Hammersmith Bridge

[Roland Perry]

"Roads minister Baroness Vere, who heads the task force, told
the meeting that a full repair of the bridge would take six and
a half years, more than twice as long as previously feared.

It also emerged that a ferry service to allow pedestrians to
cross the Thames will not start operating until the spring.

<https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hammersmith-bridge-shut-to-
traffic-until-2027-ferry-crossing-a4573392.html>

[Recliner]

Post by Roland Perry
"Roads minister Baroness Vere, who heads the task force, told
the meeting that a full repair of the bridge would take six and
a half years, more than twice as long as previously feared.
It also emerged that a ferry service to allow pedestrians to
cross the Thames will not start operating until the spring.
<https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hammersmith-bridge-shut-to-
traffic-until-2027-ferry-crossing-a4573392.html>

That's bad. Seems like it's another victim of TfL's parlous finances.

[Roland Perry]

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry
"Roads minister Baroness Vere, who heads the task force, told
the meeting that a full repair of the bridge would take six and
a half years, more than twice as long as previously feared.
It also emerged that a ferry service to allow pedestrians to
cross the Thames will not start operating until the spring.
<https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hammersmith-bridge-shut-to-
traffic-until-2027-ferry-crossing-a4573392.html>

That's bad. Seems like it's another victim of TfL's parlous finances.

Thanks to Boris's mismanagement when mayor.

[Recliner]

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry
"Roads minister Baroness Vere, who heads the task force, told
the meeting that a full repair of the bridge would take six and
a half years, more than twice as long as previously feared.
It also emerged that a ferry service to allow pedestrians to
cross the Thames will not start operating until the spring.
<https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hammersmith-bridge-shut-to-
traffic-until-2027-ferry-crossing-a4573392.html>

That's bad. Seems like it's another victim of TfL's parlous finances.

Thanks to Boris's mismanagement when mayor.

The funny thing is, he's proud of his record as London mayor. He genuinely
believes his own hype, and convinced a lot of non-London Tory party members
that he'd been a great London mayor.

[michael adams]

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry
"Roads minister Baroness Vere, who heads the task force, told
the meeting that a full repair of the bridge would take six and
a half years, more than twice as long as previously feared.
It also emerged that a ferry service to allow pedestrians to
cross the Thames will not start operating until the spring.
<https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hammersmith-bridge-shut-to-
traffic-until-2027-ferry-crossing-a4573392.html>

That's bad. Seems like it's another victim of TfL's parlous finances.

Thanks to Boris's mismanagement when mayor.

It's the direct result of shared responsibility for the maintainance of
the Bridge beween two or more differenty bodies. TFL and its predecessors
and the LB of Richmond or whoever, to name but two Who or what was
responsible for paying for repairs following the IRA bomb is another
matter. It really is as simple as that.

That and a general shortage of cash as a result of all political parties
pandering to tax averse supporters, sponsers, newspapers and electorates.

Any ferry was always going to be problematic owing to the tidal range
at Hammersmith bridge. However it could probably have been overcome with
innovative sloping gangways. Where is Norman Foster when we really
need him ?


michael adams

...

[Recliner]

Post by michael adams

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry
"Roads minister Baroness Vere, who heads the task force, told
the meeting that a full repair of the bridge would take six and
a half years, more than twice as long as previously feared.
It also emerged that a ferry service to allow pedestrians to
cross the Thames will not start operating until the spring.
<https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hammersmith-bridge-shut-to-
traffic-until-2027-ferry-crossing-a4573392.html>

That's bad. Seems like it's another victim of TfL's parlous finances.

Thanks to Boris's mismanagement when mayor.

It's the direct result of shared responsibility for the maintainance of
the Bridge beween two or more differenty bodies. TFL and its predecessors
and the LB of Richmond or whoever,

Hammersmith, I think.

Post by michael adams
to name but two Who or what was
responsible for paying for repairs following the IRA bomb is another
matter. It really is as simple as that.
That and a general shortage of cash as a result of all political parties
pandering to tax averse supporters, sponsers, newspapers and electorates.
Any ferry was always going to be problematic owing to the tidal range
at Hammersmith bridge. However it could probably have been overcome with
innovative sloping gangways. Where is Norman Foster when we really
need him ?

Foster+Partners is just a short boat ride away, by Battersea Bridge.

[Graeme Wall]

Post by Recliner

Post by michael adams

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry
"Roads minister Baroness Vere, who heads the task force, told
the meeting that a full repair of the bridge would take six and
a half years, more than twice as long as previously feared.
It also emerged that a ferry service to allow pedestrians to
cross the Thames will not start operating until the spring.
<https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hammersmith-bridge-shut-to-
traffic-until-2027-ferry-crossing-a4573392.html>

That's bad. Seems like it's another victim of TfL's parlous finances.

Thanks to Boris's mismanagement when mayor.

It's the direct result of shared responsibility for the maintainance of
the Bridge beween two or more differenty bodies. TFL and its predecessors
and the LB of Richmond or whoever,

Hammersmith, I think.

Post by michael adams
to name but two Who or what was
responsible for paying for repairs following the IRA bomb is another
matter. It really is as simple as that.
That and a general shortage of cash as a result of all political parties
pandering to tax averse supporters, sponsers, newspapers and electorates.
Any ferry was always going to be problematic owing to the tidal range
at Hammersmith bridge. However it could probably have been overcome with
innovative sloping gangways. Where is Norman Foster when we really
need him ?

Foster+Partners is just a short boat ride away, by Battersea Bridge.

Pontoon and link span is a bit basic I would have thought.

[Recliner]

Post by Graeme Wall

Post by Recliner

Post by michael adams

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry
"Roads minister Baroness Vere, who heads the task force, told
the meeting that a full repair of the bridge would take six and
a half years, more than twice as long as previously feared.
It also emerged that a ferry service to allow pedestrians to
cross the Thames will not start operating until the spring.
<https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hammersmith-bridge-shut-to-
traffic-until-2027-ferry-crossing-a4573392.html>

That's bad. Seems like it's another victim of TfL's parlous finances.

Thanks to Boris's mismanagement when mayor.

It's the direct result of shared responsibility for the maintainance of
the Bridge beween two or more differenty bodies. TFL and its predecessors
and the LB of Richmond or whoever,

Hammersmith, I think.

Post by michael adams
to name but two Who or what was
responsible for paying for repairs following the IRA bomb is another
matter. It really is as simple as that.
That and a general shortage of cash as a result of all political parties
pandering to tax averse supporters, sponsers, newspapers and electorates.
Any ferry was always going to be problematic owing to the tidal range
at Hammersmith bridge. However it could probably have been overcome with
innovative sloping gangways. Where is Norman Foster when we really
need him ?

Foster+Partners is just a short boat ride away, by Battersea Bridge.

Pontoon and link span is a bit basic I would have thought.

<https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/shapps-orders-local-council-to-pay-64m-for-hammersmith-bridge-repairs-gw5drhj0l?shareToken=9cc645994f99653b1c4c3c7e29a1db3f>

The farcical standoff over the closure of a busy Victorian road bridge
escalated today after the local council was ordered to pay an
“unprecedented” £64 million towards repairs.

The Times has learnt that the Department for Transport wants a 50 per cent
“local contribution” to the repair of Hammersmith Bridge over the Thames on
London. The bridge has been shut for the past four months.

Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, told Hammersmith & Fulham council,
which is run by Labour, that the money would be needed to open the bridge,
suggesting that it could be raised through a council tax increase or by
raiding its reserves.

The council said the demand was a “cruel, unusual and unprecedented
punishment” for the authority, which has owned the bridge only since 1985.

Stephen Cowan, the council leader, said the bill was out of the authority’s
reach and far more than was in its available cash reserves. The bill could
also mean extra an £800 in tax for each local resident, more than double an
annual band A council tax charge.

The demand was also said to be out of step with contributions demanded from
councils for large bridge repairs elsewhere in the country. The authority
pointed out that the government has funded between 77 and 94 per cent of
bridge upgrades in areas such as Northumberland, Cleveland, Warwickshire,
Staffordshire and Dudley this year.

[s***@isnotyourbuddy.co.uk]

On Tue, 15 Dec 2020 11:52:23 -0000 (UTC)

Post by Recliner
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, told Hammersmith & Fulham council,
which is run by Labour, that the money would be needed to open the bridge,
suggesting that it could be raised through a council tax increase or by
raiding its reserves.

Its about time the government woke up to how local councils are struggling.
Tightening belts is one thing but they're virtually on starvation rations
funding wise now. Where do they think Fulham will get the millions from?
Raising council tax with all the covid unemployment? Oh yeah, great plan.

God forbid the government should part with much case to redo a major bridge,
much better to blow a significant portion of GDP on a high speed rail line
no one needs and play party politics with local issues instead.

[Graeme Wall]

Post by s***@isnotyourbuddy.co.uk
On Tue, 15 Dec 2020 11:52:23 -0000 (UTC)

Post by Recliner
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, told Hammersmith & Fulham council,
which is run by Labour, that the money would be needed to open the bridge,
suggesting that it could be raised through a council tax increase or by
raiding its reserves.

Its about time the government woke up to how local councils are struggling.
Tightening belts is one thing but they're virtually on starvation rations
funding wise now. Where do they think Fulham will get the millions from?
Raising council tax with all the covid unemployment? Oh yeah, great plan.

Always been the tory plan to cripple local councils, especially labour
controlled ones.

[Recliner]

Post by Graeme Wall

Post by s***@isnotyourbuddy.co.uk
On Tue, 15 Dec 2020 11:52:23 -0000 (UTC)

Post by Recliner
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, told Hammersmith & Fulham council,
which is run by Labour, that the money would be needed to open the bridge,
suggesting that it could be raised through a council tax increase or by
raiding its reserves.

Its about time the government woke up to how local councils are struggling.
Tightening belts is one thing but they're virtually on starvation rations
funding wise now. Where do they think Fulham will get the millions from?
Raising council tax with all the covid unemployment? Oh yeah, great plan.

Always been the tory plan to cripple local councils, especially labour
controlled ones.

Yes, if Hammersmith still had a Tory council, I'm sure it would have been
treated much better. This government seems to be particularly blatant at
discriminating in this way.

[michael adams]

Post by s***@isnotyourbuddy.co.uk
On Tue, 15 Dec 2020 11:52:23 -0000 (UTC)

Post by Recliner
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, told Hammersmith & Fulham council,
which is run by Labour, that the money would be needed to open the bridge,
suggesting that it could be raised through a council tax increase or by
raiding its reserves.

People living in Barnes are inconvenienced far more by the closure
than are people living in Hammersmith. That side of the river is in
the London Borough of Richmond which is controlled by the Lib Dems.


michael adams

...

[Recliner]

Post by michael adams

Post by s***@isnotyourbuddy.co.uk
On Tue, 15 Dec 2020 11:52:23 -0000 (UTC)

Post by Recliner
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, told Hammersmith & Fulham council,
which is run by Labour, that the money would be needed to open the bridge,
suggesting that it could be raised through a council tax increase or by
raiding its reserves.

People living in Barnes are inconvenienced far more by the closure
than are people living in Hammersmith. That side of the river is in
the London Borough of Richmond which is controlled by the Lib Dems.

But that borough doesn't own the bridge, nor have to share the cost of the
repairs (why not?).

[michael adams]

Post by Recliner

Post by michael adams

Post by s***@isnotyourbuddy.co.uk
On Tue, 15 Dec 2020 11:52:23 -0000 (UTC)

Post by Recliner
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, told Hammersmith & Fulham council,
which is run by Labour, that the money would be needed to open the bridge,
suggesting that it could be raised through a council tax increase or by
raiding its reserves.

People living in Barnes are inconvenienced far more by the closure
than are people living in Hammersmith. That side of the river is in
the London Borough of Richmond which is controlled by the Lib Dems.

But that borough doesn't own the bridge, nor have to share the cost of the
repairs (why not?).

Because -

<quote>

The Local Government Act 1985 dealt with the abolition of the GLC, and
transferred non-trunk road bridges in their entirety to one of the two London
boroughs that each bridge lay within
[...]
The choice of borough to be decided between the two councils, or failing agreement,
by the Secretary of State for Transport
[...]
For Hammersmith Bridge, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham took
responsibility.

</quote>

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammersmith_Bridge

The reasoning behind both decisions isn't immediately obvious. If two boroughs
shared responsibility for the Bridge they could still agree to be subject to
decisions made by an independent mutually acceptable body - rather than
necessarily arguing ad-infinitum. And possibly H&F accepted this
particular poisoned chalice in the expectation that the SoS would find
against them in any case.


michael adams

...

[Guy Gorton]

On Tue, 15 Dec 2020 18:07:31 -0000, "michael adams"

Post by michael adams

Post by Recliner

Post by michael adams

Post by s***@isnotyourbuddy.co.uk
On Tue, 15 Dec 2020 11:52:23 -0000 (UTC)

Post by Recliner
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, told Hammersmith & Fulham council,
which is run by Labour, that the money would be needed to open the bridge,
suggesting that it could be raised through a council tax increase or by
raiding its reserves.

People living in Barnes are inconvenienced far more by the closure
than are people living in Hammersmith. That side of the river is in
the London Borough of Richmond which is controlled by the Lib Dems.

But that borough doesn't own the bridge, nor have to share the cost of the
repairs (why not?).

Because -
<quote>
The Local Government Act 1985 dealt with the abolition of the GLC, and
transferred non-trunk road bridges in their entirety to one of the two London
boroughs that each bridge lay within
[...]
The choice of borough to be decided between the two councils, or failing agreement,
by the Secretary of State for Transport
[...]
For Hammersmith Bridge, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham took
responsibility.
</quote>
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammersmith_Bridge
The reasoning behind both decisions isn't immediately obvious. If two boroughs
shared responsibility for the Bridge they could still agree to be subject to
decisions made by an independent mutually acceptable body - rather than
necessarily arguing ad-infinitum. And possibly H&F accepted this
particular poisoned chalice in the expectation that the SoS would find
against them in any case.
michael adams
...

Ownership of and responsibilty for bridges over the Thames has given
rise to disputes far upstream from London. The solution where a
county or other boundary is usually in the middle of the river, at
important bridges the boundary shifts to one side or the other.
putting the bridge entirely in one authority.
A classic case was the important bridge at Datchet which gave access
to Windsor Castle and was built by Berkshire and Buckinghamshire
Counties, using different plans and techniques but managing to meet in
the middle!
Finally demolished in about 1850 and replaced by the Albert Bridge and
the Victoria Bridge and the land towards the castle becoming the
private Home Park.
This being a transport group, you might enjoy researching why the
Victoria road bridge was the responsibilty of the railway that goes to
Windsor Riverside station..


Guy Gorton

[Roland Perry]

Post by michael adams

Post by Recliner

Post by michael adams

Post by s***@isnotyourbuddy.co.uk
On Tue, 15 Dec 2020 11:52:23 -0000 (UTC)

Post by Recliner
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, told Hammersmith & Fulham council,
which is run by Labour, that the money would be needed to open the bridge,
suggesting that it could be raised through a council tax increase or by
raiding its reserves.

People living in Barnes are inconvenienced far more by the closure
than are people living in Hammersmith. That side of the river is in
the London Borough of Richmond which is controlled by the Lib Dems.

But that borough doesn't own the bridge, nor have to share the cost of the
repairs (why not?).

Because -
<quote>
The Local Government Act 1985 dealt with the abolition of the GLC, and
transferred non-trunk road bridges in their entirety to one of the two London
boroughs that each bridge lay within
[...]
The choice of borough to be decided between the two councils, or failing agreement,
by the Secretary of State for Transport
[...]
For Hammersmith Bridge, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham took
responsibility.
</quote>
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammersmith_Bridge
The reasoning behind both decisions isn't immediately obvious. If two boroughs
shared responsibility for the Bridge they could still agree to be subject to
decisions made by an independent mutually acceptable body - rather than
necessarily arguing ad-infinitum. And possibly H&F accepted this
particular poisoned chalice in the expectation that the SoS would find
against them in any case.

Having seen the arguments in Reading in the 90's regarding the proposed
third river crossing, it's the kind of project they seem systemically
unable to agree upon. So making one or the other 100% responsible is
probably the only solution.