Hammersmith Bridge Closed 'Indefinitely' Due To Critical Faults

The historic bridge in west London was closed urgently on Wednesday evening.
Reuters

Hammersmith Bridge has been urgently closed due to safety concerns, Hammersmith and Fulham council said.

The bridge in west London has been closed indefinitely to motorists after safety checks revealed critical faults, the local authority said.

Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to use the bridge, which links Barnes and Hammersmith, but cars and buses will be forced to follow diversions until further notice.

Hammersmith Bridge closed in both directions by Hammersmith and Fulham Council.

— TfL Traffic News (@TfLTrafficNews) April 10, 2019

The council had planned to start work on refurbishing the bridge, but said Transport for London (TfL) could no longer fund a planned refurbishment due to “government budget cuts”.

The council wrote online: “Regrettably, we’ve now been left with no option but to close the bridge indefinitely until the refurbishment costs can be met.

“So we’re supporting TfL’s call for the government to invest in this vital river crossing and national monument – so we can get on with the work and reopen the bridge.”

On Twitter, social media users predicted the decision to close the Grade II listed bridge, which opened in 1887, would cause “travel chaos”.

Others were critical of the government for wasting money on Brexit instead of infrastructure.

Indefinite closure of this old beauty. The peace and quiet of no traffic is glorious .... the resulting traffic chaos will be less glorious I'm sure #HammersmithBridge pic.twitter.com/6UrpFcjwvj

— Team Anna (@teamanna) April 11, 2019

The indefinite closure of the Hammersmith Bridge is as predictable as it is depressing. All the talk about new bridges in London @SadiqKhan and it has always been plain that this one was at the end of its life.

— Natasha Loder (@natashaloder) April 11, 2019

A disgrace- H&F have been kicking this down the road for years . This is all a complete set up ...a bridge that suddenly happened to be falling down ! More likely an anti business council who doesn’t want to spend money on something that matters to their voters!

— David Green (@DavidGr55580850) April 10, 2019

Hammersmith Bridge closed for foreseeable future.... holy hell thats gonna cause mayhem as traffic diverts all the way to Chiswick or Putney 😱

— James Tarry 🇪🇺 (@JT__photography) April 11, 2019

And yesterday we found out the Hammersmith bridge is closed indefinitely due to critical faults. Our transport minister has wasted money on Brexit fake ferries and our ‘PM in waiting’on a pretty bridge that wasn’t built. Meanwhile infrastructure is falling apart. 😡

— Kate Brundage (@katebrundage1) April 11, 2019

A further statement on the council website said: “We’ve had to urgently close Hammersmith Bridge to motorists because of safety concerns.

“Our weekly safety checks have revealed critical faults and we have no choice but to shut the bridge. We’re sorry we couldn’t give you more warning.”

Hammersmith Bridge remains closed following the decision by Hammersmith & Fulham Council. Use alternative routes. https://t.co/nTdscppilF pic.twitter.com/OD2Sw2SaGA

— TfL Traffic News (@TfLTrafficNews) April 10, 2019

A TfL spokesperson said: “Following the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham’s decision to close Hammersmith Bridge, six bus routes have been diverted or now stop short of their destinations.

“Customers should check our real time channels for the latest travel information. We are working closely with the borough to minimise disruption.”

The spokesperson later added: “Although funding the maintenance of the bridge is not TfL’s responsibility, we are working with Hammersmith and Fulham Council to identify a final plan for upgrading their bridge.

“We are also ready to support them in identifying the necessary funding for this work. Keeping local authority infrastructure in good condition is essential to ensure the wider road network stays safe and productive and helps the economy grow.

“We need the certainty of a long-term steady and sustained funding arrangement to allow London to cover the costs of its own infrastructure maintenance.”

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