Good news, The Millennium Bridge in London has once again welcomed the public after a necessary three week closure for maintenance.
The suspension bridge also known colloquially as the “wobbly” bridge and crosses the Thames and links St Paul’s Cathedral in the City of London with the Tate Modern gallery on the South Bank. With a history that includes initial notoriety as the ‘wobbly bridge’ upon its 2001 opening, the Millennium Bridge eventually came under the ownership of the City Bridge Foundation.
The Millennium Bridge reopened at 6 pm on Sunday following essential work which involved replacing the synthetic membrane connecting the aluminum bridge deck to the steel structure beneath. In addition to this upgrade, contractors utilized the closure period to conduct a thorough cleaning of the 23 year old structure.
The ownership and maintenance of the bridge fall under the responsibility of the City Bridge Foundation which is a charitable institution with a history dating back 900 years. Chairman Giles Shilson expressed his satisfaction and stating “It’s wonderful to witness the bridge restored to its former brilliance, resembling the gleaming silver arc over the Thames following a much-needed cleaning.”
Shilson emphasized the significance of the less visible but crucial work: The replacement of the deteriorating old membrane, although not immediately apparent to the public will address some of the issues observed with the bridge deck in recent months.
Acknowledging the efforts of the contractors, Shilson thanked them for completing the project on time and within the set budget. He also extended gratitude to the local community for their patience and understanding during the closure began at 8 am on Saturday, 14 October.
The maintenance was carried out by civil engineering contractor FM Conway while the deep cleaning was conducted by cleaning contractor Veolia.
The City Bridge Foundation which also oversees Tower London, Southwark and Blackfriars bridges stands as the largest independent charity funder in London. Annually it grants over £30 million to various charities across the capital.
More information about Millennium Bridge London
