Government set to spend £3m in restoring bridge
PACKAGE AIMS TO HAVE THE RIVER CROSSING OPEN TO ALL
THE Government has pledged to invest millions in restoring Hammersmith Bridge to its former glory – and eventually open it to all.
Ministers have announced a £3 million funding package to stabilise the bridge and keep it open to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic.
Central government has pledged to fund a third of the costs to renew the historic structure, which closed in 2019 after cracks were found in its pedestals.
It later reopened to pedestrians and cyclists in July 2021.
Further work will be done to fully restore the bridge and eventually re-open it to motorists.
The Government previously put £4m towards immediate works on the bridge, which covered cleaning and inspecting the pedestals.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council, which owns the 135-year-old bridge, backed a £9 million stabilisation project last month, saying it did not want to wait for funding from TfL and the Department for Transport.
The works will see the pedestals filled with concrete and steel frames fitted around them.
The project is expected to be finished by the end of the year before motor traffic can use it again.
It has been estimated to cost a total of £187m, but it could cost £40m less if plans for a double decker structure were axed.
This double-decker option would include a temporary two-tier structure fitted above the current road level of the bridge.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said last week: “Today, I’m giving Londoners reassurance this Government will do everything in its power to keep this vital, historic structure open.
“We’re investing millions into its restoration, ensuring local 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.”
Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: “This is an incredibly important day in the long history of Hammersmith Bridge. Following an enormous amount of work by engineers, Government, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and TfL, I can confirm we will be injecting millions of pounds into its restoration, so it stays open to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic.
“We will not lose momentum. Work is already under way to ensure the structure is re-opened to motorists as soon as possible and returned to its former glory.”
This Government will do everything in its power to keep this vital, historic structure open. Grant Shapps