Call Sign May 06

Call Sign May 2006 Page 10
Following several DaC terminal messages, a sudden
proliferation of ‘2-T(onne) limit’ signs and a
police swoop on the south side of the bridge, it
became obvious that licensed taxis had suddenly
been banned from using Albert Bridge and that
offenders would now receive tickets (for an asyet
undisclosed sum). Call Sign made a few
enquiries…
According to the Driver’s Handbook, the
weight of the latest TXII is 5550 old style pounds,
which equals just under 2.48 tons. So there can
be no argument that we are over the 2-tonne
limit (1000kg = 1tonne). If this weight restriction
is going to be strictly adhered to, then it will
mean that those going from South Kensington to
Battersea and beyond by taxi will have to use an
alternative bridge (Chelsea or Battersea), whilst
private hire will still be able to use Albert Bridge.
The minicab firm by the South Ken rank will no
doubt be opening up bottles of R.Whites!
Albert Bridge is undoubtedly London's most
picturesque bridge and after sunset, it livens up a
rather dull section of the embankment. Following
an increase in traffic, an 1864 Act of Parliament
authorised the construction of a bridge in the area
and after being beset with problems, it finally
opened 9 years later. A further 5 years on and the
Metropolitan Board of Works purchased both
Albert and Battersea bridges and then in 1884, Sir
Joseph Bazalgette strengthened and modernised
Albert Bridge and incorporated a 5-ton weight
limit on vehicles. For the following 60 years, the
bridge was well maintained with few problems.
Following the end of World War II, Albert
Bridge was deemed too weak to bear the
increased weight of modern day traffic. When the
old LCC announced that they intended to demolish
Albert Bridge, poet Sir John Betjeman – whose
main interest was in preserving old Victorian
buildings and structures - led a huge outcry from
fellow Chelsea conservationists. Between them,
they overcame the town planners and the bridge
was saved. As a result, Albert Bridge is the only
central London bridge never to have been
replaced - probably the reason we are in the current
situation.
In 1973, two concrete piers were constructed
under the main span to give the bridge added
support, a new lighter deck was laid and the
weight limit reduced to 2-tonnes. However, this is
the first time since 5 March 1997 that the authorities
have tried to ban taxis. On that occasion, representations
from trade organisations – including
Dial-a-Cab – managed to get fixed penalties overruled
for those caught using Albert Bridge and an
assurance that we could continue to use the
bridge although the 2-tonne limit would not be
changed.
But now, in 2006, a spokesperson at
Kensington and Chelsea Engineer’s
Department – who are responsible for the bridge
- told Call Sign that no vehicle over 2-tonnes
“including passengers” will be able to use the
bridge until such time as the Government or some
other agency can provide the money needed to
strengthen the bridge once again.
He went on to add: “We have had structural
engineers looking at the bridge and it is
undoubtedly getting weaker. We did not want
to ban taxis and understand the problems it
could cause, but we have a responsibility to
safeguard the bridge and that is why the 2tonne
limit is now being enforced - even
though it has been in place since the 1970s.
Even emergency vehicles such as fire engines
Taxis Banned From
Using Albert Bridge!
or ambulances will not be able to use Albert
Bridge any more.”
We asked about the possibility of increasing
the minimum weight to 2.5tonnes or to keep it at
2-tonnes “except for taxis?”
“We are not picking on taxis,” said the
spokesperson, “but our advice is that traffic
over 2-tonnes in weight on a regular basis
will cause even more problems.”
We asked LTI about the weight of previous
vehicles and they were extremely helpful.
However, their investigations showed that
although the gross weight of the Fairway was
indeed lighter – different engine and smaller
doors etc – it still weighed over 2-tonnes. The
TX1 weight then increased with the TXII show-
ing a further increase.
And those with a Metrocab are no luckier – the
fibreglass taxi weighing around the same as the
TXII.
Perhaps the trade organisations will be able to
either persuade the Government that Albert
Bridge is an important crossing point because of
the heavy numbers crossing between Chelsea
and Battersea and put the money needed in for
repairs, or just persuade K&C that we need
access. But Call Sign fears that will only be possible
if we finance our own structural examination
– and that will not come cheap. The late Sir
John Betjeman was a regular user of taxis. He
would have been horrified at this latest development…
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