£6 Million Refurbishment of Wandsworth Bridge Set To Start Next Year
Ten month long project includes structural repairs, uplighting and repainting
Following the completion of improvements to Putney Bridge, which included installation of new LED lighting, Wandsworth Bridge is next to get a multi-million pound upgrade in 2020.
The crossing between Wandsworth and Fulham and has been looking increasingly rundown in recent year and has been described by local campaigners as 'the bridge the council forgot'.
However, a spokesperson from Wandsworth Council now
says: "In order to keep them in good working order we carry out periodic upgrades and refurbishments and the next one at Wandsworth Bridge is due to commence in February.
“This will be a £6 million project, lasting around ten months, that will focus on structural repairs, resurfacing, uplighting and corrosion protection, plus repainting of the bridge structure.
"It will ensure the bridge is in excellent condition for many years to come."
In summer Wandsworth Council began looking for contractors to carry out the work, saying it was ' inviting tenders from suitably experienced and competent suppliers for the provision of refurbishment works involving structural repairs and repainting for corrosion protection of Wandsworth Bridge.'
There should be little impact regarding extra traffic on Putney Bridge which is already carrying the extra traffic due to closure of Hammersmith Bridge. A spokesperson for the council told this website: "The bridge will be kept open to two way traffic at all times.
There are likely to be lane restrictions on occasions, but only temporarily, and usually at off peak times when essential works need to be carried out. At least two of the bridge’s four lanes will be kept open at all times".
In its notice the council says the works 'include, and are not limited to, Wandsworth Bridge expansion joints replacement, bridge deck waterproofing, bridge bearings refurbishment, repainting of the defective areas of bridge soffit and entire length of parapets and fascia, repair/replace defective steelwork, replacement of access covers and ladders and replacement of parapet railings'.
The planned makeover follows the completion of the long planned project to improve the Grade II listed Putney Bridge, designed by civil engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette and first opened in 1886.
Low energy eco-friendly LED floodlights have been installed on the side and under the arches of the bridge and new pavements and road surface laid as part of repairs protect it against water penetration.
The repairs also saw the bridge's ornate Victorian cast-iron lamp columns fully refurbished and restored and fitted with modern LED lights to make them shine brighter.
October 10, 2019