Lower Thames Crossing: Development Consent

Debate between Lord Harries of Pentregarth and Lord Davies of Gower

Monday 29th April 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Harries of Pentregarth (CB)]

I have a question about the Hammersmith Bridge. The Minister quite rightly referred to Hammersmith and Fulham’s responsibility, but the Government also have a major responsibility and they set up a task force. Can the Minister say when that task force last met?

[Lord Davies of Gower (Con)]

I recall answering this question from the noble and right reverend Lord some time ago. I cannot remember the date, but I will certainly look it up and write to him.

Hammersmith Bridge

Debate between Lord Harries of Pentregarth and Lord Davies of Gower

Monday 18th September 2023 Lords Chamber

[Lord Harries of Pentregarth]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to expedite the re-opening of Hammersmith Bridge for traffic.

[Lord Davies of Gower (Con)]

My Lords, the Government are keen to see Hammersmith Bridge reopen to all road users, including motor vehicles, as soon as is safely possible. In the most recent Transport for London funding settlement, the Government committed to contributing directly up to one-third of the total cost of the project. To date, the Government have provided the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham with almost £10 million of funding for the repair works so far.

[Lord Harries of Pentregarth (CB)]

I thank the Minister for his reply, but Hammersmith Bridge is a major arterial way into London and has now been closed for more than four years. Every day, 22,000 cars and buses that used to go over it are diverted to other bridges, with consequences including congestion and inconvenience. The Government sensibly set up a task force to grip this problem three years ago. Can the Minister say how often that task force has met and whether it has any explanation for why so little progress has been made over this very long period?

[Lord Davies of Gower (Con)]

To put things in perspective, I say that Hammersmith Bridge is a grade 2 listed suspension bridge that was opened, in its current form, in 1887. Since its opening, the structure’s use has changed dramatically, with the bridge carrying modern motor vehicles until its closure, for safety reasons, in April 2019. The government-led task force was set up by the DfT in September 2020 to work towards the safe reopening of the bridge. It brings together key stakeholders—the local authority, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Transport for London, the Greater London Authority and the Port of London Authority. The current priority for the department is to deliver the stabilisation works and develop a business case for the second stage of the works.