Traffic on Kings and Fulham Roads should be considerably easier from today, December 2, with the reopening of Albert Bridge.

The iconic bridge has undergone the most extensive work since it was first opened in 1873, funded by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Transport for London, and has now been returned to its original glory.

Kensington and Chelsea council says the bridge has had major strengthening and refurbishment work which should ensure it will be able to last well into the century.

Local MP Greg Hands says: "The re-opening of Albert Bridge is good news for me Chelsea and Fulham constituents, many of whom have contacted me this year, exasperated at the delays to the works.

"I am looking forward to seeing its iconic status restored, and for traffic in the area to be moving more freely again."

Councillor Nick Paget-Brown, Kensington and Chelsea's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport, says: "I think we can be proud of the level of workmanship in the restoration of Albert Bridge. It proved even more challenging than we originally thought as once the work began we discovered much worse corrosion to the iron and steel in the bridge.

"The amount of work on the bridge has been truly monumental with over 10,000 bolts, 40,000 litres of paint and 1,000 tonnes of grit used during the restoration.

"I hope that residents and all other bridge-users will now be able to appreciate the need for the work we carried out on this unique London bridge, for surely, when lit up the Albert Bridge is one of the most beautiful night time sights in London."

December 2, 2011