Following the chaos and disruption caused by the emergency closure of Hammersmith Bridge to all passengers last week, Sarah Olney MP has launched a petition to lobby the Government for the funds to build a temporary walking bridge and repair the main bridge.

Hammersmith Bridge is a vital north-south link across the River Thames and its sudden closure last week, following the discovery of more cracks, to all users has come as a massive blow to communities on both sides of the river.

In the run up to last year's General Election various transport ministers, including the Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps MP, visited the bridge and promised that if a Conservative Government was elected they would fund a temporary bridge and work with all parties to fix the main bridge.

Eight months later and there is still no bridge.

A petition calls on the Government to honour the promise they made to the people of South West London.

Sarah Olney's fight for funding

A recent survey from Sarah, with a response rate of more than 2,200 residents, showed that 1,900 of those residents felt the Government should step in and fund the repairs.

She said: "We have launched a petition calling on the Government to urgently fund the temporary bridge as well as the full repairs of Hammersmith Bridge.

"I know how frustrating the recent bridge closure has been on local people especially with the imminent reopening of schools.

"It's high time the Government followed through on its promises of last year and its promise to fund 'shovel ready projects.

"I will keep demanding support from TfL and the Government. Please do sign the petition so that we can add even more weight to this issue."

You can find and sign the petition here.

Many thanks to Richmond Park MP Sarah Olney who contributed this piece for Richmond Nub News.

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