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Albert Embankment - between Lambeth Bridge and Westminster Bridge

Lambeth Bridge , London, SE1 7SG

Access Guide

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Introduction - Albert Embankment- between Lambeth Bridge and Westminster Bridge

  • This accessibility guide gives access information for the section of the South Bank between Lambeth Bridge and Westminster Bridge along Albert Embankment.
  • The walkway between the two bridges forms part of the Western Loop of the Jubilee Walkway.
  • The Jubilee Walkway is an official walking route in London and the Western Loop is the longest part of it.
  • The approximate distance of the section of the walkway between Lambeth Bridge and Westminster Bridge is 700 metres.
  • The walkway has a flagstone paving surface and runs parallel to the River Thames.
  • Step free access to the walkway from Lambeth Bridge is via the access point off Lambeth Palace Road.
  • Access to the walkway from Westminster Bridge is stepped.
  • The potential hazards along the walkway include; busy pathways, bollards, cyclists, street furniture and slightly uneven surfaces.
  • To view the TFL Map for the Western Loop of the Jubilee Walkway please click here (opens in new tab)http://content.tfl.gov.uk/jubilee-walkway-route-section-one.pdf.

Getting Here

South Bank Public Car Parks

  • This section provides information about a number of public cars parks around South Bank.
    For more information about access and parking charges please visit the individual car parks.
    South Bank is located in the congestion charging zone.

Access From (Westminster Bridge)

  • Description View
    • Access down to the Jubilee Walkway from Westminster Bridge is via steps (shown in photographs 4-8).
      There is also an underpass so it is possible to access this section of the walkway from the Golden Jubilee Bridges side to the north (shown in photographs 11 and 12).
      There is a bollard with a minimum width of 121cm to the wall before the underpass.
      The underpass is dark and there are barriers when entering it from the Golden Jubilee Bridges side.
      The gap between the barriers is 110cm.
  • Stairs View
    • The steps lead down to the Jubilee Walkway from Westminster Bridge.
      There are 28 steps (4 sets of 7).
      The steps are uneven in places (shown in photograph 6).
      There are bollards at the top of the stairs with a minimum width of 119cm.
      They contrast with the paving.
      Browns of London kiosk is at the top of the stairs selling memorabilia. This causes congestion at times.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 14cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • There is a landing.

Access From (Lambeth Bridge)

  • Description View
    • Access down to the Albert Embankment from Lambeth Bridge is via steps (shown in photographs 4 and 5).
      The steps can be bypassed by using the Lambeth Palace Road pavement to reach access points in Albert Embankment (shown in photograph 8).
      There are security barriers when exiting the Lambeth Bridge walkway (shown in photograph 3).
      The gap between the barriers is 115cm.
      The barrier has a clear visual contrast with the paving.
      There is also an underpass so it is possible to access this section of the walkway from the Vauxhall Bridge side to the south (shown in photograph 6).
      There are bollards when exiting the underpass and at the bottom of the stairs from Lambeth Bridge. They contrast visually with the paving and have a minimum width of 114cm between them (shown in photograph 6).
  • Stairs View
    • The steps lead down to the walkway from Lambeth Bridge.
    • There are 23 steps .
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 12cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.

Access Point (Lambeth Palace Road - Opposite the Garden Museum)

  • Access Point View
    • This access point can be used to gain step free access to the Albert Embankment from the Lambeth Palace Road pavement near to Lambeth Bridge.
      The pavement from the bridge to the access point slopes slightly downhill.
      There is a TFL 'Legible London' wayfinding post on this section (shown in photograph 3).
      There is a bus stop (Lambeth Palace) immediately to the right of the access point (shown in photograph 2).
    • This information is for the access point located off Lambeth Palace Road.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is open access.
    • There are bollards at this access point.
    • The bollards contrast visually with the paving.
    • The minimum width between the bollards is 105cm.
    • There is an information board/map at this access point.
    • The London South Bank map/information board is just beyond the access point to the right.
    • Lambeth Pier Riverside Café is opposite this access point (shown in photographs 5 and 6). There are a few chairs and tables placed to the side of the walkway which do not restrict access.
      The café has stepped access.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.

Access Point (Lambeth Palace Road - Opposite Lambeth Palace)

  • Access Point View
    • This access point can be used to gain step free access to the Jubilee Walkway from the Lambeth Palace Road pavement opposite Lambeth Palace.
      The paved surface at this access point is slightly uneven in places.
    • This information is for the access point located off Lambeth Palace Road.
    • There is step-free access at this access point.
    • There is open access.
    • There are bollards at this access point.
    • The bollards contrast visually with the paving.
    • The minimum width between the bollards is 102cm.
    • There is an information board/map at this access point.
    • The London South Bank map/information board is just beyond the access point to the left (shown in photograph 4).
    • There is a refreshment kiosk just beyond the access point to the right which has some tables and seating overlooking the river (shown in photographs 5 and 6).
      There are a few tables and chairs set out to the side of the walkway when the kiosk is open.

Albert Embankment - General Access

  • Albert Embankment between Lambeth Bridge and Westminster Bridge is level and wide.
  • The walkway has a flagstone paving surface which can be slightly uneven in places where slabs have become misaligned.
  • There are many benches on this section of the walkway which are mounted on concrete platforms to overlook the river.
  • This reduces the width of the walkways, particularly on the river side of the bench.
  • The walkway has a wall on both sides which means this section can only be accessed from the bridges or the access points detailed.

Albert Embankment - Seating and Information/Map Boards

  • There are many benches on this section of the walkway which are mounted on concrete platforms to overlook the river (shown in photographs 1-3).
  • The benches are accessed via 2 concrete steps to the front and either side.
  • The deepest steps are approximately 20cm.
  • The steps are not clearly marked and do not have handrails.
  • The benches are wooden with metal armrests.
  • There are TFL 'Legible London' wayfinding posts and London South Bank maps/information boards along this section of the walkway (shown in photographs 5-7).

Albert Embankment - Additional Information

  • Comments View
    • There is a grass area off the Jubilee walkway between the 2 Lambeth Palace Road access points.
    • The S.O.E (Special Operations Executive) statue is located in this area and is accessed via a very steep ramp from the walkway (shown in photographs 1 and 2).
    • The National Covid Memorial Wall is located along the Albert Embankment.
  • Comments View
    • There is a grass area off the Jubilee walkway between the 2 Lambeth Palace Road access points.
    • The S.O.E (Special Operations Executive) statue is located in this area and is accessed via a very steep ramp from the walkway (shown in photographs 1 and 2).
    • The National Covid Memorial Wall is located along the Albert Embankment.

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Related London South Bank Venues (Garden Museum)