Forum Topic

Wandswoth Bridge Closure

Blimey the traffic over Putney Bridge will not be going anywhere quickly when for that 10 week (at least) period it seems Putney will be home to its own traffic, that from Hammersmith Bridge and now some of Wandsworth Bridge too.  Will be interesting to see what it does to the pollution levels on PHS/

John Geoffries ● 998d38 Comments

There are still many people arguing that the closure of Hammersmith Bridge has been a good thing because the number of cars crossing bridge over the western section of the Thames has fallen.There will probably be a similar effect when Wandsworth Bridge closes but the fallacy of this argument is that, while the number of vehicle journeys is down this is a sign of increased not reduced congestion. Particularly in an age of Sat Navs people are now able to find alternative routes so vehicles are just been dispersed. Putney High Street isn't congested because there are more vehicles on it - there are probably fewer going up and down it since Hammersmith Bridge close but they are just progressing more slowly.

Peter Higgins ● 984d

Premier foods do indeed operate from the fish dam lane site. It is still the largest food production factory in the uk was ground breaking when wd moved up to Yorkshire with its computer run production meaning that the mix for various products was in sealed containers throughout the process. The factory and offices gave expanded since I worked there but still produce Lyons baned and many other trade names.When Cadby hall was the main factory  it too produced many brand name cakes as well as supermarket own label and Scriboba Fuller Kunzle etc. Other labels under the Lyons group was Telfers pies, Lyons tea, Lyons Maid ice cream, Albany Inn Hotels, Trust House hotels and many others.Many staff from Cadby hall transferred to yorkshire permanently but the idea was to provide work on the south Yorkshire coalfield for miners as the pits were closing.

Andy Pike ● 993d

Andy  I would imagine that with such a large organisation there were actually quite a few different companies involved.  Different bits of the Lyons empire seem to have been sold to different companies and the address you give now seems to be for Premier Foods which make Mr Kipling cakes etc.  When we were younger we used to live and work in the Olympia area when students and young people all lived in house shares and although I never visited one I remember hearing all about Lyons Tea Houses but more particularly when Lyons was moving/closing.  Cadby Hall has now been demolished and there are huge new buildings being put up.  When we went to an exhibition recently at Olympia we had to walk in a long queue all around the site in order to get into it as the front was closed. Huge Laing O'Rourke cranes towering over our heads. There is a lot of archive history online.  We used to regularly walk and get buses to Hammersmith and Kensington and Fulham to friends and venues - often to pubs with live music. If we wanted to go much further eg across the river we would usually get the tube.  Mostly we worked in Central London.  Remember that traffic flows in more than one direction!It would be interesting to know where people went to get work when such a large organisation closed. It would make it easier to map and understand transport needs which change during people's lifetimes.  There used to be a brilliant website called www.fixmytransport.com - a sister to www.fixmystreet.com which still exists.

Philippa Bond ● 993d

RoyAs much as I dislike the man the Mayor does not have any social housing under his management this was all divested to the Local Authorities at the demise of the Glc many many years ago.I think the first transfer was in the early 1970s under Horace Cutler with the remainder in the 1984 (?) Transfer of estates.

Andy Pike ● 994d

My first thought was that most of the roads leading to the bridge are sure off anyway. The high street is filled with traffic now anyway - quicker to walk -  i understand repairs must take place but it always feels like there is no joined up thinking.

Maxine Campbell ● 994d

You might want to bear in mind that our 'Caring Mayor' is perfectly happy to let asthmatics suffer from the spores in moldy, unmaintained social housing - but of course investing in that costs money, whereas ULEZ is an easy touch.

Roy Robart ● 994d

Barbara Stevens ● 996d

You don't seem to understand that it is ALL infrastructure that has been neglected and mostly by a political party that sadly doesn't believe in state owned  or operated anything..

Philippa Bond ● 996d

Well perhaps they will block all the stations Michael, the bridges the trains go over might not be safe, boohoo. Now who is upset.

Barbara Stevens ● 997d

My cousin was at Greenford, his father was at Olympia as was my aunt teaching typing,as were more relations managers etc. Philippa, miss the bloody point as usual, doesn't matter if they are there or not. People do go to Kensington. Don't bother arguing with Andy because he was there as well.

Barbara Stevens ● 997d

Ah well Phillipa  ,whilst God only knows why Barbara is rambling on about Cadby hall etc, just a quick correction Lyons moved from cadby hall to South Yorkshire in 1975. The Greenford depot was one of many existing depots nationally at thst time but production and the head office function went to a lovely place in fish dam lane Royston just outside of Barnsley.

Andy Pike ● 997d

Ed. Perhaps they should have, but the fact is the money isn't there although it's possibly it could be paid with a toll charge. I'd guess it may be another decade before it's fixed if arguing over who pays continues. To be honest, when Putney Bridge was closed a few years ago for repairs I didn't find it a major problem and the lack of traffic in PHS was quite pleasant. I agree if all three bridges were shut at the same time there could be difficulties but that's unlikely to happen - unless, perhaps, someone glues a bus to Putney bridge!

Michael Ixer ● 997d

If you don't want everybody who insists on driving to try and use Putney Bridge you need to make it clear that Wandworth Bridge is only closed to motor vehicles and it is still open to pedestrians and cyclists who need to wheel their cycles.  Missing out thst info misrepresents the situation.It means people need to think about their jjourneys and replan before just jumping in a car or on their usual buses.BTW John Lyons moved to Greenford about 30 years ago before they sold up altogether so there won't be lots of people going to work at that iconic company in Olympia any longer..

Philippa Bond ● 997d

"H&F and TfL don't have budget to fix it"Perhaps they should have taken better care of it then!"Personally, if it doesn't carry anything other than pedestrians or bikes again I won't over sleep"Would you feel the same if it was Putney Bridge?

Ed Robinson ● 997d

Yes, Barbara, I was being bad and "trolling" there; you'd best tell Mr Sunak and his transport minster to stop playing political games and fund the fixing of Hammersmith Bridge otherwise they'll be no crossing there in the next decade (or two?).

Michael Ixer ● 997d

Michael, why would you be bothered you don't live in Sheen or Barnes.  But from Richmond you could go to Putney or get the other bus to Hammersmith which now you can't. Many Barnes, Mortlake people used to work Olympia, Blyth Rd Post Office offices or Cadby Hall J.Lyons offices. You could go straight to Kensigton. Why if you don't live there are you so bothered whether it opens or not. You like all the traffic in PHS which is getting worse, well it will get worse and it will not stop people using cars.

Barbara Stevens ● 997d

Yes, Ed,  that's why I said it needs central government money??? Don't get your "obtuse" point: H&F and TfL don't have budget to fix it!!!!!! Personally, if it doesn't carry anything other than pedestrians or bikes again I won't over sleep but I know others aren't happy with that ... 

Michael Ixer ● 997d

Bridges need regular maintenance. Wandsworth Bridge was last closed for a similar period of time in 2020.This is why we need Hammersmith Bridge open for public transport and emergency services."Hammersmith Bridge needs central government money'If Hammersmith Bridge were a school or Hospital it would be taken out of local control.Hammersmith Bridge was meant to have a one bus policy - a policy TFL seemed to ignore.If more public money needs to be spent on Hammersmith Bridge I would rather it be done by a more transparent organisation that did not possibly contribute to its closure.

Ed Robinson ● 997d

If Wandsworth Bridge needs structural repairs that requires its closure - that's unavoidable.  I've seen an email from Conservative councillors saying "Labour Council closes Wandsworth bridge". So are the Tory councillors saying they'd keep it open and risk lives? Or perhaps a longer closure by letting the bridge deteriorate further? Infrastructure repairs aren't a political issue - they require those with the money or authority to take the necessary action to fix them: Hammersmith Bridge needs central government money; Wandsworth Bridge needs to be closed irrespective of the council's "colour - red, blue, yellow, green - or even purple"!!!

Michael Ixer ● 997d

It was closed in 2020 for several weeks.Of course emergency services will still be able to cope with two bridges down.Reminds me of the Monty Python Black Knight sketch!Let's hope Putney Bridge remains open.

Ed Robinson ● 997d

Philippa, do you live South of the river?

Martine Guy ● 997d

Philippa, do you live South of the river?

Martine Guy ● 997d

Philippa,"Pedestrians will still be able to cross, as will cyclists, although they will need to dismount."To say you are being facetious is an understatement!

Ivonne Holliday ● 997d

"The bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic from Monday 24 July for around 10 weeks. Pedestrians will still be able to cross, as will cyclists, although they will need to dismount."So not as bad as made out.

Philippa Bond ● 997d

Yes, Philippa, lane closure from 15 May till 22 July.  From 23 July, for 10 weeks, the whole bridge will be closed.

Ivonne Holliday ● 997d

"But of course you haven't got a car have you Richard."Wrong,as usual, not that that interferes with your witless comments.

Richard Carter ● 997d

As long as they don't close Fulham Bridge :-)

Michael Ixer ● 997d

There are 2 articles on the subject, if it's not too much trouble to page down about 6 posts on front page.  If you haven't read it not my problem.

Barbara Stevens ● 997d

But of course you haven't got a car have you Richard, Oh wait a minute all your neighbours will say yes he has.

Barbara Stevens ● 997d

Lane closures start on 15 May on Wandsworth Bridge and bus changes seembto have started on 6 May.https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/bus-changes#on-this-page-1

Philippa Bond ● 997d

Of course the Mayor will 'keep on' about pollution because, if you could manage just for once to look beyond the end of your nose, you would understand that it's a serious problem. The cost to people and their families of premature deaths and long-term illness far outweighs that of people whining about replacing their filthy polluting vehicles.

Richard Carter ● 997d

Yes, those 10 weeks will be "interesting"....Thank goodness, the total closure to traffic will start on 23 July 2023 when most schools will have broken up for the summer holidays.  The problem will be in September when the schools start again....

Ivonne Holliday ● 997d

They say Wandsworth Bridge will still be open to pedestrians and cyclists wheeling their bikes.  So not totally closed - just closed to heavy ie motorised traffic.

Philippa Bond ● 997d

With your imagination Barbara you should write best sellers.

Andy Pike ● 997d

What will you do if they shut Putney as well, making out there is something the matter with it.

Barbara Stevens ● 997d

Freddie I know that, but the Mayor will keep on about pollution, non stop. It cost us a lot of money. But it will cost a lot of other people. If they shut Wandsworth you will have traffic everywhere.

Barbara Stevens ● 997d

The high street is already in the ULEZ so that make no sense.

Freddie Francis ● 997d

Probably done on purpose, just to make it look like pollution in Putney. Giving them a reason to expand the ULEZ even further.

Barbara Stevens ● 998d