Forum Topic

Gridlock Dismissal

The following captures Wandsworth Council's attitude to Putney's congestion crisis:'Cllr Emmeline Owens brought a motion declaring that “gridlock is having a serious, ongoing impact on residents and businesses” and that “there is no credible or publicly articulated plan” to address it.'https://putney.news/2025/12/11/two-days-after-walking-putneys-gridlocked-junction-yates-blames-margaret-thatcher/

Miles Thompson ● 8h8 Comments

I have this wonderful vision of all these vehicles simply evaporating to the heavens and forming their cloud of metal. You'll need a bloody strong umbrella when what has evaporated rains down.

Andy Pike ● 12m

Because the evaporation happened long before the recent rejig of the junction.

Richard Carter ● 26m

Jenny Yates, the cabinet member for Transport, seems to be in denial about the causes of congestion on Putney High Street. I I am not particularly surprised as she should be held responsible for overseeing the plans and their implementation.To blame the problem on Thames Water emergency works and to point the finger at Thatcher for privatising this utility is a pretty absurd and flimsy defence.It's a pity she didn't come to the public meeting a few months ago when this matter was raised and many local people described the very damaging impact these problems are having on a daily basis; from buses being diverted and delayed to speeding cars seeking alternative routes along quiet streets, to cyclists not using their bikes for fear of their own safety etc.  Sounds to me like Jenny Yates is definitely not in 'listening mode'. I am guessing, come May elections that will not bode well for her.

Gerry Boyce ● 50m

If traffic has evaporated how come we have gridlock roads leading to the bridge.

Robert Wheeler ● 54m

"The more traffic that is caused by all these cycle lanes." That's a new one, the suggestion that the presence of cycle lanes increases the level of vehicular traffic! How does that work in the real world?And the suggestion that the "Hammersmith Bridge closure has caused so much traffic" is simply false. In fact there was significant traffic evaporation following the closure, as has been pointed out many times here and elsewhere.

Richard Carter ● 2h

Although many a Putney resident has doubtless had similar thoughts...

Miles Thompson ● 3h

I am totally speechless!  What appalling replies Jenny Yates gave ....

Ivonne Holliday ● 6h

They probably think the more traffic that is caused by all these cycle lanes it will eventually put residents off from driving. But what they are forgetting is the buses are getting caught in all this as well. So much traffic must come from Barnes and Castlenau as they have no Hammersmith Bridge, would have thought the Council would have realized this by now. How do residents in Rocks Lane end of Barnes get to Charing Cross Hospital, or take their children to Olympia.  How when I lived off White Hart Lane, would I now get to work in Olympia. Hammersmith Bridge closure has caused so much traffic its pathetic, there are so many young people in the councils now, I don't think they have a clue.

Barbara Stevens ● 7h