Bridge damaged by barge reopens

The James Prior barge struck Battersea Bridge in September

A major Thames bridge which was closed four months ago after being hit by a barge has reopened.

Battersea Bridge, in south-west London, had been scheduled to open on Monday in time for the morning rush hour.

The bridge has been undergoing repairs and was closed to all traffic except buses and bikes since the crash in September.

It had been feared the 115-year-old bridge, which carries 1,300 vehicles an hour, would be closed until spring.

Transport bosses say the early opening is thanks to the careful planning, hard work and repair techniques of the engineers.

Drivers have been diverted to other bridges since it shut to traffic in September, when a gravel barge became wedged under one of its arches.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: "It is great news that Battersea Bridge is to re-open to traffic well ahead of schedule.

"This is another confirmation of TfL's excellent track record of delivering major projects on time or ahead of schedule and to budget."