It appears both ends of Hammersmith Bridge currently have a mandatory circular road sign displaying 7.5T mgw limit. There is no signed exemptions for buses 1) Can TfL please advise if bus drivers are instructed to ignore this limit, even if on a scheduled route. 2) If an formal exemption for buses exists, please advise details, and why it is not signposted. 3) If the 110+419 are merged (as per current Richmond area bus Consultation) will the longer heavier buses used on 110 be permitted to cross the bridge.

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TfL Ref: 2327-1819

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 3 December 2018 asking for information about Hammersmith Bridge signposting.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.  I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked: It appears both ends of Hammersmith Bridge currently have a mandatory circular road sign displaying 7.5T mgw limit.  There is no signed exemptions for buses.

                                       

1. Can TfL please advise if bus drivers are instructed to ignore this limit, even if on a scheduled route.

We are allowed by the highways authority (Hammersmith & Fulham) to operate single deck buses in one direction one at a time over the bridge, and we marshal this to ensure compliance.

2) If an formal exemption for buses exists, please advise details, and why it is not signposted.

We are not the highways authority for this road so are not able to answer your second question.  You may want to contact the authority at: https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/councillors-and-democracy/data-and-information/freedom-information

3) If the 110+419 are merged (as per current Richmond area bus Consultation) will the longer heavier buses used on 110 be permitted to cross the bridge.

We do not know which type of single deck will operate at this stage in reference to your question but if the likelihood is a longer single deck and such a vehicle had not operated across the bridge already, we would engage with stakeholders such as the borough council to see whether the appropriate approvals or exemptions were in place before implementing such a change.

If this is not the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Sara Thomas

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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