As the London Assembly Transport Committee launched its report into London's river crossings, "Bridging the Thames", committee chair Caroline Pidgeon AM said:
The closure of Hammersmith Bridge to vehicles and pedestrians was an international embarrassment and a clear example of the disruption that can be caused because of a lack of investment and coordination.
The ownership, management and maintenance of our river crossings must be better coordinated and transparent. All owners should look to put money into one fund to help with the long-term financial investment of these Thames crossings, so that we avoid the fiasco of another Hammersmith Bridge.
With ageing bridges and tunnels, alongside extreme weather, it is critical that we manage these crucial crossings much more efficiently and effectively.