The third meeting of the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce was held today, Thursday 1 October. It was chaired by Transport Minister, Baroness Vere and attendees included the Project Director Dana Skelley plus representatives from the London Boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham and Richmond upon Thames, the Greater London Authority, TfL, and the Port of London Authority.
Dana Skelley, speaking on behalf of the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce group, said:
The taskforce has made significant progress on the next steps for the Hammersmith Bridge. In particular, the taskforce agreed a ferry service across the river would be the preferred transport solution to deliver a crossing for residents in the short-term and we are working quickly to have a service in place by early next year.
All other potential solutions, including a temporary bridge, remain under consideration to ensure the fastest possible resolution for those impacted by the closure of the bridge. TfL also continues to keep the enhanced local bus services under review to respond to changing demands. The taskforce fully understands the complexity of the issues surrounding the pathway to a long-term solution.
To add to the team of leading experts providing advice to the group, Cambridge Professor and mechanics and materials expert, Norman Fleck, has also been engaged to support the work. Norman will join next week’s taskforce meeting.
Work will now continue to urgently progress the temporary transport plans, and other work related to the bridge and river closure, with the taskforce due to reconvene next week where funding options will be discussed.
The Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce was set up by the Department for Transport in September 2020 to work towards safely reopening the Hammersmith Bridge. The taskforce is chaired by Baroness Vere and includes representatives from TfL, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Network Rail, the Greater London Authority and the Port of London Authority.