Costs of £300m put paid to plans for Hammersmith Bridge to take cars again

Hammersmith Bridge

Council report recommends a ‘phased repair’ of the bridge, prioritising access for cyclists and pedestrians

A report for Hammersmith & Fulham Council estimates it would cost £300m to restore the existing 139-year-old Grade II* listed bridge to a safe condition to take cars again.

The report is due to be discussed by the Council’s Cabinet on Monday 6 July but the estimate effectively puts paid to the plan to restore it to the level at which it could take motor traffic.

It would “essentially require a brand-new bridge to be built” for it to be strong enough to take traffic the report says, there was “no financial option available that would allow its full restoration”.

READ ALSO: Andy Slaughter MP on why Hammersmith Bridge is unlikely to reopen to cars and what should happen next

Ever since the bridge closed to motor vehicles after cracks appeared in its pedestals in 2019 there has been a Mexican standoff between the Council, TfL and the government about who would come up with the money.

Jeremy Vine with cyclists crossing Hammersmith Bridge 2024

Hammersmith & Fulham owed money by Transport for London and the Department for Transport, they say, for their shares of what has been spent on the bridge repairs so far

The Council’s hopes were raised when the government announced a new £1bn Structures Fund for roads infrastructure.

READ ALSO: Government’s new fund for road infrastructure offers hope that Hammersmith Bridge might be repaired

But the Council’s report states the Department for Transport recommended it submit a bid for a “phased repair” with the aim of keeping the bridge open for pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic.

Currently only pedestrians and cyclists are allowed across it and a lobby has been building from active travel campaigners to keep it that way.

READ ALSO: Autonomous electric pods to be showcased at Barnes Fair as alternative transport for Hammersmith Bridge

The previous government agreed in 2021 to split the costs three ways with the Council and TfL. The reports says:

“The council’s position – in line with this one thirds principle – is that it is still owed money due from TfL, primarily, and DfT towards the £54m that has been spent on the restoration project.”

Cllr Linden Grigg

“Drivers in Chiswick will suffer as a result”

Chiswick’s Conservative councillors representing the Homefields ward, which includes the A316 stretch from the north end of Chiswick Bridge to the Hogarth Roundabout, reacted to the news:

‘The closure of the bridge to motor traffic has caused frustration for Chiswick residents. Six bus routes had to be changed and residents wishing to drive to Barnes have seen journey times increase. Meanwhile traffic displacement has seen an increase in traffic along the A316 and over Chiswick Bridge’.

Linden Grigg, Chiswick Homefields Councillor said:

“We were told that having a Labour Government, a Labour Mayor, and a Labour MP would mean a breakthrough for the future of Hammersmith Bridge. As it turns out, the catfight over who pays what has ended in plans for the reintroduction of traffic to be shelved.

“No progress has been made despite the previous Government convening a task force to explore funding options. It’s drivers in Chiswick who will suffer as a result, with permanently longer journey times, slower traffic, and higher emissions.

“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?”

Cyclists crossing Hammersmith Bridge 2024

Boroughs south of the river disappointed

Richmond’s Deputy Leader Councillor Alexander Ehmann criticised Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s recommendation to limit their bid for funding to measures that will keep Hammersmith Bridge open only for pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic.

“This proposal is not good enough and shows a poverty of ambition”, he commented.

Putney MP Fleur Anderson said she was “deeply disappointed” the council would not aim to fully restore the Hammersmith Bridge.

“I have fought hard for the reopening and will carry on,” she said on social media.

Wandsworth’s Cabinet Member for Transport also called Hammersmith & Fulham’s decision “deeply disappointing”, saying: “it locks in years more of congestion across south-west London”.

Councillor Dan Hamilton said Wandsworth would also continue to champion its full reopening to vehicles.