Forum Topic

Hammersmith Bridge

From The Times yesterday:A row erupted today over the possible reopening of a Victorian road bridge amid claims that the move could lead to a “national disaster”.A government-commissioned report said that “remedial action” was needed to Hammersmith Bridge in west London to allow it to reopen to cyclists and pedestrians, as well as allowing Thames river traffic to pass beneath.The study by Professor Norman Fleck, from the department of engineering at Cambridge University, said that a “small sum of money” would be needed to stabilise the bridge. This includes blast-cleaning paint to identify hidden fractures and installing further monitoring equipment.Baroness Vere of Norbiton, the transport minister, called on Labour-controlled Hammersmith & Fulham council to “seriously consider” the findings and allow the bridge to be partially reopened.https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/reopening-hammersmith-bridge-could-be-a-national-disaster-council-tells-government-mll6nrqpq

Leslie Wilson ● 2147d1 Comments

The important thing about this report is less its contents and more the fact it was given first to the press rather than Hammersmith and Fulham Council and the engineers who did the initial assessment.It's primary motivation is therefore clearly political. If the Government really believe reopening can be done with 'a small amount of money' then surely they would just take over the project?

Felicity Caborn ● 2147d