Westminster Bridge closed in main incident as police warn individuals to remain away
Westminster Bridge has been closed as police warn of a major incident, as the major thoroughfare is cordoned off. Police have told Londoners to avoid the area.
Both directions of the bridge have been shut due to a police incident, with drivers being told to expect serious delays. A large emergency response was seen arriving shortly after 11am this morning. Police have provided an update about what shuttered the major landmark. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Police are currently on Westminster Bridge following concerns for the welfare of a man.
“Officers were called at 10:12hrs on Wednesday, 8 October and are now in the process of speaking to the man. The bridge is currently closed to traffic and we ask people to avoid the area at this time.”
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The London Fire Brigade told The Standard: “We are currently assisting emergency service colleagues and have three fire engines, two fire rescue units and our fire boat in attendance.”
Transport for London is telling motorists to “use an alternative route”. It says: “There are southbound delays on Lambeth Palace Road from Lambeth Bridge. Westbound delays on Lambeth Bridge back to Prat Walk and both directions on Victoria Street between Parliament Square and Grosvenor Gardens.
“Victoria Embankment is also closed between Bridge Street and Horse Guards.”
Meanwhile, a points failure at Aldgate East has caused severe delays on the District, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines, and minor delays on the Metropolitan line.
London Ambulance Service has provided more information about the incident on Westminster Bridge. A spokesperson said: “We were called today (Wednesday 8) at 10.10am to reports of an incident on Westminster Bridge.
“We sent resources including ambulance crews, an emergency planning manager, an incident response officer and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“We treated a man at the scene before taking him to hospital.”
The Westminster Bridge closure has caused the following buses to be diverted: 3, 11, 12, 148, 159, 453 and C10.
TfL have confirmed that lines are no longer closed, but will have significant delays for at least a few hours. There are minor delays on the Metropolitan line between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Aldgate and a good service on the rest of the line.
According to TfL: “There are westbound delays on Lambeth Bridge back to Prat Walk and both directions on Victoria Street between Parliament Square and Grosvenor Gardens.”
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