Request ID: FOI-2274-2122 Date published: 19 January 2022
You asked
I am writing to request the road closure and proposed diversion on 4th December for Tower Bridge. On 4 December, Tower Bridge was closed (whether this was a planned closure or unexpected I'm unsure) and as a result, a diversion route was indicated with yellow arrows with a signboard saying 'No Congestion'.
I would like to know if you have the information on what the diverted route recommendation was that day as Tower Bridge was closed. I have checked on the internet but unfortunately it only shows current and future closures not past ones.
We answered
TfL Ref: 2274-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 7 January 2022 asking for information about a diversion at Tower Bridge on 4 December 2021. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked: I am writing to request the road closure and proposed diversion on 4th December for Tower Bridge. On 4 December, Tower Bridge was closed (whether this was a planned closure or unexpected I'm unsure) and as a result, a diversion route was indicated with yellow arrows with a signboard saying 'No Congestion'. I would like to know if you have the information on what the diverted route recommendation was that day as Tower Bridge was closed. I have checked on the internet but unfortunately it only shows current and future closures not past ones.
The works were carried out by the City of London for Expansion joint works and Bascule Nose bolt repairs.
There was a full closure of Tower Bridge to traffic plus overnight between 23:00 Saturday to 07:00 Sunday closure of both footways, with associated lane closures on: Tower Bridge Road Queen Elizabeth St East Smithfields Mansell St Tower Hill
Please find attached the diversion maps for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. The dates and times for the diversion were: 04/12/2021 07:00 to 06/12/2021 03:00.
For vehicles, the signed traffic diversion route was: Tower Hill – Byward St – Lower Thames St – Upper Thames St – Queen Street Place – Southwark Bridge – Southwark Bridge Road – Marshalsea Rd – Great Dover St – Bricklayers Arms – Tower Bridge Road, and the reverse. Pedestrians and Cyclists were directed to London Bridge with Marshals onsite for the duration of the works.
The traffic diversion had Congestion Charge Zone signs advising that if the route was followed no charge would be made.
Please note that in accordance with TfL’s obligations under Data Protection legislation some personal data has been removed, as required by section 40(2) of the FOI Act. This is because disclosure of this personal data would be a breach of the legislation, specifically the first principle which requires all processing of personal data to be fair and lawful. It would not be fair to disclose this personal information when the individuals have no expectation it would be disclosed and TfL has not satisfied one of the conditions which would make the processing ‘fair’.This exemption to the right of access to information is an absolute exemption and not subject to an assessment of whether the public interest favours use of the exemption.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London