Westminster Bridge closed after car left in middle of road sparks bomb scare
WESTMINSTER Bridge was closed off after an abandoned "suspicious" car sparked a mass evacuation and bomb scare.
Police have surrounded a lone Smart car
The bridge has been closed off and evacuated as pictures show a lone white Smart car with hazards surrounded by police cars.
Police cleared and closed part of the Commons Library and Terrace after the "suspicious" car was spotted in the middle of the road on the bridge, close to the Houses of Parliament.
Passersby posted pictures online which showed a bomb disposal arriving on the scene to inspect the lone vehicle left in a bus lane.
Transport for London tweeted: "A302 Westminster Bridge is closed in both directions due to an emergency services incident, seek alternative route."
A bomb disposal robot arrives on the scene
The robot appears to inspect the car
A302 Westminster Bridge is closed in both directions due to an emergency services incident, seek alternative route
Politicians took to Twitter to express their shock and dismay at the closure, as they were urged to keep away from the windows.
Tory MP Nadine Dorries tweeted: "We've all been evacuated away from library and Windows - bomb disposal apparently arrived on Westminster bridge."
Stewart McDonald MP said: "Police have cleared and closed part of the Commons Library and Terrace after finding a suspicious package on Westminster Bridge."
Commuters took to social networking sites to express their shock.
One said: "Woah. Coming out of Westminster station was scary just now. Police cars everywhere."
Another added: "Should I be worried about these 'emergency services incidents' on London bridges? Waterloo Brdge earlier, now Westminster Bridge?"
Police have cleared and closed part of the Commons Library and Terrace after finding a suspicious package on Westminster Bridge.
— Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) June 28, 2016
The Westminster Bridge area is now cleared of people. pic.twitter.com/3ZFRnnu0L3
— Paul Richards (@Labourpaul) June 28, 2016
A302 Westminster Bridge is closed in both directions due to an emergency services incident, seek alternative route.
— TfL Traffic News (@TfLTrafficNews) June 28, 2016
Westminster Bridge closed pic.twitter.com/6eFveNL55a
— Claire Pearsall (@claire_pearsall) June 28, 2016
The owner of the car has now been escorted to his abandoned vehicle.
Metropolitan Police refused to comment when contacted by Express.co.uk.
MPS Westminster tweeted: "Westminster Bridge will be re-opened shortly after officers dealt with an abandoned vehicle. Nothing suspicious found."
Security forces are on high alert and the UK's terror threat level is currently set at severe, meaning an attack is considered "highly likely".
The bridge crosses the River Thames between popular attractions including the Sea Life Centre, London Eye and Westminster.