Transport for London
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Diversions planned for essential bridge works
TfL has set out plans to help reduce disruption when Tower Bridge closes to traffic for vital refurbishment.
Work starts on London's famous bridge on Saturday 1 October and it will be shut for three months while the City of London carries out essential repairs and maintenance.
Signed diversions will be in place, with northbound vehicles using London Bridge and southbound traffic re-routed via Southwark Bridge. Alternative routes will also be marked for cyclists. Three bus services will be affected - 42, 78 and RV1.
Pedestrians, however, will still be able to cross Tower Bridge on all but three weekends (26-27 November, 3-4 December, and 10-11 December, from 8:00 to 22:00).
To help keep traffic moving during the refurbishment, TfL has announced a ban of all non-emergency roadworks on the surrounding roads and has plans to swiftly remove any vehicles found blocking key routes.
Drivers, cyclists and bus passengers are urged by TfL to allow extra time for theirjourneys as roads in the area will be busier than usual. They are also advised to check the TfL website for all closures and available diversions. Motorists will not incur a congestion charges as long as they don't deviate from the alternative route.
Leon Daniels, TfL's Managing Director of Surface Transport, said TfL had worked closely with the City of London to minimise the impact of the refurbishment.
'We do understand concerns about this taking place at the same time as Network Rail's work on Tooley Street.
'However, our analysis has shown that combining the works will make only a small difference in disruption, whereas to do both separately would see road users face disruption continuously until late 2018.'
- TfL is providing up-to-date information on the closure via the @tfltrafficnews Twitter feed. To check details and plan your journey, visit tfl.gov.uk/tower-bridge-closure
