Hammersmith Bridge closure caused by £27m renovation having 'catastrophic' impact on residents

The closure of Hammersmith Bridge to cyclists, pedestrians and cars is having a “catastrophic” impact on their lives, residents said today as they prepared to stage a demonstration.

It came as delayed plans to build a £27.3 million temporary crossing were effectively ditched — with council leaders now seeking £46 million from the Government to make the main bridge safe enough to reopen to cyclists and pedestrians.

This would also allow river traffic, including the RNLI Chiswick lifeboat, to pass under the bridge again.

The 133-year-old structure linking Hammersmith and Barnes was closed to vehicles in April last year after flaws were detected in the cast iron.

These worsened during the summer heatwave, forcing it to be closed to cyclists and pedestrians as well three weeks ago over fears of a “catastrophic failure”. River traffic was also suspended and the towpath closed. Hundreds of residents were due to protest on either side of the bridge from 5pm today, demanding emergency action to restore a crossing over the Thames ahead of the widespread reopening of schools and return to work next week.

Residents told of two-hour round trips, gridlock on the roads, delays in reaching Charing Cross hospital and the near-impossibility of accessing a GP surgery on the north side of the river.

Labour-run Hammersmith and Fulham council, which owns the bridge, says it cannot afford the cost of repairs, now estimated at £141 million.

The council says it is investigating the feasibility of calls from residents for an emergency ferry service for school pupils. Others have suggested the Army build a temporary bridge. More than 16,000 people a day crossed the river by foot or by bike before the bridge was completely closed on August 13. Prior to its closure to vehicles in April last year, it was used by 22,000 cars, vans and buses.

Laura Martin, an NHS consultant who lives in Hammersmith, said she and her husband, also a consultant, had no idea how they would be able to get their daughter to school in Barnes.

She said: “I’m a respiratory consultant at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, my husband is an infectious disease consultant at Great Ormond Street Hospital. As you can imagine this year has been overwhelmingly difficult for us due to Covid. When winter comes I have genuinely no idea how we will manage a one-hour school run each way without the bridge.”

Tony Devenish, the Tory London Assembly member for the area, said: “I would be delighted if the Army had the time to build the bridge. The council and TfL have enough money to put in a temporary bridge. People are furious.” The Standard has seen a new letter to the Government from the leaders of Hammersmith and Fulham and Richmond councils pleading for £46 million “as a matter of urgency” to allow the main bridge to be made safe for walkers and cyclists. This is now seen as a more practical option than spending

£27 million on a temporary bridge. Further funds would be needed if the bridge were ever to reopen to vehicles.

The Department for Transport said: “We understand concerns caused by the closure of Hammersmith Bridge and are working with the local council and Transport for London to urgently resolve this issue.”

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