Hammersmith Bridge requires up to £128 million for essential works to prevent future closure, according to Hammersmith and Fulham Council. The council has decided to bid for a share of the government's £1 billion Structures Fund to finance the repairs.
Council focuses on pedestrian and cyclist access
The cabinet decision confirms that the council is now prioritizing keeping the bridge open for cyclists, pedestrians, and river traffic, rather than full motor vehicle access. Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Council, stated that the council cannot afford the £300 million needed to reopen the bridge to motor traffic independently.
On Monday, July 6, Cowan said: “We have to be honest with the residents, and after a lot of consultation with the residents in Hammersmith and Fulham, we have understood that it is important that we tell them where we're actually at. And so, this paper sets that out very clearly. And if it was a magic money tree, we could fix it. But we don't live in something for nothing society.”
Government funding constraints
Hopes for full government support were dashed at the end of June due to a requirement that repairs be completed by April 2030. The council had sought the full £300 million from the Structures Fund, with a minister previously describing the bridge as a "good candidate." However, the government recommended a "phased repair" bid to keep the bridge open for pedestrians, cyclists, and river users, as the full restoration could not meet the March 31, 2030 completion deadline.
A pre-application for £128 million in works has already been submitted. The final amount may change based on the bid and the Department for Transport's funding decision.
Bridge history and previous repairs
The 139-year-old Hammersmith Bridge, one of the world's largest suspension bridges, connects West and South West London. It was closed in 2019 after micro-fractures were discovered in its pedestals. The crossing reopened to pedestrians, cyclists, and river traffic in July 2021, with the council spending approximately £54 million on maintenance.
Funding for repairs has been contentious among Transport for London, the Department for Transport, and the council. Under a 2021 agreement, the government and TfL each agreed to pay one-third of the repair costs. The council maintains it is still owed money based on this principle, including contributions toward the £54 million already spent.
Criticism from Richmond Council
The decision to focus only on critical repairs drew criticism from Deputy Leader of Richmond Council, Councillor Alexander Ehmann. He told the Hammersmith and Fulham Cabinet: “Walking and cycling matters, there's no doubt about that, but it cannot be the limit of ambition for such a key crossing. The proposal before you accepts the loss, at least in the near term, of public transport across the bridge. It accepts that older and disabled residents, and those without access to cars, will face longer, harder journeys. If we accept that buses will never return, we're not just making an engineering decision, or indeed a bid decision. We're making a social choice about who benefits and who is left behind.”
Ehmann confirmed that Richmond Council would not contribute financially to reopening the bridge to motor traffic. Councillor Rowan Ree, Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, responded: “Why is it, you think, that only people living in Hammersmith and Fulham should have to pay the cost for the Liberal Democrats in Richmond crossing the bridge?”
Opposition challenges
Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Jose Afonso, criticized the Labour-run council, mayor's office, and government for failing to fully reopen the bridge. He told cabinet members: “You're trying to blame everyone else. You've done it this evening. You've blamed the chap from Richmond. You've blamed everyone else, that they didn't contribute money. But the reality is the ownership of this failure is on you.”
Financial contributions and ongoing discussions
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has received £15.96 million from the DfT and TfL, excluding sums spent by TfL before stabilization works. Based on current forecasts, the council is due an additional £22.9 million from TfL and DfT. The council is requesting full payment of these previously agreed contributions, and officers remain in discussions with both bodies regarding cost recovery.
