Tower Bridge reopens to cars following mechanical fault

The first cyclists cross Tower Bridge, London, as it reopened to vehicles following a "mechanical fault" on Saturday that left it stuck open for more than an hour. (PA)

Tower Bridge has reopened for vehicles after being shut for over 24 hours due to a “mechanical fault”.

The landmark’s Twitter account confirmed on Sunday evening that motorists could start using it again.

It had been shut to drivers since Saturday afternoon when the bridge failed to close after allowing a ship to pass along the River Thames.

Queues of motorists and pedestrians were left waiting from both directions.

It was reopened for pedestrians on Sunday morning, with pictures showing some posing on the space usually occupied by vehicles.

A witness said: “According to the security radios we overheard there are multiple failures.”

People wait to cross Tower Bridg after it was raised to test that the lifting mechanism was working

Engineers rushed to fix the bridge after the fault occurred as drivers were urged to avoid the area.

City of London Police thanked motorists for their patience while the error was fixed .

In 2005, police closed the bridge for 10 hours after a technical problem meant the arms could not be lowered.

A spokesman for the bridge, which is owned and managed by the City of London Corporation, has been approached to comment.