London bridges - do not cross
Following the closure of Hammersmith bridge in 2019, the London Assembly Transport Committee carried out an investigation into London’s River crossings and, in 2021, published its report London’s river crossings: Bridging the Thames.
London’s bridges are facing increased pressure from age, climate impacts and underinvestment. A significant number were built in the 19th century, and as a result were not built to withstand current traffic demands or recent climate extremes.
The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham has said the micro-fractures in Hammersmith Bridge’s cast iron pedestals that resulted in the closure of the bridge in April 2019 were “most likely” caused by a heatwave.1
The London Borough of Richmond has stated that deterioration of Richmond Bridge has been caused by “weathering, water ingress, temperature fluctuations and exposure to the tidal river environment” and that more frequent extreme weather events are “likely to accelerate structural deterioration, increase maintenance costs and reduce network reliability”.2
Several Thames road bridges are currently subject to traffic restrictions, ranging from speed limits and weight restrictions to closure to vehicle traffic, all of which can impact Londoners’ everyday journeys.
Tower Bridge, Richmond Bridge and Vauxhall Bridge are currently subject to 18 tonne weight restrictions.3
Hammersmith Bridge and Albert Bridge are both currently closed to vehicle traffic.4
Tomorrow, the London Assembly Transport Committee will revisit this issue five years on, and scrutinise the actions taken since 2021 to maintain the condition of the Thames road bridges and address the deteriorating condition of several at-risk structures. The guests are:
Panel 1: Condition of Thames road bridges five years on (10am – 12pm)
- Simon Latham, Managing Director, City Bridge Foundation
- Andrew Burton, Director of Highway and Regulatory Services, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
- Satbir Gill, Chairman, London Technical Advisors Group
- Mark Averill, Interim Assistant Director Highways at the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
Panel 2: London TravelWatch Budget (12.10am – 12.40am)
- Helen Ewen, Executive Director, Secretariat
The meeting will take place on Tuesday 3 November at 10am in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, Hammersmith Bridge
- London Borough of Richmond, Structures Fund submission
- TfL, River crossing restrictions in central London; see also London Borough of Richmond, Structures fund submission
- London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, Hammersmith Bridge; see also Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Albert Bridge repairs
- Read the agenda in full
- Caroline Russell AM, Chair of the Transport Committee, is available for interview
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor
- Find out more about the work of the Transport Committee
For more details, please contact Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 or at [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.