The condition of Thames road bridges five years on

The London Assembly Transport Committee is investigating the condition of Thames road bridges five years on.

Following the closure of Hammersmith bridge in 2019, the Committee carried out an investigation into London’s river crossings and, in 2021, published its report London’s river crossings: Bridging the Thames. In this investigation, the Committee will revisit this issue and scrutinise the actions taken since then to maintain the condition of the Thames road bridges and address the deteriorating condition of several at-risk structures.

• London’s river crossings play a critical role in the capital’s transport network and are facing increased pressure from age, climate impacts (heat, flooding, cold), and underinvestment. A significant number of London’s bridges were built in the 19th century, and as a result were not built to withstand current traffic demands, recent climate extremes or regular winter salting.
• The ownership and maintenance of London’s road bridges is complex; there is no single body with overall responsibility, instead responsibility is divided between Transport for London (TfL), London boroughs and the City Bridge Foundation.
• Since the Committee’s report London’s river crossings: Bridging the Thames was published in November 2021, several more of London’s road bridges have been closed or had traffic restrictions put in place, as a result of their deteriorating condition.
• In December 2025, TfL stated that it required £1.1 to £1.2 billion to be spent each year to maintain TfL’s assets in a good state of repair. TfL’s level of renewals expenditure has averaged £700 million in the five years to 2025-26 and it now has a £6.5 billion backlog of capital renewals. Within this £6.5 billion, almost £1.1billion (£1.075 million) is road network structures.

1. How has the condition of London’s bridges changed in the last five years and are there more structures at risk of traffic restrictions or closures?
2. Has the monitoring and management of London’s most at-risk Thames bridges changed in the last five years?
3. What options have been considered to monitor, manage and fund the maintenance and repair of at-risk road bridges crossing the Thames?
4. Who should be responsible for the maintenance and repair of at-risk road bridges crossing the Thames?