London MP Demands Immediate Action to Reopen Hammersmith Bridge
Fleur Anderson, the Labour MP for Putney, has issued a powerful plea for immediate steps to repair and fully reopen Hammersmith Bridge, which has been closed to motor vehicles since 2019. Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament, Anderson emphasized that the crossing's restoration is crucial for countless constituents facing daily hardships.
Seven Years of Disruption and Frustration
Anderson highlighted the profound impact of the bridge's closure, stating it has resulted in "seven years of disruption, frustration and avoidable hardship for residents across West London." She shared a poignant example of a mother whose 12-year-old son with Down's syndrome and complex needs attends a specialist school in Hammersmith. Before the closure, their journey was straightforward; now, it has become an exhausting ordeal, often taking over an hour each way due to detours and traffic.
Funding Agreement in Jeopardy
It was revealed that the existing funding agreement, which splits costs three ways between Hammersmith and Fulham Council, the Government, and Transport for London (TfL), may be abandoned. Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood indicated that the bridge could be a "good candidate" for support from a new £1 billion Government Structures Fund but did not confirm any decision timelines.
The Grade II*-listed Victorian suspension bridge, linking Hammersmith with Barnes, was closed in 2019 after micro-fractures were discovered in its pedestals. While reopened to pedestrians, cyclists, and river traffic, motor vehicles remain banned. The repair costs have ballooned to an estimated more than £250 million, with the council already spending over £50 million on maintenance and safety since the closure.
Political and Financial Stalemate
Anderson argued that the financial burden on Labour-run Hammersmith and Fulham Council is "disproportionate" and unsustainable. She pressed Minister Lightwood for clarity on funding decisions, cost updates, and potential transfers of bridge management to a unified London body. "Action must be taken now," she insisted. "Potential funding is not the same as secured funding, discussions are not the same as decisions, and processes cannot become excuses for further delay."
The debate saw cross-party support, with Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney expressing disappointment over governmental inaction but optimism for resolution. Labour MP Andy Slaughter outlined three critical issues: defining costs, securing funding, and addressing traffic impacts. Conservative MP Greg Smith criticized the slow progress, noting concerns date back to 2014.
Government Response and Future Prospects
Minister Lightwood reaffirmed the Government's commitment, citing £17 million in support and the reconvened Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce. He stressed that any Structures Fund allocation would depend on a cost-effective engineering solution within a reasonable timeframe. Anderson welcomed the reconsideration of the funding split but expressed disappointment over the lack of concrete announcements, though she remains hopeful.
In a political twist, the Hammersmith and Fulham Conservative group proposed a temporary military-style crossing if elected in May, criticizing the current impasse. Tory Leader Cllr Jose Afonso remarked, "It is unacceptable that over the timeframe that Notre Dame burnt down and was rebuilt, we still can't get an ambulance to cross the Thames at Hammersmith."
The ongoing saga underscores the urgent need for collaborative action to restore this vital Thames crossing, alleviating the severe community and economic strains endured by West London residents for nearly a decade.
