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It was recently announced that there are now twice as many bikes as cars in City of London 'Square Mile'. The huge rise has been fuelled by the increase in dockless bikes
Clearly Londoners have cottoned on to the fact that two wheels are often a much lovelier way to travel through the city than the tube or bus
hybrid or you want to pick up a dockless bike to take for a spin across the city
these are the best cycling routes across London
For more details and a route map, click here
historic pubs and alleys and onto the fantastic Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site
It’s a fantastic route on which to see lots of the major sites of London
from the Tower of London to the Cutty Sark in Greenwich
along traffic-free paths and quiet streets
Royal Parks 20mph speed limit for cyclists could prevent return of London Duathlon
Lime bike rider miraculously avoids serious injury in bus crash
These are London's best running spots and routes
Past AXA Startup Angel winners share their tips
For more details and a route map, click here
Enjoy 8 miles (13km) between Wandsworth and Carshalton on traffic-free paths and quiet streets
follow the river Wandle - a chalk stream with a long and interesting history - to stunning chalk downlands above Croydon
This route forms part of National Route 20 of the National Cycle Network
There are more than 10 parks and green spaces which lie on the route
discover the industrial past of the river Wandle
and escape the bustle of south-west London
restaurants and local attractions such as Merton Abbey Mills
For more details and a route map, click here
For more details and a route map, click here
For more details and a route map, click here
From busy Greenwich to the town of Cheshunt in Hertfordshire, this 20-mile route threads through the Lee Valley Regional Park. Along the way you’ll pass Hackney, Walthamstow and Tottenham Marshes (now drained), and Walthamstow Wetlands Nature Reserve
go from the heart of historical maritime London
For a relaxed family cycle ride or if you use a wheelchair
handcycle or pushchair we recommend Victoria Park
the Lea Valley between Stratford and Tottenham
and the Lea Valley regional park between Waltham Cross and Broxbourne
Stop en route to visit the Mudchute park and city farm
stop off for refreshments and the Tumble Bay playground and neighbouring cafe in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
and weave through the River Lea Country Park
For more details and a route map, click here
Routes provided by Sustrans, sustrans.co.uk
Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George
Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade
VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day
VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer
Royals watch historic flypast as huge crowds turns out for VE Day 80th anniversary
Royals watch historic Red Arrows flypast for VE Day 80th anniversary
Stacey Solomon 'regrets doing reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason
Stacey Solomon 'regrets reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason
David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints
David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints
The final phase of improvement works at Putney Bridge junction will be completed in early March when Transport for London (TfL) installs traffic sensors in the road
These sensors will link the traffic lights to TfL’s control room and will help optimise the light cycles at the two junctions: Putney High Street with Putney Bridge Road
and Putney Bridge Road with Lower Richmond Road
meaning residents can look forward to a smoother flow of traffic
This work marks the completion of the wider Putney High Street junction upgrade, part of the Council’s wider improvements to the High Street. The initial safety improvement work at the junction was completed ahead of schedule in December 2025.
road resurfacing and repainting will take place between 24 February and 4 March
To reduce impact on residents and businesses
with the road open as usual during the day
Side roads adjacent to the works will have temporary two-way access for local vehicles
Read the letter sent to nearby residents
said: “The Putney junction upgrade is just one part of the improvements to Putney High Street which have taken place over a number of years
making life easier for those who use public transport
We are continuing our work with TfL and the bus operators to improve the bus services
and with the utility companies to minimise disruption from road works in the Putney area
“We will soon be making the bus lane on Putney Bridge Road a 7am-7pm operation
to help speed up bus and cycle journeys from Wandsworth Town through Putney during peak times.”
Residents’ patience throughout the works has been appreciated
and the final resurfacing will be scheduled to keep late night noise disruption to a minimum
Visit our website to find weekly road closure updates, and a link to the interactive map
allowing you to check the duration of roadworks near you
Sign up to our newsletter
Rain didn't stop people from gathering at the site of a new housing project in Putney on Monday
Michael Mrowicki and Elizabeth Bridgewater met at the Putney Diner …
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Willow Bank has been closed in order for works to be completed on Swan Draw Dock
This means that the most direct route from Putney Bridge tube station into Bishop’s Park will no longer be available
Access via the Thames Path is now also blocked
fans will have to use the pedestrian crossing via Ranelagh Gardens
We have been informed that the closure could be in force for up to two years
Thames Water will be carrying out essential works on Putney High Street at the junction with Chelverton Road from Monday 14 April to Wednesday 16 April 2025
The works are necessary to repair and rebuild a collapsed manhole chamber
temporary multi-way traffic signals will be in place outside 126 Putney High Street (near Robert Dyas).
the Council ensured this work is taking place during the school holidays
significant delays and congestion are expected in the area during this period
Location: Junction of Putney High Street and Chelverton Road.
Dates: Monday 14 April – Wednesday 16 April 2025.
Traffic management: Temporary traffic lights will be manually controlled to optimise flow.
Travel impact: Delays likely; some bus routes may be disrupted or diverted.
Advance warning signs and digital Variable Message Signs (VMS) are in place to advise the travelling public
Letters are also being sent to nearby homes and businesses.
Wandsworth Council has urged Thames Water to minimise disruption
but we recommend allowing extra time for travel and avoiding the area where possible.
Wandsworth Council are sharing this information from Thames Water to support residents and keep the borough moving.
For live travel updates, please check TfL Journey Planner.
You can also check the interactive map of road closures and roadworks in the borough.
Rain didn't stop people from gathering at the site of a new housing project in Putney on Monday, May 5, 2025. Purchase local photos online.
executive director for Windham Windsor Housing Trust
talks during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new housing project in Putney on Monday
The junction improvement work by Putney Bridge has been completed
bringing enhanced safety measures for all road users on this popular route
These upgrades make it easier and safer to cross the junction and to walk and cycle across the bridge
The project has introduced upgraded traffic signals which offer a count-down at the crossing for pedestrians
and a detector to cancel the green man cycle if the pedestrian has already crossed or walked away
eye-level traffic lights which permit cyclists to move off the advanced stop line a few seconds before the vehicles behind
Pedestrian islands have either been removed to create more road space on the junction or moved back and made bigger
to create a simpler route at easier crossing points
The aim of this is to reduce the number of people tempted to cross the road while on a red man signal.
a new segregated northbound cycle lane has been created from the Putney Bridge Road junction up to Putney Bridge to enhance safety through the junction and onto the bridge
as well as to keep bicycles and vehicles separated for as much of the journey as possible.
said: “It was high time the Council took steps to improve safety and accessibility on this vital junction.
“I am delighted we have completed the works on the new junction ahead of schedule
I know they caused disruption to residents and would like to thank everyone for their patience while the works were carried out.
“This project is a great example of how we’re investing in our borough’s infrastructure.”
the Council listened to residents’ feedback and took steps where possible to ease the impact
The engineering team worked 7am to 7pm on weekdays and 8am to 6pm on Saturdays
the team were also able to work on Sundays and at night
This was to make sure the work could be completed as quickly as possible and minimise the effect on residents.
The maximum number of lanes for traffic was maintained
while still allowing for the required safe working zone for our staff
Bus lanes were reinstated early on and as a priority
to enable faster journey times for those using public transport and bus stops that were temporarily suspended were promptly reopened in liaison with TfL.
The temporary traffic lights used throughout the works were directly linked to TfL offices
enabling staff to monitor and change the lights in real time
responding to live traffic situations.
Transport for London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner
said: "The completion of the Putney Bridge improvements marks a significant step forward in making south west London’s roads safer and more efficient
enabling people to safely cross the roads as they visit the shops and amenities on the high street
We look forward to continuing to work closely with Wandsworth and investing in boroughs to deliver safe and active travel schemes
making walking and cycling more accessible to all."
Look back at the story of the Putney Bridge junction improvement works:
Swimmers can now enjoy a more comfortable and eco-friendly experience at Putney Leisure Centre following the completion of essential improvement works on Tuesday 1 April.
We've upgraded the lighting throughout the centre
which means better air quality and more consistent temperature control in the pool area
The new systems are much more energy-efficient
helping to cut our carbon emissions and making the leisure centre more environmentally friendly
The previous emissions from the leisure centre were 646 tCO2e and the new emissions will be 599 tCO2e - the reduction in emissions is the equivalent of cancelling 47 flights from London to New York each year
or driving 235,000 miles in a petrol car.
said: "Improving the lighting and air handling at Putney Leisure Centre not only makes the pool a more pleasant place to swim
but it also reduces our energy consumption and cuts emissions
It’s a great example of how we’re investing in our leisure centres and sports facilities to support healthier lifestyles
while also working towards a more sustainable future for Wandsworth."
Find out how we’re supporting people to live healthier and happier lives through our Wandsworth Moves Together plan, or why not pay a visit to Putney Leisure Centre.
The energy improvements at the leisure centre support the Council’s ambition to become a net zero council by 2030 and to help the whole borough reach net zero by 2043
Reducing the carbon footprint of Council-owned buildings and facilities is an important part of our climate action plan.
The improvements at Putney Leisure Centre reflect our broader commitment to tackling climate change and reaching our environmental targets
Our ambitious Access for All scheme will break down barriers and make sure everyone in Wandsworth has an equal chance to access local opportunities
Eligible residents can access free holiday swimming lessons for children in years two to seven
and free sessions in council leisure and sports centres including gym and swim.
Find out more about Access for All on our website.
We’re committed to working closely with residents and local organisations to reach our net zero targets
Despite having the lowest Council Tax in the country
we’re still delivering on our environmental commitments and improving local services.
To find out more about our Climate Action Plan and how you can get involved, visit our Climate Change Hub
Good progress continues to be made on the Putney Bridge project to improve safety and accessibility on and around the bridge
The council’s team remains on track to complete all works by mid-December
Recent milestones have brought significant improvements for local traffic and public transport
we were able to remove most of the barriers from Putney Bridge and the High Street approach
as the new islands in these areas are now almost entirely complete
The last thing to install will be the signal equipment
which can be done with minimal further disruption
This progress has allowed us to reopen the second southbound all-traffic lane on Putney Bridge
which has eased the traffic flow across the river
New lane markings were painted on the night of November 7
which also allowed us to reopen the southbound bus lane on Friday November 8
This will substantially speed up bus journey times along this busy corridor
The reopening of the bus lane means that all three lanes running southbound are now back to normal operation
Cabinet Member for Transport said: “We’ve been listening closely to everyone’s feedback and since mid-October have been able to implement some changes that have opened up space on the bridge
I’m very pleased that more milestones have been met
and that the situation in Putney is now improving further
“The improvements to this junction were badly needed
and again I want to say how appreciative I am of the local community who are tolerating these essential works with patience
“I know emergency roadworks such as those by UK Power Networks recently on the Upper Richmond Road
and Thames Water’s ongoing works on Wandsworth High Street have caused a really difficult situation for everyone
but please be assured that we are progressing our works on the Putney junction as quickly as possible.”
Read more about what we’re doing to reduce roadworks.
our civil engineering teams have shifted their focus to Lower Richmond Road
where new islands are being built to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility
Transport for London (TfL)’s signals contractor started on site from Monday
While signals are typically installed after all construction work is complete
TfL has agreed with the council to start early
due to the scale of this project and the high traffic demands of the area
The works on Putney Bridge are part of our Decade of Renewal
which includes a £100 million investment in our roads and pavements
The Council is using contributions from developers for these investments
to improve the borough without increasing Council Tax
Improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians around Putney Bridge
October update on Putney Bridge
New safety improvements for cyclists and pedestrians are coming to Putney Bridge
These upgrades will make it easier and safer to walk and cycle across the bridge
The project will see the installation of upgraded traffic signals at the busy junction of Putney High Street
Some pedestrian crossing islands will also be removed
and a segregated bike lane will be introduced
By removing unnecessary pedestrian islands
people will be able to cross the road in fewer stages
It’ll take less time for people to cross the road
speeding up crossing times and reducing the temptation to cross without waiting for the ‘green man’
a new segregated northbound cycle lane will be created from the Putney Bridge Road junction up to Putney Bridge to enhance safety through the junction and onto the bridge
said: “Wandsworth Council is committed to making local roads safer for all road users
I know how difficult it is to cross this junction so I’m really pleased the changes will make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.”
Transport for London (TfL) has taken steps to minimise disruption
with temporary signals linked directly to TfL’s Urban Control Centre
This connection allows TfL to adjust signal timings in real time
helping to keep traffic moving efficiently during the upgrades
Some roadworks will be scheduled at night to further reduce any potential inconvenience
drivers and buses will not experience any negative impact from the changes
as the new design has been carefully planned to maintain traffic flow
a Wandsworth resident who commutes via bicycle through Putney Bridge area
said: “I’m really pleased to see the improvement work
The bridge approach has always been a nightmare to navigate
so as someone who both drives and cycles through this area
I can say the improvements are going to make a big difference to safety.”
Recent works at the nearby junction of Putney Bridge Road have already introduced cycle feeder lanes and pedestrian countdown signals
It is expected to take until Christmas to complete the installation
with pavement renewals and carriageway resurfacing around the junction being completed in the New Year
Stay tuned for more updates via our website, or by signing up to Brightside online
Swimmers at Putney Leisure Centre will soon enjoy a better pool experience
as Wandsworth Council invests in upgrading the air handling system in the pool hall
The work will significantly improve air quality and temperature control
and reduce the centre’s carbon footprint.
the main pool and health suite will be temporarily closed from Monday 3 March to Tuesday 1 April
said: "We are investing in Putney Leisure Centre to ensure that people in Wandsworth can continue to enjoy the best possible facilities
These essential upgrades will make a real difference to everyone who swims here and are just one of the ways we’re encouraging everyone to come out and get moving
We’re committed to keeping our leisure centres in great shape for our community
as part of our Wandsworth Moves Together plan.”
Find out more about Wandsworth Moves Together
This project is part of a £355,000 investment in Putney Leisure Centre which will also replace lighting in the centre with LED lights
The full project will help to improve the centre’s carbon efficiency
Funding for this improvement work has been provided jointly by Wandsworth Council and Sports England and is part of Wandsworth's goal to become a Carbon Neutral Council by 2030.
As a listening council, we're delivering real improvements to local services that you value, while keeping costs low. We have frozen the main element of your council tax for the third year running
ensuring that important investments like this can continue whilst we retain the lowest council tax in the country.
Swimming lessons at Putney Leisure Centre will be paused during the closure
with all sessions resuming as normal from Tuesday 1 April
Members and casual users looking to swim during this period are encouraged to use nearby leisure centres:
Leisure centre members can use these pools free of charge as part of their membership
while casual users will need to pay per session as usual
For further details on the closure and alternative swimming options, visit Putney Leisure Centre’s FAQ page
Work on the junction south of Putney Bridge is continuing at pace
with the Council expecting to complete the project ahead of schedule in December 2024
The essential work will upgrade the traffic signals across the junction
A key element of the project is to streamline the pedestrian routes
making it quicker and easier to navigate the junction on foot
By removing some of the pedestrian islands
people will be able to cross in fewer ‘stages’ – reducing the amount of time needed to cross and reducing dangerous instances of people being tempted to cross while on a red man signal
said: “We know that Putney Bridge is a really busy part of our borough
and completing any kind of roadworks here is extremely challenging
and we have worked closely with TfL to plan the traffic management
and minimise disruption as much as possible
“In response to your questions and suggestions
we’ve taken several steps since the week commencing 7 October to ease traffic flow as much as possible
planning more Sunday working and working at night where possible
but we have to balance getting the work done as fast as possible whilst not causing too much disruption to residents overnight
“Of course we are really sorry about disruption caused to residents and I am so appreciative of their patience as we complete this essential work.”
The most disruptive works for traffic flows were planned to take place over night
with four nights carried out so far and a further two due over the coming weeks
a lane has been reopened on the Lower Richmond Road which was previously reduced to just one lane
More signs have been put on the bridge to allow car drivers to get in the correct lane sooner
rather than needing to do last minute merges
As drivers have got used to the new layout
the traffic monitoring has seen improvements in congestion and journey times across the junction
The temporary signals on site at present are the most effective system on the market and are linked to TfL’s Urban Control Centre
which enables them to adjust signal timings to keep traffic moving efficiently in real-time
Councillor Jenny Yates added: “Work has progressed well on site
We’ve got the maximum number of workers on site that’s safe given the constrained working area and they’re doing 7am to 7pm on weekdays plus 8am to 6pm on Saturdays
Sunday working is more restricted due to permissible working hours but whenever it is beneficial to do so
Following feedback regarding bus services the Council has liaised with TfL to reopen the bus stops at the northern side of Putney Bridge
Some of the works which have already been completed as part of this project include widened and renewed pavements
improvements to roads approaching the junction
The works on Putney Bridge are part of our Decade of Renewal
a £100 million investment in our roads and pavements
The work is being paid for by property developers
allowing the Council to improve the borough without increasing Council Tax
Read more about Putney Bridge
Residents from East Putney and Southfields had their say on local issues this weekend as Wandsworth Council Leader Simon Hogg hosted the latest community drop-in session at St Michael's Primary School.
was one of a series of drop-ins that happen monthly around the borough
or share ideas for how to improve your neighbourhood.
you may also be able to talk to your ward councillors or and local MP
as well as representatives from Citizens Advice
Community Safety and various other services over hot drinks and refreshments
residents raised a range of important topics
including the Council’s cost of living response
expanded our popular monthly mega skip days
and have increased the daily street sweeping schedules across the borough
Simon Hogg said: "Listening to residents is at the heart of everything we do
Today’s drop-in was a valuable chance to hear directly about what’s working
and how we can make Wandsworth an even better place for everyone."
The community drop in events are continuing across the borough. Find your next local drop-in at wandsworth.gov.uk/here-to-listen.
If you can’t attend in person, you can send in a question ahead of time or share your views by emailing heretolisten@wandsworth.gov.uk
For any other queries relating to council services, contact hello@wandsworth.gov.uk or call 020 8871 6000
A member of staff will answer within 7 rings as part of the council’s 7 rings
The appearance of a dot matrix sign warning of closures of Putney Bridge is causing some confusion for residents
The warning message on the board on Lower Richmond Road reads ‘Putney Bridge Closures 10 – 18 February
no sign has been placed nearer the bridge and no other information appears online about any closures
A roadworks bulletin issued by the borough streetworks team this Friday (7 February) does not mention anything about it
We have contacted the Wandsworth Council press office and the streetworks team directly for further information but have not received a response
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community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets
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Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do
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Work to finish on 4 March but disruption likely until then
Roadworks around Putney Bridge are expected to cause two weeks of traffic delays from Monday (24 February)
Wandsworth Council has confirmed that the final phase of a major project designed to alleviate congestion will see roads closed overnight from 9pm to 5am for resurfacing and repainting
The work is scheduled in phases and diversions are already in place
Transport for London (TfL) will install traffic sensors early in March
These sensors will link the newly upgraded traffic lights at the junctions of Putney High Street
Putney Bridge Road and Lower Richmond Road to TfL’s control room
which TfL say will optimise the flow of vehicles
New upgrades include better traffic signals and pedestrian countdowns
which follows major upgrades carried out from September to December last year
has already made crossing the 139-year-old Putney Bridge safer and more accessible for pedestrians
Enhancements include upgraded traffic signals with pedestrian countdowns and sensors that cancel requests when crossings are complete
Pedestrian islands have been reconfigured to allow crossings in fewer stages
and a segregated northbound cycle lane has been introduced to keep bikes and vehicles separate
Cabinet Member for Transport on Wandsworth Council
“The Putney junction upgrade is just one part of the improvements to Putney High Street which have taken place over a number of years
The Council is working hard to improve traffic flow across the borough
which has been made harder by the continued closure of Hammersmith Bridge
“Alongside our £100million investment in resurfacing our roads and pavements to make them better and safer for all users
we have also successfully lobbied TfL to increase bus services through Putney
as well as reopen the Green Man bus stop for alighting passengers
“We are continuing our work with TfL and the bus operators to improve the bus services
“We will soon be making the bus lane on Putney Bridge Road a 7am-7pm operation
to help speed up bus and cycle journeys from Wandsworth Town through Putney during peak times.”
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Wandsworth Council has rejected calls for the ongoing roadworks close to Putney Bridge to be postponed
The opposition Conservative group on the council are saying that the current level of congestion is too high and want the project at Putney Bridge Road
and Putney High Street to be carried out during a quieter period to minimise disruption
which are currently scheduled to end on 20 December
are not urgent and shouldn’t be taking place just as the schools have returned
They are calling for ‘sensible plans to mitigate the impact’ to be in place before work resumes suggesting the scheme could be completed outside the school term with works also taking place at the evening and the weekend with contractors working double shifts
Some nighttime work is already taking place
The Conservatives have launched a petition for people who support their proposal to sign which they will present to Wandsworth Council’s traffic team
The centre of Putney has been experiencing high levels of congestion since the closure of Hammersmith Bridge and some blame measures implemented by Hammersmith & Fulham Council on the northern side of the bridge for exacerbating the situation but recently traffic in the area has been consistently worse
The project consists of three key elements: installing upgraded traffic lights at the junction of Putney High Street
Putney Bridge and Lower Richmond Road; removing some pedestrian islands; and introducing a new segregated northbound cycle lane from the Putney Bridge Road junction up to the crossing
It will then connect with the existing cycle lane already on the bridge
the council did say that traffic was likely to increase but anticipated that driving patterns would settle after a couple of weeks once more people became aware of the delays in the area
The council is insistent that a high degree of planning went into the scheduling of these works including liaising with Transport for London (TfL) for the temporary traffic management arrangements
It claims that the temporary signals on site at present are the most effective system on the market and are linked to TfL’s Urban Control Centre
which enables them to adjust signal timings to keep traffic moving efficiently
“Wandsworth Council is committed to making roads safer for all residents
and the upgrades taking place on Putney Bridge will make a notoriously difficult junction safer and easier to navigate for all
“Updated traffic signals will mean it will take less time for pedestrians to cross the road
while a new segregated cycle lane will improve safety through the junction and on to the bridge
The new design has been carefully planned to maintain the flow of traffic so it will not have a negative impact on drivers and buses
Record breaking A Level results see Putney High School students go off to leading universities in the UK and around the world on courses from Human
Political and Social Sciences at Cambridge to Engineering at Durham to courses in Furniture & Product Design
Oxbridge results are among Putney’s best ever with 13 students taking up places
Courses range from Law and Medicine to Modern and Medieval Languages
Exceptional Science results propel students on to courses from Neuroscience at Edinburgh to Chemistry at Oxford to Materials Science and Engineering at Imperial
Putney students continued interest in STEM subjects has been reflected in the school’s strongest ever Science results which saw:
Nine students secured places to read Medicine at universities including Imperial
With more than half of the year group studying Maths
There were strong performances across the wide range of subjects
reflecting students’ many varied interests
it was 75% A* and 100% A*A while Religious Studies secured 90% A* and 100% A*A
Amongst the most popular universities was Edinburgh where students are off to read a range of courses from Japanese to Economics and Politics to Fine Art
students are off to Durham on courses ranging from Classical Civilisation to Mechanical Engineering to Liberal Arts
There is a growing trend in Degree Apprenticeships
Taiwo Kila is off to study Accounting and Finance with PWC at Queen Mary’s University
Seven students head to North America to destinations including University of Chicago
who will be heading to LSE to study Social Anthropology
combined her A Level studies with extensive campaigning including with youth movement Bite Back
taking on global food giants to hold them to higher standards in terms of their marketing to children
Jo Sharrock said: “I am delighted for our marvellous class of 2024 – they are a year group mighty in intellect and talent
with a very well-developed sense of community
fun and friendship and we are all thrilled to see their brilliance rewarded with such stellar results
They have been extraordinarily successful not only as Putney High students but in their wider lives –among them GB Sportswomen
We are incredibly proud of all of them and delighted to see them progress on to a wonderfully diverse range of courses at first class institutions across the globe
They leave us as well rounded and balanced young people – engaged and engaging with so much to offer the world
These A Level results mark the beginning of a new chapter for these exceptional young women
I for one cannot wait to see what they will do next
Congratulations to all – this is a day for celebration.”
A GDST Sixth Form offers girls the best environment for academic outcomes
pastoral excellence and rounded future-looking experiences
Student opportunities are supercharged through collaborations across our schools
and partnerships with global organisations such as NASA and The London School of Economics and Political Science
We have 23 independent schools and two academies in England and Wales
and we congratulate students from across our family of schools for achieving outstanding results and first choice destinations again this year
See all A Levels 2024 results at GDST schools
A family of independent schools and academies across England and Wales
10 Bressenden Place, London
SW1E 5DH Telephone: +44 (0)20 7393 6666
Check out our International Admissions page
Fleur Anderson Hosts Wandsworth Welcomes Refugees Event
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Putney MP Visits St. Mary's for Cycle to School Week
Fleur Anderson Claims 'Major Progress' on Hammersmith Bridge
Putney MP Succeeds in Extending Awaab's Law to All Renters
Fleur Anderson Reacts to 'Horrifying' Grenfell Inquiry Report
Fleur Anderson Launches Campaign for Improved Bus Services
‘Crisis talks’ have been held recently Putney and Roehampton’s buses during which it was admitted that that local services are the worst affected by delays in London
The meeting was convened by Putney MP Fleur Anderson and brought together TfL
bus operators and the water and power companies
She was demanding action on what she described as the ‘dreadful’ local service
Contributing factors to the decline include ongoing disruptions from the closure of Hammersmith Bridge
delivery obstructions on Putney High Street
recent works to improve the junction at Putney Bridge and road changes in Fulham
The Labour MP has been working closely with Wandsworth Council to try and improve the bus services for the area
At the meeting she highlighted what she described as the crisis point reached by Putney and Roehampton’s transport system
urging all parties to continue working together to mitigate the impact on local residents and commuters
She stressed the importance of traffic flow
particularly in relation to emergency works and deliveries to Putney High Street
as a critical step toward easing congestion
A key focus of the meeting was ending early terminations at Lytton Grove and Tibbett's Corner and restoring the alighting points at the Putney Heath bus stand
Following pressure from Ms Anderson and the Council
TfL has agreed to urgently review this decision
aiming to have established a safe way to reopen the stops by January 2025
The meeting agreed to proposed changes to the service at Putney Heath and set up a focussed Taskforce on Putney and Roehampton buses
“I am at my wits’ end with the bus services in Putney and Roehampton
a sentiment shared by thousands of residents
I have been campaigning for months for improved services
but in that time they have deteriorated even further
which I called to address this crisis in our public transport
I read aloud the testimonies of people who have emailed me
who have nowhere to turn when the bus they rely on to get to work
school or the hospital simply does not arrive for an hour
She also pledged to meet again with Deputy Mayor Seb Dance and the newly appointed Transport Advisor to the Mayor of London to discuss the ongoing situation and ensure continued action
Cabinet Member for Transport at Wandsworth Council said
“I am a Roehampton Councillor and I hear from residents all the time how difficult the problems with the buses is making their lives
They are really angry about the situation and it is simply not good enough
We will continue to work with TfL to address this issue
and support the urgent reopening of Hammersmith Bridge to vehicles
Ther new Putney and Roehampton Bus Taskforce will meet monthly to share information
and address gaps in communication between agencies
providing a platform for coordinated action to improve the situation
the Taskforce will focus on key measures such as the urgent reopening of Putney Heath bus stand
The first update from the taskforce is due to be made next month
Wandsworth Council has announced that more major roadworks are due to commence near Putney Bridge
Recent works at the nearby junction of Putney Bridge Road have already introduced cycle feeder lanes and pedestrian countdown signals and from next Monday (23 September) similar measures are to be installed
It is anticipated that there will be a further increase in congestion while the work proceeds
The project will see the installation of new traffic signals at the busy junction of Putney High Street
The council says these changes will make it easier and safer to walk and cycle across the bridge
In addition it is claimed that by removing pedestrian islands
it’ll take less time for people to cross the road
speeding up crossing times and reducing the temptation to cross without waiting for the ‘green man’
a new segregated northbound cycle lane will be created from the Putney Bridge Road junction up to Putney Bridge
The council says that drivers and buses will not experience any negative impact from the changes
with temporary signals linked directly to TfL’s Urban Control Centre
“Wandsworth Council is committed to making local roads safer for all road users
I know how difficult it is to cross this junction so I’m really pleased the changes will make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.”
Putney MP Calls for Swift and Firm Justice for Racist Rioters
Fleur Anderson Urges Alton Estate Residents to Have Their Say
Keir Starmer Hands Fleur Anderson Ministerial Role
Putney’s local MP has called on Transport for London (TfL) to take action on a number of significant public transport issues in her constituency
Fleur Anderson is asking it to look at problems emerging on local bus services and the delays on the Wimbledon branch of the District Line
A recent signal failure near East Putney on the District Line caused widespread disruption for passengers for nearly two weeks
she says bus services continue to leave Putney residents waiting too long for transport to areas including Roehampton
She welcomed the announcement from TfL that a faulty signal cable
which had been one of the reasons for the persistent failures
93 and several other bus routes have frequently terminated early at Lytton Grove
without prior warning and this has left vulnerable passengers
including the elderly and those with disabilities
forced to walk uphill or find alternative transport.
Due to the poor bus services for Roehampton
Wandsworth Council has needed to expand its own transport offering by enabling the public to use the Roehampton University bus service
“We faced a perfect storm of transport issues over the last fortnight and I have heard too many awful accounts from residents on the impact it has had on their lives
the signal failures on the Wimbledon branch of the District Line caused chaos – I heard reports of overcrowded platforms
little to no information shared with passengers regarding updates
Commuters trying to get into the city for work reported two-hour commutes
“I wrote to TfL and Network Rail to express residents' understandable frustration. You can read the letter here on my website
I received responses from TfL and Network Rail and have subsequently asked them for a meeting to cover which measures are in place to ensure this disruption never happens again
fixing the digital signage at Putney stations and improved communication with passengers.”
TfL confirmed that both its team and Network Rail are implementing a programme of maintenance activities to improve the long-term reliability of the infrastructure and prevent future disruptions
“I launched my bus campaign this summer to improve our bus service
Areas such as Roehampton and Putney Vale are particularly reliant on quality bus services
and it seems that over the last few weeks our buses have gone from poor to extremely poor
I have heard from residents who rely on buses
and who have reported waiting up to 45 minutes for buses
Other passengers have been stranded at Lytton Grove. I have asked TfL why Putney Heath has suddenly been designated as 'unsafe' for passengers to get off at
and what measures they are putting in urgently to make it safe again
“These issues have in part been caused by the ongoing and unacceptable closure of Hammersmith Bridge
which I continue to campaign to be reopened to vehicles
even if works on Hammersmith Bridge began tomorrow
it will be years before they are completed
We must adapt to the current situation and plan accordingly
The congestion has also been compounded by roadworks across south west London
including the necessary safety improvement works at the junction by Putney Bridge.
“TfL are doing their very best to resolve these issues promptly
but I understand that it is a complex and shifting situation
I have written to the head of bus performance at TfL to ask for a meeting to bring together bus contractors
utility companies who may have works planned and bus drivers to work out how Putney can be prioritised
information shared better on planned works and passenger experience improved.”
TfL has responded that it is investigating options regarding embarking and disembarking at Putney Heath
Traffic and Travel Problems in Putney
Hammersmith Bridge is closed to vehicular traffic indefinitely due to safety concerns. For further information contact the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham via email at bridgeproject@lbhf.gov.uk
Wandsworth High Street SW18 – lane restrictions currently in place from the junction of Ram Street to the junction of Buckhold Road (opposite Southside Shopping Centre) for Emergency Thames Water utility works
Penwith Road iscurrently closed at the junctions with Ravensbury Terrace.Strathville Road and Ravensbury Terrace are also closed at the junction with Penwith Road to facilitate the works
Old York Road SW18 - will have closures in place for Highways maintenance works
Rayners Road SW15 - is closed outside 32-51 Grosvenor House for Emergency Thames Water utility works
The following free phone numbers should be used to report leaks
Do not assume that someone else has phoned it in
All utility companies have to prioritise works across our borough as well as other boroughs in south London
The On Street Services team actively monitors works on the public highway and works with utility companies to minimise disruption as much as possible
Man in His Twenties Killed on Lytton Grove
Lorry Crashes into Upper Richmond Road Rail Bridge
Narrow Escape for Former Putney Society President
Family and friends of the man killed on a Putney road earlier this month have continued to pay him tribute with a vigil being held at the site of his death at the weekend
27-year-old Dean Jones was an accountant from South Africa who had lived in the area for three and a half years
He worked for the financial advisory firm BDO
and was a keen runner having run several marathons and was a member of Putney Running Club and Fulham Running Club
he decided to hire a Forest e-bike to meet up with friends for lunch but was hit by a tanker lorry on West Hill near the junction with Lytton Grove
It is understood that he was killed on impact
Around 450 people attended his funeral earlier this month with insufficient room in the Church for those who wanted to be there
He had just qualified as a chartered accountant the month before
He was just at the beginning of his career
A vigil organised by the Wandsworth Cycling Campaign (WCC) was held for Dean by the site of his death this Saturday (23 November)
The group issued a statement highly critical of Wandsworth Council and the council leader
Simon Hogg saying ‘where is his outrage?’
It alleges that the council has prioritised motor traffic flow and parking over safe cycling
It calls on the council to address lorry danger and adopt the highest standards for safety for its own fleet and contractors working in the borough
introduce protect cycle lanes and safe crossings for cyclists on West Hill and embrace Low Traffic Neighbourhoods
While West Hill is part of the A3 and part of TfL's network the council manage Lytton Grove
“I send my condolences to the family and friends of the cyclist who tragically died in the accident
"We are working hard with TfL to ensure safety is improved for everyone using the roads and we are keen to see the safety standards for lorries improved further
On the issue of the work being done to increase safety for cyclists he said
“Officers at the Council are working hard with TFL to ensure safety is improved for everyone using the roads and we are keen to see the safety standards for lorries improved further
“The council have informed both TfL and LCC that they should be adopting the Council’s standards for vehicle safety which far exceed what both organisations are currently signed up to
We believe this standard should be mandated to all large vehicles (not just restricted to those over 12.5T as TfL/LCC currently advocate)
“As a Council we are keen to encourage cycling and to make it safe and easy for people to make their journeys across the borough
We continue to listen to residents and key partners and we’re taking a number of important steps to help as many people as possible feel they can walk or cycle safely .”
Fleur Anderson MP for Putney issued a statement on the day of the vigil offering condolences to Dean’s family and friends and saying that having listened to the tributes made to him “it is evident that he was an extremely kind young person
“I will do everything in my power to ensure that this can never happen again
“I share in the Wandsworth and London Cycling Campaigns' outrage - this should not have happened
using a healthy and environmentally friendly form of transport
and his life has been tragically cut short
“Transport for London has introduced stricter safety standards for lorries
which will take full effect by May next year
These upgrades include better windows and cameras to eliminate blind spots and advanced sensors to alert drivers to cyclists and pedestrians
These measures will be vital to preventing further tragic collisions and saving lives
But we need to know what more must be done
“The London Cycling Campaign and Wandsworth Cycling campaign have campaigned for these upgrades
and I will continue to work with them to ensure that safety is prioritised on our roads.”
It was the second fatality involving a Forest bike this year following the death of Cheistha Kochhar who was hit by a recycling lorry this March in Clerkenwell
"We were deeply saddened to learn of a young life taken too soon
Our thoughts are with Dean's family and friends at this time."
The investigation into Dean’s death continues
Dean was not an inexperienced cyclist and cycled regularly including to his workplace in Baker Street
Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information including dash-cam footage of the scene between 1:30pm and 1:50pm on Saturday
We’ve always done that and won’t be changing
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Roads around Putney Bridge will shut for resurfacing from today in the final phase of a major scheme to help with congestion
Wandsworth council has confirmed the road closures will take place overnight until March 4
Engineers will resurface and repaint the roads at night
ahead of Transport for London (TfL) installing traffic sensors to optimise traffic flow in the area
The sensors will link the recently upgraded traffic lights at the junctions of Putney High Street with Putney Bridge Road
Side roads next to the works will have temporary two-way access for local vehicles
will add the finishing touches to major upgrades to the junction of Putney Bridge Road
Lower Richmond Road and Putney High Street
which were carried out from September to December last year
The council previously said the scheme has made it easier and safer to cross the junction and to walk and cycle across the 139-year-old bridge
Traffic lights at the junction have been upgraded
with a countdown for pedestrians and a detector to cancel out any demands if they have already crossed or walked away
eye-level traffic lights have also been installed to allow cyclists to cross a few seconds before vehicles behind
Pedestrian islands at the junction have been removed
while others have been moved back and made bigger to allow people to cross in fewer stages
A new segregated northbound cycle lane has been introduced up to the bridge to keep bikes and vehicles separate for as much of the journey as possible
said: “The council is working hard to improve traffic flow across the borough
“Alongside our £100million investment in resurfacing our roads and pavements to make them better and safer for all users
Pictured top: Putney Bridge (Picture: Wandsworth council)
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Putney High School celebrates outstanding GCSE results with excellence across the board and at least half receiving the top grade 9 in Maths and Computer Science
There were high scoring subjects across the disciplines from French with 78% grade 9s to PE and English Literature with 80% and 60% respectively
a broad range of subjects saw at least half the year group achieve grade 9 including Maths and Computer Science
The results follow last week’s record-breaking A Level results and once again
there are strong performances across all three sciences
With discussion in the national press about a downturn in language learning
Putney’s many linguists have bucked the trend with excellent results including French and Italian with 78% and 82% grade 9s respectively
Greek at 40% and German and Latin both at 42%
“It is wonderful to see our Year 11 rewarded with such fantastic results and doing so well in subjects across the board
There were some very eager faces arriving early at school today and they quickly turned into very happy faces upon receiving their results
They should be enormously proud of their achievements
“I look forward to seeing them back in September to begin their Sixth Form A Level studies.”
At GDST senior schools we tailor our approach to how girls learn best
providing them with the attributes they need to excel
academic excellence is a given and our girls beat the GCSE national average year on year
to be prepared for the opportunities of the future
and we congratulate students from across our family of schools for achieving outstanding results again this year
See all GCSE 2024 results at GDST schools
10 Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DH Telephone: +44 (0)20 7393 6666
Check out our International Admissions page.
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Residents of one estate in west London have been spotted dangling out of windows in order to get signal. Now, as it emerges a mobile network has been deployed on the Moon, Bryony Gooch reports on the frustration of living in the capital but never having any service
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News this week that 4G connectivity is being brought to the Moon may be considered a giant technological leap for mankind
but for residents of one estate in west London
it represents yet another frustration in a long-running battle to get network coverage
“There is an irony that you can get signal on the Moon but none in some parts of London,” says Fleur Anderson, the MP for Putney who has been campaigning for more phone masts to be erected in the area
She added that the lack of signal had impacted constituents during the pandemic and even affected people’s abilities to apply for jobs
“All my friends try to call me by mobile phone and they just can't get through at all,” the 61-year-old tells The Independent
people still forget and it just goes straight through the voicemail.”
It’s not just contacting friends and family that’s an issue
such as accessing a bank account from a phone
“Two-factor verification is very well used these days
which needs a text message to be sent from the bank,” he says
“Delivery companies want a mobile number to contact you and they can’t get through if there’s an issue with deliveries
“Getting an emergency number can be difficult as well because there’s no signal.”
Putney isn’t the only area in London – let alone the rest of the UK – suffering from signal issues
An investigation from the London Centric found it was far more difficult to build new phone masts in the city than anywhere else in the country
A 2023 report from Ofcom meanwhile found that seven per cent of the country does not have any 4G coverage, while a separate study conducted by the research firm Opensignal found that UK mobile users had the worst average 5G download speeds of all G7 countries
The journey to full signal coverage across the country has been long and slow
Boris Johnson pledged in 2019 to make poor mobile phone signals a “thing of the past” with a fast-tracked £1bn investment to eradicate not-spots in rural areas
The “Shared Rural network” plan involved erecting new masts and existing infrastructure shared between the four mobile phone providers: O2, Three, Vodafone and EE
last month it emerged that the government was scaling back the number of new mobile phone masts to be built as part of the plan from 260 to just 60
For Mr Henderson, however, there is some positive news on the horizon. His revealed that Vodafone had “stepped up” to put phone masts on rooftops in the area following consultations with a number of telecom companies
“It’s good to find out they’re planning on putting a mast up now,” he said. “It’s just a matter of when.”
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
as it emerges a mobile network has been deployed on the Moon
Bryony Gooch reports on the frustration of living in the capital but never having any service
Neighbour Objects to Flat Scheme for Putney Cycle Shop
New Tenants Secured for Parklife Development
Retrospective Go-ahead Sought for Changes to Grade II Flat
Plans to Demolish Distinctive Roehampton Gate Home
Neighbour Claims Air-con Plan Will Impact Quality of Life
'Sleeping Pod' Plans for Putney Hotel
Residents Object to Temporary Roehampton Homes Scheme
Council Accused of Running Down Clock on Toland Square Plans
A former pub in Putney High Street could soon be converted to an adult gaming centre
if plans submitted to Wandsworth Council get the go-ahead
Luxury Leisure has applied for change of use permission for the building at 160-162 Putney High Street
which was operating as a café bar called Lost Society until November 2022
It was originally a pub called the Horseshoe
but since at least 2008 it has operated as a café/bar under various owners and with different names
Rat & Parrot and Sports before it became Lost Society in February 2020
In the planning application to the council
Luxury Leisure is said to be the "market leading provider" of UK adult gaming venues
It has more than 250 centres in high streets and seaside locations
The council has consulted 33 immediate neighbours about the plans and is seeking comments until October 17
One neighbour has already objected to the scheme
stating that there are enough similar centres around Putney High Street already
Harris Kasuji from RR Planning says on behalf of the applicant that the building has been marketed for lease as a pub/bar for at least two years without success
In a letter submitted with their application
Mr Kasuji states: "No alternative occupiers of any sort have come forward with a viable proposition to reuse the premises
use of the premises as an Adult Gaming Centre as an acceptable town centre use should be supported and the applicant will secure the long-term viable reuse of the premises."
He adds that the Gambling Act 2005 permits 24 hour use at Adult Gaming Centres
The current licence permits the sale of alcohol until midnight on Sunday-Wednesday
1am on Thursday and 2am on Friday and Saturday
the conversion work is likely to take two months and could be completed in December
BobCat Gallery Returns to Putney Exchange
Family-run Butcher Set for Putney High Street
Julia Domna Owners in Shock After Break-in
Marks and Spencer (M&S) has announced that it intends to launch a food hall in Putney as part of a £90 million investment that will see five other new stores in London
Reports in the industry press suggest that the expectation is that the retailer will reoccupy the premises it left in April 2018 at 59 Putney High Street which remain vacant
We have contacted the company to seek confirmation that this is the case
Having trading from this address for 91 years
the company departed citing difficult trading conditions as part of a programme of closing around 100 stores nationally
it remained tied to its lease until 2028 and refused to allow the building to be sublet
The empty store was often seen as an indication of the decline of the High Street
contributing to the impression of a large proportion of vacant units
The former store was a full line format selling clothing as well as food but all the new stores are going to be in the food hall format
The investment programme announced by M&S also includes new food halls in Clapham
New Malden and Leytonstone as well as the refurbishment of further eleven stores across London including a full refresh of the Pantheon on Oxford Street
The company says this will lead to the creation of 450 jobs in the capital
The new store plans are subject to planning permission
The format of the new store in Clapham South includes a revamped produce section with a wider selection of fresh fruits and vegetables and a larger bakery
The retailer currently has over 100 stores in London and first opened in the capital in 1903 when it started trading in Brixton
“London has always been a special place for M&S
growing from penny bazaars in the early 20th century into fresh Foodhalls like the one in Brixton we reopened last year
We serve thousands of customers in the capital across our full line offering in larger stores on Oxford Street
to food on the move in train stations and we are always looking at what we can do next
Our pipeline of stores demonstrates our continued investment in London
and we will continue to bring the very best of M&S to customers from Brixton to Barnet for years to come.”
Putney High Street is poised to get a new family-run butcher and larder in the shape of Dugard and Daughters
An ‘opening soon’ banner has been placed on the former premises of Mountain Warehouse at numbers 129-131
The outdoor clothing retailer has moved to the Exchange Shopping Centre
The 2,300 sq ft unit which includes a basement was being advertised at a rent of £100,000 per annum
Dugard and Daughters already has two branches in Herne Hill and Earlsfield
Neil and Rosie Dugard have lived in South London for over two decades and they stock free range and rare breed meats as well as specialist and artisan food produce with an emphasis on sustainability
Wandsworth Council’s continued investment in community facilities has seen the completion and official re-opening of the refurbished Putney Library today
the same year it celebrates 125 years of service to the local community.
has had a bright refurbished children’s library completed
as well as a new Start-Up Wandsworth co-working space
and a cafe-style reception included to ensure there’s something for everyone
The opening of Putney Library also comes at a time when the number of people visiting the 11 libraries across Wandsworth continues to increase
Last year there was over a million visits to the borough’s libraries
an increase of 17 per cent on the year before.
Wandsworth’s Cabinet Member responsible for libraries said: “I’m proud that we’re keeping our libraries up to state-of-the-art quality for our residents
“Putney Library has been open 125 years now
and this investment to keep it open for many years to come is very exciting
There’s so much history here and as a council
we’re passionate about ensuring our residents can create more
“Wandsworth libraries have a record of being some of the best used in the country
and usage is only going up – so residents deserve to be repaid with the best possible facilities.
we’re creating a fairer borough for everyone by investing in our libraries
and continuing to provide the brilliant basics our residents need.”
Libraries are also a key part of the council’s Community Spaces programme, where people can feel safe and warm in a free space where they can meet like-minded people. This is just part of the total Cost of Living response by Wandsworth Council
and another step to being a safer and fairer borough for all
Find out more about what the fantastic libraries in the borough offer for you and when your local one is open.
A public meeting held in Putney recently about the issue of the closure of Hammersmith Bridge to motorised traffic heard more details about the impact it has had on local roads
The event on Saturday 25 June was timed to precede the reconvening of the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce on Thursday (30 January) and came as Putney MP Fleur Anderson issued a warning that it could take a decade before vehicles can cross it again
Wandsworth Council has also recently released new data which confirms the impression of many residents that the bridge closure has compounded existing problems with congestion
Snapshot data from the DfT shows that between 2020 and 2023
the overall number of motor vehicles on Putney Bridge was estimated to have increased by 16%
from 32,083 to 37,239 and the council’s own automatic traffic count data shows a 25% increase in traffic during the morning peak hours between 2019-2023
Data from TFL has also confirmed that bus journey and waiting times have worsened
The council says it will be using this data as part of its campaign to lobby for reopening and that it has been in regular contact with Transport for London
It wants to see greater transparency and urgency from the reconvened taskforce chaired by local transport minister Simon Lightwood and on which the borough has a stakeholder seat
the meeting was attended by Wandsworth Council leader Simon Hogg
“The ongoing closure of Hammersmith Bridge has placed an unacceptable burden on the people of Wandsworth
traffic has got increasingly worse on our local roads
resulting in regular gridlock and longer journey times for people commuting to work
and our community is rightly frustrated at the inaction and lack of progress to reopen this key river crossing
We’ve raised their concerns directly with key decision-makers and continue to call for urgent and decisive action to fund and deliver the repairs needed to reopen the bridge to vehicles.
“We are fully committed to making sure that Wandsworth residents are not forgotten
We will continue to champion their concerns and press for swift action to reopen Hammersmith Bridge
and all stakeholders to prioritise this issue and deliver for the people of South West London.”
Additional traffic delays are expected in the centre of Putney this week due to roadworks
Thames Water is carrying out essential works on Putney High Street at the junction with Chelverton Road from Monday 14 April to Wednesday 16 April
The water company says the works are necessary to repair and rebuild a collapsed manhole chamber
The council required this work to be undertaken during the school holidays to minimise disruption
however significant delays and congestion are expected in the area during this period
Advance warning signs and digital Variable Message Signs (VMS) were put in place to advise the travelling public and letters were sent to nearby homes and businesses.
For live travel updates, check TfL Journey Planner.
You can also check the interactive map of road closures and roadworks in the borough.
Wandsworth Council has said that the roadworks south of Putney Bridge are now expected to be completed ‘slightly’ ahead of schedule
it has indicated that the majority of the most disruptive part of the works is now completed and the project should be over earlier in December
Originally the works were scheduled to continue right up to the Christmas holidays
The work will upgrade the traffic signals across the junction
will make the area safer for all road users
A key element of the project is an attempt to streamline the pedestrian routes
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