A taskforce set up to reopen Hammersmith Bridge to motor vehicles has held its first meeting in over three years, with officials describing the discussions as “constructive.”
The historic 138-year-old bridge, which has been closed to cars, buses, and vans since April 2019 due to structural cracks, remains a major transport bottleneck in West London. Currently, only pedestrians and cyclists—who must dismount—are allowed to cross.
The last government-led meeting of the taskforce took place in November 2021 under the Conservatives. However, Labour’s Minister for Local Transport, Simon Lightwood, reconvened the group on Thursday in a bid to push forward long-stalled plans for full restoration.
Rising costs and lengthy timelines
The cost of fully repairing and reopening the bridge has surged over the years, with the most recent estimate reaching £250 million. The timeframe for completing repairs remains uncertain, but Putney MP Fleur Anderson recently suggested that the bridge might not fully reopen until 2035.
Under previous plans, the Department for Transport (DfT) was to cover a third of the costs, with another third from Transport for London (TfL) and the final share from Hammersmith and Fulham Council, which owns the bridge. However, the council has stated that it can only raise its contribution through a toll or road user charge—a proposal that remains controversial.
In December 2022, the council submitted a formal business case to the Government detailing how the bridge could be fully repaired. However, Tory ministers never responded, leaving the project in limbo. Over the past six years, the council has spent £45 million stabilising the structure.
Current repair works and next steps
Engineers are currently carrying out redecking works and replacing corroded components with new rubber bearings. These efforts are expected to be completed by spring 2025, allowing the full span of the bridge to reopen for pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders. However, motor vehicles will remain banned until a full-scale restoration is agreed and funded.
Thursday’s meeting, chaired by Simon Lightwood, brought together MPs, TfL, City Hall officials, and representatives from both local councils. While no firm commitments were made, sources described the discussions as productive, with a renewed push to reconsider all funding options.
A City Hall spokeswoman said that London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s deputy for transport, Seb Dance, found the meeting “constructive”.
One insider told the Evening Standard:
“There was general dismay that the last Government had ignored Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s business case for full restoration. With two years having passed, now is the time to revisit that case and re-examine all possible solutions.”
Government response and future funding
It is believed that any fresh government funding commitments will be part of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ comprehensive spending review, due to be set out in June 2025.
A DfT spokeswoman acknowledged the urgency of the issue, stating:
“We have inherited a challenging situation with Hammersmith Bridge, where decisions about its future have been delayed for years. We recognise the frustration caused by its continued closure.
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“We continue to work closely with Hammersmith and Fulham Council and TfL on its restoration. The Department has already provided £13 million towards the project.”
The DfT confirmed that the taskforce discussed a range of options and that further updates would be shared in due course.
Public frustration and political divisions
The prolonged closure of Hammersmith Bridge has been a major source of frustration for local residents and businesses, who face long detours and increased congestion on alternative routes.
Calls for the Government and City Hall to urgently prioritise funding and a clear timeline have grown louder, particularly as Londoners brace for another decade without motor access across one of the capital’s key Thames crossings.
While Thursday’s meeting marks a renewed effort to resolve the impasse, questions remain over whether a lasting solution will finally be found—or whether Hammersmith Bridge will continue to symbolise years of political deadlock.
