Temporary traffic crossing still being considered by the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce

By Sian Bayley, Local Democracy Reporter

A temporary traffic crossing is still being considered by the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce, according to a letter received by Wandsworth council leader Ravi Govindia.

It is expected to take six-and-a-half years to repair Hammersmith Bridge before vehicles can travel over it again, and debate has raged about who will fund the repairs, how a ferry crossing will be installed, and if it is possible to create a temporary pedestrian or vehicle crossing in the meantime.

Today (November 11), cllr Govindia said he was given the assurance by roads minister Baroness Charlotte Vere, who is leading the government Taskforce overseeing repairs to the bridge, that a temporary road bridge is still being considered, despite concerns over its feasibility.

The Conservative council leader wrote to her calling on the Taskforce to take steps to relieve the pressure on Putney High Street, Putney Bridge and Wandsworth Bridge, which have been affected by additional spillover traffic since Hammersmith Bridge’s closure in April 2019.

Cllr Govindia said: “Whilst I do not doubt that temporary foot/cycle solutions will provide some relief at our bridges, I very much doubt that the numbers, they will carry and attract, will be anywhere near significant enough to prevent a continuing problem for the residents and businesses of Wandsworth, and indeed the many school children who cross the river as well.

“This comes at a bad time of course, given our desire to support the continued opening of schools and to do all we can to aid economic recovery through the pandemic.”

The push for a temporary road bridge is in contrast to neighbouring Richmond Council, whose Liberal Democrat administration wants to see priority given to the ferry crossing and a temporary walking and cycling bridge instead.

At a public meeting of the Taskforce hosted by Richmond Council last month, Dana Skelley, project director, said she “couldn’t see an easy way” of fitting in a road bridge, even if many proposals were “technically feasible.”

In her reply to cllr Govindia, Baroness Vere said: “The Department is continuing to work with local groups and stakeholders, to consider all the options available to help deliver an immediate solution – including any temporary measures that can be brought in to help reduce traffic in surrounding areas.

“The Taskforce has not ruled out other potential temporary solutions, including proposals for a temporary bridge as we work through plans to stabilise the bridge and ultimately return it to full use.

“We are committed to exploring any other feasible options that will alleviate the impact of the bridge’s closure on neighbouring areas.”

Following the exchange, Cllr Govindia said he was “heartened” to hear that the minister is still exploring the option of a road bridge “in order to bring relief to our residents and businesses”.

Hammersmith Bridge is owned by Hammersmith and Fulham Council.

It closed to vehicles in April 2019. and to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic in August this year.

Council Leader Stephen Cowan has spoken extensively on the huge cost of repairing the bridge and has repeatedly called on the government to help fund it.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “The Government is committed to ensuring Londoners can cross the river again as soon as safely possible. That is why we set up the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce, to explore potential options for reopening the bridge and a temporary river crossing in the interim.

“Discussions between stakeholders and Government have been constructive and are ongoing.”

Pictured: Hammersmith Bridge, credit Alex Muller