Brief
Westminster Council seeks £6 million for urgent Waterloo Bridge repairs, warns of possible closure
A council funding document says urgent repairs are needed to keep the 1945 bridge open for pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Westminster Council has submitted a funding request for £6 million to carry out urgent repairs on Waterloo Bridge, according to a council document obtained by the Standard. The document warns that, without work by the end of the 2029‑30 financial year, the bridge may need to operate under weight limits or face full closure.
Inspection of the bridge revealed water damage and 2 mm cracks. Waterloo Bridge, opened in 1945, carries more than 25,000 vehicles and thousands of pedestrians and cyclists each day between the South Bank and the West End.
The council notes that a closure would put severe pressure on nearby crossings, which are already under strain. Transport for London imposed weight limits on Vauxhall Bridge this summer and has warned that further restrictions could be needed by 2030 without repairs.
The funding request comes as the UK government’s Structures Fund, announced earlier this year by the then‑Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is set to allocate £1 billion to ageing bridges. Caroline Russell, chair of the London Assembly’s Transport Committee, called the fund a “drop in the ocean” and said councils will be competing for limited support.
Hammersmith Bridge, also in London, has already required £42 million of council spending since 2019 and is seeking £120 million for further work, highlighting the broader financing challenges for the capital’s river crossings.
Key facts
- Westminster Council is asking for £6 million to repair Waterloo Bridge. (standard.co.uk)
- Inspections found water damage and 2 mm cracks on the bridge. (standard.co.uk)
- The council warns the bridge could face weight limits or full closure by the end of the 2029‑30 financial year if repairs are not done. (standard.co.uk)
- Waterloo Bridge carries over 25,000 vehicles and thousands of pedestrians and cyclists daily. (standard.co.uk)
- The UK government’s Structures Fund, announced earlier this year, will allocate £1 billion to bridge and infrastructure projects. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Waterloo Bridge could close 'within four years' with major repairs needed”
