Hammersmith Bridge temporary cycle lane set to open next week

A temporary cycle lane is to be opened on west London's Hammersmith Bridge for 10 weeks.

The 137-year-old bridge has been closed to motor vehicles since cracks appeared in the pedestals in 2019.

It was reopened to pedestrians and cyclists two years later, but during recent stabilisation works, cyclists have had to dismount whilst crossing.

Due to a pause in the works Hammersmith and Fulham council says a temporary cycle lane can be used.

Cargo bikes and e-scooters will also be allowed to use the cycle route when it opens on Tuesday, but motorbikes and mopeds will not.

The council, which owns the Grade II*-listed bridge, says marshals will be on duty 24/7 to monitor the lane.

Last month it was announced the cost of repairing Hammersmith Bridge had nearly doubled from initial estimates to reach £250m.

The bill is to be split three ways between the council, the Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL).

The council says, however, it cannot afford to pay its share unless it can raise money via a toll. It has submitted a business case to the government and is awaiting a response.

Hammersmith and Fulham Labour councillor Sharon Holder said: "Fixing this historic bridge requires the support of both national and regional government.

"We are committed to the full re-opening of Hammersmith Bridge to motor vehicles, including buses, and we are doing all in our powers to deliver on that commitment.

"But we are a small local authority, and we must have the financial support of the DfT and TfL, as well as an agreement to fund our share via a toll."

A DfT spokesperson said: "We have already given nearly £10m to help restore the bridge and are reviewing the business case to ensure it is viable and offers value for money for taxpayers."

TfL previously told the BBC: "We are supporting the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham in plans to fully reopen Hammersmith Bridge to traffic.

"The bridge is an important transport link and we continue to raise the reinstatement of bus links across the river in discussions with the Department for Transport and the borough."

In December, repairs to the bridge were set back when it was struck by a boat carrying West Ham United football fans.

Hammersmith and Fulham council said "the accident" had caused "significant damage" as it severed the 130m (430ft) steel gantry running under the bridge.

The council said the gantry is still being repaired. It explained that "until those works are completed and stabilisation can resume, we have taken the opportunity to create a temporary central cycle lane on the bridge".

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