Forum Topic

A temporary bridge at Hammersmith

There's a petition to build a relatively cheap, sturdy replacement alongside Hammersmith Bridge. This would even be strong enough to carry double-decker buses, and give us 10 years to upgrade the permanent bridge.What does everyone think?Here's a link to the petition:http://chng.it/XjLVcD7Y

Matthew Tiller ● 2579d19 Comments

It’s a labour run council so nothing will ever happenLabour couldn’t run a piss up in a brewery.

Nick Gulliford ● 2579d

I can’t see how’s there’s enough room for another bridge. To the west would be vaguely possible but it would take land borrowed from St Paul’s school and run close the the flats on the other side. Can’t see it happening. I’d go for dismantling the old bridge and moving it somewhere else as a pedestrian bridge and building a modern one fit for today’s traffic.

Freddie Francis ● 2579d

Freddie. I was wondering about the approach roads but surely those making the proposals would have considered that? Would need to see a map and plan for the proposal. 

Michael Ixer ● 2579d

I was thinking the same myself Freddie. It would be useful to see a diagram showing how the Bridge would connect to the road systems on either side of the river. Would any property need to be demolished?

Caroline Whitehead ● 2579d

@Michael - one would hope so. Id be interested to see how they propose it might work. @Caroline - if built to the east I think the pub on the North side would have to go and from memory I’d think the nearest flats to the bridge on the other side would have to be partially demolished. Highly unlikely to say the least.

Freddie Francis ● 2579d

A tunnel could be the solution

Paul Clements ● 2579d

The idea is for the new bridge to go off at a slight angle and connect to Queen Caroline Street on the north side. By my reckoning that would eat into footpaths, green space and some parking space, but shouldn't necessitate any buildings being demolished.It's not ideal, but it's got to be better than the current cycle of the bridge being closed then patched up then closed etc etc ad nauseam. It may be that Hammersmith Bridge isn't salvageable and has to be rebuilt from scratch, but either way we need some way for emergency vehicles to get across in the meantime.

Matthew Tiller ● 2579d

On reading the small print on the Petition I see that the connection suggested is Castelnau to Queen Caroline Street ie to the East of the Pub on the N.bank. Sods law decrees that the fold in my A-Z comes just where Queen Caroline Street is. So can't see if there is anything in the way to prevent a road going that way.

Caroline Whitehead ● 2579d

Thank you Matthew. You got in before me. It does seem more feasible than I thought. Any reaction from H&F Council?

Caroline Whitehead ● 2579d

Thanks, Matthew. It does seem feasible. Perhaps it could have a toll charge? Probably have to put tolls on Putney and Chiswick - and possibly other - bridges as well to minimise diversions to avoid charges? It could help pay for the temporary bridge.Paul. I think a tunnel would be too expensive, and I suspect approaches would be more problematic as they'd need to be further inland with long, graded, approaches.

Michael Ixer ● 2579d

This house would be a gonner. https://goo.gl/maps/hoNJcyy7nPaUhRBL9

Freddie Francis ● 2579d

Now picked up by the Evening Standard ...https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/5-million-temporary-hammersmith-bridge-could-be-ready-in-three-months-a4266571.html

Michael Ixer ● 2578d

That would be an excellent temporary solution.The estimated cost, though, sounds a bit too low?

Ivonne Holliday ● 2578d

"The estimated cost, though, sounds a bit too low?"That struck me too. Would only buy 2 or 3 large houses in Putney, I should guess.

David Ainsworth ● 2578d

Nice idea and more room on the south side to do it than I'd thought but I still can't see this being something that will get taken up.For one thing, Queen Charlotte Street is pretty much totally lined with local authority buildings, much closer to the road than most on the bridge approach and far more of them. I doubt the residents will be very impressed with suddenly having thousands of cars passing their homes every day for five years or so. And can you imagine the accusations that will be thrown around that the council and TFL wouldn't dare consider this if the road was full of nice multi-million pound houses full of wealthy middle class professionals. Maybe that's why they aren't suggesting going the west side, using St Paul's School property for the southern approach and landing by the Rutland Arms and routing it up Mall Road?

Freddie Francis ● 2578d

There is the remnants of an old dock at Queen Caroline Street at the river and a small park/green space to the left. Perhaps a temporary bridge could be erected? But what of the residents of Queen Caroline Street? They're not likely to be happy. Are they? And if the temporary structure is anything like the Chiswick flyover...

Denzil Darby ● 2578d

The very sad solution is that Hammersmith Bridge should be taken down and maybe put in another place (sell it to the Americans, haha, only joking).  I say that with a heavy heart because I love that bridge so much and think it is quite beautiful.However, we live in a big city and the bridge is no longer suitable for purpose.  It would break my heart if it was no longer there, I feel proud when friends and family come to stay and I'm so pleased when they go over the bridge that I think is so pretty.  But I'm not sure that is can be sustained to take the pressure of modern life... London is so Victorian, which is much of its appeal, but it's also falling to bits.

Bunny Payne ● 2578d

How about a repair to the existing bridge, (rather than a complete strengthening), then limit the traffic to light vehicles. No lorries or full-sized buses. Charge a toll on pre-registered cars and vans by number-plate recognition (like the Dartford Crossing). Replace the current bus routes with light electric mini-buses, 20 seaters, running a more frequent service to connect in Hammersmith and Barnes with regular buses.

Bill Christie ● 2577d

It needs to be fixed properly. It’s been poorly repaired over the years instead of properly maintained. Almost more patches than bridge at the moment.

Freddie Francis ● 2577d