TfL Ref: FOI-0230-2324
Thank you for your request which we received on 21 April 2023.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. You asked:
You released a summary of the changes in traffic in the immediate aftermath of the closure of the Bridge under FOI-1103-1920. This included traffic flow, journey times at Chalkers Corner and the average changes in weekday bus journey time. Could you please provide an update of these data?
Unfortunately we do not hold the information you have requested. We do not have a follow up report on the prior 2019 analysis referenced at this location.
The onset of COVID-19 in March 2020 and the following two years provided abnormal conditions for the road network that meant that traffic flows, and bus journey time outcomes could not be compared with the pre and post closure data provided in our previous analysis.
Since 2019, there have been significant changes to the road capacity in Inner London, which while not a complete list, include the implementation of cycle super highways and other streets schemes, such as the delivery of the Inner London ULEZ zone in October 2021. In a similar time frame we have seen the opening of the Elizabeth line, the delivery of 20 mph zones and the delivery of low traffic neighbourhoods. All of these changes have interacted to alter traffic flows specifically in Inner London and the area either side of Hammersmith Bridge. It would therefore not be possible to provide an updated analysis to disentangle the impact of the closure of Hammersmith Bridge from these other significant changes and this has not been attempted.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
