Wandsworth Council has announced new measures to address long-running congestion in Putney town centre, following a £1 million junction overhaul that unexpectedly worsened traffic. The council's new Conservative administration, which took control after the May local elections, said it has identified changes expected to significantly reduce gridlock around Putney High Street.
Background of the congestion issue
The former Labour administration had redesigned the junctions of Putney High Street with Putney Bridge Road and Lower Richmond Road, near Putney Bridge, to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists. However, the scheme, completed in December 2024, led to increased congestion. The redesign was initially proposed under Tory control and adopted by Labour in 2022. Data used for modelling was collected in July 2021, just before the end of Covid-19 lockdowns, and incorrectly assumed Hammersmith Bridge would reopen by 2026.
Residents and businesses have long called for action. The council faced mounting pressure after the scheme's completion, and while the Labour administration worked with Transport for London (TfL) to make adjustments, concerns persisted that measures were insufficient.
New proposals from the Conservative administration
Conservative councillor Daniel Hamilton, cabinet member for transport, said the priority is to “get Wandsworth moving again and reduce rat-running through residential streets.” He added: “From my very first day in this job, I promised to listen to residents and businesses. They’re rightly incredibly frustrated at the traffic congestion here in Putney and repeatedly tell us that some streets have been turned into a car park at certain times of day. It’s time to tackle the gridlock.”
The council determined it would not be viable to scrap the redesign entirely, as it would not meet TfL requirements or fully resolve Putney's traffic problems. Instead, after extensive traffic analysis and meetings with TfL, it has drawn up specific changes.
Specific measures proposed
The plans include reverting to previous bus lane hours on Putney Bridge Road, removing cycle wands, and installing new CCTV to enforce “access only” restrictions on Putney Embankment. The council will also investigate moving the pedestrian crossing on Putney Bridge and submitting a revised traffic signal layout to maximise green time for vehicles. Additionally, it will explore ways to prevent rat-running and queue-jumping traffic around Lower Richmond Road.
Other proposals, originally put forward under the Labour administration, will proceed: removing the traffic island outside Snappy Snaps on Putney High Street, widening the road outside TK Maxx, reinstating two exit lanes from Putney Bridge Road onto Putney High Street, and installing new lane markings near Putney Station.
Ongoing collaboration and next steps
The council said it will continue working with residents and businesses to develop and agree on the proposals. Any changes to the highway network must also be approved by TfL. A TfL spokesperson previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it recognised the impact of congestion and was working with the council to monitor road network performance.
