Hammersmith Bridge 2017, © Jane Bain

Members of the Hammersmith Society, Historic Buildings Group and HAMRA committees met the team in charge of the major works planned for Hammersmith Bridge.

Jane Bain of HAMRA delivered an  impressive visual presentation about the effect of surrounding developments on the Bridge silhouette and general loss of visibility over time, using archive photographs (small selection shown below) to support our contention that the paint treatment of the Bridge should be revisited so the Bridge is visible, distinctive and can be fully appreciated in longer views. The agreement of Historic England will be needed to any change in the colour treatment, which may be a challenge.

Hammersmith Bridge 1950 © Hammersmith Archives

Hammersmith Bridge 1964 © Hammersmith Archives

Hammersmith Bridge 1986 © Hammersmith Archives

Hammersmith Bridge 2003 © Jane Bain

The works, which will involve bridge closure, are still scheduled for the end of this year. At the moment studies are still being carried out on the Bridge: stress tests, load assessments, effects of previous repairs. A feasibility report is being prepared on the basis of this information which will give options for the scale of the major repairs: financial viability may not necessarily support TfL’s aspiration to have double-decker buses using the Bridge. 

The duration of closure is as yet unknown: Putney Bridge was 3 months, Albert Bridge was 18 months, but we were assured every effort would be made to make it as short as practicable and if possible use partial closures.  The team will be using the Bridge works as an educational opportunity, working with local schools and running a website about the work.

On lighting, the plan is for LED lighting broadly in line with the 1998 illumination scheme: lights on the balustrade, up-lighters on the towers. The suspension cable will not have lights, which is a pity but would be expensive and difficult to repair. The LED lighting would potentially be capble of changing colours for special events. There will be lighting trials and we will be informed when they are happening.