Forum Topic

Albert Bridge now closed to pedestrians

The BBC is reporting that sensors on the bridge detected movement. This may indicate that the problem is more serious than previously thought. There actually appear to have been any negative impact for Putney so far from the closure but travel patterns may take time to change.

Peter Higgins ● 8d13 Comments

"It is overwhelmingly likely that the closure of Hammersmith Bridge accounts for this increased congestion."But not backed up by evidence.

Michael Brigo ● 23h

It is good news that the bridge has reopened to pedestrians but also important to note that FoI derived numbers on bus journey times showed that there hadn't been any noticeable impact in Putney of the earlier traffic closure. It needs to be pointed out (again) that Richard's claim that traffic problems in Putney originated with the botched Putney Bridge changes is not accurate. While it may be true that Lower Richmond Road got a lot worse at the same time, bus speeds on the High Street were slowing much earlier (as soon as activity returned to pre-Covid levels). It is overwhelmingly likely that the closure of Hammersmith Bridge accounts for this increased congestion.

Barry Elms ● 1d

The maintenance and restrictions on roads seems to cause huge dissatisfaction but is so important if we want to continue without let or hindrance wherever and however we just fancy going!

Philippa Bond ● 4d

On the BBC News at 10 tonight it was announced that Albert Bridge had reopened to pedestrians and cyclists, which is great news.

Richard Carter ● 6d

Some people will have changed their journeys altogether or just not gone and others will have taken the tube and gone under the river instead of over let alone just not driven or been driven.  Where are those in your calculations?The traffic congestion will have encouraged people to look at Google maps or Waze or whatever and changed their route or arrangements or method of transport.  People don't just like lemmings keep on heading for the congestion when and if they are able to avoid it!

Philippa Bond ● 6d

Even given the problems associated with the new layout,  how can an additional 4000 vehicles per day crossing Putney Bridge, representing an increase of about 11%, not markedly increase congestion?

Steven Rose ● 6d

Yes, sone 4,000 a day (FoI request 1103 1920), and they added to the total without markedly increasing congestion. What did increase it was the completely separate issue of the botched rejig of the main junction at Putney Bridge, and unfortunately people tend to confuse the two issues.

Richard Carter ● 6d

So if previous users of Hammersmith Bridge have not simply evaporated ,and are now using other bridges, some of them must have been diverted to Putney Bridge, which must add to the congestion in Putney, no?

Steven Rose ● 6d

"we are told that [Hammersmith Bridge's] closure  has not increased congestion on Putney Bridge because all the drivers who used to cross at Hammersmith have simply evaporated, using public transport instead. Is that plausible?"Of course it isn't plausible, because you are wrong. I don't know how your fevered imagination conjured up this fantasy, but in the real world the figure is not "all the drivers" but around 40%, the other 60% being distributed over other bridges, mainly Chiswick.

Richard Carter ● 6d

The closure of Albert Bridge has diverted around 20 000 cars per day onto the adjoining bridges, causing greatly increased congestion. Yet in respect of Hammersmith Bridge we are told that its closure  has not increased congestion on Putney Bridge because all the drivers who used to cross at Hammersmith have simply evaporated, using public transport instead. Is that plausible?

Steven Rose ● 6d

I guess we'll have to walk over Fulham or Putney Bridges ...

Michael Ixer ● 7d

Looks as if we're soon going to have to swim across the Thames

Elizabeth Balsom ● 7d

Well Wandsworth Bridge is also now going to have problems for 4 months.

Barbara Stevens ● 8d