London’s bridges to receive permanent safety barriers to protect from terrorist vehicle attacks

Image credit: Transport for London

London’s iconic bridges are set to receive some more permanent safety solutions to help protect people from terrorist vehicle attacks.

The capital’s transport regulators, Transport for London (TfL), have shared a preferred plan for Westminster Bridge and aim to work with boroughs and other groups to develop proposals.

The Metropolitan Police Service installed temporary security barriers on eight central London bridges as a result of the terrorist attacks on Westminster Bridge and London Bridge in 2017.

According to the regulator’s website, TfL say: “Our preferred plan for Westminster Bridge proposes using heritage-style bollards that create segregated space for cyclists across the bridge, and enough space for all other bridge users including buses and pedestrians.”

TfL manages six bridges located in central London. These include; Westminster Bridge, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Vauxhall Bridge, Lambeth Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge. London’s two other bridges include Waterloo Bridge and Southwark Bridge which are manages by Westminster City Council and City of London respectively.

Transport officials want to meet with boroughs and groups, including cycling and community groups, and policing partners to develop its proposals.

TfL goes on to add: “We are already working with City of Westminster and Lambeth Council on our plans for Westminster Bridge. As the design develops we will review emerging technology and may adapt the proposals.

“We have concentrated on Westminster Bridge before moving ahead with work on the other five bridges we manage. This is to make sure the approach is correct. Each bridge presents different challenges because of ownership, cultural significance and engineering.

“The measures needed to create an effective and well-designed permanent barrier will likely be costly to implement. Along with the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) we are lobbying the government and other partners for funding options.”