01 Nov 2019
The Manser Practice reimagines road bridge with green space and traffic-free
BY Stu Robarts
The Manser Practice has created a concept design for a road bridge that is temporarily closed to traffic, reimagining it with green public space for use by pedestrians, cyclists and riverboat users.
London's Hammersmith Bridge has been closed to vehicles since April this year due to concerns about its structural integrity.
People have responded to the closure by making use of its full width as pedestrians and cyclists and enjoying the calm ambience.
As an internal creative exercise, Manser envisaged what form the bridge might take if it were to be closed to traffic for good.
It's resulting Hammersmith Wharf concept sees cycle lanes running down the centre of the bridge with pedestrian paths along either side. Benches along the footpaths would provide places to sit.
There is also green space along the length of the bridge on which people can sit and relax, with planted beds separating it from the pathways.
Additional pontoon structures would be added to the bridge piers so that riverboat services could dock and run from the bridge.
The Manser Practice told CLAD: "Hammersmith has a growing creative community and a historic and beautiful riverside, but what locals really want to see is the Hammersmith flyover sunk into a tunnel so that the town can connect directly to the river once again. With no flyover and a beautiful reinvigorated bridge creating a river crossing for cyclists and pedestrians, Hammersmith would be reborn."
Close Window