Following last night's virtual public meeting of the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce, Richmond Park MP Sarah Olney and Richmond Council leader Gareth Roberts have written to taskforce chair Baroness Vere, urging her to provide the funding to get the stabilisation work completed and the ferry service up and running.

During the meeting, it was clear that funding was the issue holding up progress, with the Department for Transport awaiting confirmation of a local contribution from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham before they would commit funds.

However, Hammersmith and Fulham stated that they do not have the funds to pay for the repairs themselves - leaving the project in deadlock. This has left residents in Barnes continuing to struggle with the lack of connectivity to schools, work and vital services on the other side of the river.

The co-written letter urges the government to reconsider their position and 'front-load' their financial support.

This would let the stabilisation work start and mean the bridge could be reopened to walking, cycling and river traffic by next summer. And it would fund the setting up of the ferry service for river crossers in the meantime.

Read more: Timeline for Hammersmith Bridge repairs with no reopening until 2027

Sarah said: "I was pleased that we were able to get all the taskforce together to speak to the local community. Residents' lives have been severely disrupted and they have many questions about what is being done to resolve the situation."

Gareth Roberts added: "It's clear that agreeing funding for the repairs continues to be the biggest hurdle so we urge the government to do the right thing and help the residents of South West London by funding the stabilisation work and get the ferry in place as soon as possible."

[i]Many thanks to Sarah who contributed this piece for Richmond Nub News.