London’s Hammersmith Bridge, which has been closed to vehicles since April following the discovery of critical faults, will not be strong enough to take the city’s current fleet of electric double decker buses, according to a TfL document.
Transport for London (TfL) documents state that current plans for the upgrade will only allow for a “limited number of electric buses”.
A TfL spokesperson confirmed that current electric double decker buses would be too heavy to cross the bridge, but that changes in technology may allow new electric double deckers to travel over it.
“We’re always investigating other technologies, and there is the potential for ‘opportunity charging’. This is basically charging points along the bus route, where the bus can get a boost. That means that the battery doesn’t need to be as big, and therefore the bus isn’t as heavy,” said the TfL spokesperson.
Hammersmith Bridge has been closed indefinitely to vehicles since 10 April, with Hammersmith & Fulham Council seeking government funding for restorations.
According to the council, repairs could cost in the region of £120m and take three years to complete.
TfL has so far committed £25m to the project to help with planning and design.
