HC Deb 16 March 1877 vol 233 cc16-7
SIR HENRY HOLLAND

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been directed to the state of Hammersmith Bridge, and the number of persons collected on the Bridge during the practice of the University crews, particularly on the day of the Race; and, whether the right honourable Gentleman intends to take any steps in the matter?

MR. ASSHETON CROSS,

in reply, said, he was glad the attention of the House had been invited to the subject, which was one of considerable importance. Every possible care and precaution had been taken last year to prevent people from crowding on the bridge during the race; but it so happened that after it was over and before the crews had returned from Mortlake a great number of persons got on the bridge, whom it was found quite impossible to make move on fast enough as the boats went by, the consequence being that such a deflection of the bridge was caused as was, in his opinion, dangerous. This year he had asked his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to have, through Colonel Tyler, a thorough investigation of the bridge instituted, and the result was that, in the opinion of that gentleman, if the people were admitted to the bridge at all on the day of the race, it would be impossible for the police to prevent excessive crowding or to guard against unforeseen accidents, and that it would, therefore, be desirable that the bridge should be closed on that day until the crowds attending the race had dispersed. That opinion having been conveyed to the Bridge Committee, he had received from them, through their secretary, a copy of a resolution, to the effect that all traffic on the bridge would be stopped from 8 o'clock till 10 on Saturday, the 24th inst., and no person would be allowed to remain on it during that time. He felt bound to add that, as the bridge was a very old one, it was a matter worthy of serious con- sideration, especially as there were several boat races in that part of the Thames during the year, whether it was not the duty of the Committee to come to Parliament for further powers to make the bridge safe for the public.