Foster & Partners’ plans for repairing Hammersmith Bridge could slash £40m from the repair bill and help the bridge reopen four years sooner than the current plan, Hammersmith & Fulham council has said.

The bridge could potentially reopen for pedestrians and cyclists next summer, and motor vehicles two months later, under plans that have been presented to the council. This would be more than three years after it was closed to traffic because of safety fears.

A six-week £200,000 technical study conducted jointly by Fosters and bridge engineer Cowi found that a temporary double-decker crossing is feasible using the existing bridge foundations.

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