TfL to help keep Londoners moving during Wandsworth Council's Putney Bridge essential repair works
  • Drivers are advised to change their route to avoid disruption
  • Buses will terminate at either end of bridge, with passengers needing to make their way across the bridge on foot to complete their journey
  • Bus passengers affected by bridge closure will only have to pay once
  • For more information on the works visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/putneybridge  

In advance of Wandsworth Council's essential repair works to Putney Bridge starting next week (Monday 14 July), Transport for London (TfL) is advising drivers of disruption to the surrounding area, and is reiterating its commitment to ensure that bus passengers don't lose out or pay twice if their journeys are affected by the bridge closure.  

The bridge needs better protection from the damage caused by water penetration - which has contributed to the poor road surface.

During the works, which the council estimate will last for around three months, all vehicles, including buses, will not be able to use the bridge.

Drivers will need to change their route to complete their journey and should allow extra time for their alternative routes.

Pedestrians will still be able to cross the bridge on foot, as will cyclists - although they will need to dismount. Buses will terminate either side of the bridge.  

The Putney Bridge repair works will affect journeys over a wider area than the immediate vicinity of the bridge.

Traffic is expected to be congested around the works especially during morning and evening peaks, with alternative river crossings expected to be most disrupted.   Additional traffic is expected in the morning peak across Kew Bridge, along the A316 across Chiswick Bridge, northbound journeys across Hammersmith Bridge, and around Clapham Junction. Variable messaging signs are now in place, advising drivers of the closures, and TfL will be providing up to date information through the @tfltrafficnews twitter feed and website to help drivers plan their journey - tfl.gov.uk/trafficnews.  

London Buses will operate services from both ends of the bridge, and bus passengers who would usually cross the bridge will need to make their way across to the other side to continue their journey. Bus passengers from affected routes who cross the bridge on foot will be able to continue their journey on to appropriate services from the other side.  

During the works, the frequency of the Route 72 between Roehampton and Hammersmith will be doubled (from around 7 to 15 buses an hour Monday to Saturday daytime and from 5 to 10 buses an hour on Sunday daytime) to provide an alternative link to the London Underground (LU) network from that part of London.  

TfL has also worked to make sure that any customers who may have difficulty crossing the bridge can still get where they need to go by using alternative services. All buses are accessible and alternative routes, such as 37, 39 and 265 linking Putney and Wandsworth Town, and 485 from Hammersmith to Putney will be available. TfL will have additional staff in place on either side of Putney Bridge to help direct passengers and answer any questions about where to get buses from.  

Passengers with Travelcards or who travel for free under a concession (around 90 per cent of passengers) will be able to walk across the bridge and continue their journey as normal. Anyone using Oyster pay as you go (PAYG) or a contactless payment card (who make up around 10 per cent of affected passengers) will be able to obtain a "transfer card" from the bus driver or a dedicated members of staff, which will mean that they also will not have to pay for the second leg of their journey.  

Transfer cards can be used in conjunction with an Oyster PAYG or Contactless payment cards which are validated within 60 minutes on a previous bus journey on routes 14, 22, 39, 74, 85, 93, 220, 265, 270, 424, 430, N22 and N74. Passengers who have a transfer card can use it throughout the bridge closure and will not need to obtain a transfer voucher from the driver on each occasion.  

Garrett Emmerson, Chief Operating Officer of Surface Transport at TfL, said: "We urge all drivers to plan their journeys in advance to minimise the affect of the council's essential works to Putney Bridge. By taking alternative routes, disruption will be minimised. We will also be ensuring that any bus passengers affected by the works can continue their journey in the quickest and easiest way possible."  

TfL will also be carrying out essential road works to Hogarth Flyover from 19 July until 31 August as part of a continuing programme of roads modernisation across London. Drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys as these works will have an impact on a wider area than the immediate vicinity of the flyover. Where possible, drivers are advised to plan ahead to change their routes avoid the disruption, particularly during the morning and evening peak during weekdays and if travelling at the weekend.

For more information visit: www.tfl.gov.uk/putney-bridge-closure .  

Details of bus routes affected by the closure of Putney Bridge can be found at www.tfl.gov.uk/driving  

  • For more information about the works taking place on Putney Bridge - please visit - http://wandsworth.gov.uk/putneybridge
  • To help support Wandsworth Council, TfL has carried out a range of activity to alert drivers and bus passengers to these works. These include emailing affected bus and road users about the works, briefing key stakeholder groups around Putney and key freight contacts and placing customer information posters at both Putney Bridge and East Putney Underground stations. Putney Bridge also has an extensive temporary signage scheme to direct customers from the exit of the station to Putney High Street, for buses heading south
  • During the closure of Putney Bridge, customers travelling during the morning peak time (07:00-10:00) can expect additional traffic on across Kew Bridge towards Chiswick Roundabout, along the A316 across Chiswick Bridge towards Hogarth roundabout, eastbound on the south circular towards and through the Wandsworth one way system, northbound journeys across Hammersmith Bridge, and around Clapham Junction.