Westminster Bridge was closed in both directions this morning following a police incident that brought rush hour traffic in central London to a standstill.
The bridge, which links Victoria Embankment to Lambeth Palace Road, was sealed off with police tape shortly after 6am. Photographs showed two ambulances stationed on the bridge while officers established a cordon.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the incident was “mental-health related” and stressed that no injuries had been reported.
Bus routes that typically cross Westminster Bridge were diverted, with at least a dozen services affected. Traffic monitoring systems suggested the bridge had been shut for more than three hours, causing significant delays across Westminster and the South Bank.
A spokesperson for the Met said:
“Police were called to Westminster Bridge early this morning to a concern for welfare. Officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service. The bridge was temporarily closed while the incident was dealt with. No injuries have been reported.”
The London Ambulance Service has been approached for further comment.
The closure came at the height of the morning commute, forcing passengers to find alternative routes via Waterloo Bridge and Lambeth Bridge.
The bridge has since reopened.
