Wandsworth Bridge works FAQ

This scheme is primarily being delivered to undertake essential structural repairs and waterproofing to the Wandsworth Bridge deck, ensuring its long-term safety and serviceability. Associated walking, cycling and highway improvements are being delivered at the same time to avoid the need for further disruption.

Overview of the works

  • Start date: Tuesday 26 May 2026
  • Expected completion: End of October 2026
  • Traffic: Two-way motor vehicle traffic maintained
  • Bus and cycle lanes: Northbound bus lane and carriageway cycle lane suspended
  • Overnight closure: For around a week towards the end of the programme (9pm to 5am)

Questions

Answers

Why are these works being carried out?

The works are being carried out to deliver essential structural maintenance to Wandsworth Bridge, including structural repairs to the bridge deck and waterproofing of the bridge deck beneath the footways. These maintenance works follow on from those delivered under phases 1 and 2 to protect the structure from deterioration and help extend the life of the bridge.

The scheme also delivers walking, cycling and highway improvements, including making the existing northbound bus lane and segregated cycle lane permanent. This is following a successful trial of the implementation of the bus lane and cycle lane on Wandsworth Bridge in 2024 in collaboration with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBH&F) and Transport for London (TfL).

Why is maintenance needed now?

Like all major infrastructure, the bridge requires periodic maintenance to remain safe and serviceable. Repairing and waterproofing the bridge deck helps prevent water ingress and reduces the risk of corrosion and more significant deterioration that could require more disruptive intervention later.

Will there be noise and disruption?

Some noise and disruption is unavoidable during a project of this nature, particularly during bridge deck maintenance and resurfacing activities. Every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum.

How will traffic be affected after the works are complete?

Once complete, the permanent layout will maintain the existing arrangement for traffic: one northbound bus lane, one northbound running lane and one southbound running lane.

Segregated cycle facilities will be provided on both sides of the bridge, with widened footways for pedestrians.

Will this scheme increase congestion?

Some temporary impacts are expected during construction, particularly given wider pressures on the local network. However, the scheme maintains two-way traffic during the works, and the completed layout does not reduce the number of general traffic lanes beyond the current arrangement, therefore no increase in congestion is anticipated following completion of the works.

What is being done to minimise congestion during the works?

Traffic management has been designed to keep two-way traffic running throughout. Temporary signals at the northern junction will include a pedestrian phase and will be connected to TfL systems so timings can be adjusted to help manage congestion. The works will be monitored closely and adjusted where possible.

Why is priority being given to buses?

Buses carry a high number of passengers and are an essential part of the public transport network. A northbound bus lane supports bus reliability and helps move more people efficiently, while the scheme continues to accommodate general traffic with one running lane in each direction.

Why is priority being given to cycling and walking?

The scheme includes improved, segregated facilities for people cycling and widened footways for pedestrians to improve safety and accessibility on the bridge, alongside maintaining traffic movement.

Why are the works happening now (and not later)?

There is no ‘perfect’ window where the wider network is free of pressure. The works have therefore been programmed for the earliest suitable delivery window, balancing network conditions with the need to undertake essential structural repairs and waterproofing to the bridge deck before further deterioration occurs.

The programme has been aligned to make use of the summer period, when traffic levels are typically lower due to school holidays, helping to reduce overall network impacts. Delivering the maintenance and associated improvements together also avoids the need for further disruptive works in the future.

Why didn’t we wait until Albert Bridge reopens?

We recognise residents may be concerned about wider network congestion (including recent works on Putney High Street and the temporary closure of Albert Bridge). Delaying Wandsworth Bridge would postpone essential structural repairs and waterproofing, which are required to maintain the bridge deck and reduce the risk of more significant disruption later.

The programme has been coordinated with partners and will be actively monitored during delivery.

Is anything happening on the Hammersmith & Fulham side of the bridge?

Yes. The works cover the full length of the bridge, including the Hammersmith & Fulham side. Traffic management will also extend onto the northern side (including the temporary signals and pedestrian facilities at the northern junction).

Communications are being coordinated so residents on both sides of the river are informed.

No permanent changes will be made to the signalised junction north of the bridge as this falls within the LBH&F, so Wandsworth has no jurisdiction to make changes here or on Wandsworth Bridge Road. 

Who is delivering the works and who is involved?

The works are being constructed by FM Conway on behalf of the London Borough of Wandsworth. 

How will residents and businesses be kept informed?

Residents and stakeholders will be informed through letter drops and on-street messaging (including Variable Message Signs). A separate resurfacing letter will be issued nearer the time of the overnight resurfacing closures.

Who can I contact if I have questions or concerns?

If you have any questions or concerns about the works, please contact the Council in the first instance on 020 8871 6000 or via email at wandsworth.bridge@wandsworth.gov.uk.

For out-of-hours enquiries relating to construction or access, please contact FM Conway on 01732 600 888. This number should be used after 6pm Monday to Friday, after 1pm on Saturdays, and at all times on Sundays. 

Why not reinstate two northbound lanes as per the previous road layout?

The bridge previously operated with two northbound running lanes as northbound traffic could turn left, right and ahead at the junction north of the bridge. However, the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham‘s Clean Air Neighbourhood programme banned northbound traffic from turning left and right at the junction.

As a result, the 2024 trial scheme removed one of the northbound running lanes to provide a dedicated northbound bus lane, alongside a segregated cycle facility. This change was introduced in response to concerns about northbound bus journey times and reliability on this key corridor for buses.

The trial was developed and assessed in partnership with Transport for London (TfL), who reviewed the impacts of the revised layout. TfL confirmed that the scheme would not have an unduly adverse impact on the wider road network, with this conclusion supported by monitoring data collected during the trial, including traffic conditions and bus performance. On this basis, the decision was taken to retain and make the layout permanent. 

What is the Council doing regarding congestion on Wandsworth Bridge Road?

Wandsworth Bridge Road is located within the LBH&F and as such we have no jurisdiction for the design or operation of the road. However, we are of course concerned about the ongoing impact that the changes have had in Wandsworth.

We also raised concerns, alongside TfL, regarding proposals to introduce additional crossings on Wandsworth Bridge Road due to the potential traffic impact, which have since been paused whilst a full review of the impact is carried out. We will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with TfL & LBH&F to ensure the impact to this strategic road network route is fully considered.

Furthermore, we are actively pursuing wider measures to help alleviate congestion on the southern side of the bridge. This includes lobbying TfL to introduce yellow box junctions at key locations such as Swandon Way and Wandsworth Roundabout to reduce blocking and tailbacks, and continuing to lobby central government, TfL and H&F to reopen Hammersmith Bridge, which is a critical missing river crossing currently placing additional pressure on the remaining river crossings.

The latest information on this can be found at Hammersmith Bridge updates - GOV.UK.

What is the Council doing regarding Hammersmith & Fulham’s Clean Air Neighbourhood schemes?

We are aware of the Clean Air Neighbourhood schemes implemented by the LBH&F and recognises that these can influence traffic patterns on surrounding routes, including those in Wandsworth.

However, these measures are located on roads for which the LBH&F is the highway authority, and therefore we have no direct control over their design or operation. Both schemes north of the bridge are now permanent.

You can find out more information on LBH&F’s Clean Air Neighbourhoods via Clean Air Neighbourhoods | London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.

Up to Wandsworth Bridge works

Updated: 26/05/2026