Joseph Bazalgette's Putney Bridge Is All Lit Up
Route across river shines in the darkness after LED floodlights are switched on
The historic bridge between Fulham and Putney now shines in the darkness after completion of a long planned project by Wandsworth Council.
Low energy eco-friendly LED floodlights have been installed on the side and under the arches of the Grade II listed Putney Bridge.
The bridge was designed by civil engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette as a five-span structure, built of stone and Cornish granite and was completed in 1886.
The Mayor of Wandsworth Cllr Jane Cooper switched on the lights on Thursday night with the assistance of Putney MP Justine Greening.
Wandsworth Cabinet Member for Transport, Paul Ellis said: “This is a historic and iconic London bridge and we agreed that this important gateway to our borough should be lit so people can see just how stunning the bridge looks under the cover of darkness.
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This has been a project that has had a few technical challenges along the way but it is absolutely fantastic that these have been overcome and we are now in a position to switch on these lights and showcase our beautiful bridge."
Among those at the switch on was Cllr Rosemary Torrington, who took the picture below, describing the bridge's illumination as "spectacular".
Wandsworth Council says the project has been funded using cash levied from housing and property developers in the area who are required to pay contributions towards neighbourhood infrastructure improvement schemes.
Others set to benefit from this fund are rail passengers in East Putney who could soon see their journey times reduced as plans advance to open a second entrance to Putney Station via a footbridge onto the platforms at Oxford Road.
Other recent improvements to Putney Bridge saw new pavements and a new road surface laid as part of repairs protect it against water penetration.
The repairs also saw its attractive ornate Victorian cast-iron lamp columns fully refurbished and restored and fitted with modern LED lights to make them shine brighter.
There are now similar plans to light up Wandsworth Bridge.
August 30, 2019