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We've had a few chats about the disgraceful long term closure of the lovely bridge and I've found one proposal. It's only showing here as a link but will open when I click. Can anyone show it ? I've tried Imgur but no good.
I always thought - wrongly as it turns out - that the dirt track on stilts over the Hogarth Roundabout was opened by Jayne Mansfield. It was the one over the Chiswick Roundabout a bit further west that she opened, as reported in this dated but charmingly misogynist YouTube clip:
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Hammersmith Bridge on 13:57 - Feb 26 with 518 views
Why bother spending God-Knows-How-Many Millions repairing or replacing the bridge?
Seriously.
For in the nearly five years since it had to be closed, we've not had the traffic chaos throughout West London which some predicted would ensue.
Instead, motorists have either (a ) made fewer journeys; and/or (b ) switched to public transport; and/or (c ) found acceptable altewrnative routes.
And regarding this last strategy, there hasn't been an unacceptable (noticeable?) increase in usage of Putney, Chiswick, Kew bridges etc.
While there has been a measurable reduction in pollution around H'smith Bridge, while shops, bars, cafes and small businesses on the Barnes side have benefited by more trade, as customers no longer whizz by over the bridge.
Meanwhile, if they were to keep it open only to cyclists and pedestrians, they could increase usage by those of restricted mobity, or carrying goods, or with children etc, by going ahead with a system of electric, golf cart-style shuttles back and forth across the bridge to Hammersmith Tube and Bus Garage. (This has been proposed by others, but not yet taken up).
Then we could use the gazillions saved on infrastructure repairs and improvements which are genunely needed.
Just a thought.
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Hammersmith Bridge on 17:16 - Feb 26 with 348 views
Why bother spending God-Knows-How-Many Millions repairing or replacing the bridge?
Seriously.
For in the nearly five years since it had to be closed, we've not had the traffic chaos throughout West London which some predicted would ensue.
Instead, motorists have either (a ) made fewer journeys; and/or (b ) switched to public transport; and/or (c ) found acceptable altewrnative routes.
And regarding this last strategy, there hasn't been an unacceptable (noticeable?) increase in usage of Putney, Chiswick, Kew bridges etc.
While there has been a measurable reduction in pollution around H'smith Bridge, while shops, bars, cafes and small businesses on the Barnes side have benefited by more trade, as customers no longer whizz by over the bridge.
Meanwhile, if they were to keep it open only to cyclists and pedestrians, they could increase usage by those of restricted mobity, or carrying goods, or with children etc, by going ahead with a system of electric, golf cart-style shuttles back and forth across the bridge to Hammersmith Tube and Bus Garage. (This has been proposed by others, but not yet taken up).
Then we could use the gazillions saved on infrastructure repairs and improvements which are genunely needed.
Just a thought.
"For in the nearly five years since it had to be closed, we've not had the traffic chaos throughout West London which some predicted would ensue."
I wonder if COVID and the switch to work from home may have had a bearing on that as it all slots into the same timeframe?
0
Hammersmith Bridge on 17:19 - Feb 26 with 346 views
Why bother spending God-Knows-How-Many Millions repairing or replacing the bridge?
Seriously.
For in the nearly five years since it had to be closed, we've not had the traffic chaos throughout West London which some predicted would ensue.
Instead, motorists have either (a ) made fewer journeys; and/or (b ) switched to public transport; and/or (c ) found acceptable altewrnative routes.
And regarding this last strategy, there hasn't been an unacceptable (noticeable?) increase in usage of Putney, Chiswick, Kew bridges etc.
While there has been a measurable reduction in pollution around H'smith Bridge, while shops, bars, cafes and small businesses on the Barnes side have benefited by more trade, as customers no longer whizz by over the bridge.
Meanwhile, if they were to keep it open only to cyclists and pedestrians, they could increase usage by those of restricted mobity, or carrying goods, or with children etc, by going ahead with a system of electric, golf cart-style shuttles back and forth across the bridge to Hammersmith Tube and Bus Garage. (This has been proposed by others, but not yet taken up).
Then we could use the gazillions saved on infrastructure repairs and improvements which are genunely needed.
Just a thought.
I don't know, maybe it's always been like that, but I'm tempted to say there speaks somebody who hasn't had to drive over Putney Bridge any time recently.
Took me the thick end of an hour to get across it from Wandsworth Park (a distance of about 400 metres) at 11 in the morning last time I attempted it heading north, and we were sat on Fulham Palace Road for 30 minutes trying to get across it southbound at 11pm on a Friday night after the Derby game.
1
Hammersmith Bridge on 17:34 - Feb 26 with 326 views
I don't know, maybe it's always been like that, but I'm tempted to say there speaks somebody who hasn't had to drive over Putney Bridge any time recently.
Took me the thick end of an hour to get across it from Wandsworth Park (a distance of about 400 metres) at 11 in the morning last time I attempted it heading north, and we were sat on Fulham Palace Road for 30 minutes trying to get across it southbound at 11pm on a Friday night after the Derby game.
Was thinking the same thing.
My journey to work from home (South Ruislip to Colliers Wood) and back again has gone from 1 hour 15 approx to now nearly 2 hours when done by road, since the bridge closure . Putney Bridge is mayhem in both directions all day long .
Edit. Actually thinking about it Sheen,Barnes and Mortlake are utter chaos too since the closure.
[Post edited 26 Feb 17:39]
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Hammersmith Bridge on 17:34 - Feb 26 with 323 views
I don't know, maybe it's always been like that, but I'm tempted to say there speaks somebody who hasn't had to drive over Putney Bridge any time recently.
Took me the thick end of an hour to get across it from Wandsworth Park (a distance of about 400 metres) at 11 in the morning last time I attempted it heading north, and we were sat on Fulham Palace Road for 30 minutes trying to get across it southbound at 11pm on a Friday night after the Derby game.
Maybe so, but do you know that the congestion you suffered on that particular day was anything to do with Hammersmith Bridge closing nearly five years ago?
Does it happen all the time?
And if you find you have to make the same journey on the same day and at a similar time etc, will you just factor in extra time for delay, or find another route, or just change your plans completely?
And on the same theme, how many of the people urging us to spend millions on reparing or replacing the old bridge actually used to drive over it frequently, and because they had to?
How many have found its closure intolerable and have had to stop working, or visiting family and friends, or to move schools etc?
And have you never experienced excessive delay when travelling elsewhere through London i.e. nowhere near Hammersmith or Putney and so nothing to do with the bridge being shut?
Besides all of which, why on earth would anyone bother going south of the river anyway - that's Apache country as far as I'm concerned!
"For in the nearly five years since it had to be closed, we've not had the traffic chaos throughout West London which some predicted would ensue."
I wonder if COVID and the switch to work from home may have had a bearing on that as it all slots into the same timeframe?
Perhaps.
But if Covid etc has reduced the need for motor traffic on the bridge, then that surely is an argument for saying it's no longer needed, therefore not worth spending millions on?
1
Hammersmith Bridge on 17:41 - Feb 26 with 304 views
Hammersmith Bridge on 17:34 - Feb 26 by mart_Goblin
Was thinking the same thing.
My journey to work from home (South Ruislip to Colliers Wood) and back again has gone from 1 hour 15 approx to now nearly 2 hours when done by road, since the bridge closure . Putney Bridge is mayhem in both directions all day long .
Edit. Actually thinking about it Sheen,Barnes and Mortlake are utter chaos too since the closure.
[Post edited 26 Feb 17:39]
You'd have to be barking mad to attempt South Ruislip to Colliers Wood by road unless eg you're a removals contractor and getting paid handsomely to do it.
Hammersmith Bridge on 17:41 - Feb 26 by kensalriser
You'd have to be barking mad to attempt South Ruislip to Colliers Wood by road unless eg you're a removals contractor and getting paid handsomely to do it.
Certainly not well paid but it’s mostly all I know . Used to live in Tooting Bec hence the area I still work in .
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Hammersmith Bridge on 17:51 - Feb 26 with 271 views
Why bother spending God-Knows-How-Many Millions repairing or replacing the bridge?
Seriously.
For in the nearly five years since it had to be closed, we've not had the traffic chaos throughout West London which some predicted would ensue.
Instead, motorists have either (a ) made fewer journeys; and/or (b ) switched to public transport; and/or (c ) found acceptable altewrnative routes.
And regarding this last strategy, there hasn't been an unacceptable (noticeable?) increase in usage of Putney, Chiswick, Kew bridges etc.
While there has been a measurable reduction in pollution around H'smith Bridge, while shops, bars, cafes and small businesses on the Barnes side have benefited by more trade, as customers no longer whizz by over the bridge.
Meanwhile, if they were to keep it open only to cyclists and pedestrians, they could increase usage by those of restricted mobity, or carrying goods, or with children etc, by going ahead with a system of electric, golf cart-style shuttles back and forth across the bridge to Hammersmith Tube and Bus Garage. (This has been proposed by others, but not yet taken up).
Then we could use the gazillions saved on infrastructure repairs and improvements which are genunely needed.
Just a thought.
As another West London driver I thought your assertion sounded unrealistic, and it's not surprising to discover that it is in fact, nonsense.
From a Wandsworth council report:
"The Council has collated its own data as well as working with the Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL) in obtaining their information. Snapshot data from the DfT shows that between 2020 and 2023, the overall number of motor vehicles on Putney Bridge was estimated to have increased by 16%, from 32,083 to 37,239. The Council’s own automatic traffic count data shows a 25% increase in traffic during the morning peak hours between 2019-2023. Data from TFL has also confirmed that bus journey and waiting times have worsened.
As a result of the greater traffic flow, it is clear to see that journey times have lengthened, and the level of wear and tear on our roads has disproportionately increased, at a greater financial cost to Wandsworth taxpayers. This data will form a key piece of evidence as we continue our campaign for Hammersmith Bridge to reopen."
Simon Hogg said: “The ongoing closure of Hammersmith Bridge has placed an unacceptable burden on the people of Wandsworth. Following the closure over five years ago, traffic has got increasingly worse on our local roads, resulting in regular gridlock and longer journey times for people commuting to work, school, and vital appointments. Businesses are struggling, emergency vehicles are delayed, buses are delayed, and our community is rightly frustrated at the inaction and lack of progress to reopen this key river crossing."
As another West London driver I thought your assertion sounded unrealistic, and it's not surprising to discover that it is in fact, nonsense.
From a Wandsworth council report:
"The Council has collated its own data as well as working with the Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL) in obtaining their information. Snapshot data from the DfT shows that between 2020 and 2023, the overall number of motor vehicles on Putney Bridge was estimated to have increased by 16%, from 32,083 to 37,239. The Council’s own automatic traffic count data shows a 25% increase in traffic during the morning peak hours between 2019-2023. Data from TFL has also confirmed that bus journey and waiting times have worsened.
As a result of the greater traffic flow, it is clear to see that journey times have lengthened, and the level of wear and tear on our roads has disproportionately increased, at a greater financial cost to Wandsworth taxpayers. This data will form a key piece of evidence as we continue our campaign for Hammersmith Bridge to reopen."
Simon Hogg said: “The ongoing closure of Hammersmith Bridge has placed an unacceptable burden on the people of Wandsworth. Following the closure over five years ago, traffic has got increasingly worse on our local roads, resulting in regular gridlock and longer journey times for people commuting to work, school, and vital appointments. Businesses are struggling, emergency vehicles are delayed, buses are delayed, and our community is rightly frustrated at the inaction and lack of progress to reopen this key river crossing."
Er, that would be the same Cllr. Hogg, Leader of the Council in Wandsworth, which is desperately trying to persuade Central Government (and LBH&F) to stump up extra millions to sort out the bridge?
I can certainly see his interest in the topic. Meanwhile, the most cursory of googles unearths another local interest group, the cycling lobby, who paint a very different picture to Cllr. Hogg:
"The data used by Wandsworth does not seem quite right, comparing 2020 to 2023 to claim Hammersmith Bridge’s closure caused more traffic. But the bridge was already closed in 2020! A fair baseline shows motor traffic on Putney Bridge has actually fallen by 12% [while they say cycling has increased by 27%]"
Anyhow, I really have no desire to get into one of those tedious statistics-led internet debates over a matter which is as much emotional as factual etc.
Instead I was just wondering whether the money needed for Hammersmith Bridge might be better spent elsewhere, to solve other greater and more urgent infrastructure problems.
Or as I said at the end of my original post: "Just a thought."
[Post edited 26 Feb 18:20]
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Hammersmith Bridge on 18:47 - Feb 26 with 167 views
Well done for managing to find something counter to those published facts and in spite of the obvious and understandable desperation of Wandsworth council to sort this out. However, the answer to your question "I was just wondering whether the money needed for Hammersmith Bridge might be better spent elsewhere, to solve other greater and more urgent infrastructure problems" is - as far as I and many many others are concerned: no.
Well done for managing to find something counter to those published facts and in spite of the obvious and understandable desperation of Wandsworth council to sort this out. However, the answer to your question "I was just wondering whether the money needed for Hammersmith Bridge might be better spent elsewhere, to solve other greater and more urgent infrastructure problems" is - as far as I and many many others are concerned: no.
[Post edited 26 Feb 18:51]
No doubt you "and many others" are indeed concerned to see the money spent on the bridge and have good reasons for doing so.
But assuming you are coming at this as a car owner, you might not want to make it a numbers game, since another cursory google reveals this: "There are 2.56m cars licensed in London. This equates to an average of 0.3 cars per adult. In total, 46 per cent of households do not have a car, 40 per cent have one car and 12 per cent have two or more cars, with very few households owning more than two cars." https://content.tfl.gov.uk/technical-note-12-how-many-cars-are-there-in-london.p [Note the difference between households and occupants]
It is my guess that non-drivers/car owners would prefer to see the money spent elsewhere, also a few other car owners like myself, who question it too.
Anyhow# right or wrong, I can't see anyomne stumping up the necessary in the present economic climate, much less in another few years when costs will doubtless have risen further.
And the longer we manage (somehow) to get by without a bridge, the less the perceived "need" I imagine.
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Hammersmith Bridge on 19:30 - Feb 26 with 82 views
Maybe so, but do you know that the congestion you suffered on that particular day was anything to do with Hammersmith Bridge closing nearly five years ago?
Does it happen all the time?
And if you find you have to make the same journey on the same day and at a similar time etc, will you just factor in extra time for delay, or find another route, or just change your plans completely?
And on the same theme, how many of the people urging us to spend millions on reparing or replacing the old bridge actually used to drive over it frequently, and because they had to?
How many have found its closure intolerable and have had to stop working, or visiting family and friends, or to move schools etc?
And have you never experienced excessive delay when travelling elsewhere through London i.e. nowhere near Hammersmith or Putney and so nothing to do with the bridge being shut?
Besides all of which, why on earth would anyone bother going south of the river anyway - that's Apache country as far as I'm concerned!
[Post edited 26 Feb 17:39]
Just my observations, from 25 years of driving into London from Bracknell, Berkshire. M4, M3 and A3, take the load. M4 travelling into London is approx 8 km of sitting traffic. M3 about the same, as you're basically sitting in traffic from Sunbury. The Putney traffic mentioned is probably due mainly from traffic coming down the A3 and M3. Closing Richmond park Roehampton gates has probably dispersed traffic going down Castelnau over Hammersmith Bridge, plus ULEZ. During peak time, before the bridge closed you would get about a mile of traffic from the over Hammersmith bridge. I actually think the roads around Mortlake and Barnes has improved as there's no reason to go down there (apart from visiting the mother in law !). But traffic on those 3 main roads going in has massively got worse. I don't really know what the upper Richmond road is like these days, up to Putney as i never go that way now, but i would imagine its probably got worse too as there's more traffic going towards Putney bridge. As pointed out above, the wear and tear of other bridges and roads would cost more in the long run than to restore or replace the bridge imo. But who knows though? I would say its better to have a bridge there than not.
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