Restoration of Hammersmith Bridge The petition of residents of the constituency of Richmond Park, Declares that Hammersmith Bridge is an essential transport route for South West London and its closure to walkers, cyclists and boats since 13 August has caused major problems for residents; notes that its closure has caused journeys for school children that used to be a 10 minute walk, now take 90 minutes across unsafe tow paths; further declares that elderly and disabled residents are now having to pay upwards of £40 in taxi fares to access vital services in Hammersmith; further declares that there has been a damaging effect on business owners who relied on footfall across the bridge; further declares that redirected transport has created traffic jams and increased pollution; further declares that people are now cut off from hospitals, schools and work; and further declares that the Transport Minister said he would fund repairs to the bridge before the election however the cracks in the bridge have only worsened. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take into account the concerns of the petitioners and support the Council to build a temporary walking and cycling bridge so people can cross the river; and take action to restore the Hammersmith Bridge with urgency. And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Sarah Olney, Official Report, 3 November 2020, Vol. 683, c. 284.] [P002620] The petition of residents of the United Kingdom, Declares that Hammersmith Bridge is an essential transport route for South West London and its closure to walkers, cyclists and boats since 13 August has caused major problems for residents; notes that its closure has caused bus journeys to Roehampton to take up to an hour extra and led to thousands of additional vehicles using Putney High Street; further declares that redirected transport has created traffic jams and increased pollution; further declares that people are now cut off from hospitals, schools and work; and further declares that the Transport Minister said he would fund repairs to the bridge before the election however the cracks in the bridge have only worsened. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take into account the concerns of the petitioners and support the Council to build a temporary walking and cycling bridge so people can cross the river; and take action to restore the Hammersmith Bridge with urgency. And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Fleur Anderson, Official Report, 3 November 2020; Vol. 683, c. 285.] [P002621] Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Baroness Vere of Norbiton): The Government want to see Hammersmith Bridge opened as soon as safely possible, so that—at a minimum—people can cycle and walk across the river, and in time return the bridge and river to full use. To help find a speedy resolution to the situation, the Government have established a task force—led by Baroness Vere—to bring together London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames Council, Transport for London (TfL) and the Port of London Authority to assess and determine next steps. The Department for Transport (DfT) has commissioned its own engineering advice on the bridge’s state to help rapidly bring forward a solution. The task force has determined that a temporary ferry service would be the most appropriate—and quickest to implement—alternative measure to enable residents to cross the river whilst work continues on the bridge itself. As part of our £1.7 billion Extraordinary Funding Agreement with TfL, the Government have ensured that funding is committed to the Hammersmith Bridge project in the immediate term. The Government have required TfL to establish and run the temporary Hammersmith Ferry service; TfL has now commenced the procurement process for this ferry service. In addition to the requirement to operate the ferry service, the funding deal also requires TfL to contribute £4 million to the stabilisation and repair this financial year, to ensure that activities can start as soon as possible. The Government continue to have discussions with all stakeholders on all relevant matters concerning the bridge including on funding the bridge’s repair—recognising that the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is responsible for upkeep and maintenance of the Bridge—to enable the re-opening of the Bridge and river as soon as is safely possible.