The closure of Hammersmith Bridge has had a profound impact on car journeys, particularly for those traveling between SW13 9 and W6 9, two postcode sectors heavily reliant on this crossing. Prior to the closure, drivers could complete this journey in a relatively short time. However, with the bridge no longer accessible to vehicles, travel times have surged by over 20 minutes, with routes now covering an additional 5 miles. This detour not only adds to the time spent on the road but also increases fuel consumption, emissions and travel costs. Our analysis of 92,994 potential journeys showed that more than 80,000 of them have worsened, underscoring the scale of disruption for local drivers.

While the bridge closure is the most immediate cause of these delays, other factors have compounded the issue. The introduction of low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) in surrounding areas has redirected traffic away from residential streets, funneling it onto already congested main roads. Additionally, the implementation of 20mph speed limits in many parts of London has contributed to slower overall traffic speeds. Together, these factors paint a complex picture of how interlinked infrastructure changes can amplify the impact of a single disruption like the Hammersmith Bridge closure.