Autonomous electric pods to be showcased at Barnes Fair as alternative transport for Hammersmith Bridge
With a £300m repair bill putting paid to plans for cars to ever return to Hammersmith Bridge, a community-led group is stepping forward with a high-tech alternative
This Saturday, 11 July, visitors to Barnes Fair can get an up-close look at the Ohmio LIFT, a driverless, zero-emission electric shuttle. Organised by BHELT (Barnes Hammersmith Electric Light Transit) in partnership with Ohmio UK, the showcase demonstrates how lightweight autonomous pods could safely ferry passengers across the fragile 139-year-old crossing without requiring an unaffordable structural rebuild.
Since the bridge closed to motor vehicles in 2019, Chiswick residents have been concerned about traffic bottlenecking the A316 and Chiswick Bridge, alongside permanently longer journey times south of the river.
READ ALSO: Costs of £300m put paid to plans for Hammersmith Bridge to take cars again
While a council report recently recommended restricting the bridge to pedestrians and cyclists indefinitely, an autonomous pod service would restore vital step-free, weather-protected transit for elderly and disabled residents without adding heavy structural strain or vehicular emissions.
Reacting to the £300m estimate, Chiswick Homefields Councillor Linden Grigg highlighted the initiative as a practical way forward:
“We now need to think about how we can make the Bridge work for the broadest possible number of people, including elderly and disabled residents who need the crossing. There are groups such as Barnes Hammersmith Electric Light Transit coming up with innovative solutions, but will the Councils listen?”
The BHELT and Ohmio UK teams will be on hand at Barnes Fair to answer questions, explain the low-floor accessible technology, and let visitors step inside the driverless shuttle. You can also get more info at BHELT.org.uk
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