Wandsworth Council has written to Putney Bridge area residents with an update on measures to tackle Putney High Street traffic congestion, confirming that long-awaited roadworks near TK Maxx begin today.
The letter [pdf], dated 22 January and signed by Assistant Director of Engineering Henry Cheung, summarises changes implemented since October and outlines upcoming works. Most of the measures have been previously reported, but the letter provides the first specific start date for the TK Maxx carriageway widening: 26 January 2026.
The council claims there is now “clear evidence that traffic queue lengths on both Lower Richmond Road and Putney Bridge Road have improved” since signal timing changes in late October and early January.
Whether the improvements are enough remains the central question. Once this current round of changes is complete, there is little left to try – short of a more fundamental junction redesign.
What’s been done
The letter confirms six measures completed since the October update:
Traffic light timing (October + January 2025): TfL gave vehicles turning from Putney Bridge Road to Putney Bridge more green light time, and did the same for vehicles turning left from Lower Richmond Road onto the bridge. These were part of emergency measures following months of resident complaints.
Double yellow lines (November 2025): Installed on Putney High Street, Lower Richmond Road up to Putney Embankment, and Putney Bridge Road up to Brewhouse Lane.
Bus lane suspension (November 2025): The southbound bus lane outside the Odeon Cinema was suspended on a trial basis to improve flow towards Putney Bridge Road. TfL is monitoring whether it helps.
Bus stop relocation (November 2025): Bus stop “P” outside Kenilworth Court on Lower Richmond Road has been suspended, with a temporary stop 40 metres westward to reduce congestion backing into the high street. Recent reports suggest buses have continued stopping at or near the old location.
Cyclist left turn suspension (January 2026): The permitted cyclists left turn from Putney Bridge Road onto Putney High Street has been suspended. Almost nobody used it, yet it consumed green light time needed for motor vehicles. TfL is now “fine-tuning the time allocations to maximise efficiency.”
What’s coming
TK Maxx carriageway widening (starting today): Work to realign the kerb opposite TK Maxx begins today and will take approximately three weeks. Night works will be carried out where possible. This addresses the most visible daily cause of congestion: when buses stop at Bus Stop M (also called Putney Exchange), there is insufficient space for vehicles to pass. The TK Maxx bus stop was identified as a critical bottleneck months ago.
Bus pull-in bay outside TK Maxx: TfL is examining whether a proper bus pull-in can be created, but this requires utility company involvement, phone box removal and signal equipment relocation, meaning a longer lead time.
Bus stop and driver changeover review (March): Changes to the TK Maxx bus stop are due in March, including a review of driver changeover arrangements that have caused extended blockages.
Lane reassignment outside Putney Station (February): Lanes will be reassigned to reduce delays from stationary buses.
Monitoring continues
The council says additional traffic surveys have been commissioned to monitor displacement onto residential roads, and new nitrogen dioxide monitors have been installed on Disraeli Road, Chelverton Road and Lower Richmond Road.
The letter states air quality “has improved significantly in this area and is now in line with UK air quality standards” thanks to cleaner buses and vehicles.
What happens next
These incremental changes represent the council methodically scaling back elements of its own £1 million junction redesign, which 91% of residents say made their journeys worse.
But once the current package is complete, the council’s options narrow considerably. Without more significant intervention, whether the measures add up to enough relief remains to be seen.
