The prospect of Hammersmith Bridge reopening fully to vehicles has been set back after Hammersmith and Fulham Council said there is currently no financial option to fund its complete restoration. The Grade II* listed crossing, closed to motor traffic since 2019, remains a focal point of local frustration and cross‑borough campaigning.
Funding shortfall and phased repairs
Council officers reported that a comprehensive restoration would cost an estimated £300 million, a sum the authority says it cannot currently secure. Instead, the council has applied for £128 million from the Government’s £1 billion Structures Fund for essential works aimed at keeping the bridge open to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Estimated cost for full restoration | £300 million |
| Amount applied for from Structures Fund | £128 million |
| Structures Fund completion deadline | 31 March 2030 |
Local reaction and calls for fresh thinking
The decision prompted criticism from Liberal Democrat councillors and neighbouring Richmond representatives, who say the bridge’s prolonged partial closure has had tangible consequences for residents and bus services across Barnes, East Sheen and Mortlake.
“What disappointed me most … was not simply what it recommended, but what it failed to contemplate. No meaningful plan B, no serious strategy for restoring public transpo”
The quoted remarks, made by Liberal Democrat councillor Alexander Ehmann, reflected wider disquiet at a council meeting where councillors urged that, if conventional solutions are unaffordable, authorities should explore new engineering approaches, funding models and partnerships rather than lowering ambitions.
What this means locally
The Department for Transport’s advice to pursue a phased repair programme means the bridge will remain closed to cars for the foreseeable future while measures to protect pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic are pursued. The Structures Fund criteria also impose a latest completion date of 31 March 2030, which councillors say limits options for a full rebuild during this funding window.
- Bridge closed to motor traffic since 2019.
- Council seeking £128m for phased repairs, not full restoration.
- Full rebuild cost estimated at £300m; considered akin to building a new bridge by officers.
Richmond Council has passed a motion pledging to continue campaigning for a fully connected bridge serving all residents. Within Hammersmith and Fulham, the Lib Dem group has committed to press on with calls for solutions that restore bus connections and reduce congestion on alternative routes.
For residents, the immediate practical effect is that motor traffic restrictions are likely to remain in place for some years, and any changes will depend on whether further funding or novel delivery options can be found that were not available under the current Structures Fund timetable.
Local authorities, campaigners and engineers will now be watching the outcome of the council’s bid for the £128m and any subsequent discussions with central government closely, as efforts continue to reconcile heritage protection, safety and the practical transport needs of Hammersmith and neighbouring communities.
