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TfL is planning a temporary footbridge parallel to Hammersmith Bridge at the request of H&F Council, to assure pedestrian and cycle transit throughout the repair programme. The aim is to give over the entire Bridge space to the continuing works, with the result that the total closure time could be reduced by 9-12 months.
In an online webinar on 3 April (replacing planned exhibitions which had to be cancelled), representatives of TfL and LBHF set out their scheme for a prefabricated steel structure supported by 2 piers in the riverbed, on the downriver side of Hammersmith bridge. It would be the same height as the Bridge and would have no impact on river traffic. The usable deck would be 5.5m wide and there will be separation of cyclists and pedestrians (no motorbikes allowed).
Access would be via Queen Caroline Street on the Hammersmith side via gradual ramps. It would take 6-7 months to complete, and planning permission would stipulate it being in place for up to 5 years, with the aim of re-using the structure elsewhere afterwards.
Keeping foot and cycle traffic flowing has to be a welcome initiative. The one downside is that the structure would close the Thames Path on either side, meaning a detour – possibly via the rear of Riverside Studios or past the Apollo and round by Fulham Palace Road on the North side, and via Riverview Gardens on the Barnes side.
Meanwhile the pedestals, hangers, chain bearings and hanger connections are being worked on and acoustic monitoring of the Bridge structure continues. A detailed Scope of Works together with costs is expected later in the spring. The new deck will be steel, with resin on top, which will perform far better than the asphalt over boards which were alarmingly visible previously. The repairs will give 60 years of design life.
Some suggested pulling it down altogether and building a state of the art motor traffic bridge (others wanted it kept permanently as a foot and cycle bridge). But given that it is a Listed structure – and one that actually warrants the much-abused term “iconic” – demolition was never on the cards.
So, can we make the motor traffic, pedestrian and cycle use better by tactful modification of the footways – widening them so cyclists don’t have to use the main bridge carriageway?
Looking at this very recent photo, it would seem eminently possible to widen the cantilevers attached to the 1970’s under-deck steelwork by perhaps 750mm to 1m, while maintaining the historic balustrades, to provide a modern specification cycleway.
This would mean one side could be given over to cycles and the other to pedestrians, or separated use on each footway. This would be a sensitive proposal from the point of view of English Heritage, but if the repairs are giving 60 years of design life, let’s take the opportunity to look at the quality of use being delivered, to help all users.
More details can be found on TfL’s website
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