Transport for London (TfL) has frustrated West London residents after informing them it has no updates on works to a local bridge it had committed to repainting by the end of March. The bridge crosses over Uxbridge Road in Shepherd's Bush, connecting Shepherd's Bush Market and Goldhawk Road stations.
The transport authority had said it would upgrade the crossing after a significant number of complaints were filed by locals. However, in recent correspondence to a resident seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), TfL acknowledged it did not have "any further news on the bridge works."
Campaigners Express Outrage
Noor, who heads up the Fix Uxbridge Road campaign group, described the latest news as "embarrassing and unacceptable." She added that this is particularly galling given other stations, such as South Kensington, are receiving "major multi-million-pound upgrades."
A TfL spokesperson said some works have been completed, such as cleaning graffiti, and that it is working with Hammersmith and Fulham Council to deliver further improvements. This was confirmed by a council spokesperson, who added they have offered to fund the painting of the bridge, which is owned by TfL.
Wider Calls for Improvements
Calls for upgrades to the bridge and Shepherd's Bush Market station are part of a wider push by campaigners for relevant authorities to "clean up and restore" Uxbridge Road. A petition on the issue presented to Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Cabinet last September drew almost 3,000 signatures. At a Full Council meeting the following month, the local authority reiterated its commitment to working with residents to improve the area.
In December, the LDRS spoke with several local shop owners and residents, some of whom backed the calls to clean up the bridge. Mary Henry said that while she supported the repainting, the wider Shepherd's Bush area should also be looked at. On the bridge she said: "This is an eyesore. And any graffiti and pictures [on it]. Not nice." She added: "Spruce it up. A can of paint doesn't go amiss."
The LDRS revealed at the time that TfL had, in an email to a resident, committed to repainting the bridge "before the end of the year." It was clarified that this meant the end of the financial year, so March. Despite that deadline passing, there has been little evidence of works having taken place.
TfL's Latest Response
In the latest correspondence, TfL noted the wider concerns raised in the residents' complaints, such as the need for upgrades to Shepherd's Bush Station. It said: "Whilst I cannot give you an update right now on when there may be news on our station improvement priorities, please rest assured that I have highlighted your concerns to the Area Manager for Shepherd's Bush Market station. As and when we do hear any more, we can of course relay any communications to you. Also, at the time of writing, we do not have any further news on the bridge works. Finally, whilst there are no current plans to assess the feasibility of step-free access at Shepherd's Bush Market station, you can read more on our wider step free plans here."
Noor, speaking on behalf of the campaign group, said the station has "never been good enough," and that TfL's latest response confirms why residents are frustrated. She said: "After what is estimated to be hundreds of complaints and despite direct engagement with the London Assembly Member for West Central, TfL has said it has 'addressed resident concerns' by mopping the floor. Routine cleaning should be happening regardless. It is not an improvement plan, and it is not what residents asked for. It does not fix an old, neglected station, damaged ticketing equipment, outdated signage, poor help point visibility, the lack of step-free access, or the wider state of the station."
Commitments Undermined
Noor added that TfL's approach is also "undermined by its own commitments" made in writing to residents. She said: "TfL committed to repainting the West London bridge, as reported in the media in December 2025. It was then reported that the work would be completed by the end of March. Now, in May 2026, TfL is saying that 'at the time of writing, we do not have any further news on the bridge works.' This is embarrassing and unacceptable. TfL should not make commitments to residents and then quietly downgrade them. This is especially unacceptable when other stations such as South Kensington are receiving major multi-million-pound upgrades, including wider station improvements. Shepherd's Bush Market serves a busy and diverse community, yet it continues to be treated as a lower priority. Residents are asking TfL to do what it said it would do, and to bring the station up to the standard local people should always have been able to expect. TfL must explain why it has failed to honour its commitment to repaint the bridge, confirm when the work will be completed, and set out a clear plan for long-overdue improvements to Shepherd's Bush Market station."
A Hammersmith and Fulham Council spokesperson said: "Shepherd's Bush Market Tube station serves as a gateway to Uxbridge Road and the wider area – as such, we want it to be a pleasant place for Hammersmith and Fulham residents and visitors. While we are working with the local community and TfL to deliver improvements to the bridge, we also want to see urgent improvements to the station. We have offered to fund painting of TfL's bridge and to help fund repainting of the station. We hope both of these can progress soon."
