Wandsworth Council is proposing to spend £450,000 on a 'radical solution' to tackle long-running congestion in Putney town centre, which was exacerbated by a £1 million overhaul of two junctions. The plan involves relocating a pedestrian crossing on Putney Bridge to give drivers on Lower Richmond Road more time to pass through, potentially easing traffic flow in the area.
Background of the congestion problem
The congestion in Putney has been a persistent issue, with residents and businesses calling for action. The previous Labour administration of Wandsworth Council admitted that its redesign of the junctions of Putney High Street with Putney Bridge Road and Lower Richmond Road, near Putney Bridge, had caused unexpected congestion. The redesign, initially proposed under Tory control and adopted by Labour in 2022, aimed to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists but inadvertently worsened traffic conditions.
The data used to model the redesign was collected just before the end of the Covid-19 lockdown in July 2021 and incorrectly assumed Hammersmith Bridge would reopen by 2026. This flawed assumption contributed to the unexpected congestion that followed the scheme's completion in December 2024.
Proposed measures and community response
The new Tory administration, which took control of the council in May, has been drawing up further changes to address the congestion. In addition to relocating the pedestrian crossing on Putney Bridge, the council is considering making permanent the trial of a one-way street on Weiss Road and the removal of a bus lane on Putney High Street.
A report by council officers stated that recent changes to Putney Bridge Road and Putney High Street are expected to improve traffic flow. The report noted that further carriageway widening works outside TK Maxx are underway, which should help traffic move more efficiently through this pinch point. Relocating the pedestrian crossing on Putney Bridge would prevent it from delaying left-turning traffic from Lower Richmond Road, maximising junction capacity and reducing queues.
Next steps and monitoring
The council plans to assess the impact of the crossing relocation before considering additional measures to tackle rat-running traffic on residential side roads Disraeli Road, Werter Road, and Chelverton Road. A Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson previously acknowledged the impact of congestion on residents and businesses and confirmed ongoing collaboration with the council to monitor road network performance.
Wandsworth Council's transport committee will discuss the plans on September 24, with the cabinet making a final decision on October 12. The council will continue to monitor traffic in the area and assess progress in reducing congestion, according to the report.
