier vehicles helps us protect and keep it open while we develop the long‑term improvements it needs. 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.”
Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, told the Press Association: “We have long argued that the condition of road bridges serves as a lead indicator of the highway maintenance problems that have been building up as a result of ageing structures, heavier traffic and environmental pressures. Commuters relying on the many bus services that cross Vauxhall Bridge each day might be sighing with relief that their journeys won’t be affected by these restrictions. But at Department for Transport (DfT) headquarters, barely half-a-mile away, the question must be whether the new Structures Fund will be anywhere near large enough to address this growing challenge seen not just in London but country-wide.”
Government Funding for Bridge Repairs
The fund is available to councils in England to repair their bridges, flyovers, and tunnels. It is part of a £1 billion package to fix roads. When the Government first announced the scheme in June last year, it said about 3,000 bridges across Britain were unable to support the heaviest vehicles.
