Forum Topic

FYI. Hammersmith Bridge

"After a very long break, it appears that the Hammersmith Bridge Task Force is due to meet again early this year. In advance of this meeting (no date for which has been published) Putney MP Fleur Anderson is hoping to show the Task Force the level of support for reopening the bridge by holding a rally on its south side.Along with the Leader of Wandsworth Council, Simon Hogg, she is  asking people to join her for a public demonstration calling for the bridge to be fully reopened to motor traffic.She hopes that a large turnout will provide a photo opportunity which can be used to show the level of local support for the full restoration of the bridge. Event attendees are asked to assemble at noon on the Barnes side of the bridge on Saturday 24 January for the photo with speakers expected between 2-3pm.Anyone intending to turn up is invited to register on Eventbrite." (Or just turn up)Extract from Barnes Bugle.

Adrian Irving ● 1d39 Comments

I was also cycling on Chiswick High Road almost daily 20 years ago there were only certain times of day you were on your own (which can still happen now). The bus lanes enabled much quicker progress and I use it less these days as alternative routes are now faster than using the cycleway. That's just a personal preference and there is no denying that even allowing for the explosion of delivery riders, the arrival of e-bike hires and the general increase in cycling, there has been a meaningful increase but it is totally false to claim cycling was a rarity beforehand.

Mark Evans ● 4h

Why do drivers think that their time is more valuable than cyclists?

Philippa Bond ● 4h

>As for other bridges being surrendered, was it, that's completely daft.Kew Bridge, they narrowed the west pavement, prohibted cycling on it and added a motor vehicle lane. More space for more cars basically, less (and more hazourdous) space for cycling and pedestrians.> People [] have found the alternative and routes take longer and thus there is more congestion and more pollutionI know you might want it to be as simple as that, but it's not as simple as that."As with the Ealing report, this is a simplistic approach. Given the person's long opposition to LTNs and their role as a journalist, it would be reasonable to suggest that they know full well how simplistic this is. There is no discussion about the origin and destination of trips, or where traffic might reassign at the network level."https://therantyhighwayman.blogspot.com/2026/01/its-not-as-simple-as-that.html

Paul James ● 4h

“  New bridge? They (and you) want the current bridge just reopened to motor traffic, which would recreate the hostile environment for cycling across it.”Now you are just being obtuse! OBVIOUSLY they would apply some modification to cater for buses, motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. I assume they would still want to limit bus traffic to only one bus each way on the bridge at any time and I assume they wouldn’t revert to double decker buses as in the past ie the No 9, 33 and 27 if I recall correctly. Who knows. If the bridge is sufficiently strengthened perhaps that would be possible again.

Steve Taylor ● 5h

I agree the crossing upgrades need to take into account the potential increased weight of transport and future needs of all users.It also seems to me there is no reason why this cannot be achieved and obstacles to this end overcome.Where there is a will there is a way.

Adrian Irving ● 5h

Connect the dots, Philippa. Take your time.People, including all modes of business transport and buses, have found the alternative and routes take longer and thus there is more congestion and more pollution.Francis has a point but if we believe TfL and mayoral propoganda all buses are already electric. I know that's not true. Everyone does. Except TfL and the mayor. But the concern of added weight is completely valid.As for other bridges being surrendered, was it, that's completely daft. As if previously they were dedicated frog crossings until the frog population waned and suddenly somebody somewhere thought "ah, lets let the engineered structures meant for all vehicular movement do their job." Groundbreaking.

David Lesniak ● 5h

>new bridgeNew bridge? They (and you) want the current bridge just reopened to motor traffic, which would recreate the hostile environment for cycling across it.Reopening the current bridge to motor traffic, just as it was is what the main topic is here.

Paul James ● 7h

“  it was often stuffed up with no space at all for cycling except between stationary vehicles, which is not a nice thing to do without a protected bike lane,”I used the bridge almost daily for about 9 years before it was closed and I don’t recall it being a problem for pedestrians or cyclists but your argument is totally irrelevant now because the new bridge will OBVIOUSLY cater for pedestrians and cyclists too. It is a fair solution for ALL commuters. You seem to selfishly want to exclude buses and motorists from any future plans.

Steve Taylor ● 7h

...and if you don't think providing safe space for cycling has any effect, I used to cycle thorugh Chiswick 20 years aao and I was about the only person doing it, and it was so bad I often ended up cycling on the A4 anyway, now there is a protected cycle lane there I'm often AMAZED by the number of people on bikes along with me.If you took that cycle lane away no doubt things would go back to the way it was 20 years ago and people on bikes would again become a rarity.

Paul James ● 7h

(I meant Kew bridge where I wrote Chiswick bridge above, same applies though!)

Paul James ● 7h

>The present bridge should be dismantled and moved up-river to provide a pedestrian and cycle entrance to Kew Gardens from the Middlesex bank of the river.Or just build a new bridge there for that, Chiswick bridge has been surrended to motor traffic so would be nice to have an alternative for cycling and walking.And then when they have to shut chiswick bridge due to damage by too many fast moving and heavy vehicles then we can talk about what to do about that.

Paul James ● 7h

The present bridge should be dismantled and moved up-river to provide a pedestrian and cycle entrance to Kew Gardens from the Middlesex bank of the river. We could then replace it with a purpose-built modern bridge capable of taking segregated road, cycle and pedestrian traffic with adequate clearance underneath for boats to pass at high tide. I recall being on a riverboat that scraped its cabin top while trying to pass under the bridge.

Richard Greenhough ● 7h

>and this will have no impact on walking or cycling.As it was before it was often stuffed up with no space at all for cycling except between stationary vehicles, which is not a nice thing to do without a protected bike lane, and that's before the vehciles are actualy moving, which was rare.I took a picture a while back of a sign that's still there saying no access to hammersmith bridge on aside road half a MILE back from the bridge itself which shows where the queues used to get to, and probably further, what's more all teh people in that line of cars could probably fit in just one bus.

Paul James ● 7h

It has to be opened to motorised traffic as it was before and this will have no impact on walking or cycling. What’s to discuss! Motorists, bus passengers, walkers and cyclists should all enjoy the use of Hammersmith Bridge and the convenience it enables for ALL commuters.

Steve Taylor ● 8h

>It's a stupid idea, and the number of people who would want to use it would be minimal.They should get something like this going as soon as possible really for people that need it, i.e. those unable to walk or cycle that distance.

Paul James ● 8h

>This matter won't be discussed because the situation will revert to as it was before the closure and most people would understand that.It will be discussed at official levels for sure. They've not just going to reopen it as it was without considering the impact on local walking and cycling.

Paul James ● 8h

Aren't there now cargo bikes using it?  Who hasn't found an alternative and have they made an effort to find alternatives rather than just complaining about change?

Philippa Bond ● 9h

There are lots of bridges around the world that were built before the advent of the motor car and now carry very heavy vehicles like buses.Let's be honest with ourselves here, Hammersmith Bridge will not be fully reopened for as long as a decade, by which time all London's buses will probably be electric and, consequently, a couple of tonnes heavier. An engineering solution needs to be found to cater for this change - I've not found any evidence either way that this will happen but it would severely undermine the case for reopening if the new bridge couldn't expand the capacity for bus journeys over what it was before the closure.

Francis Rowe ● 9h

Certainly not all the heavy buses that were using it.  Strengthening work was set back by a boat hitting it.  Times have changed but so have work patterns.

Philippa Bond ● 11h

With so many buses crossing the bridge it rather suggests to me that it needs, once again, to be an important artery for public transport carrying hundreds if not thousands of people going about there daily business.Therefore the strengthening needs to be able to cope with busses, cars, pedestrians and cyclists.No half measures.

Adrian Irving ● 11h

They should have limit it to small lightweight cars.

Janice Evans ● 20h

FYI"On average, between 1,800 and 2,500 buses crossed Hammersmith Bridge every day prior to its (recent) closure for repairs. The bridge was designed to carry a limited number of buses, with a maximum of one bus allowed at a time, but this limit was often ignored, leading to multiple buses crossing simultaneously." Source; Hammersmith & Fulham Council

Adrian Irving ● 20h

People in Barnes ride bicycles.  Maybe more than in Hammersmith.

Philippa Bond ● 20h

We are talking about a bridge that is 700ft long and open to walkers and cyclists, not open water where you need a ferry to cross.It's a stupid idea, and the number of people who would want to use it would be minimal. Most who would benefit would not get to the bridge, let alone use it. Stupid idea

Julian Pavey ● 21h

How do you know what it would make the operator?  How do you know how often it would be needed?  A ferryman doesn't just sit around doing nothing waiting for someone to ring for a ferry.  He multitasks just like most other people!

Philippa Bond ● 21h

I might just about change my mind on rickshaws if they are furry laced seats, full interior and exterior flashing disco lights and playing out loud "YMCA" until 4am Might be the safer option if crossing the bridge at 2am after a night out

Julian Pavey ● 21h

“ What was the problem with the rickshaws?  Or the microbuses that had been suggested:”The problem with this stupid idea was that it is of no use to people living in Barnes or Roehampton who need to drive their cars over the bridge to get to work or go on holiday etc.

Steve Taylor ● 23h

Paul James lives in Hanwell and has a pathological hatred of cars (except when driving one himself of course). He’s utterly brainwashed with LCC nonsense.The bridge is an important piece of infrastructure and being out of commission puts greater strain on other crossings, particularly Kew Bridge. Forget ‘cars’, it’s the thousands of business vehicles affected that is stifling the economy. Bikes don’t count as business vehicles. They are a leisure activity for most and people like Paul do get very upset when their precious infrastructure is threatened.In a properly run country the bridge would have been replaced by now. Ironically the people wailing about its historical significance don’t understand that the Victorians who built it would have torn it down the moment it was no longer fit to use.Maybe the cycling lobbyists could develop a bike powered boat to ferry hem back and forth. It would be so much more fun for them than a boring old bridge.

Simon Hayes ● 1d

Yeah, a silly idea that would make the operator just about half a week's minimum wage.Most would walk, and how much can you charge for a short trip, and how many can you take?Yep, someone's silly idea that after thinking came to the conclusion they would make twice as much money working for deliveroo

Julian Pavey ● 1d

What was the problem with the rickshaws?  Or the microbuses that had been suggested:https://www.wearepossible.org/latest-news/were-calling-on-councils-to-explore-a-car-free-transport-solution-for-hammersmith-bridge

Philippa Bond ● 1d

"I do hope it includes a discussion on what to do for the many many people that are now used to walking and cycling across it before they let the motor vehicles back."You seem unfamiliar with the bridge. This matter won't be discussed because the situation will revert to as it was before the closure and most people would understand that.

Francis Rowe ● 1d

Yes, even the inept London Mayor finally realises that it is imperative to open the bridge to motorised traffic. West London has been throttled for long enough  .  It’s unacceptable to have to drive from Barnes through Mortlake to cross at Chiswick Bridge to join the A4 when travelling to the west. Unacceptable and ridiculous!!!  I think the mayor recognises that.

Steve Taylor ● 1d

Well, I do hope it includes a discussion on what to do for the many many people that are now used to walking and cycling across it before they let the motor vehicles back.

Paul James ● 1d

There is no reason to think that it couldn't. £48 million has already been spent on stablisation and restoration, according to Hammersmith & Fulham Council, with a view to a full reopening. There don't appear to be any engineers suggesting that, with the completion of this work, the bridge would be unable to take the weight including ending the previous restrictions on the number of buses using it.

Francis Rowe ● 1d

>the rally is in support of a full reopening to motor traffic.Surely THAT bridge can't be fully reopened to motor traffic? It would be in the river in pieces within weeks wouldn't it?

Paul James ● 1d

Paul, the bridge is only open to pedestrians and cyclist currently, the rally is in support of a full reopening to motor traffic.

Francis Rowe ● 1d

How will the good people of Hammersmith get to the south side for the photos?? Have they thought this through?

Paul Scullion ● 1d

...addtionally, they're going to look a bit silly if their banners say "REOPEN HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE" as people behind them are actually using it.

Paul James ● 1d

>level of support for reopening the bridgeIt's open already, I went across it just the other day, along with a lot of of other people, going both ways, and some just standing there admiring the view.I just wish they could get some sort of micro bus service operating across it.

Paul James ● 1d