London’s Bridge Troubles Spread with Waterloo at Risk of Closure

Are London's bridges really falling down? Behind me, Waterlue Bridge carries about 25,000 vehicles a day. It's a vital link between the South Bank and London's West End Theater District, but it needs vital repairs, according to the local authority. Without work to repair water damage, it might have to shut in the next 3 to 4 years. And it's not an isolated case. Head down the river temps and signs of London's bridge problem is hard to miss. Vauxhall Bridge, one of the city's busiest river crossings, had weight limits introduced over the summer. Hammersmith Bridge shut to cars in 2019 and Albert Bridge did the same at the start of this year. Both the heritage list of bridges dating back to the 19th century. The question is who funds the repairs? Responsibility for London's bridges is split among several different bodies and cashstrapped UK councils want the government to help. It would cost 120 million just to keep Hammersmith Bridge open to pedestrians and cyclists. Repairs here at Waterlue Bridge would cost another6 million. The central government has a1 billion pound national fund for repairs like this, but local authorities are concerned it's not enough to meet demand from all over England. Until then, Londoners will be hoping that London Bridge is falling down stays a nursery rhyme and not a prophecy.