Key facts
- Hammersmith Bridge has been closed to motorists for seven years.
- Hammersmith & Fulham council submitted a £128m bid for bridge repairs focusing on pedestrian and cyclist access.
- Conservative councillors in Wandsworth criticized the bid for excluding motorists and cited a lack of engagement.
- A full restoration for motor traffic is estimated to cost £300m.
- Wandsworth council supported a temporary double-decker crossing plan.
- Disagreements exist over whether the Mayor of London should intervene.
Tensions are escalating between Labour and Conservative councillors in London over the restoration plans for Hammersmith Bridge, which has been closed to cars for seven years. The dispute centers on an application to a government infrastructure fund, with accusations of political maneuvering and a lack of communication.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council, run by Labour, has submitted a £128 million bid to the Department for Transport, prioritizing keeping the bridge open to pedestrians and cyclists. However, Conservative councillors in neighboring Wandsworth Council have criticized this bid, stating it falls short of expectations and is "bewildering" for not including a proposal for full motorist access post-repair.
Wandsworth Council leader Robert Morritt expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of meaningful engagement and stated that the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce has not met for over a year. The council, now under Conservative leadership, supports a plan by Foster and Partners for a temporary double-decker crossing that would allow cars while the Grade II-listed bridge undergoes restoration.
Officials have struggled to find common ground on funding for full motor traffic restoration, estimated at £300 million, with no clear financial options available. Hammersmith & Fulham was reportedly advised by the Labour government to pursue a "phased repair" for cyclists and pedestrians. The council's bid requires all funds to be spent by April 2030 and prioritizes "local contributions."
Labour councillor Nicole Trehy criticized Wandsworth's response, noting it arrived after the submission deadline for the government fund. She also accused Wandsworth of failing to contribute to the bridge's upkeep or support the £58 million already spent. Trehy warned that undermining the current funding bid could lead to the complete closure of Hammersmith Bridge, impacting Wandsworth residents as well.
The political friction extends to whether the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, should intervene, a suggestion met with disagreement between the parties. Khan has previously stated the issue is for the council and government to resolve.