| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply | |
| Posted by: | Jeremy Parkinson | |
| Date/Time: | 21/06/25 10:26:00 |
| There seems to be something of a disjoint here between an unwillingness to accept the verbal reports of people involved with the project and an unwillingness to approach the organisations they work for to verify the accuracy of those reports. No engineer is going to give a perpetual guarantee on any structure not falling down - that would depend how it is used. Structural viability reports will have been presented to the DfT as part of the business case for the bridge. Most people would assume that, as a minister has hinted that Hammersmith Bridge is actively being considered for funding, these reports present no obstacle to the project proceeding. It is expected that the announcements of the first infrastructure project will begin soon, probably before parliament breaks on 22 July and maybe before the school holidays start as, for the vast majority of people, this will be perceived as good news. Whether Hammersmith Bridge appears in that first round is anyone's guess. In its favour is the fact that plans are already drawn up and it is a landmark. Against it is the amount of the money needed as a proportion of the fund and the fact that it is in London. I'm an optimist and believe Heidi Alexander would have dampened expectations when she had the chance in her radio interview. However, if it does turn out to be yet more disappointment it will be for financial not engineering reasons. |