Colour and lights improve bridges from Balham to Battersea

Residents across Wandsworth will spot the latest progress as the council continues to improve rail bridges and underpasses to create cleaner, brighter and safer routes.

A programme of bridge renewal works is underway in town centres and local neighbourhoods as part of our Decade of Renewal, paid for with funds the council collects from property developers in the borough, not local taxpayers.

The project to make routes feel more welcoming and safer is in response to feedback from residents and businesses who asked for improvements to dark, poorly lit bridges. Improvements are focusing on deep-cleaning, upgraded lighting, new artwork and enhanced pigeon‑proofing to improve the experience of walking or cycling through them.

Jenny Yates, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We’re moving fast on improvements to bridges and underpasses, acting on what residents have told us needs changing. This bridge renewal programme is a key part of our investment for the long term in local neighbourhoods, making a real difference to how people feel about their local area.”

Better bridges in Balham

The foot tunnels under the railway on Bedford Hill, near The Bedford pub, are now being improved with new artwork on the walls and lighting repairs to make them brighter and lighter. Planters are also being installed on Bedford Hill to introduce some greening.

The improvements come after the successful roll-out of new lighting and pigeon-proofing under Balham High Road rail bridge near the station, making it a brighter route particularly at night.

Works in Battersea and Wandsworth Town

At the same time, works are underway at Battersea Park Road, in partnership with Network Rail. The two rail bridges over the road just outside Battersea Park station are being deep‑cleaned and fitted with new lighting that can be programmed to cycle through different colours.

In Wandsworth Town, the transformation is progressing well at Swandon Way rail bridge, where teams are cleaning and repainting the underpass, installing new lighting, bright artwork and lettering at each end to create a more welcoming gateway into the town centre.

The bridge over the nearby Causeway is being waterproofed before it is improved with new lighting and painting to give pedestrians and cyclists a brighter route to and from the town centre.

East Putney painting

In the meantime, East Putney station rail bridges are getting a colourful refurbishment with deep-cleaning, a repaint, upgraded pigeon-proofing measures, jet-washed brickwork, and new ‘East Putney’ signage to the exterior of both bridges. Work is being carried out overnight to minimise disruption and will be finished in April. Find out more about East Putney bridge improvements.

Two Tooting bridges

Finally, the local community in the Tooting Common area are being asked for their input to help shape new artwork to brighten up rail underpasses at Cavendish Road and Tooting Triangle. The lighting will be fixed and improved, pigeon-proofing added, the entrances will be cleaned up and artwork will be installed on the walls and facades.

Have your say on the Tooting Triangle consultation website or come down this Saturday to speak to the team in person and share your ideas while enjoying free refreshments.

• When: Saturday 14 March, 11am to 1pm.
• Where: outside Balham Boxing Club and Cavendish Road railway arches.

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