Nearly two years on, Albert Bridge is back

Albert Bridge is finally set to reopen after nearly two years of traffic mayhem and disruption for road users and residents, and lost trade for local businesses.

After several delays to extensive strengthening and refurbishment work, traffic will again be allowed over the Victorian bridge, a main Thames crossing, from December 2.

It had been feared the closure, which began in February last year, could last until after the Olympics.

The £7.2 million project, funded by Kensington and Chelsea council and Transport for London, has restored the Grade II-listed structure and maintained all its original features.

Nick Paget-Brown, deputy leader and Cabinet member for transport, said: "It proved even more challenging than we originally thought as once the work began we discovered much worse corrosion to the iron and steel.

"The amount of work has been truly monumental with over 10,000 bolts, 40,000 litres of paint and 1,000 tonnes of grit used during the restoration.

"I think we can be proud of the level of workmanship. I hope that residents and all other bridge-users will now be able to appreciate the need for the work... for surely, when lit up, the Albert Bridge is one of the most beautiful night-time sights in London."

Biagio Morreale, 40, owner of Uffizi hair and beauty salon on the south side of the bridge, said in July the closure had turned the area into a "ghost town". Today he talked of his relief at the news, after struggling to keep his business going. "This couldn't have come any sooner," he said. "We hope businesses will rejuvenate and people will now come back and bring the area back to life.

"The past few months have been worse than ever for business. Things are tough anyway, given the economic climate, but having one of London's main bridges close, it has been a really difficult time. I'm not expecting anything to happen overnight, it will take time for businesses in the area to pick up."

Martin Lam, who owns Ransome's Dock restaurant in Parkgate Road, said the closure cost him about 25 per cent of his trade.

"It has been a nightmare - it turned what is normally a busy road into a cul-de-sac," said Mr Lam, 56. "I've been here for 19 years and built up a solid clientele from immediately north of the river. But what would normally be a five or 10-minute journey becomes 30 or 40 minutes in a traffic jam. I can't blame them for going elsewhere. People will have to re-learn the habit of coming over to places like ours. It will be a long climb back up."

Andrew Holman, 30, an accountant, said: "It's an extra tenner on the taxi just to get round the bridge. I'm glad it'll soon be up and running."