Richmond Park MP Sarah Olney has joined a cross-party effort to call on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to guarantee the funds needed to repair Hammersmith Bridge.

The closure has brought gridlock to surrounding roads, causing huge disruption to workers and school children, and triggering an 'enviromental emergency that is crippling South West London'.

The Lib-Dem MP has signed a letter calling for action alongside the Labour MPs for Putney, Fleur Anderson; Hammersmith, Andy Slaughter; as well as Brentford and Isleworth, Ruth Cadbury.

The cost of carrying out a repair to the historic crossing is put at between £141m-£163m. Official proposals have been drawn up that would require Hammersmith & Fulham council to come up with one third of the money, however this would effectively bankrupt the authority.

As a result, the MPs are calling on the government to come with an alternative plan to finance the repairs and re-opening of one of the capital's key arteries.

The MPs highlight the disruption pointing out: "We have seen our roads brought to a daily standstill.

"The 22,000 vehicles a day which used to use the bridge are diverted through already congested routes to other bridges with significantly increasing travel times and the accompanying increase in air pollution.

"Repairing this crossing is not just the bricks and mortar of the actual bridge, it is about tackling the environmental emergency that is crippling South West London."

The MPs said the government's promises to 'Build Back Better' should include a bridge 'which allows people, goods and services to cross the River Thames in our capital'.

The MPs have called for a meeting with Treasury ministers to help resolve the impasse over funding for the work.