Putney Bridge Re-Opening Remains On Track

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Million-pound repairs expected to finish 26th September

Wandsworth Council has announced that the repair works on Putney Bridge remain a fortnight ahead of target, with the re-opening scheduled for just over a week away. The £1.5m repair project is in its final stages with a few more improvements required to safeguard the listed bridge and protect it against the elements.

The bridge is scheduled to reopen to all traffic on Friday, September 26. In the days leading up to its reopening, the Council will attempt to improve the drainage under and within the bridge structure. Wandsworth Council hopes that this part of the project, though not visible to passers-by, will safeguard the integrity of the bridge in the future.

The refurbished bridge will be given special ‘expansion joints’ so that the bridge can expand and contract in hot and cold weather without damaging the road surface. A large crane is being used to remove vegetation from the outside of the bridge.

Following July’s bus crash, bridge wall repairs are still to be completed. This is one of the tasks to be wrapped-up next week, with new road markings, litter bins and bus stops also to be put in place. The Bridge’s Victorian lamp columns, newly-restored, will be installed.

Contractors will also carry out additional work to improve the road surface at the bus stops north of the bridge. According to the Council, these are badly rutted and in need of repairs, and although not originally included in the repair contract, will now be added to the works programme. Finally, the traffic lights at the junction with the Lower Richmond Road, which have been upgraded by Transport For London, will be switched back on.

Repairs to the Grade II Listed bridge are on schedule to be completed around a fortnight earlier than the original forecasts. They began on July 14 and were originally timetabled to last 12 weeks; works are on course to be completed in just under ten.

Transport spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook said: “We are now on the final leg of this project and I’m delighted to report that we are still on schedule to finish some two weeks earlier than was originally thought.

“Once again I would like to thank the travelling public for the great patience they have shown right from the start of these important repairs.”

People can find out more about the closure and also view TfL’s bus maps at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/putneybridge.

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Week 6 update

Week 5 update

Week 4 update

Week 3 update

Week 2 update

Week 1 update

September 17, 2014