Tower Bridge LIVE: chaos after man scaled railings sparking traffic chaos in London
The man was pictured perched on top of the railings in the capital.
A man has been pictured on Tower Bridge (Image: X)
A hooded climber has been pictured scaling Tower Bridge in London, forcing the bridge to be shut.
Witnesses at the scene shared images online of the climber.
Emergency services are at the scene as traffic also builds up near the bridge.
Blackwall Tunnel is also partly closed due to a separate incident.
This comes after a man climbed Big Ben’s Elizabeth Tower last weekend holding a Palestinian flag. He was eventually arrested
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.For the latest news and breaking news visit: /
Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
KEY EVENTS
‘Long delays’
Inrix is reporting that there are “long delays” due to the earlier bridge closure.
This is on the A100 Tower Bridge both directions between A1203 East Smithfield (Tower Hill) and Queen Elizabeth Street.
There’s congestion to Canary Wharf back along The Highway, and the one-way system back to Aldgate. Also queues diverting via Southwark Bridge earlier.
Drivers and pedestrians now crossing bridge
A photo has shown Tower Bridge operating as normal, with pedestrians and vehicles crossing.
The man who scaled the structure was reportedly placed inside an ambulance.
The bridge was reopened at 12.30pm, according to Inrix.
Bridge ‘reopens’
Inrix has said that Tower Bridge was reopened at 12.30pm.
The traffic monitoring service reports: “The bridge was closed from 10:40 until 12:30, after someone climbed up the bridge suspension.”
It adds that there are “long delays” and “congestion to Limehouse back along The Highway, the one-way system back to Aldgate, and northbound back through Bermondsey.”
There is “heavy diverting via Southwark Bridge now”.
‘Thank you for your patience’
The police have thanked people for their patience after Tower Bridge was shut.
It’s set to reopen shorty.
This is after a man scaled the bridge’s railings.
Police confirm man brought down
The City of London Police has confirmed to the Express that the man has been brought down from Tower Bridge.
The bridge will be reopened “shortly”, a spokesperson for the force added.
It is not known whether the individual has been arrested.
Man down from the bridge
A photo online has shown the man being led away by police.
In the photo, he does not seem to be in handcuffs.
Moments before, photos were shared of emergency workers appearing to converse with him in a cherry picker.
Emergency workers speaking with man
A photo online appears to show emergency workers in the cherry picker conversing with the man on the bridge.
Tower Bridge has been shut while they try and get the individual down from the railings.
It has been closed since 10.40am, according to Inrix.
Video shows man on the bridge
Video has shown the man on Tower Bridge.
Police have confirmed that he “scaled” its railings.
LFB vehicles have been seen at the scene, including a cherry picker.
‘Heavy’ diverting via different bridge
Inrix says that drivers are heavily diverting via Southwark Bridge now.
The bridge remains closed.
A separate incident has also led to the part closure of the Blackwall Tunnel in east London.
Cherry picker on scene
A photo posted online shows a cherry picker on scene.
This is the same method emergency crews used when attempting to bring down safely a man on Elizabeth Tower at the weekend.
It is an LFB vehicle.
Police confirm pedestrian ‘scaled railings’
City of London Police has said in a statement: “Tower Bridge is closed to traffic and pedestrians due to a person who has scaled the railings.
“Please avoid the area where possible.
“Updates to follow.”
Congestion and ‘long delays’ after closure
Traffic monitoring service Inrix is reporting that the A100 Tower Bridge is shut in both directions between A1203 East Smithfield (Tower Hill) and Queen Elizabeth Street.
There is congestion to Limehouse back along The Highway, the one-way system back to Aldgate, and northbound back through Bermondsey to the A2.
There are “long delays”.
The bridge has been closed since 10.40am.
A diversion in operation for London buses 42, 78 and 343.
More photos of the scene
More photos of the scene show the man perched on the bridge.
He appears to be wearing a grey hoodie and dark trousers.
An emergency boat seems to be in the water below.
Fire and ambulance service vehicles can be seen at the end of Tower Bridge.
Where is Tower Bridge?
Tower Bridge is located in central London.
It is used by vehicles to cross the River Thames.
It is currently closed, with the Blackwall Tunnel, another Thames crossing for drivers, also party shut.
Photos show man on bridge
The latest photos from the scene show a man on Tower Bridge.
There are also no vehicles on the crossing after it was closed.
An onlooker has noted that he is not appearing to be holding a flag after a man climbed Elizabeth Tower at the weekend.
Blackwall Tunnel traffic chaos
Elsewhere in London, there is congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel as it is partly closed.
Inrix says the A102 southbound is affected from the A12 / A13 to Greenwich.
The traffic monitoring service adds: “Congestion to the A13 both ways between Canning Town and Whitechapel, and Aspen Way and The Highway into town via Limehouse.
“A separate Police incident has closed Tower Bridge.”
The Blackwall Tunnel traffic is due to “emergency repairs” after an “earlier accident”.
There are “severe delays”
A diversion in operation – affecting buses 108 and 115.
London Underground are accepting bus tickets in Zones 2, 3 and 4
Traffic at the Blackwall Tunnel (Image: National Highways)
Tower Bridge updates
The Daily Express will be bringing you all of the updates from Tower Bridge.
