A major set of upgrades at Lambeth Bridge will begin their next phase later this week, as part of Transport for London’s (TfL) bid to make the crossing safer for cyclists.
The project involves replacing the unsignalised roundabouts at either end of the central London bridge with signal-controlled junctions. A series of closures to allow construction to take place will begin later this week.
According to TfL’s data, Lambeth Bridge's ‘northern junction’ - on the Westminster side of the river - is the most dangerous in London in terms of cycle collisions. Cyclists were involved in 22 of the 31 collisions across the bridge’s two roundabouts from September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2024.
In April 2015, cyclist Moira Gemmill, 55, a prominent designer who had worked for the Queen, died in a collision with a tipper truck on the northern roundabout. The driver was later cleared of causing death by careless driving.
The Grade II listed structure is also said by TfL to require urgent maintenance, including waterproofing, bridge deck repairs and the replacement of temporary security measures with permanent fixtures to protect pedestrians and cyclists.
“It’s really important that we make these changes at both ends of the bridge,” TfL commissioner Andy Lord told the Standard.
“It’s been a really difficult location for cyclists’ safety. We’re removing the roundabout and putting in signal junctions. That will change the layout and make the junctions at both ends of the bridge much safer for both cyclists and pedestrians - and, we believe, improve the traffic flow.”
An earlier phase of the works, in 2023, saw the removal of a “much loved” palm tree from the centre of the northern roundabout, which provoked criticism from local Conservative politicians. The tree was re-planted a short distance away on the Churchill Gardens Estate.
With work starting to improve safety at the most dangerous junction in London at Lambeth Bridge, thanks to the @tfl team for successfully moving the palm tree from the roundabout to its new home in nearby Pimlico. 🌴 pic.twitter.com/kH4jA6J8TS
— Will Norman (@willnorman) December 7, 2023
TfL has scheduled the following closures and restrictions to take place:
“I’d like to apologise for the disruption that’s obviously going to be caused during these works, but it’s really essential we do them,” said Mr Lord.
“At the same time, we’re taking the opportunity to do some remedial works to the bridge, improving the waterproofing, which will extend the life of the bridge and make sure that it remains such a fantastic river crossing for us.”
The first closure, on Thursday January 30, will take place on the same day that the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce is being reconvened by the Government. The Taskforce will discuss potential solutions to reopening the west London crossing, which has been closed to motor vehicles since cracks appeared in its pedestals in 2019.
Asked about his hopes for that meeting, Mr Lord said TfL would be going in with “a very open mind”. He added: “I hope that we can all work together to find a solution that will enable us to remove the uncertainty that currently exists.
“It’s clearly a frustration for residents on both sides of the river, and we want to play an active role in [resolving] that. But of course, we need to have the funds made available for whichever organisation is going to be responsible for undertaking the works.”
