Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 26 September (HL1120), whether the second strengthening stage of works on Hammersmith Bridge has started; and if not, when it will (1) start, and (2) be completed.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The first, ‘Stabilisation’ stage of works is now expected to complete in Spring 2025 and will ensure that the Bridge can safely remain open to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic on a permanent basis. The schedule for the ‘Strengthening’ works is under development by the Borough.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to address (1) unregulated e-bike hire, and (2) illegal e-scooters.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the need to address the problems caused by unregulated e-bike hire schemes and illegal e-scooters. Ministers are carefully considering next steps and potential solutions. It is a matter for the police to decide what action is appropriate to deal with those who ride e-scooters illegally on the public highway.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government when Hammersmith Bridge will re-open to traffic.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Hammersmith Bridge is expected to be reopened following the completion of the second, ‘Strengthening’ stage of works.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many vehicles in England are licensed in total; and what is the number broken down by (1) cars, (2) HGVs, (3) motorbikes, and (4) other categories of vehicles.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The table below shows the number of vehicles currently licensed in England.
Cars | 28,153,927 |
HGVs | 420,543 |
Motorbikes | 1,204,083 |
Other categories of vehicles | 4,682,394 |
Total | 34,460,947 |
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to Written Answers by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 29 September (HL10314) and 11 October (HL10459), what assessment they have made of (1) the impact of the closure of Hammersmith Bridge on traffic in south-west London, and (2) the reasons for the length of the closure; and what steps they are taking to ensure that the bridge is opened to traffic again as soon as possible.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Hammersmith Bridge is owned by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF), and therefore the responsibility for maintaining the bridge, and making decisions on its repair, lies with the borough. As the asset owner and project lead, it is for LBHF to make any assessments regarding the impact of the closure of the Bridge on traffic in south-west London. The Borough is also responsible for making any decisions in response to safety issues that may arise on Hammersmith Bridge, including restricting access to certain forms of transport.
The next step to the permanent safe reopening of the bridge to all users lies with LBHF. The Borough and its technical advisors have been continuing to work on the production of an Outline Business Case for the required Strengthening Works, which is a condition for the release of any further Government contribution to the cost of repairing the bridge.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 29 September (HL10314), when the Department for Transport's scrutiny period of the governance processes in regards to Hammersmith Bridge will conclude; and when they will announce a timeline for the re-opening of Hammersmith Bridge to traffic.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Department for Transport and Transport for London (TfL) are working closely with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF) to ensure that an effective business case is submitted for the necessary strengthening works on Hammersmith Bridge. Once submitted, the final business case will be robustly scrutinised by my Department and by TfL to protect the national taxpayer’s interests and ensure that projects with strong business cases receive Government support. Given the thorough nature of this process, I cannot yet give a specific date for completion.
As the asset owner, the responsibility for the required repair works lies with LBHF. As such, my Department cannot make any decisions or give estimates on the expected date for the re-opening of Hammersmith Bridge to traffic.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 13 September (HL9790), when they expect the business case development process to report.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Department for Transport continues to work constructively with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham – the asset owner and lead for the Hammersmith Bridge project – and with Transport for London to make progress on the Outline Business Case. This is currently undergoing scrutiny through the Department’s governance processes. LBHF is being kept appraised of developments, and a report will be issued once the governance processes have been fulfilled.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect Hammersmith Bridge to reopen to traffic.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Transport in London is devolved. Hammersmith Bridge is owned by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF) which is responsible for its repair and maintenance.
Stabilisation works are underway; a business case for strengthening works is in development. Providing a schedule for the full reopening of the bridge is part of the business case development process.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their long-term funding settlement with Transport for London, what discussions they have had as part of the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce about when the Bridge will re-open to motor traffic.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF), the Government, and Transport for London (TfL) are committed to reopening Hammersmith Bridge to motor traffic. LBHF is developing a business case for the second stage of repair work to the structure, which will allow the bridge to re-open to motor traffic. This business case will set out the engineering options to do so, including the costs and timelines for the project.
A further meeting of the Taskforce will be considered when members put forward substantive agenda items for discussion. The Taskforce publishes a report of each meeting on the Government website.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when Hammersmith Bridge will reopen to motor vehicles.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The London Borough and Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF) owns and is responsible for the maintenance of and repairs to Hammersmith Bridge.
As stated in my response to your previous question [HL6799], the next stage of the project is to reopen the bridge to motor vehicles. London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF) is currently reviewing delivery options and developing a business case for this stage. Providing a schedule for the full reopening is part of this development process.