§ SIR HENRY HOLLANDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the condition of Hammersmith Bridge, having regard to the number of persons on it during the training of the University crews, and on the day of the boat race; and, whether he intends to take any steps in the matter?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSThe attention of the Secretary of State has been for several years called to the condition of Hammersmith Bridge. There is no doubt that this bridge was built a long time ago, and, although it was perfectly fitted for ordinary traffic, it is not fit for the extraordinary traffic it is called upon to bear during the day of the boat race. I thought it better, therefore, to ask the Board of Trade to send down one of their officers on a visit of inspection; and in justification of any action which the Hammersmith Bridge Company may take, I think the best thing I can do is to read the conclusions of his Report. Captain Tyler says—
I am of opinion that the Hammersmith Bridge cannot be employed in connection with the approaching University boat race without the serious risk of loss of life to many thousands of people who would, if the bridge were not closed, crowd upon it endeavouring to witness the race, and again, after the race, would pass over it in dense masses returning from the race, and over whom the police authorities would be quite unable to exercise any control. I am fully 884 aware of, and have seriously considered, the inconvenience that would be caused by the closing of the bridge, and I am, I regret to say, compelled to come to the inevitable conclusion that public safety demands that such inconvenience must be incurred, and that the bridge must be closed absolutely on that day.I have communicated that Report to the Bridge Committee, and they have, I understand, undertaken, because the whole responsibility rests upon them, and not upon the Secretary of State, to close the bridge in consequence of that Report; and I have told them that I will place at their disposal such a force of police as would enable them to carry that decision into effect; and I hope the public will aid the bridge authorities and the police in taking a step which is actually necessary for the preservation of life, and that due precautions will be taken, not only on the day of the boat race, but on the days of the practising of the crews, when the crowds are almost equally great.