Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce meeting, 10 December 2020

The ninth meeting of the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce was held yesterday, 10 December 2020.

It was chaired by Transport Minister, Baroness Vere. Attendees included the Project Director Dana Skelley plus representatives from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, the Greater London Authority, Transport for London (TfL), and the Port of London Authority.

Dana Skelley, speaking on behalf of the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce, said:

The taskforce acknowledged the publication yesterday of DfT-commissioned reports by consultants AECOM and Prof. Norman Fleck which provide reviews of the condition of the bridge’s pedestals and of the recent modelling and analysis of the bridge by other engineering consultants.

Taskforce members agreed to meet again next week to discuss the reports’ contents and implications.

Taskforce members were updated on the first of a series of collaborative meetings with TfL to explore the current full works programme and cost schedules in detail and to consider alternative procurement approaches, shift patterns and de-risking the programme with advanced investigation work.

The taskforce was also pleased to hear from TfL that procurement for the temporary ferry service was proceeding on schedule.

The taskforce also agreed to continue discussions on funding and the temporary road bridge proposal from Foster and Partners at its meeting next week.

The Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce was set up by the Department for Transport in September 2020 to work towards safely reopening the Hammersmith Bridge. The taskforce is chaired by Baroness Vere and includes representatives from TfL, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Network Rail, the Greater London Authority and the Port of London Authority.