Video: Driverless shuttle ‘pods’ could make bridge car free

A car-free proposal for Hammersmith Bridge has been put forward, using driverless pods to ferry anyone unable to walk across.

But climate action charity Possible has put together a car-free alternative. Developed with the help of highway engineers and autonomous vehicle manufacturers, the proposal involves driverless, 10-passenger, electric “pods”.

Possible is calling for the council to agree to a feasibility study, saying the cost of the plan – estimated to be less than £10 million – would be far lower than the cost of making the bridge safe for heavy traffic.

While a toll is proposed by H&F for motorists using the bridge, Possible is proposing that the driverless pods could be integrated into TfL’s Oyster system and Hopper fare.

Leo Murray, co-director at Possible, said: “With still no funding agreement in sight for the hugely costly work which would be needed to reopen Hammersmith Bridge to cars, it’s long past time for authorities to take other options for meeting local transport needs seriously”.

The charity said it could not name all its partners at this stage due to “contractual” reasons, but that it is working with the New Zealand ‘intelligent transport systems’ firm Ohmio and the London-based City Infinity consultancy.

Built in 1887, Hammersmith is one of the world’s oldest suspension bridges and was shut in 2019 after cracks appeared.

H&F, which owns the bridge, has commissioned Foster + Partners and COWI to develop plans to restore the structure.

A H&F spokesperson said last month: “We are on course to complete the stabilisation of the globally unique grade-II Victorian bridge with the recent specialist installation of 1,220 pieces of steel. The plans for restoration continue with our public consultation on a temporary double-decker truss structure which will enable the full repairs. The planning application for this is expected to be submitted towards the end of this month.”

The council gave no comment on the Possible proposal.