London's Tower Bridge is stuck open after letting a boat through – causing major road jams in both directions

London’s Tower Bridge was stuck open this afternoon for more than half an hour and caused major road jams after letting a boat through.

Traffic came to a halt in central London with pictures showing the iconic landmark crossing’s bridge open. 

According to Tower Bridge’s schedule, the Sailing Barge Adieu was due to pass down river at 1.15pm. 

The ‘mechanical failure’ caused the bridge to jam five minutes earlier, the Metro reported, with traffic chaos in both directions.

London’s Tower Bridge is stuck causing traffic mayhem in the city. The Sailing Barge Adieu was due to pass at 1.15pm when there was a ‘mechanical failure’

The bridge was stuck for almost 30 minutes causing traffic chaos in central London. The bridge has now reopened but it is understood all remaining lifts for the day will be cancelled

There is currently heavy congestion around Tower Bridge and into Whitechapel to the north of the Thames and  to the South Bank and Elephant and Castle to the south. 

The bridge was closed but has now been opened to traffic, City of London said.

Some social media users found the funny side to the situation. One person quipped on X, formerly known as Twitter, to ‘mind the gap’, while another said ‘the country’s gone’. 

While another asked if it had ‘not paid the toll’. A fourth said: ‘Thanks Tower Bridge, son’s crying.’ 

The bridge was scheduled to be lifted 11 times today with the first at 9.40am for Paddle Steamer Waverley. The next was due at 4pm when the Sailing Barge Will was meant to pass up river, but it is understood that all remaining lifts have been cancelled for the rest of today.