The temporary cycling and pedestrian structure planned to run parallel to Hammersmith Bridge will not be subject to further environmental tests, despite pleas from “concerned” residents.
In a letter sent to Jenrick last month, locals raised concerns about the environmental impact of diverting traffic away from Hammersmith Bridge which records daily crossings of 22,000 vehicles and 1,800 buses.
Acting on behalf of residents, lawyers from Richard Buxton Solicitors submitted a formal request urging Jenrick to order a 'screening direction', under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations 2017, to assess the temporary structure.
A screening direction is a procedure used to determine whether a proposed project is likely to have significant effects on the environment.
However, NCE can now reveal that Jenrick’s department has denied the request, paving the way for construction of the temporary structure.
The response – written on behalf of Jenrick – states that while the bridge would be eligible for an EIA screening directive, the secretary of state believes “the proposal is not likely to have significant effects on the environment”.
“The proposed temporary cycle/pedestrian bridge is unlikely to add to air quality issues given that the bridge closed to traffic in April 2019 and any pollution created by the construction of the temporary bridge will be temporary,” the response states.
“As the Temporary Bridge is a mostly pre-fabricated structure, there is the potential for it to be reused, which will increase the lifecycle of materials, and avoid carbon emissions associated with embedded carbon. […] Therefore, there will be no permanent significant effects on land use due to construction, operation and decommissioning.”
It adds: “I therefore conclude that there is unlikely to be a significant effect from this proposal to justify the need for an environmental statement.”
Hammersmith Bridge has been closed to traffic since April 2019 after critical faults were found in its ageing cast iron structure.
Remediation work to Hammersmith Bridge is scheduled to take three years and will be shut to traffic during the repairs. The total cost of repairs is estimated to cost up to £120M, without the additional cost of a temporary structure.
As revealed by NCE in November last year, TfL has tasked consultant Pell Frischmann to draw up detailed designs for a temporary cycling and pedestrian crossing adjacent to Hammersmith Bridge, while repair work is carried out to the Victorian structure.
Alternative plans for a £5M temporary road and cycle bridge parallel to the 133-old-year structure were tabled by marine engineering consultant Beckett Rankine last October, but were rejected by TfL and Hammersmith & Fulham Council, in whose jurisdiction the bridge’s northern end falls.
TfL board agenda papers published in March reveal that TfL expects final designs for the temporary structure to be completed by October. The minutes also reveal that £10M has already been spent on feasibility studies, monitoring and early repairs to Hammersmith Bridge, with a further £15M to be spent on the project during the next financial year (2020-21).
TAXI LEAKS ETRA BIT:
Lenny went on to say:
I have a suggestion for #KeirStarmer, if he could, on behalf of his #Labour councillors, have a word with the #DfT to shut the M1, except for buses and cycles, to stop the spread of #COVID19 travelling up north.
Using the excuse of deadly virus to gerrymander roads is sickening.
Gerald Coba said:
Just how much power do the cyclist lobby have???
Getting their own bridge built without any form of environmental screening on the impact on local residents (seems to be the norm at present).
These disgraceful wastes of money, with the Mayor sucking up to the MAMIL brigade will not stop, until Khan is replaced.
Mayoral Candidate David Kurten made this statement recently on social media:
LONDON needs a new Mayor.
Vote for me and I'll:
*end the politicisation of the Metropolitan police
*re-focus the police on catching criminals and keeping London safe
*undo Khan's road blockages
*restore pride in our history and heritage
#MakeLondonGreatAgain
TAXI LEAKS ETRA BIT:
Lenny went on to say:
I have a suggestion for #KeirStarmer, if he could, on behalf of his #Labour councillors, have a word with the #DfT to shut the M1, except for buses and cycles, to stop the spread of #COVID19 travelling up north.
Using the excuse of deadly virus to gerrymander roads is sickening.
Gerald Coba said:
Just how much power do the cyclist lobby have???
Getting their own bridge built without any form of environmental screening on the impact on local residents (seems to be the norm at present).
These disgraceful wastes of money, with the Mayor sucking up to the MAMIL brigade will not stop, until Khan is replaced.
Mayoral Candidate David Kurten made this statement recently on social media:
LONDON needs a new Mayor.
Vote for me and I'll:
*end the politicisation of the Metropolitan police
*re-focus the police on catching criminals and keeping London safe
*undo Khan's road blockages
*restore pride in our history and heritage
#MakeLondonGreatAgain
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