Forum Topic

Hammersmith Bridge now fully closed

To everyone, including cyclists and pedestrians Just had an email from TFL

Emma Blackwell ● 2065d27 Comments

Hammersmith Bridge bus Updates from 05/09/2020.378 from PutneyMon-Sat day time. Eight buses per hour.Evenings and weekends six buses apart from early morning Sundays four buses per hour.533 loop Mon-Fri. 07.30 to 19.00 three buses every hour and then two an hour in the eveningsSat and Sun. 09.00 to 18.30 four buses every hour.209 to the BridgeMon-Sat daytime. Four buses per hourEveings and weekends three per hour and early morning Sundays two per hour.

Adrian Pearce ● 2046d

Philippa sometimes the tide is so low not much point going from side to side. They can go from Barnes, Chiswick, Kew etc.

Barbara Stevens ● 2052d

@Philippa - Do you mean rowers doing the ferrying?

Freddie Francis ● 2052d

There must be enough local rowers who could do their training across the river rather than up and down it.

Philippa Bond ● 2053d

perhaps it's a publicity stunt to embarrass the government into action...having said that if REME were to bridge the Thames I'm sure Boris would be the first to cross (probably in a tank wearing fatigues!)

Adam Tripp ● 2053d

Never underestimate the REME :)

Ed Robinson ● 2053d

I never thought anyone would take my suggestion seriously :)

Adam Tripp ● 2053d

Move the Gondola/ Ski Lift  from near the O2 to hammersmith.At least people would use it, not like the “White Elephant “ it is now!

Vic Condon ● 2058d

Your right Adam - this is the lack of action from various government bodies.I do not think we would actually need to build a zip wire crossing - we just need someone to float the possibility to get a bit of press attention as that seems to be the only way go get things moving these days.

Ed Robinson ● 2059d

REME can build a 100m bridge capable of supporting a tank in 30 mins, surely a better option than seeing our glorious PM dangling from a wire :) https://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/engineering-equipment/

Adam Tripp ● 2059d

Yes, Barbara, I was wondering about a ferry.

Michael Ixer ● 2059d

Excellent idea to get Johnson to test it, even better if the blighter got stuck there, or fell off into the river.

Richard Carter ● 2059d

Very good idea, or a ferry boat on a high tide to take them across. Or low tide need your boots.

Barbara Stevens ● 2059d

We could have one zip wire going north and another going south.Life jackets would have to be put on and each end supervised, but at least it would be a crossing and relatively cheap.It would certainly get a bit of international attention and shame the authorities into action!We could get Boris to test it just like the Olympics!

Ed Robinson ● 2059d

Not sure about cameras checking for passing boats, I think we are still using bales of hay as a means of notification!I assume it is more a case if a boat went against the recommend advice there may be insurance issues and possibly licence issues.

Ed Robinson ● 2060d

How are they to know if a boat goes under it at night on a low tide, do they have camera's. Somebody we know from the Rochester Club was going away this weekend coming up this way going Bourne End now they have had to put of their trip.

Barbara Stevens ● 2061d

I love Hammersmith Bridge and wish it could remain looking the way it does... sadly it seems not.  I feel quite proud when family (used to) come from the West to visit and drive over that bridge, it's so beautiful.....I lived in Bristol for some time and felt the same about the Clifton Suspension Bridge, but that has always had a toll (20p years ago, I'm sure it's gone up now).  Couldn't Hammersmith have the same as, like Clifton, there are alternative routes.

Bunny Payne ● 2061d

It has lumbered on for years;A difficult issue;Many parts of Local and National Government involved;Progress?Expensive Studies Assessments?Bridges in London are an essential part of the local, and National economy;Has it received proper priority?

Robert Neil Taylor ● 2064d

There's little evidence that the closure of Hammersmith Bridge has affected pollution levels in Putney: the monthly average (so far) for NO2 levels in PHS is still at 87% of the average level in the 6 months before the lockdown.

Richard Carter ● 2064d

Penelope, I think your find it wasn't air pollution, more so hot you couldn't breath only drip. Today there was more of a breeze in the High Street.

Barbara Stevens ● 2064d

I've always loved this bridge at Hammersmith. It has a giant toy quality to it. Always makes me wonder if someone had a spanner big enough could they undo the big screws?Time for it go though and be replaced with something more suitable for current needs.I'd love to see the present bridge re-erected in a park somewhere, perhaps with other feats of Victorian engineering.Time to build for the future?

Katrina Black ● 2064d

Continuing disaster for pollution levels in Putney caused by the closure, just got back from Dorset,  Really noticing the massive difference in air quality..

Penelope Becker ● 2064d

It is beyond my ken that in this day and age to have one bridge for 6 miles of river in a city of London's proportions and population. (I know it is almost an oxbow!) Putting aside any arguments about traffic levels the entire city is inefficiently served by only 20 road bridges, a number which hasn't changed, apart from QE bridge, since 1933. Hammersmith Bridge needs to go - maybe just to the side if no-one will buy it as a desert attraction - and be replaced lickety spit by an appropriate alternative maybe using this technology .https://www.cpbau.de/en/company/news/detail/1100-ton-steel-behemoth-goes-swimming-on-27-and-28-04-2014-the-center-section-of-the-new-carl-ulrich/

Amanda Oppe ● 2064d

Looking at wiki - it is interesting how history repeats."By the 1870s, the bridge was no longer strong enough to support the weight of heavy traffic and the owners were alarmed in 1870 when 11,000 to 12,000 people crowded onto the bridge to watch the University Boat Race, which passes underneath just before the halfway point of its 4¼-mile (6.8 km) course. In 1884 a temporary bridge was put up to allow a more limited cross-river traffic while a replacement was constructed."

Ed Robinson ● 2065d

Needs to be replaced though for another bridge that will also carry cars slash buses

Gabrielle OMahony ● 2065d

Time to take it down altogether.If you can't go over it or under it it is nolonger a bridge!

Ed Robinson ● 2065d

Following expert technical advice, Hammersmith & Fulham Council has decided to close Hammersmith Bridge to all traffic - including buses, pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic - until we can be assured that it is safe.This is because engineers working on behalf of Hammersmith & Fulham Council and TfL have discovered further damage to the north-eastern pedestal of Hammersmith Bridge. It will remain closed until we are assured it is safe to reopen.We are sorry for any disruption caused by the sudden nature of this closure, but safety is paramount. Engineers are now on site assessing the damage, which may have been caused by the recent extreme weather, and we continue to work with Hammersmith, Fulham and Richmond upon Thames councils on this project.

Adrian Pearce ● 2065d