The new Labour Government is trying to reconvene the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce to oversee the repair of the bridge after it was closed to cars due to structural issues, the minister for local transport has said.
The bridge was first closed in 2019 on public safety grounds, following the identification of micro-fractures in the 137-year-old structure.
It was then re-opened in 2021, to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic following extensive investigations and the introduction of a temperature control monitoring system.
The news from the Government comes as the final step of stabilisation work is scheduled to start next month, requiring the removal of the 137-year-old suspension bridge’s bearings, which have seized.
Engineers need to lift the Grade II listed bridge to replace its corroded components with new rubber bearings, the council said. This requires jacking up and replacing the bearings on the Grade II listed bridge.
The London borough is currently planning six 24-hour closures across October and November 2024 to carry out the process. However, it said additional closures may also be required if the weather is not suitable or other issues.
It will then spend £3m funded by the Government to resurface the entire bridge deck before fully re-opening the entire span of the bridge for pedestrians, cyclists and scooter riders.
This stabilisation project should be complete by April 2025 at the latest, the council said.
These works are phase 1 of the two-phase local plan to fully restore the bridge to cars, buses and motorcyclists. Progress on phase 2 to strengthen the bridge to take motor traffic again has stalled.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council (H&F) was told by the government to pay what it called an 'unprecedented 33% of the estimated £250m repair bill'.
The council said it 'has made it clear it can only fund its share of the capital costs and ongoing maintenance through a toll or road user charge'.
Hammersmith and Fulham's Business Case is still awaiting approval from the Department for Transpot (DfT).
The council said it 'was first submitted to the DfT for review in December 2022, and formally submitted on 31 March 2023'; however it 'has been dropped from the agenda for investment board meetings in November 2023 and January 2024 due to issues within the DfT'.
Answering a written question in the Commons, local transport minister Simon Lightwood gave an update stating: 'A Memorandum of Understanding on the split of responsibilities for the repair of Hammersmith Bridge was drafted but not agreed in 2021.
'However, the Department has continued to work productively with both LBHF and TfL and has contributed almost £13m towards the Hammersmith Bridge restoration project to date. A reconvened Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce is currently being organised, which will help to move this project forward.'
It was reopened in 2021 to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic following extensive investigations and the introduction of a temperature control monitoring system.
The total £250m repairs to return the bridge to its former use are expected to take at least five years to complete.
