Hammersmith Bridge given funding increase to reopen

Cyclists will be able to cross Hammersmith Bridge safely, with £3 million of investment from the government to resurface the bridge and provide a new cycle lane.

Once the resurfacing works are completed, cyclists will no longer have to dismount from their bikes and use the separate footpath, allowing them to cross the bridge quickly and separately from pedestrians.

A temporary cycle lane was installed by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham on 13 February this year, which is set to be open until the stabilisation works resume in May.

The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham owns the bridge and is responsible for its maintenance, with this new government funding allowing the introduction of a resurfaced cycle lane expected in November this year.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said this cycle lane will be a significant upgrade on the current temporary solution.

This latest investment takes total funding from the DfT to support the bridge to almost £13 million, as ministers continue to work closely with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and Transport for London (TfL) to fully reopen the bridge to traffic as soon as possible.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said the funding is "the latest example of the government's ongoing commitment" to make sure the bridge reopens.

He said: "Cyclists and pedestrians will be able to continue to use the bridge safely, with this latest funding from government another important step towards fully reopening the bridge for motorists and all Londoners as quickly as possible."