Repairs of bridges cause traffic chaos

BY RACHAEL BURFORD Local Democracy Reporter

The closure of two bridges across the Thames is bringing fresh chaos to businesses already struggling to cope with the impact of the coronavirus lockdown, transport bosses were warned.

Hammersmith Bridge shut to pedestrians and cyclists last week for 16 months after vehicles were banned because of cracks in the 133 year old ironwork.

Now road users in central London are facing 16 weeks of severe congestion and delays after the Edwardian Vauxhall Bridge was closed to traffic until November for “vital” repairs.

The crossing is the last over the Thames on the west side of the congestion charge zone, meaning motorists must now either queue for Chelsea Bridge or pay £15 to drive over Lambeth Bridge.

Andrew Dakers, chief executive of West London Business, which represents employers in seven boroughs, said:

“While in west London we are seeing some of our industrial estates really thriving now, town centres are already struggling after lockdown. Being cut off by bridge closures is going to hit them particularly hard at this time.

“It is particularly devastating now that Hammersmith Bridge has been cut off to cyclists and pedestrians. A temporary crossing will definitely help. But like everything it has to be funded quickly.”

Other vital transport infrastructure structures, including the A40 Westway and Lambeth Bridge, also require major repairs, for which TfL does not have funding after losing 90 per cent of its revenue during the pandemic.

The transport body agreed a £1.9billion bailout with the Government in May after losing 90 per cent of its passengers due to the lockdown.

However, that money is set to run out in October, with City Hall calling for additional funding. Hammersmith and Fulham council’s Labour leader Steve Cowan has written to the Prime Minister asking for help with the bill, estimated to be in excess of £14million.

Mr Cowan said: “I’m absolutely sure that we averted a catastrophe by closing this 19th century suspension bridge to motor vehicles last year.

“I appreciate how inconvenient this will be to thousands of people on both sides of the river and I am sorry about that, but we must follow the engineers’ advice.”

A temporary pedestrian crossing has been proposed but not yet funded.

But a TfL spokesman said the impact of traffic works often settles down once drivers get used to the closures and diversions.

Nick Fairholme, director of project and programme delivery at TfL, said: “The work to upgrade Vauxhall Bridge is critical to keep London moving.

“Vauxhall Bridge is a vital part of London’s road network and by doing this work now, we’re protecting it for decades to come. We are also working closely with Hammersmith and Fulham to minimise the impact of the Hammersmith Bridge closure.

“We would advise anyone who usually travels through these areas to find alternative routes and travel outside of the rush hour where possible.”

Pictured: Top, Hammersmith Bridge