FOI request detail

How is the Hammersmith Bridge closure to vehicles affecting Putney

Request ID: FOI-1220-2021
Date published: 17 November 2020

You asked

Dear Transport for London, I live in Putney and since early September 2020, I have seen an exponential increase in traffic approaching Putney Bridge. I would like to see some recent data comparing any weekday within the last two weeks with the period before the bridge was closed to motor vehicles. In particular, I'm interested in the approaches to Putney Bridge from the following roads: Lower Richmond Road, Putney Bridge Road & Putney High Street. I don't know exactly what data sets are easily available to your team, but I'm interested in: - Do we know how traffic volumes have changes on these main roads? - Do we know if traffic speeds have generally changed on these roads? - Are there any delays to bus services catalogued ?

We answered

TfL Ref 1220-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 30 September 2020 asking for information about the Hammersmith Bridge closure effect on traffic volumes, speeds and bus delays around Putney Bridge.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.  I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require.

You asked:

I live in Putney and since early September 2020, I have seen an exponential increase in traffic approaching Putney Bridge.

I would like to see some recent data comparing any weekday within the last two weeks with the period before the bridge was closed to motor vehicles.

In particular, I'm interested in the approaches to Putney Bridge from the following roads:  Lower Richmond Road, Putney Bridge Road & Putney High Street.

I don't know exactly what data sets are easily available to your team, but I'm interested in:

- Do we know how traffic volumes have changes on these main roads?

- Do we know if traffic speeds have generally changed on these roads?

- Are there any delays to bus services catalogued ?

We do not have any traffic counters on the three roads you have specifically mentioned in your request, however we do have an Automated Traffic Counter (ATC) on Upper Richmond Road. Attached is some data from this ATC which shows traffic flow and speed data from 21-27/09/2020 and 24-30/09/2018 (pre Hammersmith Bridge closure) for comparison.

The graphs below show how journey time has changed along a couple of set routes in the area. The data is shown in minutes for a 12hr peak (7am – 7pm) with a baseline of 01/09/2018 – 10/04/2019.

We don’t hold the data by bus route and journey minutes delayed in the Putney area.  Our bus data is held on a whole route basis and shows the scheduled mileage lost to staff sickness, mechanical issues or traffic but across the whole route, so this cannot be easily attributed to a specific part of a route or issue.  Quarterly performance data of routes is published on the TfL website: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/buses-performance-data  - however please note that this is not produced on a geographical basis.

If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Sara Thomas

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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