Taskforce Meeting #20 held 30 January 2025

The Taskforce met on 30 January 2025, and was chaired by Minister Simon Lightwood. The previous meeting was 25th November 2021 - over 4 years previously.

Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce Minutes, 30 January 2025

Date: Thursday 30th January 2025

Time: 12:00-13:30

Location: Great Minster House

1. Welcome & Introduction by Simon Lightwood, Minister for Local Transport

2. Housekeeping and Taskforce Terms of Reference (ToR)

• No comments from attendees, ToR accepted.

3. Setting the scene:

• Presentation by London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF)

leader Councillor Stephen Cowan regarding the history of Hammersmith

Bridge and the wider project, including project funding by all parties to-

date. Discussion of issues presented by Taskforce members.

4. Back to basics:

• Engineering Presentation by LBHF Strategic Director for the Environment

Bram Kainth, setting out the current condition of Hammersmith Bridge and

the existing ‘Foster-Cowi’ proposal to restore Hammersmith Bridge to all

users, including motor vehicles.

• Presentation from DfT Chief Engineer David Coles on a range of additional

engineering solutions to be discussed by the Taskforce group, before

opening up the floor to wider discussion.

• Options included i) Bridge closure – no access allowed, and structure

remains as ‘a monument’; ii) Bridge repair and restoration, sufficient to

allow for active travel (pedestrians and cyclists) only plus two single

decker buses; ii) Option 3: Bridge repair and restoration, sufficient to allow

for active travel (pedestrians and cyclists) only; iv) Replacement bridge,

with a 44-tonne weight limit; v) Option 5: ‘Offline’ Replacement bridge, with

the existing structure remaining in place.

• Options i, iv and v were ruled out by attendees following discussion, citing

the ongoing cost of maintaining an unusable structure and the

considerable cost of constructing a new bridge.

• Active travel only structure not ruled out due to the potential lower cost of

construction and potential environmental benefits, although Taskforce

members recognised there may be a cost in terms of possible congestion

in the surrounding areas and impact on bus routes. Attendees requested

clarification on the current traffic levels around Hammersmith Bridge and

the surrounding areas.

• Existing ‘Foster Cowi’ proposal (referred to as Option 0 during the

meeting) also not ruled out given the benefits of restoring car accessibility,

although concerns regarding the considerable cost required.

5. Statements from Local Members of Parliament:

• Fleur Anderson (Putney), Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith and Chiswick)

and Ben Coleman (Chelsea and Fulham) spoke on the impact the

continued closure of Hammersmith Bridge to all users has had upon their

constituencies.

6. Actions:

• Representatives from Taskforce organisations to work together to further

develop options ii) and iii), ahead of the next Taskforce Meeting.

• DfT officials to coordinate the different traffic data presented by

stakeholders around Hammersmith Bridge and the surrounding areas, into

a single agreed representation.