Overview
- A council inspection found water damage and cracks up to 2mm in Waterloo Bridge and requested £6 million for urgent repair work to avoid further measures or closure.
- The report says that without repairs or new weight limits the bridge could face a full closure by the end of the 2029–30 financial year.
- Transport for London has put several central crossings on a 'critical' watchlist and this summer imposed an 18‑tonne limit on Vauxhall Bridge to reduce stress on ageing structures.
- Local councils say the government’s £1 billion Structures Fund will not cover large stabilisation bills and boroughs already face huge costs such as Hammersmith’s estimated £300 million repair need.
- If Waterloo Bridge closed tens of thousands of daily users including more than 25,000 vehicles and multiple bus routes would be diverted, increasing congestion on neighbouring bridges and lengthening commutes.