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.

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.