Forum Topic

Hammersmith Bridge now ‘open’

Great to stroll across the ‘newly opened’ bridge this afternoon, and see many enjoying the new dedicated cycle tracks, and the new ‘pedestrian tracks’ in addition to the original walkways on each side of the bridge.  Maybe there’s more to be done, but it all looked a bit temporary, with baulks of timber separating the cycle tracks from the walking tracks rather than a raised kerb, and there’s still a lot of traffic management clutter on the approaches to the bridge. What did seem unnecessary was the ugly new mesh security fence that’s now dividing the ‘road’ from the original footways, unless it’s anticipating a time when it will protect pedestrians from motor traffic, which I somehow doubt!

Peter Evans ● 2d6 Comments

I think the boxes around the supports aren't permanent as there is still work being done on these.There are similar hostile vehicle barriers on the cycle lane across Blackfriars bridge. As shown in the London Bridge attack, the terrorist didn't need to have a bomb, they can just use their vehicle to run over people on foot or on a bike.

Michael Robinson ● 9h

I assume there must have been a lot of unseen work on the Bridge, finding more things wrong with it the more they looked, and replacing and fixing lots of hidden things.  The ugly big metal boxes with a door in round where I guess the suspension chains are secured to the land look new and not an improvement.  As I mentioned earlier, I don't see the need for the ugly new mesh security fencing along each side between the 'road' and the original walkways.  And why the ugly suicide bomber vehicle protection barriers at each end?  We had these at Chiswick Business Park a while back but they've gone now. I guess any dedicated suicide bomber with Hammersmith Bridge on their list would have to use a cargo bike!

Peter Evans ● 9h

I'm not surprised that you struggle Jeremy.Maybe you should ask AI to do a quote for the time, materials, rates and everything else needed to refurbish a 100+ year old bridge.

Michael Robinson ● 15h

I saw that description when it was first proposed and, having had a look at the finished job, still struggle to see how they got to £2.9million.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 15h

"Engineers removed more than 1,000 deteriorated deck and footway panels for the main carriageway and replaced all the worn wooden deck boards, repaired some bulk timbers that support the decking, resurfaced the carriageway and walkways and installed anti-terror safety measures on the historic bridge."

Michael Robinson ● 15h

It is definitely a huge improvement. I'd been avoiding Hammersmith Bridge on walks and cycle rides recently as it had become very fraught.While the opening of the bridge is very welcome, it is hard to see how £2.9million was spent on this job. The old road layout is essentially maintained. Possibly there was more going on with the sub-surface to keep the options open for different types of future use.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 16h