Paper petition details

The climate charity Possible, where Leo Murray (the petitioner) is director of innovation, has worked with local communities and expert stakeholders to develop an alternative proposal for the future of Hammersmith Bridge which could work within the existing engineering constraints on the bridge after the stabilisation works are completed. As there is still no funding agreement in sight for the full restoration works, we believe it is incumbent on the council to consider contingency options for meeting the mobility needs of local people.

Although LBHF has stated it has been legally instructed to reopen the bridge by the secretary of state for transport, the Department for Transport themselves have denied this in a categorical statement provided to Possible under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Furthermore, advice procured from Possible’s own legal counsel concludes that any threats of legal repercussions made verbally in private meetings with LBHF representatives have no substance, and the legal avenues of recourse cited do not genuinely represent a material risk to the council.

Meanwhile the problems which the bridge’s closure has caused for people in Barnes and Roehampton who lack access to private cars or the ability to walk or cycle across the bridge unassisted continue to blight lives south of the river. We believe the plan we have developed to meet the mobility needs of those who used to depend on the bus to cross the river here is realistic, affordable, desirable for local people, consistent with urgent efforts to tackle the climate crisis (including H&F’s net zero commitments, and the London Mayor’s Transport Strategy and net zero targets), and will protect the unique heritage of this iconic West London landmark.

We have identified the promising opportunity of obtaining a grant for a fully funded feasibility study to produce a business case for this ‘plan B’, namely a shuttle service to replace some of the lost bus connectivity over the bridge with autonomous vehicles, specifically aimed at supporting mobility for those who are unable to walk or cycle ovee the bridge. This would be alongside high quality protected cycle lanes and pedestrian footways.

The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (C-CAV) has outlined the feasibility study funding opportunity to Possible as follows: a funding competition to support feasibility studies into the integration of autonomous vehicles into public mass transit systems is expected to open to applications at the end of May / start of June, and close in July, with winners announced in the autumn and feasibility studies taking place during 2024.

Possible have assembled an industrial consortium of highways engineers, transport consultants and autonomous vehicle providers who are ready to build on the detailed pre-feasibility work we have already completed on the proposed shuttle solution. The consortium includes Red Bull Advanced Technologies, who are UK partners of the shuttle provider we have selected, Ohmio, as well as a number of other reputable UK based firms with specialist expertise and track records of success on similar projects.
C-CAV have reviewed the work Possible have done to date, as well as the strength of the consortium we have convened to progress this work, and they have indicated that we have a very strong case for support under the upcoming competition, with just one caveat: successful bids must have the blessing, in the form of a letter of support, of the relevant highways authority. In this case of course, this is LBHF.

Agreeing to provide a letter of support for our feasibility study will not commit LBHF to anything beyond the study itself, and nor will it cost the council anything at all. If LBHF highways’ dept wishes to be a delivery partner in the study consortium, we would welcome this; public bodies are eligible for 100% funding under C-CAV rules. Alternatively, we would like to invite a senior LBHF officer to sit on the steering group for the study, alongside representatives from LBRuT and TfL, as well as a suitable heritage body and Disabled People’s Organisation. However, there is no requirement for the council to have any active role in delivering the study at all if you prefer not to. All that is needed in order for us to proceed with applying for funding is your in principle agreement, in writing, to a full feasibility study into our proposed scheme.

Please provide a letter of support for a fully funded feasibility study into the use of lightweight, electric autonomous shuttles to help people who used to rely on the bus to cross the river here to travel between Barnes and Hammersmith Town Centre.

On reaching 250 signatures a Cabinet debate will be held.

This Paper petition ran from 11/05/2023 to 15/05/2023 and has now finished.

269 people signed this Paper petition.