Tower Bridge visitors still forced to climb stairs six months after lift plunge

Six people were injured when the lift in the north tower suddenly malfunctioned during the afternoon of Monday 11 May.

The lift, which can carry 40 passengers, takes visitors from the ticket office at road level to the high level walkways which are 140 feet above the river.

The Tower Bridge Exhibition reopened to visitors after a few days, but six months after the incident the lift is still out of service for an indefinite period.

Visitors arriving at the attraction must climb the stairs in the north tower before they can enjoy the spectacular views from the walkways. Perversely, the can return to ground level via the lift in the south tower.

A City of London Corporation spokesman told the London SE1 website this week that the Health & Safety Executive is still conducting an investigation into the incident.

The spokesman refused to give any estimate of when the lift might be repaired and made available for public use.

Tower Bridge was recently chosen to represent the City of London in a new set of pin badges being produced to mark the London 2012 Olympics.