HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE - Frequently Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Question: Why are you doing this?
Answer: Hammersmith Bridge is an important, historic part of London’s infrastructure. We believe that there is an alternative cost effective, long term approach to re-opening the bridge. Our aim is to bring this alternative into consideration.
Question: How much will your bridge proposal cost?
Answer: The crux of our design, and the key to controlling its cost, is that the weight of traffic is removed from the old structure so that expensive and uncertain strengthening is no longer required. The team estimates the construction cost to be between £105M and £115M excluding VAT, fees and legal costs. This cost comprises:
Question: Why are you doing this?
Answer: Hammersmith Bridge is an important, historic part of London’s infrastructure. We believe that there is an alternative cost effective, long term approach to re-opening the bridge. Our aim is to bring this alternative into consideration.
Question: How much will your bridge proposal cost?
Answer: The crux of our design, and the key to controlling its cost, is that the weight of traffic is removed from the old structure so that expensive and uncertain strengthening is no longer required. The team estimates the construction cost to be between £105M and £115M excluding VAT, fees and legal costs. This cost comprises:
Question: Who will pay for the bridge?
Answer: Funding for the bridge has yet to be agreed by the key stakeholders, but we believe that the funding might be divided as follows:
Answer: Funding for the bridge has yet to be agreed by the key stakeholders, but we believe that the funding might be divided as follows:
Question: How long will it take?
Answer: The team estimates that there will be two years of construction after the design has been finalised, approvals granted and funding put in place.
Question: Will I be able to cross the bridge while work is underway?
Answer: We propose that the bridge will be closed during construction for up to six hours per day 09.30 till 3.30 (open at school start & end times.) Full closure days will be planned in advance to coincide wherever possible with school holidays.
Question: How will it be constructed?
Answer: A temporary floating ‘Island’ will be formed beneath the centre of the bridge to provide support for cranes, docking for barges, and temporary support for incomplete structures. Construction materials will be transported to and from the site by river.
Question: How will the proposal differ from other alternatives?
Answer: The proposal is to relieve the old bridge of the weight of traffic by transferring the load to a new structure interwoven with the historic frame.
Question: Will the repaired bridge encourage more traffic and pollution?
Answer: Current traffic load is diverted to Chiswick and Putney Bridges with consequential congestion & pollution. Once repaired, original traffic levels will resume. This will include the re-instatement of a number of important public bus routes which are currently suspended. Emissions will reduce over time as electric vehicles take the place of petrol and diesel.
Question: Who has been consulted about the proposal?
Answer: The team has yet to present the design to the Hammersmith Bridge Task Force, London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, The Mayor’s Office or local pressure groups. We anticipate that bringing the proposals into the public domain will generate interest and discussion with all these groups, the residents of both local boroughs and the wider public.
Question: What is the environmental impact of the proposal?
Answer: The bridge will be designed, and the construction process audited, to ensure minimal impact on both the surrounding ecology and the global environment. Going forward, the team will work with specialist advisors to investigate and develop further the carbon advantages already present in the proposal.
Question: How can I make my views about the proposals known?
Answer: Send an email at hammersmithbridge@baynesandmitchell.co.uk, leave a comment on the project page, or comment via the social media options below
Answer: The team estimates that there will be two years of construction after the design has been finalised, approvals granted and funding put in place.
Question: Will I be able to cross the bridge while work is underway?
Answer: We propose that the bridge will be closed during construction for up to six hours per day 09.30 till 3.30 (open at school start & end times.) Full closure days will be planned in advance to coincide wherever possible with school holidays.
Question: How will it be constructed?
Answer: A temporary floating ‘Island’ will be formed beneath the centre of the bridge to provide support for cranes, docking for barges, and temporary support for incomplete structures. Construction materials will be transported to and from the site by river.
Question: How will the proposal differ from other alternatives?
Answer: The proposal is to relieve the old bridge of the weight of traffic by transferring the load to a new structure interwoven with the historic frame.
Question: Will the repaired bridge encourage more traffic and pollution?
Answer: Current traffic load is diverted to Chiswick and Putney Bridges with consequential congestion & pollution. Once repaired, original traffic levels will resume. This will include the re-instatement of a number of important public bus routes which are currently suspended. Emissions will reduce over time as electric vehicles take the place of petrol and diesel.
Question: Who has been consulted about the proposal?
Answer: The team has yet to present the design to the Hammersmith Bridge Task Force, London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, The Mayor’s Office or local pressure groups. We anticipate that bringing the proposals into the public domain will generate interest and discussion with all these groups, the residents of both local boroughs and the wider public.
Question: What is the environmental impact of the proposal?
Answer: The bridge will be designed, and the construction process audited, to ensure minimal impact on both the surrounding ecology and the global environment. Going forward, the team will work with specialist advisors to investigate and develop further the carbon advantages already present in the proposal.
Question: How can I make my views about the proposals known?
Answer: Send an email at hammersmithbridge@baynesandmitchell.co.uk, leave a comment on the project page, or comment via the social media options below