Hammersmith Bridge car plans axed over £300m cost

Plans to make Hammersmith Bridge safe for motor traffic have been shelved as it would "essentially require a brand-new bridge to be built" due to the extensive repairs needed, a council report has said.

The 139-year-old Grade II* listed bridge linking Hammersmith with Barnes, closed to motor vehicles when cracks appeared in its pedestals in 2019. Only cyclists and pedestrians are currently allowed to cross.

The Hammersmith and Fulham Council report said a full restoration allowing motor traffic would cost £300m.

The report said there was "no financial option available that would allow its full restoration" - a position the local MP described as "deeply disappointing".

The local authority had looked to secure backing from the government's £1bn Structures Fund, with a minister previously saying the crossing would be a "good candidate".

But the report states the council was recommended by the Department for Transport (DfT) to submit a bid for a "phased repair" with the aim of keeping the bridge open for pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic.

The council has spent £54m on works on the bridge since its 2019 closure.

The funding for the repairs has however proven to be a major sticking point.

Under a 2021 settlement the previous government struck with Transport for London (TfL), it was stated Hammersmith and Fulham Council would pay a third of the total cost.

TfL and the DfT are to pick up another third each, though the ballooning price tag of full restoration has delayed progress on further works.

The report stated: "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 council has claimed it is still owed £22.9m in total - specifically £16.51m from TfL and £6.42m from the DfT - to ensure all three parties split the bridge's costs equally.

A TfL spokesperson said: "The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham are the owners and highway authority for Hammersmith Bridge.

"We continue to work with the borough, the Department for Transport and others to agree the right solution, as well as to agree how any future works to the bridge might be funded."

The transport body maintains that it only agreed to provide a maximum contribution of £2.93m towards the stabilisation works with no further funding to cover cost overruns incurred by the council.

A DfT spokesperson said: "We have provided £17m to keep the bridge open for walking and cycling, and will continue to work closely with the council and Transport for London as we consider future funding through our new Structures Fund."

Council officers wrote that without further significant investment, "the bridge is likely to have to fully close again on safety grounds in the short to medium term".

The council has submitted a pre-application to the DfT's Structures Fund for works costing £128m, with an announcement on whether it has proven successful expected in the autumn.

Full repairs enabling motor traffic are, however, not on the table as a requirement of the fund is for schemes to be completed by 31 March 2030.

This deadline rules out a full restoration "as the required works are plainly not achievable in that timespan", officers wrote.

"Hence the decision to proceed with a phased repair bid."

Putney MP Fleur Anderson said she was "deeply disappointed" the council would not aim to fully restore the Hammersmith Bridge.

"I have fought hard for the reopening and will carry on," she said on social media.

"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."

Hammersmith and Fulham Council's cabinet will vote on the recommendations made in the report on Monday.

Many of the capital's historic bridges are facing restrictions due to safety concerns.

Vauxhall Bridge in central London faces an 18‑tonne limit from Wednesday which TfL described as "safety critical".

It will remain in place while the transport authority develops plans to address structural concerns and sets out a long‑term strategy for the bridge.

Albert Bridge in west London closed to traffic in February after cracks were found in a cast iron component.

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