Agenda item

8.43pm – Councillor Wesley Harcourt moved, seconded by Councillor Stephen Cowan, the special motion in their names:

“The Council recognises the complex engineering issues that led to the closure of Hammersmith Bridge to motorised traffic.

The Council thanks Mayor Sadiq Khan and Deputy Mayor Heidi Alexander for their robust and effective support to fully restore Hammersmith Bride and is grateful for the close working relationship with TfL for working with LBHF on this important work.

The Council agrees to continue to work together with all those committed to genuinely supporting the residents and businesses affected by the bridge’s closure.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Wesley Harcourt and Stephen Cowan (for the Administration) and Councillor Andrew Brown (for the Opposition).

Under Standing Order 15(e)(6), Councillor Andrew Brown moved, seconded by Councillor Matt Thorley, an amendment in their names:

“Replace all after the Council

notes the traffic chaos in the Borough following the emergency closure of Hammersmith Bridge. The Council further notes that when repairs finally get under way that the estimated repair time is three years.

The Council therefore resolves to expedite works so that Hammersmith Bridge can reopen at the earliest opportunity.

This Council recognises the complex engineering issues, however pledges to have a fully funded plan for the full refurbishment of the bridge as a matter of urgency with the goal to have the bridge safely reopened within the shortest possible time-frame.”

Speeches on the amendment to the special motion were made by Councillors Andrew Brown, Belinda Donovan, Amanda Lloyd-Harris, Frances Stainton, Alex Karmel, and Matt Thorley (for the Opposition) and Councillors Stephen Cowan, Lisa Homan, Alan De’Ath, and Andrew Jones (for the Administration).

The amendment to the special motion was then put to the vote:

FOR                            7

AGAINST                   28

NOT VOTING             0

The motion was declared LOST.

Under Standing Order 15(e)(6), Councillor Andrew Brown moved, seconded by Councillor Matt Thorley, an amendment in their names:

“At end add

This Council further notes that LBHF is not a participant in the London Air Quality Network and resolves to become a participant as soon as possible.

This Council recognises the significant impact on air quality in many parts of the borough following the closure of the bridge and the cumulative impact of congestion, worsened by non-critical road works being carried out across the borough.

This Council therefore resolves to postpone all non-critical roadworks under its control and encourage utility companies, with a statutory right to carry out roadworks, to carry them out at weekends, or during school holidays to minimise further congestion.”

Under Standing Order 15(e)(12), Councillor Colin Aherne moved a motion to extend the meeting by two hours. The motion was then put to the vote:

FOR                            28

AGAINST                    0

NOT VOTING             7

The motion to extend the meeting was CARRIED.

Speeches on the amendment to the special motion were made by Councillor Donald Johnson (for the Opposition) and Councillor Stephen Cowan (for the Administration).

The amendment to the special motion was then put to the vote:

FOR                            7

AGAINST                   29

NOT VOTING             0

The motion was declared LOST.

The substantive motion was then put to the vote.

FOR                            UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                    0

NOT VOTING             0

The motion was declared CARRIED.

9.57pm – RESOLVED

The Council recognises the complex engineering issues that led to the closure of Hammersmith Bridge to motorised traffic.

The Council thanks Mayor Sadiq Khan and Deputy Mayor Heidi Alexander for their robust and effective support to fully restore Hammersmith Bride and is grateful for the close working relationship with TfL for working with LBHF on this important work.

The Council agrees to continue to work together with all those committed to genuinely supporting the residents and businesses affected by the bridge’s closure.

The Council agreed to give precedence on the agenda to Special Motions 3 and 4.