London's Hammersmith Bridge to Get $3.6M for Cyclist Access

The U.K.'s Department for Transport is providing $3.6 million to allow cyclists to use the Hammersmith Bridge in London, which had been closed to all traffic in 2019 due to crack worsening during a heatwave. The funding will introduce a new, fully resurfaced cycle lane, eliminating the need for cyclists to share a footway with pedestrians. The government aims to reopen the bridge to all traffic in the future, and a climate charity has been campaigning for permanent access for cyclists and pedestrians.

Key Takeaways

• The UK's Department for Transport is providing $3.6 million to enable cyclists to use Hammersmith Bridge in London, following its closure to all traffic in 2019.
• The funding will introduce a new, fully resurfaced cycle lane by November, allowing cyclists to cross the bridge separately from pedestrians.
• London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham installed a temporary cycle lane in February, aiming to reopen the bridge to all traffic in the future.
• Co-director of climate charity Possible, Leo Murray, campaigns for the bridge to be permanently open to cyclists and pedestrians, offering a clean and healthy way for local journeys.
• Hammersmith Bridge, built in 1887, is one of the world's oldest suspension bridges, making repair costs significant.

News Content

The Hammersmith Bridge in London, closed to all traffic in 2019 due to worsening cracks during a heatwave, is set to receive $3.6 million from the U.K.’s Department for Transport for cyclist access. The bridge, owned by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, will see the introduction of a fully resurfaced cycle lane this November, allowing cyclists to cross separately from pedestrians. This temporary solution follows the installation of a temporary cycle lane earlier this year, with hopes of reopening the bridge to all traffic in the future.

Leo Murray, co-director of climate charity Possible, expressed hope that a permanent cycle crossing over the Thames would enable clean, cheap, and healthy local journeys, addressing London’s environmental problems. The bridge, constructed in 1887 and one of the world’s oldest suspension bridges, poses a costly repair challenge.

Efforts to provide access for cyclists and pedestrians on the historic Hammersmith Bridge in London have secured $3.6 million in government funding. With a new, fully resurfaced cycle lane expected to be introduced this November, cyclists will be able to cross separately from pedestrians, addressing London’s environmental concerns and encouraging healthy commutes.

Analysis

The funding injection of $3.6 million from the U.K.’s Department for Transport for cyclist access to the closed Hammersmith Bridge in London can be attributed to the urgent need to address environmental concerns and provide alternative transportation options. The worsening cracks in the bridge during a heatwave in 2019 highlighted the pressing infrastructure maintenance issue. Short-term consequences include the improvement of local journeys and the reintegration of cyclists into the transportation mix, while the long-term impact could lead to the revitalization of the historic bridge's functionality and the promotion of sustainable commuting. The move reflects a concerted effort to tackle climate issues and preserve historical infrastructure, potentially setting a precedent for similar initiatives worldwide.

Do You Know?

• Hammersmith Bridge:

  • The Hammersmith Bridge in London, a historic suspension bridge built in 1887, has been closed to all traffic since 2019 due to worsening cracks, posing a costly repair challenge.

• $3.6 million government funding:

  • The U.K.’s Department for Transport has allocated $3.6 million for the Hammersmith Bridge to provide access for cyclists, with a fully resurfaced cycle lane expected to be introduced this November, allowing cyclists to cross separately from pedestrians.

• Climate charity Possible and environmental concerns:

  • Leo Murray, co-director of climate charity Possible, expressed hope that a permanent cycle crossing over the Thames would enable clean, cheap, and healthy local journeys, addressing London’s environmental problems.