Hammersmith Bridge Repairs Could Stretch to 2035

Londoners are no strangers to travel disruptions due to weekend Tube closures, roadworks, diversions. But the closure of Hammersmith Bridge has been in a league of its own. Hammersmith Bridge repairs are again facing significant delays, with Londoners now bracing for the possibility of the iconic crossing remaining closed until 2035. Already closed to vehicles for six years, the timeline for its repair could stretch another decade, with residents now facing the prospect of a staggering 16 years without one of London’s most recognisable river crossings.

The bridge, built in 1887, is an extraordinary example of Victorian suspension engineering, but that history has come with an enormous price tag. According to the Institution of Civil Engineers, projects like Hammersmith Bridge repairs face increasing challenges due to rising material costs and delays. Repairs are estimated to cost £250 million, and the government and local authorities have spent years in a back-and-forth over who should foot the bill. The delays have left the bridge open only to cyclists and pedestrians, while drivers are forced to take lengthy detours. Despite some progress, such as approving a cycle lane in 2022, no timeline has been set to reopen the bridge to vehicles.

Local MP Fleur Anderson has voiced growing concerns about the lack of action. She’s warned that even if repairs started today, the project would take at least ten years to complete. Speaking candidly, she said,

“If the government had acted six years ago, the work could have been finished by now. Instead, the delays have made everything more difficult and expensive.”

Anderson also pointed out how changing global circumstances have worsened the situation. Steel, for instance, is harder to source now, partly due to the war in Ukraine, and costs across the board have climbed. “The longer we wait, the more complicated and costly it becomes,” she explained. Her prediction? 2035 is likely when the bridge will finally be ready, though even that isn’t guaranteed.

Back in 2020, the government set up the “Hammersmith Bridge Task Force” to tackle the issue, but little has changed since. Anderson is now urging residents to share their experiences with the Department for Transport, hoping personal stories about the impact of the closure might drive some progress. With the task force set to meet again, there’s a glimmer of hope, but the frustration felt by those who rely on the bridge remains palpable.

For now, Londoners are left to work their way around the problem—literally—and wait for the gears of bureaucracy to turn. Whether 2035 is a realistic end date or just another milestone in a saga of delays, one thing is certain: the iconic bridge, once a triumph of Victorian engineering, has become a symbol of modern-day stagnation.

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