Hammersmith Flyover: a London landmark that may finally come down

For more than sixty years the Hammersmith Flyover has carried traffic along the A4, a raised slab of concrete dividing the town from the Thames. Now, for the first time in years, its removal is back under serious discussion.

The idea of demolishing the 1961 structure and sending traffic underground is part of a draft Local Plan set out by Hammersmith and Fulham Council. If approved by cabinet, it will go out to public consultation later this year.

The plan calls for a tunnel to replace the flyover, reconnecting the town centre with the river, easing noise and air pollution, and freeing up land for new homes and green spaces. For a borough hemmed in by major roads, the scale of what could be unlocked is significant.

A long-running debate

The flyover was once seen as a modern solution to London’s growing traffic, but its impact on the local area has been widely criticised. It cut Hammersmith off from the Thames, split historic streets and left a permanent physical barrier through the heart of the town.

A previous feasibility study found that traffic disruption during construction would be extensive but manageable if phased carefully. That is one of the central questions in the consultation ahead.

Supporters say removing the flyover would restore a sense of place, open up the riverfront and help tackle air quality issues. Others remain wary of cost, congestion and how long the project might take.

A tunnel in its place?

The proposed “flyunder” would carry A4 traffic beneath ground level, preserving east–west movement while returning the surface to people on foot and on bikes. The council believes redevelopment of land around the site could help fund the project, alongside public investment.

Transport for London has no plans to replace the flyover itself but says it is open to discussion as the local plan progresses. Residents, businesses and transport groups will be asked for their views before any decision is made.

The council’s timetable aims to adopt the plan in 2027. Until then, the Hammersmith Flyover will continue to stand as it has for decades – a relic of mid-century road building, and now, perhaps, a structure at the end of its life.

For further details on the planning framework, see the council’s planning information page.

For clear, independent updates on the Hammersmith Flyover removal and what it means for residents and businesses, follow EyeOnLondon Hammersmith & Fulham and add your view below.

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