The application consultation for a marine licence for the new temporary ferry crossing beside Hammersmith Bridge ends today and residents are being urged to submit a response.

The proposed ferry would provide a 3-minute commuter link between Hammersmith shore and Barnes shore while the bridge is being repaired.

The idea of the ferry service is to aid school children and commuters caught out by the closure of Hammersmith Bridge, and was given the green light in October 2020.

Proposals would see the new crossing, expected to cost £1.55, ready by September.

The case summary can be viewed and responded to on The Marine Management Organisation website with Case ref: MLA/2021/00224.

Richmond Park MP Sarah Olney today urged residents to send their responses to the Marine Management Organisation license application.

She said: "Please, if you haven't already, make sure to submit a response. Their approval is vital for the ferry service to go ahead with no further delays."

Last week she said on Twitter: "For the #HammersmithBridge ferry to launch as quickly as possible we need @The_MMO approval.

"I would therefore urge as many people as possible to respond to the application, which is open until 23/6."

The application summary states: "Hammersmith Bridge provides a major link between Hammersmith and Barnes. There are no cross-river London Underground services in this location.

"The bridge closure has resulted in major disruption to the local and wider area due to the absence of an alternative nearby river crossing.

"The bridge's closure has caused road congestion on Putney and Chiswick bridges as people who used to walk or cycle across Hammersmith bridge are diverted to alternative longer river crossings by road vehicle.

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"TfL has concluded that the quickest way to provide a safe alternative river crossing at Hammersmith is to provide a temporary ferry operation for pedestrians and cyclists.

"To enable this service two temporary piers are required, one on the Hammersmith shore and the other on the Barnes shore."

The proposed service will run from 06:00 – 22:00 on weekdays, and 08:00 – 22:00 at weekends for an anticipated 3 years with a maximum duration of 5 years.

The service will have a capacity of 800+ passenger movements per hour during peak times and 500+ passenger movements per hour during off-peak periods.

Journeys will take 3 minutes including transit and berthing.

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