Questions answered about the BCA’s statement on the closure of Hammersmith Bridge
Questions answered about the BCA’s statement on the closure of Hammersmith Bridge
We thank all residents who commented on our statement and would like to address some of the questions raised:
Prioritising a temporary bridge for pedestrians and cyclists which can be built in 4-6 months does not mean we would not like to see the bridge repaired asap. We said in our statement: “We are hoping that this closure will break the political stalemate and force the Government, TfL and Hammersmith & Fulham Council to come up with the funding needed to repair the bridge” and “The bridge needs to be repaired for community use as a priority”.
We are not “anti cars”. While we respect and understand some residents rely on their car to move around, we encourage others to travel actively and use public transport. We believe more people cycling and walking can help make our streets friendlier for everyone. It can also reduce congestion which will help those of us who have to drive.
While we all have opinions and views on local issues, the BCA is a charity managed by a board of trustees who collectively determine its strategies and policies. The thought that views of one person alone will be presented as the views of the whole organisation is ludicrous. As a registered charity, the BCA has a duty to operate in accordance with the charitable objects specified in its Constitution. One of our duties is to protect our most vulnerable members. Renouncing the idea of a temporary bridge while decision, planning and repair work of the existing bridge is taking place will result in more elderly residents feeling even more isolated than ever as they unable to access essential services in Hammersmith, children needing to make much longer journeys to reach their schools and nurseries and many more commuters who will have to use the train line to Waterloo at a time when public transport capacity is severely restricted. A temporary bridge is not the answer to everybody’s needs but it will make a massive difference to many in our community.
The Impact study, conducted by the Barnes Town Team in February 2020, summarised data from impartial bodies which is available to the public: air quality levels from the London Air Quality Network, traffic counts from TfL and spending data from Mastercard. 75 local businesses also shared with us information about their trade. The aim of this study was to allow the community to have a discussion based on facts rather than anecdotes and assumptions. Fortunately the results gave a very mixed picture and were not entirely negative as some expected them to be.
The Beckett Rankin road bridge proposal was dismissed by the Department of Transport, TfL and Hammersmith & Fulham Council, all in agreement that that this proposal is not feasible in the space available and at an affordable cost. The proposal will also involve issuing compulsory purchase order of the neighbouring property, long term closure of the towpath and felling of mature trees. It will also add a huge volume of traffic onto Hammersmith gyratory which is already congested. Another proposal for a road bridge just west of the bridge was also ruled out by Hammersmith & Fulham Council as the road will have to be built inches from residents’ windows.
Hammersmith Bridge is an iconic grade II listed structure, a local asset which we believe should only be condemned as a last resort. A new bridge is likely to cost much more and take longer to build. Bridge engineers estimate road bridges built in the last 20 years in the UK took on average 8 years to complete. A similar bridge to Hammersmith Bridge (in length) can cost around £100-150m (without the cost of demolishing an existing bridge).
Photo by Andrew WIlson