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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Tower Bridge to close for three months for repairs | Tower Bridge to close for three months for repairs |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| London's iconic Tower Bridge is set to be closed to vehicles for three months for structural repairs. | London's iconic Tower Bridge is set to be closed to vehicles for three months for structural repairs. |
| The 122-year-old landmark will be closed from October to allow for maintenance work to be carried out, City of London Corporation has said. | The 122-year-old landmark will be closed from October to allow for maintenance work to be carried out, City of London Corporation has said. |
| It is used by about 21,000 vehicles every day but has gone "without significant engineering works" for 35 years. | It is used by about 21,000 vehicles every day but has gone "without significant engineering works" for 35 years. |
| TfL said it would work with partners to minimise the impact on traffic. | |
| 'Vital refurbishment' | 'Vital refurbishment' |
| The closure will allow for waterproofing of the archways in the approach to the bridge, which were last worked on when they were built at the end of the 19th century. | The closure will allow for waterproofing of the archways in the approach to the bridge, which were last worked on when they were built at the end of the 19th century. |
| Latest updates on this story and more | Latest updates on this story and more |
| Other work will include replacing the Victorian bridge's timber decking - which was last refurbished in the 1970s - and resurfacing the road and walkways. | Other work will include replacing the Victorian bridge's timber decking - which was last refurbished in the 1970s - and resurfacing the road and walkways. |
| AA president Edmund King claimed drivers who have been frustrated by congestion during the introduction of new cycle lanes in recent years will suffer more misery. | AA president Edmund King claimed drivers who have been frustrated by congestion during the introduction of new cycle lanes in recent years will suffer more misery. |
| "Just when traffic will have got back to normal following the disruption caused by the Cycle Superhighways construction, London drivers will be hit by another dead end," he said. | "Just when traffic will have got back to normal following the disruption caused by the Cycle Superhighways construction, London drivers will be hit by another dead end," he said. |
| The history of Tower Bridge | The history of Tower Bridge |
| 1886 - It took eight years and 432 construction workers to build Tower Bridge, which opened in 1894 | 1886 - It took eight years and 432 construction workers to build Tower Bridge, which opened in 1894 |
| 1910 - The high-level walkways, which were designed so the public could still cross the bridge when it was raised, were closed down due to lack of use | 1910 - The high-level walkways, which were designed so the public could still cross the bridge when it was raised, were closed down due to lack of use |
| 1912 - During an emergency, Frank McClean had to fly between the bascules and the high-level walkways in his Short biplane, to avoid an accident | 1912 - During an emergency, Frank McClean had to fly between the bascules and the high-level walkways in his Short biplane, to avoid an accident |
| 1952 - A London bus driven by Albert Gunter had to leap from one bascule to the other when the bridge began to rise with the number 78 still on it | 1952 - A London bus driven by Albert Gunter had to leap from one bascule to the other when the bridge began to rise with the number 78 still on it |
| 1977 - Tower Bridge was painted red, white and blue to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee. Before that it was a chocolate brown colour | 1977 - Tower Bridge was painted red, white and blue to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee. Before that it was a chocolate brown colour |
| Source: Tower Bridge Exhibition | Source: Tower Bridge Exhibition |
| Chris Hayward, chairman of the planning and transport committee of City of London Corporation, said: "This decision to close Tower Bridge to vehicles has not been taken lightly. | Chris Hayward, chairman of the planning and transport committee of City of London Corporation, said: "This decision to close Tower Bridge to vehicles has not been taken lightly. |
| "We will use this time to repair, refurbish and upgrade London's most iconic bridge, which has gone without significant engineering works for more than 35 years. | "We will use this time to repair, refurbish and upgrade London's most iconic bridge, which has gone without significant engineering works for more than 35 years. |
| "We will work hard to minimise disruption." | "We will work hard to minimise disruption." |
| Nearby Tooley Street is already closed eastbound until 2018 to allow Network Rail's rebuilding of London Bridge railway station. | Nearby Tooley Street is already closed eastbound until 2018 to allow Network Rail's rebuilding of London Bridge railway station. |
| The bridge opens for river traffic at 24 hours' notice around 1,000 times a year. | The bridge opens for river traffic at 24 hours' notice around 1,000 times a year. |
| Pedestrians will still be able to cross the bridge on all but three weekends of the work. | Pedestrians will still be able to cross the bridge on all but three weekends of the work. |
| The viewing gallery along the walkways of the bridge will also remain open. | The viewing gallery along the walkways of the bridge will also remain open. |