Wobbly Bridge shut = Millenium Bridge shut.

Oh no! Voldemort has returned!

Apologies if you're not a Harry Potter fan. I couldn't resist.

Glad to see that they are sorting out the wobbles!

The Scots have a better word for it. Shoogly. The Shoogly Bridge. I much prefer that!

Are they hanging the brush underneath it again to signify it’s not finished/out of commission? I thought it was brilliant when they did that originally - a high tech construction, albeit not without significant problems, indicated not open by an ages old tradition.

Thankfully the wobbles were sorted out some twenty years or so ago.

Of course Glasgow has the Squinty Bridge. If it were both squinty and shoogly, well, we'd have real problems then.

[edit} I did not know about the brush hanging thing. How interesting!

This was in the 1940’s in Tacoma, Washington.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XggxeuFDaDU

One would think in over 60 years engineers, scientists, et al would get bridges right. Alas……no…

We enjoyed a walk over the Millennium Bridge when we were in London exactly one month ago. We did a nice loop, from our Aparthotel at Broken Wharf on the north bank, over the bridge, along the south bank Thames Path to Tower Bridge, crossing there, and back along the north bank Thames Path.

Lola, I thought your Aparthotel sounded great. Made me want to go stay there even though I live in London! I like that end of town a lot.

You need to watch out on the Millennium Bridge when it's wet. I've had some shoes which didn't agree with it all and it was very slippery.

The pairs of huge hydraulic dampers at either end sorted out the wobbling. Quite interesting to see them when you know they were added after the fact. I believe it was closed for a year or more soon after opening in 2000.

One time when we were in London for a few weeks there was a vendor selling roasted and spiced almonds from a cart on the bridge. The aroma was irresistible!

Turns out it was bales of straw not brush(wood) as I had incorrectly remembered that hung from the Millennium Bridge, and it is a river navigation thing. Allow my namesake, a more on the ball Ian to explain further:

https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/ancient-law-requires-a-bale-of-straw-to-hang-from-the-millennium-bridge-29713/

If I read this correctly, they should be hanging the bales of straw again, but possibly don’t hold your breath!

Ian (not IanVisits)

That makes more sense! Thanks for the link. It would be quite amusing if they employed someone to replenish a burning bale of straw overnight.

Headroom is quite an issue on some of the central London bridges. It amazed me how tidal The Thames is right up into central London. The Thames Clipper boat services are cancelled sometimes when there's high spring tides because they can't fit under the bridges. I think Blackfriars is a particular problem.

We enjoyed a walk over the Millennium Bridge when we were in London exactly one month ago. We did a nice loop, from our Aparthotel at Broken Wharf on the north bank, over the bridge, along the south bank Thames Path to Tower Bridge, crossing there, and back along the north bank Thames Path.

Ha! I'm getting ready to head to Chichester and London, staying a Locke-at-Broken-Wharf. Will be there as the repairs wind down.

Turns out he's right..'squint' for 'not straight' is only used in Scotland. This has blown my tiny mind."
https://www.thenational.scot/news/19103847.shock-presenter-reveals-common-word-used-scotland/

Is this the meaning for 'the Squinty Bridge' , referenced in an earlier post?

Is this the meaning for 'the Squinty Bridge' , referenced in an earlier post?

Yes. "The Clyde Arc" crosses the river at an odd angle, not at a right angle is as the usual.

I love the names the Brits give to stuff and kept referring to this bridge as wibbly wobbly when we were in London. We love the show called Engineering Catastrophes and this bridge was featured on that show. So of course, couldn’t wait to walk across it when we were in London.
Walkie Talkie, Cheese Grater, Gherkin, the Shard, just love London and the Brits!

Tammy, as a diver you might have had a giggle at the name which won a public naming contest for an Antarctic Research ship. Winner was "Boaty McBoatface" (or it may have been Mac). The name was later given to one of the small sea boats attached - the main ship was name David Attenborough....

You are right - London buildings do get odd and funny names....

A digression, but on the amusing names theme:

The results are in. WSDOT's ( Washington State Dept of Transportation) fourth tow plow is named: Betty Whiteout!

The fourth plow will join Plowie McPlow Plow, Sir Plows-A-Lot and The Big Leplowski

Picture here--
https://www.chronline.com/stories/help-name-wsdots-new-tow-plow-thats-joining-plowie-mcplow-plow-the-big-leplowski-and-sir,286093

The Brits do not have a monopoly on the fun names.