One month to go until Wandsworth Bridge closes for essential safety works

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

The repairs, which are needed to safeguard the long-term future of this vital river crossing mean it will close to traffic on Monday, 24 July 2023 for approximately 10 weeks.

The work has been timed to take place mainly during the school summer holidays when traffic levels are at their lightest. The timescales have been drawn up following discussions 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.

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

Jenny Yates, Wandsworth’s Cabinet Member for Transport said: “A repair project on this scale to an important river crossing means some degree of disruption is unavoidable, and we are sorry for the inconvenience it will cause, but we are working hard to keep this to the absolute minimum. We have also ensured that throughout the works the bridge will remain open to pedestrians and people who ride bicycles.

“We are giving people as much advance warning as we can ahead of next month’s closure so they can plan alternative routes or look at using other forms of transport to cross the river.”

“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.”

A major part of the scheme 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 the limited space that’s available means 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. These details will be publicised once confirmed by Transport for London and the bus operators.

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.

The council has already sent out advance warning letters to 24,000 households on both sides of the river and a further letter will be dispatched to a wider distribution area in the coming days. Warning signs will be placed on lamposts on all approaches in Wandsworth and Hammersmith and Fulham, while digital warning signs will also be used to alert motorists throughout the wider area.

Information about the closure will also be provided to the public via the council’s social media channels and e-newsletters. Posters are also set to be placed on bus stops in the area to inform passengers about changes to their routes.

Residents and businesses in the area can stay informed of progress and other important news by signing up to the council’s weekly e-newsletter at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/24seven

People can access Twitter alerts by following ‘@wandbc’ or via @wandsworth_council on Instagram.

For more information email bridgeworks@wandsworth.gov.uk.