Hammersmith Bridge
Hammersmith Bridge
Our Conservation and engineering teams advised on a major refurbishment of the Grade II* listed Hammersmith Bridge to enable it to reopen after an extended period of closure.
Constructed in 1887 to designs by the celebrated engineer, Sir Joseph Bazalgette, this remarkable engineering structure remains a vital part of the road network of West London but faces significant structural challenges due to its age and design limitations. Following over 130 years with minimal intervention to its suspension system, the bridge was closed to vehicles following the discovery of cracks in a cast iron structural element and issues with the suspension system.
The closure was extended to pedestrians, cyclists and river users after cracks appeared to have worsened, with the installation of temporary and permanent steel frames for support.
We first produced a comprehensive Statement of Significance setting out the bridge’s history of alteration and heritage significance, to inform discussions about the future of the bridge between TfL, the local planning authorities and Historic England. We subsequently produced Heritage Statements to accompany planning and LBC applications for a temporary footbridge alongside the listed bridge, and for emergency repair works to the listed bridge to allow its safe reopening to pedestrians and cyclists. For this, our engineers helped to assess the design of the bridge and inform our emerging proposals regarding conservation and assessing heritage impact.
Client: Transport for London/Royal Borough of Richmond upon Thames