Transport for London agreed to prioritise the urgent delivery and operation of a temporary ferry replacement for the bridge as part of its recent emergency Covid funding agreement with the Government.

The service is expected to begin in the spring and has been welcomed by Hammersmith & Fulham Council leader Stephen Cowan. But attention must now turn to undertaking permanent repairs and reopening Hammersmith Bridge, which has been closed since August when a heatwave caused existing defects to worsen, he urged.

“While I’m very disappointed it’s taken so long for the Government to get the ferry service agreed, this news will offer some relief to residents on both sides of the River,” said councillor Cowan.

“The real issue is getting the bridge stabilised so people can cross it again and that takes an initial £46M: a figure which the Government has refused to act on,” he claimed.
Procurement of the new ferry operation has now begun with Transport for London seeking expressions of interest to run the service. It will save local residents a 6km detour to access the other side of the bridge.

Plans to restore of the 133 year old Grade II listed Hammersmith Bridge and the funding required are being overseen by a Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce chaired by Transport Minister Baroness Vere.

London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport Heidi Alexander commented: “The Mayor and TfL are absolutely committed to improving cross-river connectivity for Londoners, and we know many residents have faced difficult journeys as a result of the closure of Hammersmith Bridge due to urgent safety concerns.

“I am pleased the procurement for a ferry service can now start, which will make a big difference to local communities and ensure Londoners can travel across the River. It is now vital that Government confirm funding for the stabilisation and strengthening of the bridge itself.”

(Photograph: Alex Muller and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence)