09 Feb BID delighted by latest Hammersmith tunnel plans
The BID is delighted that Hammersmith is being recognised as one of the most prominent sites in London to build a new tunnel.
After years of lobbying and support from the BID, the Hammersmith flyunder project now moves into its next phase, which will have a huge impact on Hammersmith and west London.
The flyover is one of five locations in London that could be tunneled to help reduce congestion on the capital’s road network. Plans have been announced to explore how feasible it would be to move some of London’s busiest roads underground, freeing up land and improving air quality in the process.
The BID has supported plans for a tunnel ever since the flyover’s dramatic closure in 2011 highlighted the need for a long-term replacement.
Not only would the removal of the flyover reconnect Hammersmith with the river, but would release land, reduce noise emissions, improve public realm, increase footfall, attract inward investment and allow Hammersmith to further enhance its image as a destination in its own right.
Executive Director of HammersmithLondon BID, Arun Sondhi, said: “This is absolutely fantastic news for Hammersmith. A tunnelled by-pass has the potential to transform the area into a vibrant social and economic centre which would benefit the local business environment greatly. We look forward to working the local authority, Transport for London and the Mayor to make sure that whatever tunneling option is chosen will transform the area for decades to come.”
In March 2014, the BID commissioned and published an Economic Study exploring the potential benefits of building a road tunnel under the A4. To read the report, click here.
To view a timeline of events showing how the Hammersmith flyunder project progressed, click here.
- HammersmithLondon has been involved in supporting and leading the discussion of a replacement option for the Hammersmith flyover ever since it began to have structural problems in 2012.
- With nine local architects’ firms, HammersmithLondon formed West London Link Design to look at how the replacement of a flyover would present an opportunity to build for the economic, social and cultural benefit of all.
- The BID has organised numerous exhibitions and workshops to gauge reaction to the project from businesses and the public.
To read our findings, click here.