'Long-term solution' to Hammersmith Bridge called for as Government announces £2.9m towards new cycle lane
| Published date | 08 April 2024 |
| Publication title | MyLondon (England) |
A spokesperson for the council said they are 'grateful' to the Departments for Transport DfT for the funding, and that they "look forward to its approval of our business case for the full restoration of the historic bridge".
The Grade-II listed crossing has been shut to motor vehicles since 2019, after micro-fractures were identified in its pedestals. It was partially reopened to pedestrians and cyclists in 2021, though since then repairs have stalled.
The Government wants the reported £250 million cost to be split between taxpayers, Transport for London TfL and the council. Hammersmith and Fulham however is awaiting approval for a business case submitted with ministers last year, which the DfT claims it is still reviewing to “ensure it is viable and offers value for money”.
The council says that while it is committed to the full reopening of the bridge to motor vehicles, it requires the support of the DfT and TfL, as well as an agreement to pay for its share via a toll.
The new funding takes the Government’s total investment in the bridge to nearly £13m, while the council has sunk more than £30m since it was closed five years ago. The cycle lane is expected to be introduced in November this year.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Today’s new funding is the latest example of the Government’s ongoing commitment to support efforts to reopen Hammersmith Bridge.
“Cyclists and pedestrians will be able to continue to use the bridge safely, with this latest funding from Government another important step towards fully reopening the bridge for motorists and all Londoners as quickly as possible.”
Conservative MP Greg Hands, who represents the neighbouring Chelsea and Fulham constituency and has campaigned to have the bridge reopened to motor vehicles, said: “This new funding shows the Government is committed to Hammersmith Bridge. But now the council and TfL need to step up and get the bridge reopened to buses, cars and emergency vehicles, as they’ve repeatedly pledged to do. It’s been five years of inaction from LBHF since the bridge closed in 2019 and people have lost patience with them.”
The Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, Sarah Olney, said while the funding is welcome, "this small step does not hide...
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