Tower Bridge is closed due to 'technical issue'

Tower Bridge is stuck open AGAIN due to ‘technical issue’ as drivers in central London are told to ‘avoid the area’

• London’s famous Tower Bridge is closed again due to ‘technical fault’, police say
• The 127-year-old bridge is closed in both directions to traffic and pedestrians
• Police have told MailOnline that the bridge is open by a ‘few inches’ this time
• It comes after bridge was closed for several hours one day in August due to fault
• On that occasion, the bridge’s two bascules were wedged completely upright 

London’s famous Tower Bridge is stuck open again due to a ‘technical fault’ – with drivers warned to avoid the area.

The 127-year-old bridge, which is owned, funded and managed by the City of Corporation, is currently closed in both directions to traffic.

The latest fault comes after the bridge was closed for several hours in August after the bridge’s arms, known as bascules, became wedged upright after being opened.

It is not yet clear what the latest technical fault is. However police say that the bridge is only open by ‘a few inches’ – unlike last time when it was wide open.

A police spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Even though it’s a few inches, if cars were to drive over it like this it could cause a lot of damage so that is why it is closed for now.’ 

The 127-year-old bridge, which is owned, funded and managed by the City of Corporation, is currently closed in both directions to traffic

A tweet by City of London Police this evening reads: ‘Tower Bridge is currently closed to traffic and pedestrians due to technical failure. Please avoid the area. Updates to follow.’

In August this year the bridge became stuck after its bascules opened to allow a Jubilee Trust Tall Ship to pass beneath it.

Workmen battled through the early hours in a bid to close the bridge before the following morning’s rush hour. 

In 2020 the famous bridge failed to close after allowing a ship to pass along the River Thames, leaving queues of motorists and pedestrians waiting for at least an hour from both directions.

And in 2005 police closed the bridge for ten hours after a technical problem prevented the arms from being lowered. 

In August this year the bridge became stuck after its bascules opened to allow a Jubilee Trust Tall Ship to pass beneath it 

Workmen battled through the early hours in a bid to close the bridge before the following morning’s rush hour

The bascule and suspension bridge, which is a popular tourist attraction, directly connects the Square Mile financial district to Southwark.

Each of its bascules weigh more than 1,100 tons each with a 400 ton counterweight to help them descend after lifting to allow river traffic to pass through.

Construction began on the bridge in 1886 on a design by City of London architect Sir Horace Jones.

More than 430 constructions workers a day were involved in the building of the bridge and its two famous bridge towers.

It was opened in 1894 by Edward VII and his wife Alexandra of Denmark, then the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with future Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith – then Home Secretary.

Tower Bridge: In numbers 

Construction: Begins in 1886 on a design by City of London architect Sir Horace Jones

Involved the work of: 432 construction workers each day 

Opened: In 1894 by the Edward VII and wife Alexandra of Denmark (then the Prince and Princess of Wales)

Length: 800 feet (240m) in length

Height: The bridge has two 213 foot (65m) bridge towers

Consists of: Two ‘bascules’ which move around an off-centre pivot, allowing them to rise 

Made up of: More than 11,000 tons of steel for the framework and walkways. The foundations needed more than 70,000 tons of concrete to support the structure 

Powered by steam: Until 1976 when it was converted to electricity

Crossings per day: Around 40,000 people (including pedestrians, cyclists and motorists)

Opens around: 800 times a year 

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