Protesters Call for Hammersmith Bridge to Reopen to Vehicles Seven Years After Closure

Protesters have urged authorities to reopen Hammersmith Bridge to motor traffic, more than seven years after it was closed due to safety concerns.

The 138-year-old Grade II-listed suspension bridge, which connects Hammersmith with Barnes in south-west London, was closed to vehicles in 2019 after cracks appeared in its pedestals. It remains accessible only to cyclists and pedestrians.

Putney and Roehampton MP Fleur Anderson highlighted the ongoing disruption caused by the closure, particularly to public transport. “Six bus routes were cut when this bridge was closed, which has made a significant difference on routes through Putney High Street, one of the most congested areas in the borough,” she said. Anderson also noted that changes to nearby junctions and minor roadworks now cause major delays due to the pressure on alternative crossings.

While many at the rally supported reopening the bridge to vehicles, some attendees backed keeping it pedestrian- and cyclist-only.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said it is working with Hammersmith and Fulham Council, which owns the bridge, but no timetable has been set for reopening. “We recognise the disruption caused by the closure of the bridge and so far we have provided £17m of funding, including £4.7m in March 2025, to keep the bridge open for walking and cycling,” a spokesperson said.

A council spokesperson noted that the bridge is “one of the world’s oldest suspension bridges, which is why it is also one of Britain’s most expensive to repair.”

The debate over the bridge’s future continues, balancing the urgent need to improve local transport with the complexities of restoring a historic structure.