A VITAL bridge used by more than 20,000 motorists every day could be demolished after being shuttered for six years.
The prolonged closure of London's Hammersmith Bridge has left local communities and businesses struggling with increased congestion, longer travel times, and financial losses.
A proposal to have the bridge demolished and replaced with a fresh crossing was put forward by the Department for Transport (DfT) to resolve the structure's poor state but was rejected.
It is unclear how long a full repair programme would take if eventually greenlit, but Putney MP Fleur Anderson estimated it could take until 2035.
“We have the opportunity to create an iconic car-free crossing in our capital city, and the taskforce should seize it,” said Izzy Romilly, of climate charity Possible.
Hammersmith Bridge, a historic 138-year-old suspension bridge spanning the River Thames, has been closed to motorists since 2019 due to severe structural damage.
Initially expected to be repaired swiftly, the bridge has instead become a symbol of political deadlock and bureaucratic delays.
The cost of fully restoring Hammersmith Bridge has skyrocketed, now estimated at £250 million – a sharp rise from the original £40 million projection in 2019.
Responsibility for funding the repairs is split between Hammersmith & Fulham Council, Transport for London (TFL), and the Department for Transport (DFT).
However, a lack of agreement on financing has stalled progress, leaving the bridge closed to vehicles for the foreseeable future.
For commuters, the closure has been a nightmare.
Before it was shut, 22,000 cars and multiple bus routes crossed the bridge daily.
With traffic diverted to other routes, journey times have significantly increased, adding up to an hour in some cases.
Local businesses have also suffered, with lorries unable to make deliveries, and emergency services forced to take longer detours.
Campaigners and local MPs continue to push for a resolution, highlighting the bridge’s importance to London’s transport network.
Labour MP Fleur Anderson has warned that unless urgent action is taken, the bridge could remain closed to vehicles until 2035.
Meanwhile, Sarah Olney, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, has called on the government to provide additional funding, stressing that neither TfL nor the local council can afford the cost alone.
The lack of progress has frustrated residents and businesses alike. Nigel Edwards, chair of the Hammersmith Bridge SOS campaign group, described the situation as a “tremendous inconvenience,”; particularly for people with mobility issues who now face significant challenges in accessing key services.
Despite ongoing debates and mounting public pressure, there is no clear timeline for when Hammersmith Bridge will fully reopen.
Discussions between governmentofficials, the local council, and TfL continue, but without a firm financial commitment, the delays are set to continue.
