BREAKING: Westminster Bridge closed as police issue urgent warning to avoid area

Police have told Londoners to avoid Westminster Bridge as the major thoroughfare is cordoned off due to a major incident.

Both directions of the bridgehave been shut due to a police incident, with drivers being told to expect serious delays.

A large emergency responsewas seen arriving shortly after 11am this morning. Police have provided an update about what shuttered the major landmark.

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A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Police are currently on Westminster Bridge following concerns for the welfare of a man.

"Officers were called at 10:12hrs on Wednesday, 8 October and are now in the process of speaking to the man.

"The bridge is currently closed to traffic and we ask people to avoid the area at this time.”

The London Fire Brigade told The Standard: “We are currently assisting emergency service colleagues and have three fire engines, two fire rescue units and our fire boat in attendance.”

TfL is telling motorists to "use an alternative route". It says: “There are southbound delays on Lambeth Palace Road from Lambeth Bridge. Westbound delays on Lambeth Bridge back to Prat Walk and both directions on Victoria Street between Parliament Square and Grosvenor Gardens.

"Victoria Embankment is also closed between Bridge Street and Horse Guards.”

It comes after an earlier points failure on the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate. Metropolitan line delays still remain while the rest of the lines have reopened.

It comes a few months after the bridge was closed following a mental-health related incident. Dramatic pictures of the scene captured the empty Thames crossing point.

The bridge was shut following a police incident, with images from the scene showing a cordon has been set up, behind which ambulances can be seen standing in the middle of the road.

Bus routes which typically run through the area have been diverted this morning, with traffic scanners suggesting the road has been shut for at least three hours.

Police were seen operating behind the cordon, with the London Metropolitan Police only confirming the incident was mental-health related, and that no injuries have been reported.

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