FAQs
What’s the situation with Hammersmith Bridge?
Hammersmith Bridge closed to motor traffic in 2019 and to all traffic in 2020 because of concerns about cracking in the infrastructure.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council, who own the bridge, were able to reopen it to foot, cycle and river traffic in July 2021 after safety engineers advised it was safe to do so. This followed detailed investigations and the addition of a temperature control system.
We're supporting the Council to find a way to fully reopen the bridge to traffic as soon as possible. The bridge is an important transport link and reinstating bus links across the river is our priority.
The Council is working to stabilise the bridge and good progress is being made. TfL have, to date, provided £2.97million of funding to support these works. The bridge pedestals have been strengthened to reduce the risk of further structural problems and a long term plan towards reopening the bridge, including how this might be funded, is in development. However, there is currently no timetable for when this might be possible.
In the meantime these proposals seek to simplify the existing bus network around the Barnes area. Should proposals to reopen Hammersmith Bridge come forward, we will review the situation again with a view to restoring bus services from Barnes across Hammersmith Bridge.
If, following consultation, you decide to go ahead with these changes, when would this take effect?
If approved, the scheme would be implemented on Saturday 15th August 2026.
TfL previously consulted on proposals for fixed bus stops in Lonsdale Road. If the 209 were to be extended as proposed, would that service use the proposed fixed bus stops?
London Borough of Richmond will be finalising proposals for bus stop locations in Lonsdale Road. When this work is completed, it is anticipated that, should the 209 route be extended to serve Lonsdale Road, it will use any fixed bus stops that are put in place. You can find out more about the previous consultation we held about route 419 and Lonsdale Road by visiting the website.
Where would the 209 terminate in Barnes if it was extended as proposed?
If the proposals go ahead, the 209 would run between Barnes Pond and Hammersmith, taking on much of the route of the current 533 service, which would no longer run. In Barnes, the 209 would terminate at Barnes Pond and would turn around at the large, grassed traffic island with trees at the Church Road/Station Road/Barnes High Street junction to start its journey towards Hammersmith. A bus has successfully tested this manoeuvre. The 209 would run in both directions around the Lonsdale Road/ Castelnau loop, which the 533 currently does not do.
