A major London bridge is set to close during the busy half-term break impacting thousands of drivers.
Albert Bridge, which connects Chelsea on the north bank of the River Thames to Battersea on the south, will temporarily shut amid “essential maintenance”.
It marks the third time in 12 months the Grade II-listed structure has shut for repairs.
The bridge will be closed to vehicles in both directions from 7am on Tuesday, May 27 and will reopen from 6am on Monday, June 7.
Motorists have also been asked to reserve more time for their journeys and avoid Albert Bridge next week.
An average of 20,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day, making it the 2nd least used road-bridge in the capital after Southwark Bridge.
Around 10 per cent of the carriageway’s deck panels, including deteriorated sections of timber sub-deck, will be replaced during the closure.
However, refurbishments to pavements will be completed in stages so that one footway will be open to pedestrians at all times.
Cyclists can also cross the bridge but are encouraged to dismount, Kensington and Chelsea Council said in a statement.
The West London authority added that a diversion will be in place for drivers via Chelsea Bridge or Battersea Bridge.
Designed by Roland Mason Ordish and built in 1873, Albert Bridge was named after Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria.
Albert Bridge has appeared in numerous television programmes and films, including Bridget Jones’ Baby, A Clockwork Orange and Doctor Who.
Originally built as a form of cable-stayed bridge, Albert Bridge was once nicknamed "The Trembling Lady" because of its propensity to shake when large numbers of people walked over it.
Albert Bridge is one of only two bridges in London to never have been replaced – the other being Tower Bridge – and requires constant care to ensure it remains in a good condition.
In January 2024, the council began to enforce a three-tonne weight restriction on Albert Bridge for good vehicles to protect the landmark.
Since then, the council has issued nearly 38,000 penalty charge notices for drivers breaching the weight restriction.
