Millennium Bridge: 'Wobbly' pedestrian crossing closes for repairs

The bridge is due to close for three weeks from 14 October

London's Millennium Bridge closes on Saturday for three weeks so cleaning and urgent repairs can be carried out.

City Bridge Foundation, a charity that looks after London's major Thames crossings, says a layer of membrane has started to degrade and needs replacing.

The footbridge links St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London with the Tate Modern on the South Bank.

After first opening in 2000 people noticed a "wobbly" oscillation and it closed days later, reopening in 2002.

Following the most recent round of repairs the bridge is set to reopen on 5 November, or sooner, if work can be completed ahead of schedule.

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City Bridge Foundation says the membrane separates the bridge's steel structure from its aluminium bridge deck.

Chairman of the Foundation, Giles Shilson, said the bridge was "starting to show its age".

"The separation layer under the bridge deck has started to degrade, which means it's having an adverse effect on the bridge deck and needs addressing urgently," he explained.

"Replacing this layer is a time-consuming process, meaning we have no option but to close the bridge for three weeks and to work round the clock to get it done as quickly as possible."

He added that giving the bridge a much-needed deep clean "will leave it looking as good as new".

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