UPDATED – SEE END. Conservative councillors publicly challenged Wandsworth Council Leader Simon Hogg at full council this week over his hostile reception from Putney residents angry about months of traffic chaos.
At the 22 October meeting, Hogg was asked whether he was “indifferent to the anger caused or just incapable of fixing it” after councillors noted residents had booed him at what they mocked as the “Simon Speaks” community tour.
Hogg acknowledged that things did not go smoothly and outlined five specific fixes for Putney’s traffic problems – but a promised letter to residents two weeks ago only started arriving this morning, and it’s unclear whether the measures will address fundamental problems.
“We go around the borough, we’ve been to every ward now, we listen to residents – you’re right, we heard loud and clear from communities that there are real issues with the scheme,” he told councillors. “We apologised for the disruption caused but more than that, you know, people want real action.”
The five promises
Hogg outlined specific measures with timelines, working in partnership with Transport for London:
Immediate (completion by end of October):
- Extended green light time at Putney Bridge Road/Putney Bridge junction to help traffic clear more easily
November:
- More green light time for vehicles turning left from Lower Richmond Road onto the bridge
- Double yellow lines on Putney High Street, Lower Richmond Road, Putney Embankment, and Putney Bridge Road up to Brewhouse Lane
December:
- Lane reassignment on Putney High Street outside the station to reduce delays from stationary buses
Timeline unclear:
- Other actions with TfL around bus stop locations
The slipping timeline
But here’s where the pattern emerges. At the heated 12 October meeting with residents – where Hogg faced the audience’s loud disapproval – he promised a letter to residents outlining these measures would be sent “next week.”
Ten days later at the council meeting, that letter was now coming “soon.” Today, October 23rd, residents finally started receiving it.
Anderson steps in
Yesterday, Putney MP Fleur Anderson took to Facebook to outline progress she’s made working with TfL and the council, thanking Putney.news and MyLondon for coverage of the issue.
Anderson announced that “next week, new traffic control chips will be installed at Putney Bridge Junction to alter the phasing of the lights” – echoing one of Hogg’s promises but with a more specific timeline.
She also confirmed TfL has “agreed to temporarily suspend a bus stop that is causing tail backs and bus delays on Lower Richmond Road.”
On bus driver changeover points causing delays on Putney High Street, Anderson said she’s “asked TfL to review bus driver changeover points so buses are not waiting on the High Street. This remains a very important priority for me.”
Residents respond – with frustration
The Facebook comments reveal deep skepticism about whether these incremental changes will solve the problem.
One resident, J.P., welcomed the news but added: “Hopefully this will have the desired knock on effect of buses not terminating early at Putney Heath with no notice.”
S.L. highlighted ongoing issues: “Please ask TFL to stop parking its buses on Putney High Street just after the bus stop opposite the smaller Boots when the bus station is just round the corner. It’s causing chaos.”
Anderson replied: “Yes, I know this is a big issue.”
M.H. questioned the temporary bus stop suspension: “Are they moving the Putney Pier (P) bus stop or just closing it temporarily? It’s been causing traffic jams since before the changes. It also makes turning right out of Kenilworth Court by bike extremely dangerous. It would be much better sited after Waterman Street.”
Anderson confirmed it’s temporary “so the impact on traffic flows can be reviewed,” with a decision still to be made about permanent relocation.
W.S. captured the broader frustration: “There’s terrible congestion down Putney Hill all the way to bridge. 9 times out of 10 have to get off bus on Putney Hill and walk the rest of the way to East Putney station as not easy getting to Putney Bridge station. Why on earth did they add cycle lanes at the top of High Street when already a very congested area.”
P.F., who identified as a cyclist, responded: “As a cyclist, I applaud any effort to make things safer. But whoever designed the area near Putney Bridge has never been on a bike and needs to find alternative employment. It’s more dangerous than before.”
W.S. replied: “I think they have budgets for such things. Doesn’t matter if needed. Just spend the money and then they can claim they have made improvements for cycling. In the meantime we all have to suffer.”
P.C. was direct: “The person who authorised the changes in the first place should be sacked.”
The elephant in the room
What’s notable about both Hogg’s and Anderson’s responses is what they don’t address: whether these tweaks will actually solve the fundamental problem.
Many residents are convinced the issue isn’t signal timing or bus stops – it’s the junction design itself, compounded by Hammersmith Bridge remaining closed to motor traffic.
The Conservative motion at the council meeting argued that despite Labour controlling the council, mayoralty and government, “on transport, on housing and on crime they are all getting worse.”
One resident, D.S.R., asked Anderson about Hammersmith Bridge updates. Another commenter replied: “They have agreed to take another look at it in about 6-7 years, lest the situation resolves itself.”
Anderson’s response emphasized her efforts: “I’ve been campaigning on this for a while – raising it in Parliament, meeting ministers and pressing for funding. The next step is for TfL and H&F Council to apply to the Infrastructure Fund so the restoration plan can move forward.”
But that’s cold comfort for residents sitting in traffic jams today.
A pattern of moving goalposts
Hogg closed his council response by saying: “I do want to assure you that we do love Putney, we want the best for the high street, there has been investment, we are moving forward but no I appreciate there’s still much to be done on the traffic issues.”
It’s the kind of statement that sounds reassuring until you notice the pattern: promises with timelines that slip and slow incremental fixes that do not address fundamental problems.
Residents were loud and clear at the 12 October meeting. The reaction – moans, groans, laughter and yes, booing – confirmed they’re fed up with words and want results.
But as October turns to November, the question remains: will the traffic lights be fixed before residents’ patience finally runs out?
UPDATE (October 24): Wandsworth Council has now sent the promised letter to Putney Bridge area residents and businesses, 12 days after Simon Hogg first pledged it would arrive “next week.”
The letter confirms the five main traffic measures Hogg outlined at council, with completion dates ranging from end of October through January 2026.
New details not previously disclosed include: a trial suspension of the southbound bus lane outside the Odeon Cinema (December 2025), improvements to passing space for buses outside TK Maxx (January 2026), and specific plans to relocate bus stop “P” outside Kenilworth Court 40 metres westward (November 2025).
The letter also claims air quality has “improved significantly” and is “now in line with UK air quality standards,” directing residents to monitoring data – a defense not mentioned in either the council meeting or Fleur Anderson’s Facebook update.
Council acknowledges recent gas works and roadworks have added to traffic problems, noting utility companies have “statutory powers to undertake emergency works” that are “at times outside of our control.”
I am a resident in Brewhouse Lane and am still to receive the letter. Has the timing of the pedestrian’s green man at the junction of Putney Hight Street (Five Guys to soon to be demolished Preto restaurant been mentioned? It is hardly ever on.