‘Deeply disappointing’ as hopes of Hammersmith Bridge reopening to cars dealt major blow

The authority has already spent £54m on works to the bridge, which connects Hammersmith to Barnes

Wandsworth politicians have described the shelving of plans to reopen Hammersmith Bridge to vehicles as “deeply disappointing”. Labour MP Fleur Anderson and Tory-run Wandsworth Council vowed to continue fighting for the 139-year-old bridge to be fully restored as they said failure to reopen it to vehicles would lock in years more congestion in South West London.

It comes after Hammersmith and Fulham Council, which owns the Grade II* listed bridge, revealed there was “no financial option available that would allow its full restoration” – estimated to cost £300million.

The authority has already spent £54m on works to the bridge, which connects Hammersmith to Barnes, since it closed in 2019. A new council report said full restoration works would “essentially require a brand-new bridge to be built”.

The council had hoped to secure backing from the Government’s £1billion Structures Fund to fully restore the bridge, but the report said the Department for Transport (DfT) has instead recommended it apply for a “phased repair” to keep the bridge open for pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic.

The Structures Fund criteria also says the latest date for eligible schemes to reach completion is March 31, 2030, which would not allow for full restoration of the bridge.

Putney MP Ms Anderson said it was “unreasonable” to expect the council to bear extra financial burden to reopen the bridge and that alternative cheaper crossings should be considered.

She has repeatedly called for the bridge to be urgently reopened to vehicles.

Ms Anderson said: “The council’s report fails to address the six bus routes that have been cut and the significant daily consequences for residents in Roehampton and Putney.

“The travel experience through Putney is severely affected by the closures of both Hammersmith and Albert bridges, leading to frequent gridlock on routes into Putney High Street. Commuters are facing prolonged bus delays, making travel frustrating and unreliable for thousands of people every day.

“I will continue to advocate for the complete restoration of Hammersmith Bridge. The Government must urgently explore alternative budget allocations to reinstate this vital transport route in our capital city.”

Albert Bridge closed to motor traffic in February after engineers found a crack in a cast iron component.

Conservative councillor Daniel Hamilton, Wandsworth’s cabinet member for transport, also described the announcement on Hammersmith Bridge as “deeply disappointing”.

Councillor Hamilton said: “Instead of moving us closer to reopening, it locks in years more of congestion across South West London. This will do further harm to residents and businesses and put even more strain on local transport networks.

“We urge Hammersmith and Fulham to work with the Government to get traffic moving across the bridge again. Wandsworth will continue to champion its full reopening to vehicles.”

The crossing was built in 1887 and is one of the world’s oldest suspension bridges.

It was shut in April 2019 after inspectors found micro-fractures in each of its four cast iron pedestals, which indicated a risk of “catastrophic collapse”. It has since reopened to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic.

The Government struck a deal with Transport for London (TfL) in 2021 to split the cost of repairs three ways with Hammersmith and Fulham.

The council report said: “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.”

The cabinet will vote on officers’ recommendations to pursue a bid for £128m to repair the bridge so it can remain open to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic – but not road traffic – on Monday (July 6).

This would focus on “the most critical life-expired elements of the structure, with the immediate aim of keeping the bridge open and safeguarding access for pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic”.

An announcement on whether the £128m bid has been successful is expected in autumn.

A DfT spokesperson said: ” The repair and maintenance of Hammersmith Bridge is the responsibility of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.