A futuristic battery powered rickshaw shuttle service is to operate over the closed Hammersmith Bridge, offering some respite to stranded residents.

The service aims to provide much needed service between Barnes and Hammersmith, which was lost following the closure of the bridge on safety grounds in April 2019.

The bridge reopened to bicycles and pedestrians in July of this year and this will allow the 'Cityshuttle' service to operate amid hopes it could start carrying passengers as early as next month.

The 'Cityshuttle' is styled to look like a black cab and is fitted with phone chargers, Bluetooth, cupholders, Wi-Fi, a fold out desk and even a defibrillator ready for any medical emergency.

The service is being supported by the Barnes Community Association and the Richmond Park MP, Sarah Olney.

She tweeted: "This is excellent news for South West Londoners.

"The partial reopening of Hammersmith Bridge was a fantastic first-step, but there are still significant numbers of people who cannot walk or cycle across.

"These kinds of services will be pivotal in restoring access for all."

The company founder, Keith Jones, who has a background in manufacturing, told Nub News, that his hopes of launching a fleet of the shuttles in London had been disrupted by the pandemic and lockdown.

However, the scheme was given new life after he was approached by residents in Barnes, who are looking for ways to combat the closure of the bridge.

The prototype has been used on narrow streets in central London and proven its worth.

"This can go where pedestrians can walk because its classification is as a bike. It only has a 250 watt assisted motor which guarantees it can go up to 25kph or just over 15mph," he said.

In the future, he envisages operating up to 18 of the shuttles on routes between Barnes and Hammersmith and also to Richmond town centre.

"I think Barnes and Richmond will want a door-to-door service and I think that's what will be demanded of these vehicles. One vehicle is no good to anybody, we need a fleet of them," he said.

"I have an App to go with this on the basis of offering a door-to-door service in the future."

He envisages the rickshaws would connect commuters on the Barnes side of the river with the Tube and bus station in Hammersmith. As the service develops, passengers could be taken further into the capital.

There will have to be some kind of stand for it on the Barnes side, however it is not yet clear where this will be. St Paul's School has offered to provide some space to store the vehicles.

Mr Jones said: "I'm aiming to have a launch event on November 6 or 7, which will be attended by the community association and residents.

"My gut feeling ,looking at these area, is that a fleet of 12-18 vehicles will be perfect to service these communities.

"I've got a lovely vehicle and it's going to be there with all the bells and whistles and everyone is welcome to come and look, but we want numbers two, three and four.

"That bridge is not likely to open for 5-10 years, so if people want a transport service taking them in and out of London that is fairly swift and very comfortable then this offers an answer."

The fare has yet to be decided, however Mr Jones suggested the service would be much cheaper than what a conventional black cab would charge for a short trip.

The service is currently looking to hire someone to pilot the first shuttle. The hope is that it would operate both during normal busy commuting times and also ferrying people home late on weekend evenings.

Mr Jones said he is hoping for some financial support from the Community Association, while he is also looking for more substantial backing, either through private investors, public money or a crowdfunding campaign.

He said: "We are looking for investors and a community crowdfunding page could be good for raising the money, but whether other people will put their hand in their pocket I don't know. I hope they would."