I’ve been campaigning for nearly six years to reopen Hammersmith Bridge to vehicles. This month marks a key milestone—I convinced Transport Ministers to reconvene the Taskforce to explore solutions.

Ministers are taking a back-to-basics approach, considering all options. The key takeaway: doing nothing is not an option. 

I emphasised the severe impact on Putney and Roehampton residents. While this is a step forward, there’s still a long road ahead. See here statement from Minister for Local Transport Simon Lightwood MP following the first Taskforce meeting, and below a letter from him summarising his approach:

The first meeting of the reconvened Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce was held 30 January 2025.

The meeting was chaired by Minister for Local Transport Simon Lightwood. Attendees included representatives from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF), the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (LBRuT), the Greater London Authority (GLA), Transport for London (TfL), Department for Transport (DfT), the Port of London Authority (PLA), the London Borough of Wandsworth (LBW), Historic England (HE) and the Environment Agency, as well as local Members of Parliament attending in an observatory capacity.

Given the imminent completion of the first, stabilisation, phase of works on Hammersmith Bridge, the Taskforce was tasked with re-evaluating all viable and cost-effective solutions for the next stage of works. A range of prospective engineering solutions were discussed by Taskforce attendees in what was a productive session, whilst time was also taken to reflect on the ongoing impact on those living and working in South-West London.

Taskforce members have now committed to exploring a selection of possible solutions for the next stage of works, and the forum will reconvene once plans for these have been more fully developed by officials.’