Motorists might not be able to use Hammersmith Bridge again once it reopens, as authorities contemplate prohibiting vehicles from crossing.
Many motorists in the city will be annoyed by the environmentally friendly and budget-conscious plans aimed at stopping cars from using the bridge again. The structure has been off-limits for vehicles since April 2019.
According to the minutes of a closed-door meeting, a government-appointed task force is contemplating implementing a car-free bridge policy, permitting only pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
The minutes obtained through a Freedom of Information request indicate that the task force is considering a permanent ban on cars, as this option would be both less expensive and better for the environment.
The reconstruction of the 138-year-old bridge is projected to cost around £250 million, with an expected reopening possibly delayed until 2035.
One of the initial six proposals from the task force suggested transforming it into an inaccessible monument. Another idea was to demolish the bridge and replace it with a new river crossing. Both suggestions were dismissed.
Out of the three remaining options under consideration, only one permits vehicle entry. This proposal involves constructing a new roadway over pedestrians and cyclists, resulting in a provisional ‘dual-level’ intersection.
Sir
Sadiq Khan
told
the Standard
He wanted the bridge reopened for vehicle traffic, while the previous transportation secretary
Grant Shapps
pledged to ‘reopen the bridge for drivers’ in 2022.
However, officials commended the proposals, which would permit only cyclists, pedestrians, and single-decker buses, as cost-effective and eco-friendly alternatives.
The Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce convened for the first time in three years on January 30.
A spokesperson from the Department for Transport stated: “Although the government is dealing with a challenging scenario regarding Hammersmith Bridge, where decisions concerning its future have been postponed for an extended period, we understand the frustrations caused by its closure among drivers.”
The Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce convened on January 30 to deliberate on the prospective future actions concerning the bridge. Various potential engineering options were examined during this meeting, and additional information will be provided subsequently.
Six years ago, the decision to shut down the bridge was taken by the owner, Hammersmith and Fulham Council, when they discovered that its iron framework was extensively cracked.
The projected expense to render the dilapidated piece of infrastructure secure for vehicles and public transport has surged from an initial £20 million to the present estimate of £250 million.
The stabilization efforts to enable the bridge to be reopened for pedestrian and cyclist use amounted to £40 million.
The council of Hammersmith and Fulham, managed by the Labour party, along with Transportation for London (TfL), which oversees metropolitan transportation, and the Department for Transport (DfT) have all been attempting to dodge paying the expenses.
The DfT proposed that both the council and TfL should cover a third of the repair expenses each, with the remaining amount being covered by taxpayers.
Nevertheless, the borough has stated that it lacks the financial means to cover its portion unless they implement a toll or road usage fee.
The Hammersmith Bridge, which endured three assaults by the IRA, stands as one of the planet’s earliest examples of a mechanically suspended bridge and holds Grade II listing status. Conceived by renowned 19th-century civil engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette, this structure was erected in 1887 and officially inaugurated by what was then known as the Prince of Wales.
London’s lowest bridge stands out with only 12 feet of water clearance during high tide, making it also one of the city’s weakest structures. This has led to weight limitations being enforced since 2015.
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