How to Book a Bridge
Lift
Bridge lifts are available at no charge, 24 hours a day, 365
days a year.
The requirements of the City of London (various powers) Act 1971
and certain other conditions need to be met.
- Any vessel with a mast or superstructure of 30ft (9m) or more
wishing to enter or leave the Upper Pool of London can ask for a
Bridge Lift.
- Bookings have to be made in writing and received at the Bridge
at least 24 hours in advance of a lift, either by fax on +44
(0) 20 7940 8396 or by letter to the following address:
Bridgemaster
Main Office
Tower Bridge
London, SE1 2UP
- Bookings can be made by a ship's agent, owner or Master. When
vessels are accompanied by tugs the tug operator makes the
additional bookings required to allow tugs to leave after a
berthing operation.
- When a booking is made, Tower Bridge will issue confirmation in
the form of a numbered Bridge Lift order, and add the lift to the
Bridge Lift schedule.
- The Bridge Lift schedule is circulated regularly by fax or
email as follows:
a) Port of London Authority (PLA)
b) Capital Radio
c) Other News and Media
d) Miscellaneous other agencies and individuals
Tower Bridge also provides a 24 hour Bridge Lift information
telephone line on +44 (0) 20 7940 3984. Visit the
Bridge Lifts Times page to
view the very latest information on booked Bridge Lifts.
Any changes to information made within 24 hours of a lift, for
example time changes or emergency situations, require the Bridge
staff to inform the Emergency Services before any changes can be
agreed.
- Bridge Operation
(i) 30 minutes before the booked Bridge Lift time, the bridge and
control room will be staffed and a listening watch set on VHF
channel 14.
(ii) Tower Bridge will call the vessel expected as soon as they are
staffed and no later than 30 minutes before arrival. The ship is to
call Tower Bridge at the same time to confirm ETA.
(iii) Vessels are to keep Tower Bridge advised of their progress
and advise whether or not the vessel will be swung before
approaching the Bridge. Tower Bridge will keep vessels advised of
any machinery problems, when the traffic is being stopped and the
Bridge is lifting.
N.B. It is very important that vessels arrive at the pre-booked
time of a Bridge Lift. Ships can expect no more than five minutes
leeway on booked time during road traffic busy times. During late
night/early morning lifts more leeway on arrival/departure time may
be available but ships should be aware that staff are only called
in for the booked times and that any changes to times require
Emergency Services to be advised as a matter of urgency.
Note that the staff are likely to have closed down 15 minutes after
the last scheduled lift.
- Bridge Lift Height
The Bridge will be lifted by the Bridge Driver to a nominal height
dependant on the type and size of vessel requiring passage. This is
to reduce lifting and lowering times as much as possible. Should
Master or Pilots be concerned that the bascules are not high enough
they should call Tower Bridge on VHF and request bascules are
lifted further. If Pilots approaching the Bridge are concerned with
the handling of their vessel or the prevailing conditions they
should make this clear to Tower Bridge as soon as they make
contact.
- Last minute changes to ETA/ETDs
Should vessels change sailing or arrival times, Tower Bridge must
be told as soon as possible to ascertain whether a new slot is
possible and to cancel any previous arrangement. The security
control at Tower Bridge is staffed 24 hours, telephone +44 (0) 20
7940 3975.