Major Upgrade for Hammersmith Bridge Lanterns
19th century lighting refitted with LED bulbs for energy efficiency
The new lanterns lighting up the bridge. Picture: H&F Council
December 5, 2025
The historic lanterns of Hammersmith Bridge have been given a new lease of life, following a £2.9 million refurbishment programme that has transformed the Grade II*-listed landmark’s main carriageway.
All 22 lanterns, first installed in 1887 as gas lamps, have been carefully restored and upgraded with modern, energy-efficient LED lighting. The result is a glow that is both brighter and greener — the new system is 56% more efficient than before — while retaining the bridge’s iconic Victorian character.
Many of the lanterns had become damaged or broken over time. To ensure safety, they were temporarily removed and replaced with stand-in lights while specialist engineers carried out repairs. Each lantern has now been repainted in the bridge’s heritage colour and fitted with warm LED bulbs before being reinstalled along the footpaths.
This upgrade forms part of the wider programme to stabilise and preserve the 138-year-old suspension bridge, which has been undergoing extensive works since it was closed on safety grounds in August 2020.
Since the closure, Hammersmith & Fulham Council says it has invested £48 million in keeping the bridge safe and accessible. Key achievements include:
- Strengthening the cast-iron pedestals and installing steel supports.
- Replacing seized Victorian bearings.
- Reinforcing overstressed hangers that connect the deck to the suspension chains.
- Replacing worn wooden deck boards and repairing supporting timbers.
- Resurfacing the carriageway and walkways for pedestrians, cyclists, and e-scooter users.
The council says the works combine cutting-edge engineering with careful heritage preservation, ensuring the bridge remains one of the world’s most distinctive suspension structures.
More complex engineering will be required before the bridge can once again carry cars and buses. For now, the focus remains on keeping it safe for pedestrians and cyclists, with ongoing maintenance expected for years to come.
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