The MP for Richmond Park has criticised Hammersmith and Fulham Council for failing to keep pedestrians safe despite spending over £1m on marshals to patrol Hammersmith Bridge.
Sarah Olney MP’s complaint comes as a local survey in Barnes found that 50% of respondents had witnessed altercations on the structure, with 12% observing physical violence between cyclists and pedestrians.
Hammersmith Bridge, which has been closed to motor traffic since 2020 due to fears over structural safety, was reopened to pedestrians in April 2021 with marshals employed 24/7 by Hammersmith and Fulham council to control traffic management and ensure safety.
However, despite the expenditure, Olney said the survey showed the council was not going far enough.
She said: “Tensions on Hammersmith Bridge are reaching breaking point.
“After spending £1 million on security, you’d hope Hammersmith and Fulham could at least keep pedestrians safe, but near misses and verbal abuse have become an almost daily occurrence.
“We need security on the bridge, but merely having a few people sitting on the river bank isn’t an effective service.”
Credit: Sarah Olney MP
Since the closure in 2020, the funding for the full repairs of Hammersmith Bridge have been subject to a dispute between the Department for Transport, Transport for London and Hammersmith and Fulham Council, who own the structure.
The strengthening repairs of the bridge, which are estimated to now cost in excess of £200m, will be funded in thirds between each of the three bodies.
However, the final business case proposal from Hammersmith and Fulham Council to fund the works has yet to be approved by transport ministers.
Olney, who has campaigned for the Department for Transport to step in and fund the repairs, has called for further action to be taken in the meantime to ensure pedestrian safety.
She said: “Even if Hammersmith and Fulham can’t get the bridge reopened, they can at least commit to keeping pedestrians safe.”
Credit: Courtesy of the Office of Sarah Olney
A spokesperson from Hammersmith and Fulham Council said: “We completely understand the frustrations experienced by both pedestrians and cyclists using Hammersmith Bridge.
“Currently, we are refurbishing the main carriageway so we can reopen the central lane to cyclists next spring.
“The bridge will then have two separate spaces for cyclists and pedestrians.
“Unfortunately, both bridge users and our marshals have been the victims of verbal and physical abuse during the works.
“When severe, we’ve referred these incidents to the police.
“We would kindly request that people continue to show consideration for one another.
“We truly appreciate the patience and understanding of everyone using the bridge during these refurbishment works to our 137-year-old Grade II*-listed bridge.”
Last month, parliamentary under-secretary for local transport, Simon Lightwood MP said: “The Department will be exploring funding options for a suite of transport related projects at the Spring Spending Review, including the Hammersmith Bridge strengthening works.”
Image credit: Sarah Olney MP
