Push Admin

London's Tower Bridge stuck open after 'technical failure'

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Tower Bridge is seen stuck in the open position, due to a technical fault, in London, Britain, Aug. 9, 2021. " src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/reuters/08/10/britain-bridge.jpg"/><figcaption>Tower Bridge is seen stuck in the open position, due to a technical fault, in London, Britain, Aug. 9, 2021. <em>Henry Nicholls, Reuters</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>LONDON - London&#x27;s Tower Bridge was still stuck open early Tuesday, a day after a &quot;technical failure&quot; closed the 19th-century landmark, threatening to snarl traffic in the British capital. </p><p>The 2 sections of the bridge have been pointing skyward since mid-afternoon on Monday, when they had been due to open for a tall wooden ship, the Sailing Vessel Tenacious, according to the bridge&#x27;s schedule.</p><p>It is the second time in a year that the bridge, one of the most recognizable features of London&#x27;s skyline, has become stuck.</p><p>A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation, which manages the bridge, told the BBC on Monday that investigations were taking place but the reason for the fault was unknown.</p><p>&quot;Tower Bridge is currently closed to traffic and pedestrians due to technical failure. Please avoid the areas,&quot; City of London Police tweeted on Monday.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/08/06/21/uk-launches-covid-insurance-scheme-for-live-events">UK launches $1 billion COVID insurance scheme for live events</a></li></ul><p>The bridge connects the Square Mile financial district to Southwark across the River Thames, and its closure caused long queues to build up on either side of the crossing.</p><p>Built between 1886 and 1894, the landmark was at the time considered &quot;the largest and most sophisticated bascule bridge ever completed,&quot; according to its website.</p><p>The bascules -- the word for the bridge&#x27;s arms, derived from the French word for &quot;seesaw&quot; -- move up and down via 4 large cogs on each side. The cogs were initially powered by steam before an electro-hydraulic system was installed in the 1970s.</p><p>The bridge normally lifts around 800 times a year.</p><p>In August 2020, it remained stuck for over an hour, causing traffic to become deadlocked in the surrounding areas.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1680619" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><div> </div>

London's Tower Bridge was still stuck open early Tuesday, a day after a 'technical failure' closed the 19th-century landmark.