Controversy over Hammersmith and Fulham toll charge for historic bridge
Hammersmith Bridge, a key strategic crossing point over the Thames, has been closed to motor-vehicles since 2019 and may be closed for many years to come. So, what is the problem behind this?
Originally, Hammersmith Bridge was built to address the inconvenient detour required to cross the Thames at Putney or Kew Bridge. Fast-forward 200 years, and the only improvement is a crossing at Chiswick.
Hammersmith Bridge was opened on 5 October 1827, after two years of work and was rebuilt in the late 1880s. By 1973, the bridge carried levels of traffic far in excess of what it was designed to carry, and it was closed for repairs. This pattern has been a repeated a few times prior to the 2019 closure. In addition, the bridge has been the target of IRA bombs in 1939, 1996, and 2000 although in the last case there was no damage as the bombs were spotted in time and defused. According to Transport for London, in 2018, 22,363 motor vehicles were using the bridge every day. Measures to protect the Grade II listed bridge were taken, including making the 72-bus route single decker and restricting traffic flows, but more damage was found, and in 2019, the bridge was closed. Some repairs were made, and it re-opened for bicycles and pedestrians in 2020.
With the bridge on the boundary of Richmond and Hammersmith & Fulham, and a key strategic route, there has been a lot of argument about how to share the cost for repairs between Hammersmith Council (the owner), Transport for London and the Government. With the COVID-19 pandemic adding to financial problems, an agreement was not reached until 2021 when a three-part plan was agreed. First, they would implement emergency mitigation, with £4 million funding from the Government – this stage has been concluded. Stage 2 consists of stabilising the bridge which is currently in progress. The Government provided a third of the required funding for this stage. The final stage will be to strengthen the bridge, but an agreement on how best to do this has not been found. In the meantime, options are being discussed, such as inserting another level within the existing structure temporarily, to allow motorists to use the bridge while works are carried out. Because the Government are not responsible for the bridge, and cannot provide all the funding, Hammersmith and Fulham Council are proposing a controversial £3 toll, to cover some of the cost.
Many people living in the vicinity of the bridge or neighbouring boroughs are angry with how long it is taking to reinstate the bridge with the ongoing impact on trade, journey times, and displacement of traffic to other bridges. Hammersmith has been cut off from Barnes and there is a noticeable impact on traffic in Barnes, Sheen, Putney, and Chiswick. A report from 2020 showed that Kew, Chiswick, Putney, Wandsworth, and Battersea Bridges have absorbed an additional 14,500 vehicles a day. When there is an issue with any of these bridges, near gridlock can be caused. Neighbouring West Putney Councillor Steffi Sutters said:
“Whilst I understand that the costs for reinstatement of Hammersmith Bridge are huge, charging to cross will only exacerbate the problems of traffic in Putney which is already suffering from displacement whilst the bridge is out of action. All local authorities are duty bound to pay to maintain their bridges. We have two here in Wandsworth, Putney Bridge and Wandsworth Bridge and maintenance over the years has cost millions of pounds. Why should Hammersmith and Fulham seek subsidy when we don’t. And which would you choose to cross if you had the choice; the one you need to pay or the one that is free to use?”
Even now, Hammersmith Bridge’s future is unclear after years of procrastination. When the bridge does reopen, it will be a great relief to the community, whether or not a toll charge is applied.
