The council said this would allow pedestrians and cyclists to use a new lower deck, and cars and buses to drive on the upper deck. In a strongly-worded statement, Cowan criticised the Department for Transport's (DfT's) Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce for sharing inspection reports with the press before the council or the council’s bridge maintenance … Use parking fines to fund Hammersmith Bridge repair, The Reader: Teach good parenting in schools to cut crime, Hammersmith Bridge 'may be shut to drivers for good' as bill soars, The Reader: Met photos of blades are fuelling ‘knife arms race’, The Reader: Hammersmith Bridge was a Bazalgette gem, ‘Use failed cycle crossing cash to fix Hammersmith Bridge’, The Reader: Mayor must shoulder blame for chaos of Hammersmith Bridge, The Reader: Someone needs to save us from Brexit, Comment: Julian Assange reflects today’s culture wars. In response, Mr Cowan said: "Hammersmith and Fulham will continue to look at all possible means of safely having the bridge reopened but will never take any decision that is against the specialist engineers' advice that there is a serious risk to the lives of the tens of thousands of pedestrians, cyclists, motor vehicles drivers and river traffic that used or travelled under the bridge each week. Consequently, Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce chair Baroness Charlotte Vere has called on Hammersmith & Fulham Council to reconsider opening the bridge. Motorists have not been able to use Hammersmith Bridge since April 2019 Hammersmith Bridge could reopen to cyclists and pedestrians sooner than had been expected, a report … Hammersmith Bridge is owned by Hammersmith and Fulham Council. The intervention, by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, was said to be an acceptance that Londoners had “waited too long” for the 133-year-old bridge to be repaired. The pedestals need blast-cleaning to check for more cracks - that is currently planned to happen in April - and further monitoring equipment would be needed. The government-commissioned report has now said the crack "may not necessarily be connected with high temperatures". You can no longer walk or cycle across the bridge. Hammersmith Bridge could reopen to traffic 'within a year', What's in store for US President-elect Biden in 2021? Grant Shapps orders LBHF to pay £64m for Hammersmith Bridge repairs A ferry is still being looked at for spring and on Wednesday transport bosses said no long-term funding had yet been secured from the government. Hammersmith and Fulham Council's leader Stephan Cowan said it had been the government's "consistent position" that the bridge should be reopened as soon as possible. 'I'm Australian - why do I need to prove my loyalty? Ten African music stars to look out for in 2021. ... Hammersmith bridge could be reopened within weeks to walkers and bikes. Two reports said Hammersmith and Fulham Council adopted a 'conservative' approach to assessing the safety of the 133-year-old bridge when deciding to close it … Crossing could reopen with traffic on upper level and pedestrians below. Hammersmith Bridge has been closed to motorists since April 2019 Providing a replacement ferry service at Hammersmith Bridge is a condition … A new proposal to get Hammersmith Bridge reopened “within a year” has been unveiled by Hammersmith and Fulham Council. Watch: Transport minister on RIS2, Hammersmith Bridge and future of UK roads 04 Dec, 2020 By Rob Horgan This video was first broadcast at NCE’s Future of Transport conference 2020. Hammersmith and Fulham Council shut the bridge … Hammersmith’s iron bridge has been closed after the recent heatwave increased cracks and raised the risk of the suspension system failing. The closure of Hammersmith bridge was over-cautious and it could be reopened within weeks to pedestrians and cyclists, a bombshell Government analysis has revealed. Published 11 December 2020 Residents and businesses in west London were in uproar today after they were told that Hammersmith Bridge will remain shut to traffic until 2027. The bridge is closed to river traffic, and the Thames Path is closed below the bridge on both sides of the river. Broken Hammersmith Bridge - a key strategic route over the Thames - is an international embarrassment and has descended into a political blame game. US Congress overrides Trump defence spending bill veto, Covid-19: New variant 'raises R number by up to 0.7', First Minneapolis police death since George Floyd captured on bodycam, Norway landslide: Body found as rescuers search Gjerdrum landslide, Wham! It is the first time this has happened in his presidency, just days before he leaves. Hammersmith Bridge won’t reopen until Motts engineers deem it safe 15th December 2020 From New Civil Engineer: Hammersmith & Fulham Council leader Stephen Cowan has played down government assertions that Hammersmith Bridge could soon reopen to pedestrians and cyclists. "If the bridge collapsed, as they advised it could, it would have been a national disaster.". Hammersmith Bridge was potential 'national disaster' Simon has been news editor at road.cc since 2009, reporting on 10 editions and counting of pro cycling’s biggest races such as the Tour de France, stories on issues including infrastructure and campaigning, and … News story Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce meeting, 10 December 2020 Joint statement on progress made by the taskforce at its meeting on 10 December 2020. Residents stage demo as £27m Hammersmith crossing plan axed, Safety marshals were dispatched to the bridge today after a jogger was seen defying the new restrictions, Have your say Twitter: @ESTheReader  Email: thereader@standard.co.ukÂ, Hammersmith bridge could be reopened within weeks to walkers and bikes, Next year’s Boat Race has been moved from the River Thames, Hope for Hammersmith bridge with plans for ‘double decker’ crossing, Hammersmith ferry service to be Government condition of TfL bailout, Children’s commissioner ‘disappointed’ over Hammersmith Bridge closure, Comment: EHRC – Labour’s chance to change, Uproar as Hammersmith Bridge shut to traffic until 2027, Ferry to replace shut Hammersmith Bridge will not start this year, Olympics roads chief joins drive to reopen Hammersmith Bridge, Elderly and sick caught in up Hammersmith Bridge closure mayhem, Warm weather increases risk of Hammersmith bridge collapsing in Thames, Man up and take responsibility for Hammersmith bridge chaos, Khan told, The Reader: Build a bridge at Hammersmith that’s fit for today, Pupils caught up in three-hour school runs in Hammersmith Bridge saga, Hammersmith Bridge farce is apocalyptic for trade, warn businesses, We must end the Hammersmith Bridge fiasco, Shapps: I'm fed up with waiting for council to fix Hammersmith Bridge, Transport Secretary forms taskforce to get Hammersmith Bridge reopened, Time to knock down bridge and start again, Hammersmith Bridge closure having 'catastrophic' impact on residents, Bridge closures bring fresh misery for businesses battered by lockdown, PM urged to help reopen Hammersmith bridge after emergency closure, Hammersmith Bridge fully closed following fresh safety concerns, Repairs to major roads stay on hold in TfL crisis, Comment: Government sets out its pandemic battleplan, Safety fears will close Hammersmith Bridge to Boat Race crowds, The Reader: Temporary bridge is not right for Hammersmith, Fresh idea floated for Hammersmith bridge as temporary crossing sunk, Comment: Parliament is right to stand firm on Brexit, £5 million temporary Hammersmith bridge could be ready in three months, Woman rescued from Thames by kayakers after falling from bridge. .css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link{color:inherit;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited{color:#696969;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link:hover,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited:hover,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link:focus,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited:focus{color:#B80000;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link::after,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited::after{content:'';position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;z-index:2;}Hammersmith Bridge could reopen to traffic 'within a year', Hammersmith Bridge 'will not reopen to traffic until 2027', London's bridges 'are the capital's embarrassment', Red tape will delay Hammersmith Bridge replacement ferry, Hammersmith Bridge closed after cracks worsen in heatwave, Hammersmith Bridge repairs 'could cost £120m', Hammersmith Bridge closed because cracks in pedestals, Hammersmith Bridge 'closed indefinitely' after faults found, Three arrested after ravers trash Grade II listed church at NYE party, Christmas | Opinion New year message: My heart goes out to those affected by this tragic year Rabbi Herschel Gluck, Pictures show quiet streets in London amid New Year's Eve celebrations, Vaccine is 'light at the end of the tunnel' for care home residents, 'Up to £1 million worth' of cannabis seized in Charlton warehouse bust, Information about BBC links to other news sites, US Congress overrides Trump defence bill veto. Published 13 November 2020 Hammersmith Bridge was shut to pedestrians and cyclists last week 16 months after vehicles were banned from crossing because of cracks in the 133-year-old ironwork. VideoWhat's in store for US President-elect Biden in 2021? The report says the understanding of the bridge's condition, and in particular the cracks that closed it, has improved considerably since March. Pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic were banned from using the bridge more than a year later as its condition had worsened. The Reader: How will by-election loss focus Brexiteer minds? Mr Kainth explained that TfL had reviewed the idea and discarded it because it would cost £30 to £50 million rather than £7 million, and take at least one year to implement. Engineers have come up with a radical plan to build a temporary double-decker crossing within the existing structure of Hammersmith Bridge in London, which has been closed fully on … Iran to boost uranium enrichment to 20%, UN says, Body found as rescuers search Norway landslide. By Ross Lydall. Video. In November 2020 Hammersmith and Fulham unveiled a new plan to build a temporary deck above the existing deck, which would be used by pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles while the main deck in being repaired. That review revealed how many important mechanisms had seized up long ago. ', Why 2021 could be turning point for tackling climate change, playThe train carriage for stray pets. It was chaired by Transport Minister, Baroness Vere. .css-14iz86j-BoldText{font-weight:bold;}Hammersmith Bridge could reopen to cyclists and pedestrians sooner than had been expected, a report says. Thursday's report by engineering consultants AECOM and Cambridge University's Prof Norman Fleck said Hammersmith and Fulham's initial risk assessments were "too conservative". 's Last Christmas goes to number one for the first time5, Omar Elabdellaoui: Norway star hurt by firework on New Year's Eve6, Adobe Flash Player is finally laid to rest7, Afghanistan violence: Bismillah Aimaq is fifth journalist to die8, The KLF's songs are finally available to stream9, Brexit: New era for UK as it completes separation from European Union10. 's Last Christmas goes to number one for the first time, Omar Elabdellaoui: Norway star hurt by firework on New Year's Eve, Adobe Flash Player is finally laid to rest, Afghanistan violence: Bismillah Aimaq is fifth journalist to die, The KLF's songs are finally available to stream, Brexit: New era for UK as it completes separation from European Union, Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council. What happens to your body in extreme heat? NewsNow aims to be the world’s most accurate and comprehensive Hammersmith Bridge news aggregator, bringing you the latest … Attendees included the Project Director Dana Skelley plus representatives from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, the Greater London Authority, Transport for London ( TfL ), and the Port of … Schoolchildren have faced long detours and bike rides up the Thames path in the dark to get to school and the area has suffered from congestion. Transport minister Baroness Vere called on Hammersmith and Fulham Council to look again as to whether the bridge can open with restrictions. Council Leader Stephen Cowan has spoken extensively on the huge cost of repairing the bridge and has repeatedly called on the government to help fund it. VideoThe train carriage for stray pets, 'We welcomed the Brexit deal like a Christmas present', India's love affair with classic British motorbikes. "The bridge was closed because world-leading specialist engineers strongly advised the badly corroded suspension structure faced catastrophic failure. Hammersmith Bridge has been targeted twice by the IRA as the paramilitary group tried to blow it up. We found decades of unchecked corrosion riddled throughout the suspension … Now it seems new up-to-date expert advice could perhaps see a quicker opening to pedestrians and cyclists and boats. Both Councils and Sarah Olney are very keen to explore this option. .css-q4by3k-IconContainer{display:none;height:1em;width:1em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-right:0.25em;}playWhat's in store for US President-elect Biden in 2021? “Today’s reports set out that there is potentially a route to Hammersmith Bridge being partially reopened and without major works, which is something I know people in the area will welcome,” Vere said. Latest London news, business, sport, showbiz and entertainment from the London Evening Standard. Hammersmith & Fulham Council leader Stephen Cowan has played down government assertions that Hammersmith Bridge could soon reopen to pedestrians and cyclists. .css-1xgx53b-Link{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:700;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:#FFFFFF;}.css-1xgx53b-Link:hover,.css-1xgx53b-Link:focus{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Read about our approach to external linking. This is an exciting proposal that would solve a number of problems. So, in 2015, we commissioned a Comprehensive Structural Integrity Review of Hammersmith Bridge to review the cast and wrought iron suspension structures and mechanisms. Caught in the middle are the local residents who have endured a horrendous time trying to do once normal activities. Hammersmith and Fulham Council is being asked to pay at least £64m towards repairing Hammersmith Bridge. Johnson was warned of the possibility of collapse in a joint letter from leaders of Richmond and Hammersmith & Fulham councils seen by NCE.. BBC Future: Are there health benefits to going vegan? It would see the 133-year-old crossing converted into a “double-decker” bridge. Hammersmith and Fulham Council leader Stephen Cowan, a member of the Task Force, has said one potentially cheaper option being discussed is building a brand new cycling and pedestrian bridge. Hammersmith Bridge News NewsNow brings you the latest news from the world’s most trusted sources on Hammersmith Bridge. News story Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce meeting, 13 November 2020 Joint statement on progress made by the taskforce at its meeting on 13 November 2020. The 133-year-old bridge was closed indefinitely to motorists in April 2019 after "critical faults" in the cast iron casing were found. .css-orcmk8-HeadlineContainer{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between;}US Congress overrides Trump defence spending bill veto.css-1dedj2h-Rank{-webkit-align-self:center;-ms-flex-item-align:center;align-self:center;color:#B80000;margin-left:3.125rem;}1, Covid-19: New variant 'raises R number by up to 0.7'2, First Minneapolis police death since George Floyd captured on bodycam3, Norway landslide: Body found as rescuers search Gjerdrum landslide4, Wham! The 133-year-old bridge was closed entirely in August after cracks in the structure worsened during a heatwave. Read about our approach to external linking. We will never take risks with people’s safety. The tenth meeting of the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce was held yesterday, 17 December 2020. "There is now a better understanding of how the bridge might be behaving" and that "assumptions on its closure should be revisited", the DfT said. In October a special taskforce was set up by the Department for Transport (DfT) to work with bodies like Hammersmith and Fulham Council, which owns the bridge, and Transport for London (TfL) in order to carry out repairs and organise a temporary crossing. © 2021 BBC. Furious row over Hammersmith Bridge as government says it CAN reopen to pedestrians and cyclists in weeks - just months after it was closed for seven years for £141m repairs - … Prime minister Boris Johnson has been warned that without immediate funding the bridge faces “a potential catastrophic failure”. He said: "Our response has been to ask if they would take on the legal responsibility for such a decision, but they have consistently refused to do so. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Motorists have not been able to use 133-year-old Hammersmith Bridge .css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link{color:#3F3F42;}.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited{color:#696969;}.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited{font-weight:bolder;border-bottom:1px solid #BABABA;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link:hover,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited:hover,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link:focus,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited:focus{border-bottom-color:currentcolor;border-bottom-width:2px;color:#B80000;}@supports (text-underline-offset:0.25em){.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited{border-bottom:none;-webkit-text-decoration:underline #BABABA;text-decoration:underline #BABABA;-webkit-text-decoration-thickness:1px;text-decoration-thickness:1px;-webkit-text-decoration-skip-ink:none;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;text-underline-offset:0.25em;}.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link:hover,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited:hover,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link:focus,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited:focus{-webkit-text-decoration-color:currentcolor;text-decoration-color:currentcolor;-webkit-text-decoration-thickness:2px;text-decoration-thickness:2px;color:#B80000;}}since April 2019 after inspectors found "critical faults" in the cast iron casing. ", Tom Edwards, BBC London transport correspondent. The idea of a temporary road bridge running adjacent to Hammersmith Bridge was proposed by an engineering consultancy who said it would cost just £7 million and take three months to implement. The closure of Hammersmith Bridge On 13 August 2020, the 133-year-old Hammersmith Bridge had to be closed to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic for safety reasons. The cost of fixing the Victorian bridge in Hammersmith, West London, has already hit £141million and it is now unlikely to reopen until 2027 - four years later than planned. What's in store for US President-elect Biden in 2021? Hammersmith Bridge is closed to all users, including people walking and cycling, for safety reasons. TORY mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey has pledged to build a new bridge across the Thames at Hammersmith as he accused Sadiq Khan of letting the current bridge fall into disrepair. The Department for Transport has yet to announce whether it will fund the restoration of Hammersmith Bridge, estimated to cost more than £140 million. Hammersmith & Fulham Council has unveiled a radical new plan to build a temporary double-decker crossing within the existing structure of Hammersmith Bridge that has been closed on safety grounds since August 13th Working with Sir John Ritblat from Delancey, and world leading architects and engineers Foster + Partners, the council has said that under […] Prior to that, no such review had ever taken place. BBC London transport correspondent Tom Edwards said there were hopes that the bridge could reopen to cyclists and pedestrians in the spring - several months earlier than had previously been projected. It closed to vehicles in April 2019 and to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic in August this year. 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