Issue - meetings

ITEMS 7 AND 8 WERE DISCUSSED TOGETHER

Councillor Sharon Holder stated that following the closured of Hammersmith Bridge in 2019, the Council was now working on the full strengthening and restoration of the Bridge and its re-opening to motor vehicles. The essential works proposed were required to move to the next stage. These works involved the removal of the two gas mains off the Bridge and diversion on an alternative route, the planning application for the innovative truss option, and further development of the contract and procurement of the full restoration so it was ready to progress once the stabilisation work was completed. This would ensure that the future project to strengthen the Bridge could be undertaken effectively with minimal technical risks.

The Leader stated that the original price estimate to stop the Bridge from collapsing into the river had been £46 million. He expressed his appreciation for the innovative approach led by Sharon Lea, the Interim Chief Executive, and Bram Kainth, Strategic Director of Environment, which not only considerably reduced the cost to stabilise the Bridge but also delivered better engineering results. The Council was legally obliged to reopen the Bridge but did not believe that residents should bear the cost of reopening. He stressed that the greenest and safest way to finally reopen the Bridge to motor vehicles was by introducing a toll to help covering the repair costs. He expected the stabilisation works to be completed by Christmas and the Bridge would be finally safe from collapsing. He thanked Councillor Wesley Harcourt for insisting on conducting a thorough reviewing of engineering on the Bridge which avoided its potential collapse.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE CABINET MEMBERS:

1.            To approve a new capital budget of up to £5m in 2022/23, to be funded from borrowing (increase to the Capital Financing Requirement), pending confirmation of two thirds funding contributions from the Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL).

2.            To approve this budget to fund:

1.       a diversion of a Cadent gas mains off and away from the bridge.

2.       the progression and obtainment of a planning application for a potential temporary truss.

3.       the further progression of contract/procurement development for options for the full refurbishment of Hammersmith Bridge.