Hammersmith Bridge reopened to cyclists
Hammersmith Bridge is now open to cyclists after more than five years of closure for repairs.
The 138-year-old structure which links Hammersmith on the north side of the River Thames with Barnes in the south had been closed to motor vehicles since April 2019, when cracks appeared in its pedestals.
Over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend the bridge’s main carriageway reopened with new decking following £2.9million of improvements.
Hammersmith and Fulham council, which owns the Grade II-listed bridge, said this would mean an improved experience for pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter users.
There are now three separate lanes – one dedicated for cyclists traveling north, another for cyclists traveling south and a third two-way pedestrian path. The outer footways will also remain open to pedestrians only.
The council said the new wider pedestrian lane offers more space, improving accessibility for people who use wheelchairs.
E-cargo bikes, which fit between the newly-installed 1.2m wide anti-terror barges, are also being trialled on the bridge to shuttle older and Disabled residents as well as young children.
The new decking has been funded by a £2.9million grant from the Department for Transport (DfT).
The government has also granted Hammersmith & Fulham council £4.7million for works to support the bridge hangers which connect the deck to the suspension chains.
Cllr Sharon Holder, Cabinet Member for Public Realm, said: “We are grateful to the DfT for the grant funding that has enabled us to re-open the main carriageway with new decking as well as carrying out the essential work to support the hangers.”
The council said it had spent £48million so far on restoring and keeping Hammersmith Bridge safe since August 2020, when it was fully closed on safety grounds.
Engineers removed more than 1,000 deteriorated deck and footway panels for the main carriageway, repaired bulk timbers that support the decking, resurfaced the carriageway and walkways and installed anti-terror safety measures.
Pictured top: Residents cycle across Hammersmith Bridge (Picture: Hammersmith and Fulham council)
