Technical fault leaves London’s iconic Tower Bridge stuck open

London’s Tower Bridge, an iconic landmark, was on Monday stuck open due to a technical fault.

Traffic was said to have built up on both sides of the bridge as a result of the incident.

Pictures online show the bascules stuck in an upright position after being opened to allow a tall ship pass through.

Bascules are the movable sections of road on the bridge that can be raised and lowered using counterweights.

According to NAN, a spokesperson for the City of London Corporation which manages the bridge said “due to a technical issue, Tower Bridge is currently stuck in a raised position.

“We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

The City of London Police, which patrols the area, in a tweet, urged the public to avoid the area.

The force said: “Tower Bridge is currently closed to traffic and pedestrians due to technical failure.

“Please avoid the areas. Updates to follow.”

❌ Tower Bridge is currently closed to traffic and pedestrians due to technical failure.

Please avoid the areas. Updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/KT9HiB7APi

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— City of London Police (@CityPolice) August 9, 2021

According to the Tower Bridge tourism website, the bridge opens about 850 times a year for scheduled river traffic that is too large to fit underneath.

This is not the first time the bridge has been stuck.

In August 2020, the bridge became stuck due to “mechanical failure”. It was later fixed and opened to motorists the next day.

In 2005, police closed the bridge for 10 hours after a technical problem meant the arms could not be lowered.

The 787-foot-long landmark was completed in 1894 and is considered one of the world’s most famous bridges and one of London’s most recognised landmarks.