Less than a fortnight until Wandsworth Bridge closes for essential safety repairs 

People are being reminded that Wandsworth Bridge will soon be closing to vehicle traffic to allow for essential repairs to be carried out.

The repairs, which are needed to safeguard the long-term future of this key river crossing, mean it will close to all vehicle traffic on Monday, 24 July. The repairs are expected to take approximately 10 weeks to complete.

The works are taking place mainly over the summer when traffic levels are about 20 per cent lower than the rest of the year. The council has also consulted closely with Transport for London, neighbouring Hammersmith and Fulham Council and other partners to ensure good co-ordination with other major roadworks in south and west London – and to ensure better traffic flows in the area Wandsworth Council will not permit any non-emergency roadworks on the approaches to any bridge in the borough.

The works are necessary to replace some of the structure’s critical weight bearing elements and ensure the bridge remains safe for traffic. If the repairs were not carried out it could result in longer-term closures and other restrictions. 

Jenny Yates, Wandsworth’s Cabinet Member for Transport said: “The key message here is that the works are essential to protect the bridge and ensure it remains safe to use. Our primary objective is to complete this vital job as efficiently and as quickly as possible so there is the least amount of disruption possible to residents.”

The repair will involve hydraulically lifting the bridge structure so that the internal weight bearing parts can be replaced. In order to achieve this safely and without damaging the bridge structure, the road surface needs to be removed in order to lighten the load.   

Once the load bearing parts have been replaced the bridge deck will be waterproofed to prevent future internal corrosion, to be followed by full carriageway resurfacing.

While the repairs are being carried out the bridge will remain open for pedestrians crossing the river and also for cyclists but due to the limited space that’s available, they will need to dismount and wheel their bikes across in order to ensure the safety of others. 

There will be temporary changes to bus services that normally cross the bridge once the closure is in place. Details of these changes will be available at www.tfl.gov.uk/buses

Motorists will be directed to other river crossings, while some are likely to switch to public transport. 

People who make only short journeys north and south of the river are being urged to take advantage of the Santander Cycle Hire Scheme and other bike rental schemes. Details of river bus services which operate from piers at Putney Embankment and Wandsworth Riverside Quarter, with routes to Waterloo, Westminster and Docklands, can be found at www.thamesclippers.com