Hammersmith Bridge to re-open to cyclists and pedestrians

15/07/2021 | DOMINIC BROWNE

Hammersmith Bridge is to re-open at 9am on Saturday (17 July) to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic, after a long-running closure.

In April 2019, the Grade II structure was closed to motor vehicles on public safety grounds after cracks were found in the cast iron pedestals that hold the suspension mechanism in place.

Then in August 2020, after the cracks widened during a heatwave, expert engineers warned that it could face a sudden, catastrophic collapse and so the bridge was immediately closed to all, including pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic under the bridge.

The decision to reopen to non-motor traffic follows 'a series of comprehensive safety investigations into the bridge and the successful introduction of an innovative temperature control system that helps prevent cracking in the 19th century cast iron pedestals', Hammersmith and Fulham Council said.

Council leader Stephen Cowan said: 'I am very pleased to confirm the latest advice from safety engineers is that we can safely re-open Hammersmith Bridge. We have instructed the team to do that. It will open this weekend.

'I know how difficult the last eleven months have been for people, particularly children needing to cross the river to get to school and those who need to attend medical appointments or get to work.'

Some 12,000 pedestrians and 4,000 cyclists used the bridge each day before the closure.

Cllr Cowan added the council is 'moving at full speed to draw up a timetable for the full repair and restoration of the Grade II listed bridge which will eventually see cars and buses allowed across the river'.

The recommendation to re-open was made following a special meeting of the Board for the Case for the Continued Safe Operation of Hammersmith Bridge (CCSO), the body which provides safety advice to the council about the bridge.

The CCSO confirmed that a series of engineering investigations including an industry standard Category 3 safety check and reviews of the pedestal casings and a suspect chain knuckle joint had been undertaken.

'All these points have now been confirmed satisfactorily and they effectively allow the re-opening of the bridge to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic,' said the CCSO.

It added that 'safety risk is kept acceptably low' due to the temperature control system on the anchor chains and the use of acoustic sensors which have been installed to issue alerts on further crack movements.

The CCSO statement concludes: 'These arrangements are temporary measures and not a substitute for permanent repair. The application of a permanent solution remains a priority. Without a funded plan for repair the limited current use must cease eventually. It is not acceptable in managing safety risk to rely upon interim measures indefinitely.'

Hammersmith and Fulham Council is the highway authority for Hammersmith Bridge and is responsible for its maintenance and repair.

However, Transport for London normally pays the vast majority of repair and maintenance costs for London councils’ bridges.

The council is working on a plan to fund the full restoration programme with the Department for Transport and TfL, which includes the proposal to introduce a road charging or toll scheme.

Cllr Cowan ruled out increased council tax or cuts in public services to pay the borough’s share of the bill.

The council is considering engineering solutions including a pioneering double-decker engineering solution developed by architects Foster + Partners and bridge engineers COWI. The plan, which would see a temporary truss laid over the existing decking, would see motor vehicles return and save approximately £40m while potentially cutting three years off the current timetable

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Highways Maintenance Manager

£49,764 - £53,817 per annum
We are looking for an experienced co-ordinator to join the team as a Highways Maintenance Manager Skipton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Civil Enforcement Officer

£25,183 - £26,409
Are you looking for a role that allows you to earn whilst been outdoors across the district of North Yorkshire? Whitby, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Civil Enforcement Officer

£25,183 - £26,409
Are you looking for a role that allows you to earn whilst been outdoors across the district of North Yorkshire? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Street Cleansing Technician (CDC)

Grade 6, £25,175 - £25,983 (Pay award pending) + 6% AIA
We are about to embark on an ambitious programme of change in our city centre Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Improvement Manager

£49,764 - £53,817 per annum
Would you like to be part of our friendly, supportive, Highways team? Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highways Delivery Manager

£69,123 - £72,783
This is an exciting role leading maintenance and construction delivery. Northumberland
Recruiter: Northumberland County Council

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £25081.00 per annum
UGO Bus DriverPermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Street Scene Workforce Support Officer

£27,711.00 - £30,559.00, Grade 6, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Street Scene Workforce Support Officer Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Officer

£33,366 - £37,035 per annum
We are seeking to recruit a Highways Officer based at our Highways Office in Whitby. Whitby, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Project Engineer - Forward Programmes

Grade 11 £38,629 - £41,928 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
At Derbyshire, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Head of Highways Operations

Salary
Somerset Council
Recruiter: Somerset Council

Team Leader LGV Driver

£27,711.00 - £30,559.00, Grade 6, 37 hours, Permanent
An exciting opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Team Leader LGV Driver working from our Depot at South Kirkby. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Head of Highways and Transportation

£86,196
North Tyneside Council is committed to delivering outstanding services to people and places across the borough. North Tyneside, Tyne and Wear
Recruiter: North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council

Works Technician

£37,399 (plus unsocial hours allowance)
The Works Technician is responsible for ensuring that the London Trams civils and off-track infrastructure Croydon (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: Transport for London

Highway Network Technician - WMF2090e

£27,711 - £28,624
We are looking to recruit a friendly and motivated candidate to join our Highways Maintenance Team as Highways Network Technician. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Strategic Sites Transport Planner

£47,754 - £51,802 (Plus £4000 Market Forces Supplement) (Pay award pending)
Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council are seeking to appoint an ambitious transport planner. Pershore, Worcestershire
Recruiter: Wychavon District Council

Transportation Planning Officer

Band F, SCP 26-31 (£36,124 - £40,476 per annum)
Have you got a degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Planning, Geography or Town Planning? Sandwell, West Midlands
Recruiter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

REL Skip Driver

£27,711.00 - £30,559.00, Grade 6, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for an REL Skip Driver working from our depot at Castleford. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Mechanical and Electrical Engineer

£37,035- £41,511
We have an exciting opening to join our Property Team as a Mechanical & Electrical Engineer. Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Project Chargehand (4 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pending Pay Award)
We are looking for Project chargehands to lead teams working on highway maintenance and construction projects. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW