Bridge featuring Windrush artwork closed

The art exhibition was created in 2020 and opened to the public in 2021

A bridge with artwork to honour Windrush passengers who walked across it when they arrived in the UK in 1948 has been closed until further notice.

Artwork was installed on the Tilbury Bridge Walkway of Memories (TBWM) at Tilbury Port in 2020 and was created by artist Everton Wright, also known as EVEWRIGHT.

The exhibition comprised images, documents, audio recordings and memorabilia on 432 panes of glass.

Steve Lyons, Port of Tilbury senior asset manager, said the site had been closed due to reasons out of its control.

Evewright is from South London and has been telling the stories of black British people for almost 20 years

The art exhibition was opened up to the public in 2021.

A spokesperson for the Evewright Arts Foundation said: "Visitors to the bridge said they would like the TBWM to become a permanent memorial but we cannot yet say what the future of the artwork will be at Tilbury bridge.

"However, we do know these resources are important legacies that will keep the 'Windrush Generations' memories alive and will remain useful for the public, schools and institutions to engage in this significant artwork."

Alford Gardner is one of the original passengers featured on the bridge

Mr Lyons added: "Sadly, we don't have a date as to when our property will be reopened to the public but we will notify the public when we have a better understanding of what's required.

"We don't expect this to be available for some weeks."

The artwork has marked the time hundreds of Caribbean migrants arrived on HMT Empire Windrush at the Port of Tilbury almost 80 years ago.