Closed for two years, open for six months. Now Albert Bridge shuts again

Residents and traders reacted with anger today after it emerged Albert Bridge will close this weekend — six months after it reopened after nearly two years of works.

A notice informed users that the 710ft grade two listed bridge will close to all vehicles on Saturday between 7am and 8pm, with the possibility of a further closure a week later.

Kensington and Chelsea council says work is necessary to deal with the number of visitors expected to use the Victorian bridge during the Diamond Jubilee weekend.

But businesses, who lost thousands in trade when it was closed for a

£7.2 million revamp from February 2010 to last December, hit out at the plan — with several saying they had not been told of the new closure.

Frank Cappalonga, manager at Ufizzi hair and beauty salon in Parkgate Road, said: “This is the first we have heard about it. The problem is that we are based in Wandsworth but it is Kensington and Chelsea who are in charge of the bridge. They just pass the buck to each other. When the bridge is shut there is far less traffic, which harms our business.”

Martin Lam, owner of Ransome’s Dock restaurant, said he lost 20 per cent of business during the last closure. He said: “This is another heavy-handed lack of communication.”

He added that Wandsworth council had promised a reopening ceremony to give the area a boost but this was cancelled when the date was put back from last summer to December.

Evisa Kekezi, who works at The Collection fashion boutique in Parkgate Road, said the area had been “isolated” with people still using Battersea Bridge instead.

Kensington and Chelsea council said disruptions will be kept to a minimum. Pedestrians and dismounted cyclists will still be able to use the crossing. Motorists will have to use Battersea or Chelsea bridges.

Designed by Roland Mason Ordish, Albert Bridge was first opened to traffic in 1873. It was strengthened and modernised by Sir Joseph Bazalgette, designer of the London sewer system, in 1884, giving the bridge the familiar suspension style that it has today. The last closure was necessary to allow extensive strengthening and refurbishment work to be carried out.