There probably has been some traffic evaporation which may partly account for lower bridge crossings but there will also have been significant displacement specifically of logistics where deliveries are now likely to be made from depots on the same side of the river. Or put another way, nobody in Barnes orders a takeaway from Hammersmith any more.
On the latest numbers I could find (from TfL), Chiswick Bridge does seem to have a fallen in crossings 2018-2024 as does Wandsworth but Kew Bridge seem back to where it was, as is Putney according to this data.
Fleur Anderson is quoting figures from the DfT which she claims shows a 16% increase over Putney Bridge and Wandsworth Council’s own automatic traffic count data shows a 25% increase in traffic during the morning peak hours between 2019-2023. They say data from TFL has also confirmed that bus journey and waiting times have worsened.
Labour’s Wandsworth Council leader Simon Hogg said, “The ongoing closure of Hammersmith Bridge has placed an unacceptable burden on the people of Wandsworth. Following the closure over five years ago, traffic has got increasingly worse on our local roads, resulting in regular gridlock and longer journey times for people commuting to work, school, and vital appointments. Businesses are struggling, emergency vehicles are delayed, buses are delayed, and our community is rightly frustrated at the inaction and lack of progress to reopen this key river crossing.”
A reduced number of crossings doesn’t necessarily mean reduced traffic as this is also impacted by the average speed. I couldn’t find any data for the year before Hammersmith closed but all these bridges have seen a decline in average speeds comparing 2019 (a quarter of which the bridge was open) and 2023 including Chiswick Bridge despite the fall in the number of vehicles crossing. The balance between fewer or the same amount of vehicles and the slowing of the pace at which they cross seems to be tipped in favour of the latter so these bridges are now more congested. Of course this could be down to a general rise in congestion and not specifically due to Hammersmith Bridge but I doubt it.
Andrew OSullivan ● 16d