Six Weekend Closures of Hammersmith Bridge Announced
Pedestrians and cyclists won't be able to cross for 24-hour periods
Hammersmith Bridge
October 14, 2024
Hammersmith & Fulham Council has announced a series of six 24-hour weekend closures of Hammersmith Bridge over the next few weeks.
It says it needs to restrict access for pedestrians and cyclists to allow work to progress on the stabilisation of the Grade II*-listed bridge. Engineers need to lift the 137-year-old cast iron bridge and replace the corroded, seized components with new rubber bearings.
The closures are taking place at the following dates and times:
• From Friday 25 Oct 9pm to Saturday 26 Oct 9pm
• From Friday 1 Nov 9pm to Saturday 2 Nov 9pm
• From Friday 8 Nov 9pm to Saturday 9 Nov 9pm
• From Friday 15 Nov 9pm to Saturday 16 Nov 9pm
• From Friday 22 Nov 9pm to Saturday 23 Nov 9pm
• From Friday 29 Nov 9pm to Saturday 30 Nov 9pm.
The council says it has attempted to limit the disruption by avoiding school and work commuting times. River traffic will not be affected.
After the outer plates are removed from the corroded bearings, hydraulic jacks will be installed between them. Their shape allows them to slide into place under the saddle before being inflated. The jacks work like the tool used to lift a car to change a tyre. Once the jacks raise the saddle, the corroded bearings will be removed. Four new rubber bearings will be placed in each corner and permanently replace the old, seized bearings.
Meanwhile, engineers are currently resurfacing the bridge’s deck. Nearly 1,000 timber and steel panels that line the bridge deck have been taken up. Engineers are removing the screws that bolt the steel panels down. Two teams work in tandem above and below the bridge.
Once the on-site work is complete, the council says it will fully re-open the entire length of the bridge for pedestrians and cyclists in the Spring with cyclists being allowed to cross without dismounting.
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