Hammersmith Bridge has closed to pedestrians and river traffic because of an increased risk to public safety due to a sudden deterioration in key parts of the suspension structure.
Engineers have been undertaking continuous monitoring of the structural integrity of the bridge throughout using an extensive network of sensors on the 19th century structure.
According to the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (LBHF), the deterioration in the structure was exacerbated by the recent heatwave, which caused cracks to significantly increase – despite measures taken to mitigate the heat.
The bridge will remain closed until the engineers are confident that it is safe to re-open to pedestrians and river traffic.
It means that pedestrians and cyclists must now cross the river elsewhere, while all river traffic under the bridge will also be stopped – including the pedestrian walkways under Hammersmith Bridge – while engineers examine the extent of the damage.
Cllr Stephen Cowan, leader of the LBHF, said: “Safety is the number one priority. I’m absolutely sure that we averted a catastrophe by closing this 19th century suspension bridge to motor vehicles last year.
“We have some of the best engineers in the world working on this scheme. They advise we now face a similar dilemma. I appreciate how inconvenient this will be to thousands of people on both sides of the river and I am sorry about that, but we must follow the engineers’ advice which is why the bridge will be closed with immediate effect.
“We will update everyone as soon as engineers have investigated the scale of the recent damage. I have instructed them to find a plan to safely reopen it as quickly as they can.”
The bridge was designed and built in the 19th century by civil engineer, Sir Joseph Bazalgette. It was opened by the Prince of Wales in 1887.
