Hammersmith Bridge

Lord Aberdare Excerpts

Monday 18th September 2023 Lords Chamber

[Lord Davies of Gower (Con)]

I congratulate everybody who is involved in trying to get the bridge open again. As to the contributions, I am not in a position to give details on exact sums of money, but the Government want to do what we can. Under the current scheme, we accept that a third will be contributed by the Government, a third by Transport for London and a third by the local authority.

[Lord Aberdare (CB)]

My Lords, as a Barnes resident, I have been significantly affected by the closure of Hammersmith Bridge to traffic, especially when neighbouring bridges are also closed, as Wandsworth Bridge is at the moment, and local bus services have been reduced. I may be able to help the Government in response to some of the earlier questions; I understand that the task force set up in 2020 last met on 25 November 2021. It has no plans to meet again

“until there is either an issue that requires unblocking … or a significant milestone that needs discussion or celebration”.

Given that the former seems permanent and the latter looks increasingly far off, what can the Government and the Minister now do to ensure that some heads are knocked together and the bridge is actually reopened to traffic, preferably within my lifetime?

[Lord Davies of Gower (Con)]

The noble Lord is right; the task force met 16 times between 1 October 2020 and 25 November 2021. Previous Ministers agreed not to call further meetings

“until there is either an issue that requires unblocking between members, or a significant milestone that needs discussion or celebration”.

I can add only that the Government are as keen as anybody to see this completed.