Phase one of essential refurbishment work on four loading bridges to the Woolwich Ferry has been completed by Transport for London (TfL) and Briggs Marine and Environmental Services. 

Operation of the bridges will be made more reliable as a result of the work, which began in October last year. 

It is also hoped that this development will make it possible for the bridges to handle a higher volume of vehicle weights, which are expected to increase over the next ten years. 

Over the course of the next month, the bridges will be taken out of service for essential refurbishment work for three-hour periods, coinciding with high tides to minimise disruption. 

"We're working to ensure that the Woolwich Ferry service continues to operate for the foreseeable future as well as improving its reliability. In the meantime [we] apologise for any disruptions to journeys," commented head of London river services Andrew Thompson.