Arup carried out marching tests

In February 2001 the Millennium Bridge Trust announced that it had raised the �5m needed to carry out the recommended modifications to the bridge.

They involved the installation of 91 dampers, similar to car shock absorbers, designed to reduce the movement of the 350-metre structure.

Work to correct the problem started in May 2001 and was completed in January this year.

Following walking tests on the bridge using 2,000 volunteers it was felt the bridge was safe to be used by the public.

'Blade of light'

The bridge was designed as the result of a collaboration between the architects, Foster and Partners, the British sculptor, Sir Anthony Caro and the consulting engineers, Arup.

It links St Paul's Cathedral and the City of London on the north bank with Tate Modern and the reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on the south.

The bridge - described as a "blade of light" by promoters - was inaugurated by the Queen in May 2000.

More than 160,000 people crossed the bridge during its opening weekend during which the swaying effect was noticed.

Those who had made it across said they had been surprised by the swaying sensation, comparing the vibration to the feeling of sea-sickness.