Tower Bridge in London became stuck on Saturday August 22, causing an upheaval in city traffic. The bridge incurred a ‘mechanical fault’ according to local police.
⛔️ ROAD CLOSURE ⛔️
Tower Bridge is currently closed to pedestrians and traffic, due a mechanical fault. Mechanics are currently working hard to fix the bridge. Please find alternative routes. @Squarehighways @TfLTrafficNews
— City of London Police (@CityPolice) August 22, 2020
Even Tower Bridge has given up on 2020.
pic.twitter.com/QU6L2DxpKp— Jamie Bolton (@JamieBolton) August 22, 2020
The drawbridge is a popular tourist attraction and measures over 240m. Similar to the bascule bridge found at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town (42m), but on a much larger scale, the London landmark lifts to allow vessels to pass freely below. The bridge lifts approximately 800 times a year, according to CNN.
‘The Bridge experienced technical issues this afternoon and was locked in a raised position for a period of time,’ said Tower Bridge’s Twitter account.
Breaking News! Tower Bridge has got stuck 😯 It’s not often that it happens and we’re sure it’ll be fixed soon 🤞 Great photos from our crew 🚤 @TowerBridge pic.twitter.com/RCjMwOJNdD
— ThamesRIBExperience (@ThamesRIBExp) August 22, 2020
The technical failure caused an hour-long wait in gridlock traffic in London for commuters, according to CNN. Initially the bridge reopened to pedestrians and eventually to motorists.
#Update ⛔️ #TowerBridge still closed to #Traffic but open to pedestrians 🚶♂️ 🚶♀️ @TowerBridge @CityPolice https://t.co/SGR6I4Y418
— London Traffic Watch (@LondonTrafficW1) August 22, 2020
‘Tower Bridge has now fully reopened to all traffic. Thank you for your patience while we fixed the issue. We apologise for the inconvenience caused,’ said the bridge’s official Twitter account.
Tower Bridge has now fully reopened to all traffic. Thank you for your patience while we fixed the issue. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.
— Tower Bridge (@TowerBridge) August 23, 2020
The Tower Bridge uses bascules that weigh over 12 tons each, with a 400-ton counterweight that helps the bascules to descend into their chamber, which are located in the piers. The bascules were the final step in the Bridge’s construction and were built vertically to allow river traffic below to pass uninterrupted.
Each of our mighty bascules weight over 12 tons. 😱 A 400 ton counterweight help them to descend into the Bascule Chamber, located with the piers.
The bascules were the final part of the Bridge’s construction. They were built vertically to ensure river traffic could still pass. pic.twitter.com/DFfxsy5JBX
— Tower Bridge (@TowerBridge) August 20, 2020
Image credit: Twitter/ @TowerBridge
