Local Authority Responses

In favour of Option 2

Committee Report 12 to Transport Sub Committee

"It is RECOMMENDED that the Sub-Committee agree to recommend to L.B. Hammersmith and Fulham that Hammersmith Bridge be open for buses, cycles and pedestrians only."

London Borough of Hounslow

In favour of Option 2

LB Hounslow Environmental Services Committee Report ESC/98/32.

Supporting Option 2.

2.0	Recommendations
2.1	That the comments made in this report, together with any made by the Committee comprise the Council's response to the consultation. The main points being-
	The closure of Hammersmith Bridge to general traffic has brought significant benefits to public transport operations with faster and more reliable bus services in the vicinity of the bridge;
	Although there has been some increase in traffic in Hounslow, this has been confined to trunk roads;
	The high level of priority given to public transport since the closure of the bridge to general traffic is an example of measures that will need to be taken if sustainability and air quality targets are to be achieved, and is therefore to be welcomed.
2.2	That the Council therefore supports Hammersmith and Fulham's Option 2 - To restrict further use of the bridge to public transport, cyclists, pedestrians, etc.

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

No view at this time

The Highways and Traffic Committee on 16 June 1998 agreed to make the following recommendation;

Recommendation 6.1

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to support at this stage the permanent closure of Hammersmith Bridge to general traffic, subject to the outcome of further work outlined in 5.1, and that the continued monitoring of traffic flows in the south of the Borough continues to show no increase there.

The ESEC at a meeting on 30 June 1998, however decided, on behalf of the Council not to take a view at this stage.

London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames

In favour of Option 2

Committee Report 4 to Planning and Transport Committee.

Recommending Option 2 with caveats that the problems of commuter parking and rat-running traffic would need to be tackled.

Wandsworth Borough Council

In favour of Option 1

Regeneration and Transport Committee- 16^th June 1998; Paper no 98/390

"Wandsworth Borough Council has consulted residents and businesses of the Putney and Roehampton areas on the future use of Hammersmith Bridge following completion of the strengthening works. A total of 4,225 respondents (83%) have voted in favour of re-opening the bridge to its former capacity and 846 respondents (17%) have voted to keep it closed to cars. Residents have expressed their concerns about the increased congestion in their area that has been caused by the closure of Hammersmith Bridge to cars and about the associated increase in pollution levels. Wandsworth Council objects to any permanent change in the Traffic Management Order covering the use of the Bridge and asks Hammersmith and Fulham Council to ensure that the repair works to the Bridge are completed as quickly as practicable and that it be returned to it's former 7.5 tonne operating capacity immediately upon completion of those repairs."