Hammersmith and Fulham Council has backed a funding bid for Hammersmith Bridge, with councillors voting to support the council's application to the Structures Fund. The decision was made during a Full Council meeting on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, as detailed in the Public reports pack.
The council debated a special motion regarding the bridge, which has been closed to traffic since 2019. Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Council, presented an amendment to the original motion, focusing on the council's bid to the Structures Fund as the most viable financial option.
Restoring a 139-year-old bridge is a complex engineering task, not a simple DIY project,
Councillor Cowan stated, criticising the opposition's proposals as lacking detail and credibility. He elaborated that this grade 2 listed heritage structure needs to be replaced or strengthened or restored piece by piece bulk by bulk
.
Councillor Cowan specifically criticised the opposition's floated idea of an army-built bridge
, questioning its feasibility. Where would it go? Where are the access roads? Which residents' homes and mansion blocks would they demolish to build those roads? Have they ever thought about how many years that would be bogged down in the courts of the land let alone what they plan to do with the enormous grade 2 listed bridge that would be sitting in the Thames? They have no answers,
he stated. He also deemed the opposition's plan for a military style temporary bridge
to be built in a matter of months for just 10 to 20 million pounds
as not credible, especially considering the compulsory purchase of Digby Mansions and widening of Queen Caroline Street that would be involved.
The amendment, which was carried, highlighted the council's efforts to keep the bridge open to pedestrians and cyclists, with approximately 10,000 pedestrian and 5,000 cycle journeys daily. The council has invested up to £58 million to support the bridge's reopening.
Councillor Jose Afonso, Leader of the Opposition, defended his party's position, criticising the council's handling of the situation. However, the amended motion, which supported the council's Structures Fund bid, was ultimately agreed by the council. The meeting agenda can be found here.
