While parts of London are ultra-modern, there are some quirks which help us remember the city is steeped in history.

The Millennium Bridge, which spans the Thames, is currently undergoing construction work, which has led to the bridge’s headroom being reduced.

Now, we’re in the 21st century, and you’d think this change would be communicated to anyone using the river via electronic means.

But there’s also a more old-fashioned technique which must be used.

The Port of London Authority Bylaws 2012 section 5 subsection 36.2 explains: ‘When the headroom of an arch or span of a bridge is reduced from its usual limits but that arch or span is not closed to navigation, the person in control of the bridge must suspend from the centre of that arch or span by day a bundle of straw large enough to be conspicuous and by night a white light.’

A number of Londoners spotted the odd sight and took to social media – after all, it’s not every day you see a bale of hay dangling from a bridge.

So the City Bridge Foundation, a charity which has been around for 900 years, stepped in to explain.

A statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) said: ‘Modern bridge, ancient traditions. Our charity’s been around for 900 years now, in one form or another. We’ve been bridging London for a long, long time.

‘In accordance with ancient tradition (and the Port of London Thames Byelaws) a bundle of straw is dangled from Millennium Bridge to warn shipping of work under the bridge (we’re not making this up, honest).

‘Robert, from our rope access contractor CAN Ltd, did the honours.’

The foundation owns five bridges that cross the Thames, including Tower Bridge.

Source:
courtesy of METRO

by Katie Boyden

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