On Wednesday evening this week (28 October), Transport Minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton chaired an online public meeting - hosted by Richmond Council - about the future of Hammersmith Bridge.
Joined by members of the government’s taskforce on the bridge, she revealed that it would not be fully open to motorised vehicles until 2027. The meeting was told that a Transport for London (TfL) ferry service could be in operation by next spring. The bridge could also be opened for limited walking and cycling access later next year if stabilisation works take place, prior to the full restoration of the bridge.
Residents asked about the funding for the repairs, river traffic and raised concerns about safety on riverside paths for diverted pedestrians and cyclists.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council was represented by Cllr Sue Fennimore, Deputy Leader, who told the event that with TfL, the council had made two applications to the Department for Transport since 2019 and one to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for Hammersmith Bridge as part of "shovel ready projects" that needed funding. All were rejected or unanswered.
A letter from Council Leader Cllr Steve Cowan to Baroness Vere (pdf 765KB) this week also highlighted the council’s commitment to the taskforce and its willingness to support temporary measures and permanent repair.
Independent reports of the event were published on the following websites:
You can read more on Hammersmith Bridge including the latest correspondence between the council and the government and a report of Thursday’s taskforce meeting.
