Closure of Wandsworth Bridge: alternative routes and waste & recycling UPDATES

LAST UPDATE: 14 September

Wandsworth Council has closed Wandsworth Bridge to motor vehicles to enable essential safety repairs to be carried out.

The full closure for motorists – which began on Monday 24 July and is due to re-open to all traffic on Sunday 1 October – is due to problems with the bearings that now need to be replaced as they've reached the end of their lifespan.

Watch the Wandsworth Council video on YouTube.

The bridge remains open for people to cross at all times. Cyclists have to dismount and push their bikes as the footpaths will be narrow. Both Putney and Battersea Bridges remain open to all forms of transport, including cycling. For more information about the closure and the works they involve, here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

H&F Council will continue to work closely and collaboratively with Wandsworth Council to minimise the impact on drivers. 

Transport for London has published a Travel Advice webpage – including full details of all the temporary bus changes – on their website.

Alternative routes - motorists

To make it easier for out-of-borough motorists to visit shops, businesses and friends in Wandsworth Bridge Road, the Clean Air Neighbourhood camera in Imperial Road (southbound) has temporarily been suspended from 24 July.

This means drivers coming from Putney can use the New Kings Road and then turn right down Bagley’s Lane, along Imperial Road and then Townmead Road to get to the southern section of Wandsworth Bridge Road.

Drivers taking this route will NOT receive any PCNs during the 10-week closure period of Wandsworth Bridge from the start of the works.

Drivers are able to return to Putney by leaving Wandsworth Bridge Road at the northern end and turning left into New Kings Road – as currently permitted.

Motorists who don’t have a car registered in H&F can also continue to use the current preferred route which is via Parsons Green, Fulham Broadway and Harwood Road to reach the northern section of Wandsworth Bridge Road.

Please remember, H&F residents with vehicles registered in the borough can freely use ALL streets and go through the Clean Air Neighbourhood cameras without being fined.

Read full details about the bridge closure on the Wandsworth Council website.

Alternative routes - cyclists

On the north side of Wandsworth Bridge, Putney Bridge can be reached from the Wandsworth Bridge Road by cycle via Carnwarth Road, Broomhouse Road and Hurlingham Road. Battersea Bridge can be reached off the Wandsworth Bridge Road via Townmead Road, Harbour Avenue and right on to Lots Road before joining the shared-use path along the Embankment to Battersea Bridge.   

From the south side of Wandsworth Bridge, Putney Bridge can be reached by following the blue cycle signs to the riverpath via Wandsworth Park. Battersea Bridge can likewise be reached via the south side of the Bridge by following the blue cycle signs to the riverpath and following it beneath Wandsworth Bridge towards the Battersea helipad where it joins a quiet road, and then continue following it off road to Battersea Bridge.

Waste and recycling

The closure of Wandsworth Bridge will make it more difficult for H&F residents to reach the Smuggler's Way waste and recycling facility in Wandsworth.

To help offer an alternative, we've agreed with the Western Riverside Waste Authority that H&F residents can use the Abbey Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre in Brent NW10. There are a few differences between the rules at Smuggler's Way and Abbey Road, so please visit their website to make sure your visit goes smoothly.

Without access to Smuggler's Way, H&F has had to make minor changes to bin and recycling collection rounds. Your collection day WILL NOT CHANGE but we may arrive at a slightly different time.

In the event that a collection is missed, please let us know at the end of the day. Please use 'Report It' and tell us.

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