More bridges in London could go the way of London Bridge, Vauxhall Bridge and Hammersmith Bridge as Transport for London (TfL) simply does not have the cash to carry out all necessary renewal work to its structures.
Hammersmith bridge closed to all traffic last week, over concerns of an increased risk to public safety resulting from sudden deterioration in the structure. The bridge, which has been closed to road traffic since 2019 over safety fears, has now been closed to all pedestrian, cycle and river traffic until engineers are confident that the structure is not at imminent risk.
When announcing the closure, Hammersmith & Fulham Council leader Stephen Cowan said that TfL did not have the financial capacity to ensure the ongoing bridge monitoring is continued.
Other bridges including the A40 Westway and Lambeth Bridge all require major renewals, for which TfL currently does not have the funds to carry out. The Rotherhithe Tunnel and Blackwall Tunnel have also been identified by TfL as needing major work.
Other bridges including the A40 Westway and Lambeth Bridge all require major renewals, for which TfL currently does not have the funds to carry out. The Rotherhithe Tunnel and Blackwall Tunnel have also been identified by TfL as needing major work.
He said: “Transport for London has lost 90% of its revenue during the Covid-19 pandemic. As a direct result, its funding for the on-going monitoring of the bridge and its full refurbishment is now at risk.
“We remain determined that this beautiful bridge will be fit for purpose for generations to come and we’ll continue to do everything within our power to deliver on that.”
TfL agreed a £1.9bn bailout with the government in May after losing 90% of passengers due to the Covid-19 lockdown. However, that money is set to run out in October, with TfL continually calling for additional funding.
Consequently, TfL has confirmed that it is “reassessing” its Surface Transport Asset Renewals Programme, which includes renewals on structures including the A40 Westway, Lambeth Bridge and Vauxhall bridge.
TfL is currently carrying out “critical maintenance” to Vauxhall Bridge, but it has set no date for major renewals, which were previously top of its list of priority works.
The current work includes bridge deck waterproofing, resurfacing the footway and carriageway, drainage improvements, kerb works and replacing the bridge's expansion joints.
TfL said completing these works will address the corrosion and deterioration of the structural metalwork and bearings.
Speed restrictions have also been introduced on the A40 Westway to help “extend the life of the ageing expansion joints in the road until they can be replaced”.
The speed limit has been reduced along the entire structure from 40mph to 30mph, having been previously subjected to several temporary speed reductions over the last decade.
Costain was appointed in July to draw up a plan to replace expansion joints on the bridge and carry out concrete repair works.
A TfL spokesperson said that it hoped to be “in a position to commence works from early in 2021/22, subject to available funding from government.”
Source : New Civil Engineer.
Source : New Civil Engineer.
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