UPDATED: Putney Bridge was closed in both directions this morning following an ongoing police incident that began just after 7am. There was a large emergency services presence at the scene, including multiple police vehicles and ambulances.
Putney.news witnessed a woman in conversation with plainclothes officers, and a rescue boat was also spotted on the River Thames below, indicating the possible involvement of a person in distress.
Welface concern behind closure
The Metropolitan Police issued a statement shortly after 10am:
“Police were called to Putney Bridge, SW15 at around 7.20am on Monday, 31 March following reports of a concern for welfare. The incident is ongoing and officers are in attendance alongside the London Ambulance Service. The bridge is closed, but one of the lanes (south to north) has reopened.”
The bridge was reopened to traffic around 11am.
From 8am to 10.30am there was a heavy police cordon on the bridge, with officers redirecting pedestrians and vehicles away from the area. A lifeboat, likely from the RNLI or another emergency marine unit, has been patrolling the river, suggesting that emergency services are preparing for or responding to a potential jumper situation.
Major Travel Disruption
According to a traffic update from the AA at 9:09am, the bridge was shut between B306 Lower Richmond Road and Gonville Street. Severe congestion is being reported:
• Putney High School and back along Putney Hill
• Fulham High Street back along Fulham Palace Road
All traffic on the A219 was halted in both directions, affecting commuters heading into Central London from the southwest and vice versa.
Bus services across the area also experienced delays and diversions. Pedestrians and cyclists were advised to avoid the bridge and seek alternative crossings such as Wandsworth Bridge or Hammersmith Bridge where possible.
Community Concern and Reflections
The incident has prompted concern among local residents and commuters, especially given the bridge’s history. The 2017 “Putney Pusher” case—where a jogger shoved a woman into the path of a bus—remains one of the most infamous unsolved incidents in recent local memory. Although unrelated, today’s event brings renewed attention to safety and mental health awareness around public infrastructure.
How to Help or Get Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, support is available 24/7 via organisations such as Samaritans at 116 123.
Wandsworth Borough Council has a dedicated webpage for anyone having a mental health crisis.
Was this a totally ridiculous response to one person’s mental health problems? How many other people were detrimentally affected by the bridge closure – missing flights, hospital appointments, interviews etc? And why were so many emergency service vehicles deployed to an incident involving one individual?
Ridiculous comment actually. She must have been very down and depressed to even think about taking her own life. Mental health problems is definitely not As you said ” Ridiculous “. I myself suffer from Bipolar disorder and anxiety, so for you to make that comment was out of order.