𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Labour has been accused of failing a “test of competence” and urgent answers are now demanded about one of the nation’s most iconic bridges. Taxpayers face a multimillion-pound bill and it is revealed a task force launched ito rescue London’s Hammersmith Bridge has met just once on Labour’s watch.

The bridge closed to motor vehicles in April 2019 and the council stated in a Freedom of Information response last month that the total cost to date of repairs has hit £54.7million an £240million will be required to complete the work.

The crossing, one of the world’s oldest suspension bridges, was designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette and opened in June 1887. In February, transport minister Simon Lightwood revealed that the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce had met just once since Labour came to power, in January 2025.

Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden and Jose Afonso, the leader of the Conservative group on the council, have penned a joint letter to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, calling on her to publish a “funding strategy and anticipated timelines”.

They describe the present situation as “deeply concerning” and warn that “residents have shown patience for long enough”, adding: “The estimated cost of completion is £240million. Tens of millions of pounds have already been spent, and a further quarter of a billion pounds may be required, yet the primary coordinating body responsible for unblocking progress has met only once in over a year. Hammersmith Bridge is a Grade II listed structure and a critical river crossing that has now been closed to motor traffic for nearly seven years. Residents, businesses, emergency services and commuters continue to bear the consequences of prolonged disruption. The stabilisation phase is nearing completion, and decisions regarding strengthening and full reopening are both complex and time-sensitive. This is precisely the stage at which active coordination between stakeholders is essential.”

A Government insider played down the importance of the task force, saying what the bridge “needs is cash”.

But the Conservatives’ Mr Holden said: “This is emblematic of a Department for Transport that has lost its ability to deliver even the most basic infrastructure projects. Tens of millions of pounds have already been spent on Hammersmith Bridge, with hundreds of millions more potentially required, yet progress has stalled. This is a test of competence, and it is being failed. Labour cannot even reopen a bridge in the capital; what hope is there for projects across the rest of the country?”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We have provided £17million to keep the bridge open for walking and cycling, and will continue to work closely with the council and Transport for London as we consider future funding through our new Structures Fund. We consider the Hammersmith Bridge to be a good candidate for the Structures Fund, and the Taskforce will meet again once funding arrangements for the Structures Fund have been confirmed.”