Hammersmith Bridge. £2.9m for temporary resurfacing … ?
Fleur Anderson MPHouse of CommonsLondonSW1A 0AAFrom the ParliamentaryUnder Secretary of StateSimon Lightwood MPGreat Minster House33 Horseferry RoadLondonSW1P 4DR29 January 2025Dear Fleur,Thank you for reaching out to the Department for Transport regardingHammersmith Bridge.We understand the significant impact that the ongoing closure of the bridge tomotor vehicles has had on congestion levels in South-West London and onthe daily lives of residents and workers in the surrounding areas.Typically, a project of this nature would fall under the jurisdiction of theLondon Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham as the owner of the bridge.However, the Government acknowledges the unique challenges posed by theHammersmith Bridge, given its age, construction materials, and status as alisted structure. Consequently, the Department for Transport has beenactively involved in this project and has contributed nearly £13 million to date.This funding includes £4 million for emergency exploratory works followingthe complete closure of the bridge, £2.93 million for initial stabilisation efforts,£2.5 million for geo-technical works, and £2.9 million for the temporaryresurfacing of the bridge carriageway.The Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce was set up by the previousadministration in September 2020, to work towards the safe reopening of thebridge. The taskforce brought together the key stakeholders, with the sharedambition of finding solutions to the closure and enabling the repair works.The Taskforce was paused in November 2021, following an agreement toonly call further meetings when there were issues that required unblockingbetween members.After five years of disruption, and the imminent completion of the first phaseof works on the bridge, this government has decided to reconvene theTaskforce to re-evaluate all viable and cost-effective solutions for the nextstage of works on Hammersmith Bridge, with the hope of reaching anagreement.The Taskforce is scheduled to meet on Thursday, and we expect all parties tocollaborate and reconsider all feasible and affordable options for the future ofthe bridge, especially in these challenging economic conditions. A summarystatement will be made available following the meeting.Thank you once again for taking the time to write to us about this importantissue. We hope this response clarifies the steps the Government is taking totry and resolve this longstanding situation.Yours sincerely,SIMON LIGHTWOOD MPMINISTER FOR LOCAL TRANSPORT
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