Wandsworth Council has launched a new survey about the controversial Putney Bridge junction redesign – but residents say the questions are designed to avoid confronting the scheme’s biggest problem: gridlocked traffic.
Several people were spotted handing out cards around the junction yesterday morning, directing pedestrians and cyclists to an online survey about the “improvement works” completed earlier this year. The cards include a QR code linking to a Microsoft Forms questionnaire.
But the survey has sparked anger among local residents who claim it deliberately excludes drivers and focuses only on walking and cycling experiences – despite widespread complaints that the junction changes have caused severe congestion across Putney.
The survey asks respondents to select only one mode of transport they “typically” use in the area, then focuses exclusively on pedestrian and cycling safety. Questions include “how safe do you now feel when walking or cycling through the area” and “how would you rate the changes for people walking in the area?”
There are no questions about congestion, traffic flow, or the impact on drivers – even though residents say increased queues have caused rat-running through side streets, buses getting stuck before reaching bus lanes, cyclists riding on pavements to avoid stationary traffic, and increased pollution from idling vehicles.
Another survey?
Residents who received the survey yesterday expressed frustration on community forums. Multiple people noted they had already completed a community survey with over 1,300 responses and questioned why the council hadn’t simply reviewed those results.
Others highlighted the methodology issues: “You’re only getting the people who are walking and not all the people stuck in their cars,” one resident noted, pointing out that surveyors weren’t covering all parts of the junction.
Residents also questioned the methodology of handing cards only to people on foot near the junction, noting that this approach inherently excludes the drivers most affected by the congestion.
The timing has particularly frustrated residents ahead of a public “Here to Listen” event tomorrow where council leader Simon Hogg will face questions about Putney’s traffic problems.
Local councillor Nick Austin said he has submitted a formal inquiry asking about the survey’s “target audience, KPIs, objectives, length and costs.” When asked about what he felt the Council’s survey approach, he added: “In my personal opinion, think it’s rather simple – rather than admit they were wrong and revert back they prefer to try and build a case which supports what they have done.”
The Putney Action Group, which recently presented results from its own survey of over 1,300 residents, expressed disappointment. In an email to members, the group said: “It’s disappointing that the outreach appears to be focused mainly on pedestrians and cyclists.”
Missing traffic studies
The survey controversy comes as pressure mounts on the council over its handling of the junction redesign. Local councillors have confirmed that no updated traffic modeling was carried out before the changes began – meaning the scheme was based on traffic volumes measured before Hammersmith Bridge closed in 2019.
The Putney Action Group met this week with Leonie Cooper, London Assembly Member and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee member, who confirmed the committee is planning an investigation into Putney High Street (Putney.news has been arguing the case for a ‘Task & Finish Group’ for nearly a month). Cooper acknowledged the impact on buses and travel times and offered to facilitate a meeting with TfL.
The junction redesign introduced a segregated cycle lane on Putney Bridge, larger pedestrian crossing islands, and redesigned traffic lanes. The council says the changes were intended to “improve safety and accessibility for users” and reduce congestion.
However, residents report the opposite effect, with severe queues now affecting not just the junction itself but side streets across Putney, causing delays for commuters, school runs, and emergency services.
Saturday’s public meeting takes place at St Margaret’s Putney, Putney Park Lane, from 11am to 1pm. Residents are encouraged to submit questions in advance to hello@wandsworth.gov.uk.
The council’s survey remains open online at the time of writing.
