On Feb 10, 1:23*am, wrote:
Surprised not to see a thread here yet. See [...]
http://snipurl.com/ubl23.

I don't entirely go along with Jenkins' thesis and note he gave a closure
period for Albert Bridge at variance with the photo attached to his
article (presumably an editorial rather than his cock-up). However, he has
a bit of a point, doesn't he?

I don't think a demi-jocular Jenkins spiel really qualifies as
containing a thesis really! Likely not mentioned here because, unlike
what Mr Jenkins might like one to think, Londoners do not hang off
every work he says - I hadn't seen it before you linked to it.

It's worth noting that the Mayor/TfL doesn't have any direct
responsibility for any bridges over the Thames in London (at least I
don't think so) - they're the responsibility of a others, such as the
councils, Bridge House Estates, or the PLA in the case of Richmond
footbridge.

That said, obviously any works are obviously going to planned in
consultation with TfL, which is the highway and traffic authority for
strategic roads in the capital. I note in the case of both the
Hammersmith and Albert bridge works that TfL is also involved in
helping to find the works.

* Hammersmith Bridge general works information from LB Hammersmith &
Fulham, who have responsibility for this bridge:
http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/Directory/New...ork_begins.asp

* A more detailed leaflet (found via google search) on the Hammersmith
Bridge closures, which makes clear the TfL involvement (n.b. PDF):
http://www.citizenspace.com/local/lb...mithBridge.pdf
or via http://tinyurl.com/ydfhqgy

* Albert Bridge closure info from RB Kensington & Chelsea, who have
responsibility for this bridge (see the link to the "Key Decision"
page, which makes clear the TfL funding element):
http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/newsroom/coun...geclosure.aspx
or via http://tinyurl.com/y9vhw7o

Dunno what's happening on the southern approach to Battersea Bridge -
a quick glance at the 'LondonWorks' site didn't elicit anything
obvious - by the way the URL for that is http://
public.londonworks.gov.uk so others can have a rummage themselves.

I think TfL might have some more direct involvement in the Waterloo
Bridge works, not really sure - nothing immediately obvious on either
City of Westminster and LB Lambeth websites (I assume the bridge is
the responsibility of Westminster council not LB Lambeth though, but I
don't know).

And when Jenkins says "And anyone who thinks they can sneak round east
will find Blackwall Tunnel closed southbound indefinitely" he's
talking total balderdash. The tunnel - for which TfL is directly
responsible - is going to be closed to southbound traffic *overnight*
for works until the end of 2012 (it'll remain open to northbound
traffic). And it'll be open to southbound traffic during the day.

The blurb on the TfL website is a bit unclear but seems to suggest
that there'll be some occasional all-weekend closures for southbound
traffic too (it could be read as saying that the tunnel will be
entirely closed - i.e. both bores - but I don't think that's the case)
- see:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/proj...mes/14072.aspx

(It's worth noting the potential for confusion here - the works are
actually being done on the northbound bore - i.e. the original
Victorian tunnel - but n/b traffic will be diverted to go through the
southbound bore, and s/b traffic will have to make its own way across
the river elsewhere. This makes sense as it's preferable to divert and
disperse the s/b traffic across multiple routes - e.g. along the A13
and over the Dartford Bridge, which is now free at night, in addition
to the central London bridges and the Rotherhithe Tunnel - than ending
up with gridlock south of the river around Greenwich/ Deptford etc.)

What Simon hasn't done is question whether the routine Rotherhithe
Tunnel closures will continue during the Blackwall Tunnel works - but
given that they're routine (i.e. necessary) I assume they will,
because they have to. Must admit I'm a bit hazy about what night(s)
this happens on.

Given that he was doing an all-London round up of river crossings, he
also failed to mention the upcoming closure of Greenwich Foot Tunnel
for upgrade works. Nor did he link in the regular Jubilee line weekend
closures, which work to frustrate cross-river journeys in the east.
I'm wondering whether Mr Jenkins might be a Battersea or Clapham
resident!

Anyway, enough babble from me.

Oh, and south London rules OK!