Wandsworth Council drives forward Wandsworth Bridge improvements
Published: Friday, September 4, 2026
The historic Wandsworth Bridge is on track to be fully operational again in October following the successful completion of essential structural maintenance and highway improvements which will secure its future as a major Thames crossing.
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Residents and drivers will have seen visible progress on council-led works over the summer, when the western side of the bridge was completed and improvement works then continued on the eastern side.
Wandsworth Council has invested in essential bridge maintenance and highway works to help extend the life of the 86-year-old bridge while also improving surfaces to create a safer and better route for pedestrians, cyclists and bus users – while keeping in place the existing bus and traffic lanes over the bridge.
'We've kept the bridge open throughout'
Councillor Nick Austin, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "Wandsworth Bridge is one of our most important river crossings, carrying thousands of people every day.
"We need to protect the bridge for the future as well as improve it for everyone who uses it today. Crucially, we’ve kept the bridge open throughout and I would like to thank everyone for their patience while we deliver this important investment which will keep Wandsworth moving for years to come.”
As part of the five-month programme, engineers have been repairing and waterproofing the bridge deck, widening and resurfacing pavements, installing stepped cycle tracks on both sides of the bridge and resurfacing the carriageway. There are also improvements to the junction and bus stop at Jews Row and we ensured TfL added a new yellow box on the roundabout to help traffic flow.
The bridge, which carries the A217 over the river, is maintained by Wandsworth Council. We have ensured that it remained open to two-way traffic throughout the works, helping minimise disruption and keeping the roads moving.
Did you know?
The current bridge, designed by Sir Thomas Peirson Frank, was painted grey as it was opened in September 1940 during World War II, and needed to be camouflaged during air raids.
The original Wandsworth Bridge was opened on 26 September 1873 as a toll bridge crossing the river between Wandsworth and Fulham. It was demolished in 1937 after a Royal Commission recommended it was replaced, as it was narrow and too weak to carry increasing levels of traffic and buses.
Find out more about Wandsworth Bridge improvement works
