Richmond's MP and the deputy council leader have taken the unusual step of writing directly to the army over the "bleak" situation at Hammersmith Bridge.

They asked for military assistance in potentially deploying an emergency temporary bridge linking Barnes and Hammersmith.

In a letter to both the Defence Secretary (Ben Wallace) and Colonel Andy J Rogers of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers they say it is vital that a new crossing is created, with schools days away from returning.

"As a council and MP, we cannot in good conscience leave any stone unturned in trying to find a remedy to the immediate impacts of the bridge's closure," they write.

It was penned by Richmond Park MP Sarah Olney and Cllr Alexander Ehmann, who is deputy leader of Richmond Council and chair of its Transport and Air Quality Committee.

Hammersmith Bridge was closed to traffic in April 2019 after defects were found. Then on August 13 engineers found that cracks had widened (possibly due to the 35C heat wave) and the bridge was fully closed to everyone. Read more: Take part in Sarah Olney MP's survey and boost case for Hammersmith Bridge repairs

Their letter in full

Dear Minister & Colonel Rogers,

You may be aware that the Hammersmith Bridge in London was recently closed to all users due a series of structural weaknesses found by Hammersmith and Fulham's engineers.

The emergency closure to all users meant that access was instantly severed for residents. This comes at a particularly unfortunate time as schools are days away from re-opening. Many residents from both sides of the river school their children on the opposite side of the Thames.

The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham are the responsible authority for the structure, which they are pressing the Government for funds to ensure a timely repair and urgent provision of a temporary bridge for cyclists and pedestrians.

The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and the office of the Richmond Park fully support these efforts to secure necessary resources from our national Government. However, even with these resources secured, a resumption of access for our residents remains some way off.

It is with this immediate need that we write. A number of our residents have raised the exceptional expertise of our Army engineers in dealing with similar scenarios overseas.

While we realise that this written approach is unconventional, we are asking if you would allow for the REME's expertise to be used to evaluate the possibility of (and if necessary deploy) an urgent bridge crossing.

Once again, we appreciate this is a highly unusual approach, but the situation we face in our part of South West London is bleak. As a council and MP, we cannot in good conscience leave any stone unturned in trying to find a remedy to the immediate impacts of the bridge's closure.

We look forward to your response and thank you in advance for giving consideration to this matter, when you will have a great many calls upon your time.

Hundreds attend protest

A protest about the situation at Hammersmith Bridge was attended by as many as 600 people on Thursday, August 20.

People turned out with banners and loudspeakers to make their voices heard.

Stephen Howie posted four photos from the rally and wrote: "A week to the day Hammersmith Bridge closed entirely, the people of Barnes and beyond came together to protest the inaction of those who have the power to come up with a solution."

Cllr Julia Cambridge (Lib Dems, East Sheen), the borough's deputy mayor, posed with a banner reading 'We can't walk on water'. She tweeted: "Calling on government to fund a temporary bridge. Its closure is terrible news for Richmond."

Cllr Paul Avon (Conservatives, Mortlake and Barnes Common) also shared four photos on Twitter and wrote: "At #hammersmithbridge protest meeting just now.

"Great turnout. Anger & strong feelings expressed. Residents, pupils, business owners and commuters have had enough after 18 months of inaction. No more words. Urgently need a temporary bridge NOW and a separate longer term solution."

A critical situation

Cllr Ehmann added: "This is now critical. Without urgent funding, the government is effectively blocking part of West London off from the Capital.

"Last week we saw hundreds of people protest at the bridge, urging the government to put their hands in their pockets. The government must listen.

"Whilst responsibility for the bridge does not lie with Richmond Council, we will explore every avenue that could offer some assistance to residents.

"We have already said we will waive our fees for the planning process for a temporary bridge and are working with Hammersmith and Fulham Council to see whether ferry services might provide a short-term solution. We are doing absolutely everything we can, which is more than can be said for the Department for Transport.

"That's why we've taken the highly unusual step of asking for emergency support from the army. We need someone to step up."

What the government says

The Ministry of Defence has been approached for comment.

Last week a Department for Transport spokesperson said: "We recognise Hammersmith Bridge's importance and understand the concern around the additional congestion caused by its closure.

"We're currently considering TfL's bid for funding and will respond in due course."

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