LBHF finally complete drilling into piers 4 years after FosterCOWI proposed. July 2024

The FosterCOWI plan had been adopted in November 2020, but it took until July 2024 for LBHF to complete drilling into the Piers to see if they could bear the weight of two bridges -The original Hammersmith Bridge plus FosterCOWI double decker bridge through the existing bridge.

Results were due in Q1 2025... No results have been shared to date.

LBHF had done some drilling earlier arounf the pedestals, but it only submitted a planning application to its own planning department in March 2023 for drilling into the piers and that work was not done until June/July 2024....

30 July 2024  

Dear [HBSOS]

 I refer to your information request submitted on 15^th July to Councillor Cowan and Cllr Holder.

The response to your questions are as follows:

1.          We note that the drilling into the piers which has been outstanding since Foster COWI was first proposed in late 2020 seems to have been completed, as drilling has been done and 1m2 pits dug into the piers. Please confirm (a) if that work has been completed, and (b) what the conclusion of that work has been – does Foster COWI remain viable or has it been concluded the 1824 piers cannot bear the weight of 2 bridges? If you cannot provide an answer immediately, (c) what is the timescale for a decision and (d) when will that be communicated publicly?

1a) Work on site has been completed.

1b) There is no conclusion at this point which I am sure you will appreciate is a highly complex process.

1c) Technical analysis of the core samples will be completed in Q1 2025 and provide information about the ground conditions and loading bearing.

1d) Communications about the bridge are regularly reviewed and issued when considered appropriate.

2.          There has been some reconfiguration of the scaffolding around the pedestals on the North side of the bridge. We note that https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/hammersmith-bridge#stabilisation-works-restart-on-hammersmith-bridge  says “There will be a short series of 24-hour weekend closures of the bridge to pedestrians and cyclists while the jacking up and bearings replacement takes place.” We urge the council to ensure that closures are limited to weekend night times, and not 24 hour closures. It would seem that any public risk would be during jacking up and lowering of the chains, rather than at other times. (a) What options has the council investigated to ensure closures can be limited to 8 hour night time weekends only and if not, (b) what work could be done to limit the duration of the closures? (c)  When are the closures currently planned for, and (d)What is the most current estimate for completion of the bearing replacement works, and then re-opening the carriageway?

2a)  Bridge closures (partial and full) are limited to what is absolutely necessary to ensure the safety of the public and workforce.   Where possible partial closures (one footway only) during off peak times will be used to avoid as much disruption as possible.   24 hour closures are currently only planned for when jacking operations are taking place.  These are planned to be carried out on a Friday evening to avoid disruption during normal work/school hours.  A 24 hour closure has been planned to ensure there is ample time to complete the complex jacking operation, giving contingency if any issues arise, and allowing our engineers to work safely without time pressures.  However, if work is completed early the bridge will be opened early.

2b)    We are working with a contractor who has world renowned expertise in complex jacking operations.  The jacking operation has been planned meticulously, workshopped and full-scale mock ups undertaken to ensure the actual works are as seamless and time efficient as possible.  All preparatory work/operations that can be carried out safely without a bridge closure will be.  

2c)    We are currently planning for four 24 hour closures for jacking, taking place during September and October 2024, exact dates will be communicated nearer the time, all will be Friday evening to Saturday evening. Reserve dates will also be planned should unforeseen issues arise eg, weather.

2d)    The bearing and jacking work is expected to be completed by November. All works - including the final Cadent Gas diversion on the north side of the bridge,  new decking and traffic management arrangements on the approaches - are expected to be completed and the site cleared by April 2025. The carriageway will be reopened to non-motorised traffic as soon as it has been ruled safe to do so.  

3.          What is the status of DfT consideration and approval of the business Plan? You have stated “It was formally submitted to the DfT one year ago and had been expected to be agreed before Christmas and then again in the New Year. However it was dropped from the agenda for both investment board meetings due to issues within the DfT.” Please confirm what are the ‘issues within DfT’ and do any of them depend on information from LBHF and if so have these been addressed? What is the schedule for consideration and approval: (a)when is the Plan next scheduled for DfT consideration and (b) is a decision possible before the viability of Foster COWI is confirmed?

This information was previously supplied to you under FoI. We stated: “Three days prior to the 20 November IPDC meeting H&F were informed the OBC was being dropped as an agenda item because of “more time-critical decisions”. It was rescheduled to be presented at 8 January 2024 meeting. It was pulled from the agenda for that meeting because DfT officials had not met “conditions” at their end which the IPDC had asked them to meet.

3a) We are currently awaiting guidance from the DfT as to when they will consider the Business Case. To be clear, the timing of this is not dependent on any information from H&F.

3b) Yes.

4.          If Foster COWI proves not to be viable, will the council revert to a standard repair plan and a separate pedestrian bridge alongside (on the East to Riverside dock?), and how long would it take to amend the Business Plan?

The truss solution remains the Council’s preferred design. If information comes to light that shows the preferred design is not viable then H&F will consider other options at that time, in consultation with DfT and TfL.

5.          What is the expected impact of the proposed flyunder on the priority and timing of works on Hammersmith Bridge please? None.  The proposals in the Hammersmith SPD are not connected with the repair of Hammersmith Bridge, which as a Grade II* listed structure will need to be maintained in any event.

Director of Public Realm

Place Department

London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham