Lib Dems call for full restoration of Hammersmith Bridge

Local Liberal Democrats have renewed calls for a full refurbishment of Hammersmith Bridge, warning that current proposals risk entrenching years of disruption rather than delivering the long-term solution residents need.

Cllr Alexander Ehmann has written to Hammersmith & Fulham Council Leader Cllr Stephen Cowan requesting permission to address the Council’s Cabinet meeting on Monday 6 July, following the publication of papers setting out the authority’s proposed approach to seeking funding through the Government’s Structures Fund. While welcoming efforts to secure investment in the bridge, the Liberal Democrats have expressed concern that Hammersmith & Fulham Council now appears to be seeking funding only to maintain Hammersmith Bridge in its current walking and cycling configuration, rather than pursuing a full refurbishment capable of restoring public transport connectivity.

Cllr Ehmann said:

“There’s finally a glimmer of hope for Hammersmith Bridge, with the Government’s Structures Fund offering a route to the long-overdue investment that residents have been waiting years to see. Liberal Democrats fought hard to ensure that Hammersmith Bridge could benefit from this opportunity. But Hammersmith & Fulham now appears to be scaling back its ambitions, bidding only to preserve the status quo. Stabilising the bridge is welcome. Settling for less after years of disruption is not.”

The Liberal Democrats argue that the current approach fails to recognise the needs of residents who cannot travel by foot or bicycle, including older people, disabled residents, families with young children and those who depend on public transport to access work, education and healthcare.

Barnes Councillor, Duncan Rasor, said:

“Aspiring to nothing more than pedestrian and cycle access ignores the needs of thousands of residents who depend on crossing the river to reach shops, healthcare and work. It particularly affects the most vulnerable residents and key workers, makes London less connected and holds back economic growth. The Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for a solution that would restore bus services and emergency vehicle access across Hammersmith Bridge.

Cllr Ehmann added:

“We’ve always pushed for a bridge that carries buses and emergency vehicles. Residents on both sides of the the river have been cut off for too long. They deserve a solution that restores proper connectivity, not a compromise that locks in limited access for years to come. Maintaining the bridge in its current form, simply isnt ambitious enough.  This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix Hammersmith Bridge properly. We must not miss it by aiming too low.”

The Liberal Democrats are calling on Hammersmith & Fulham Council to reconsider its approach and pursue a funding strategy capable of delivering the full restoration of Hammersmith Bridge, including the return of public transport and emergency vehicle access, ensuring that the bridge once again serves the whole community.