London’s Hammersmith Bridge
(Picture: PA Archive)The restoration of Hammersmith Bridge took a major step forward on Tuesday with the start of stabilisation work that could pave the way for a full repair.
The breakthrough comes almost three years after the crossing was closed to traffic by Hammersmith and Fulham council because of fears that cracks in the cast-iron pedestals could lead to a catastrophic collapse.
The £8.9 million phase-one works will allow the 135-year-old structure to remain open to pedestrians and cyclists, although they will have to use the narrow footways rather than the main carriage. It will also enable river traffic to pass underneath.
The bill is being funded jointly by Labour-controlled Hammersmith and Fulham council, Transport for London, and the Department for Transport, all contributing equal one-third shares.
However, the initial programme of work will not be enough to allow cars, trucks and buses back over the bridge and residents said the much more substantial funding needed for the next phase of work was still not in place.
The announcement of the work comes ahead of campaigning for London council elections in May. The closure of the bridge has been a major doorstep issue for voters in Richmond and Hammersmith and Fulham.
Today Hammersmith and Fulham’s Labour council leader Stephen Cowan, Richmond’s Lib Dem leader Gareth Roberts and Conservative peer, the transport minister Baroness Vere, gathered by the bridge in a display of cross-party unity.
Mr Cowan said: “I am determined to fix the bridge as speedily as possible. That’s why we took the initiative to begin the stabilisation works and to kickstart the full restoration project.”
Mr Roberts said: “Today is good news for residents on both sides of the bridge. It is reassuring to see engineers getting on with the job and committing to keeping the bridge open as much as possible during the works programme.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the Standard he was “confident we will see a full reopening” but insisted the onus was on the council to come up with a viable business plan for the next stage of repair.
He added: “Today, I’m giving Londoners reassurance this government will do everything in its power to keep this vital structure open.
“We’re investing millions into its restoration, ensuring residents can continue to cross the river by foot or bike, and I look forward to working further with the local council on future works to reopen the bridge to motorists.”
He said the Government was committed to providing a third of the funding but said the local authority would have to borrow the money it needed for its share.
The cracks are believed to have been caused by corrosion dating back more than 70 years.
