WBR Transformation – Interim works starting Aug 2024

Wandsworth Bridge Road Interim Measures starting Aug 2024

The long awaited plans to transform the Wandsworth Bridge Road into a ‘destination’ high street at the heart of our community are starting to take shape!

We are thrilled to learn that the first phase of the interim works by LBHF Council will begin the week of Aug 26th. 

This is the start of transforming the road from a congested and polluted through-route to a welcoming, cleaner and greener place that “puts people and businesses first“.

As stated on the Council website:

“The enhanced use of public space will make shop frontages and pedestrian areas more attractive to locals and visitors. Data suggests increased footfall can bring sales boosts to the local economy of 35 to 40 per cent.

“As part of phase one improvements, surface dressing and parklet installation works will take place in August and September across the two “mini-town centres” between Ryecroft Road and Clancarty Road, and between Woolneigh Street and Hugon Road.

“The anti-skid surfacing is made from buff-coloured bauxite. Along with the parklets, it will alter the perception of the motorist, creating a sense of road “narrowing” while emphasising pedestrian areas and enhancing safety.

“A series of side street enhancements are also being planned this year which will see footway widening at junctions, new public seating with integrated planters, and additional shopper bays, cargo bike, e-bay and cycle parking.”

Hazlebury Road and Wandsworth Bridge Road proposed junction enhancement:

From September 2024

From September onwards there are further works scheduled including replacing existing worn-out street furniture and decluttering unnecessary signage, posts and bollards with new enhanced furniture creating additional greenery, seating and social spaces. So we can expect to see:

• New bins
• Sheffield stands (cycle parking)
• Benches
• Flower planters
• Signage
• Lighting improvements
• Additional bike hangars
• and new off-street loading bays to ease congestion on Wandsworth Bridge Road.

Introducing more greenery, seating and social space all aid in transforming the area into an inviting and attractive place which helps the businesses and strengthens the sense of community.

Crossings and Islands

The council is already investigating upgrading the seven crossings on the WBR to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The installation of raised crossings, widened islands and contrasting surface dressings will “further slow traffic and alter driving behaviour“.

Main Junctions

LBHF are already working with Transport for London and Wandsworth Council on the necessary changes to both the New Kings Road junction and the Townmead, Carnwath and Wandsworth Bridge junction to prioritise safe pedestrian and cycle crossings.

This is arguably the most crucial piece of the puzzle to help control the volume of traffic that enters and exits the WBR.

FAQs

How will this make the road safer?

The chicaning of the road and parklets are designed to reduce the excessive speeds driven on this road – the speed limit is 20mph, most vehicles travel over this and when the road is clear speeds of 80mph have been recorded by the council. This is dangerous for everyone. The WBR is a local high street and residents should be able to feel safe crossing and enjoying the area, which in turn is good for business.

How does this help with pollution?

Cars and Lorries cause pollution therefore the long term objective of every council & city is to discourage people from choosing private vehicles as their preferred form of transport and encourage them to take public transport, walk and/or cycle instead. These types of road layouts help deprioritise the road away from a busy commuter through-route and helps better establish the commercial centres as ‘destinations’ for shoppers and pedestrians.

This phenomenon is called Traffic Evaporation whereby all no essential drivers recalculate their plans and determine that it becomes quicker or cheaper to take sustainable transport.

Will it make it more dangerous for cyclists?

Cyclists are most at risk when cars try to overtake them with a close pass (1.5m is the minimum space that drivers should allow when overtaking a cyclist). In a narrow shared environment cyclists should cycle down the middle of the road (primary position) which ensures they are visible to cars behind and ahead. Given that all vehicles should be travelling slowly through a high street there is no reason for cars to be overtaking cyclists in any case.

What was the consultation process?

The original concept of redefining the WBR dates back to 2021. WBRA undertook a public survey asking what you would like to see for the local area. Those responses, along with various public engagement events, informed our bid to the London Mayor’s ‘High Streets for All’ challenge. That bid was successful and LBHF fully backed the plans and have since taken the lead and hired WSP engineers to draw up the plans.

In addition, enhancing the high street, tackling pollution and danger on the road and reclaiming the space for people has been part of H&F’s  Clean Air Neighbourhood scheme.

Over the last 3 years we have run multiple workshops, pop-ups, distributed flyers, newsletters and shared the council’s designs on our website. The designs were also shared with the community at the previous two Spring Fayres (2023, 2024 where over 14,000 visitors attended). At both of these council officers and design consultants were on hand to explain the concepts, consult with visitors and listen to their feedback. Indeed, the colour of the asphalt was chosen by vote (stickers) on the boards at the Fayre. Finally, those design boards are publicly displayed on the hoardings at 316 Wandsworth Bridge Road, inviting the public to engage. All of these means have helped inform the designs.

LBHF also engaged in individual consultations with local businesses to discuss their specific delivery and loading requirements, ensuring that the plans effectively address these needs.

The latest proposals for the parklets are consistent with the agreed objective of making the WBR a safer destination high street.

Why are the parklets in the street?

During this interim phase, before the curb lines are adjusted to match the chicaning, there needs to be some deterrent to drivers simply driving over the marked area. An example of this is the way many drivers ignore painted cycle lanes and drive over the lines when they so wish to. By having an object in the road it forces the drivers to slow down and follow the ‘desired line’. These sorts of visual cues help get driver’s attention and is a key aspect of the ‘psychological shift’ for WBR.

For far too long many drivers view the WBR as simply a motorway to speed through mindlessly. Drivers don’t think of WBR as a road where people live, walk down and shop. Speeding vehicles create a very dangerous environment and is uninviting for customers. These parklets help enhance the area and help the aesthetics for the businesses by having additional seating outside their shops.

Having these ‘3rd Spaces’ (a place to spend time that’s not home or work) helps create a thriving community for both residents and businesses alike.

Won’t Parklets in the road be dangerous?

Straight wide roads encourage us to drive fast and without conscious thought. Having obstructions in the road and having narrow roads makes drivers concentrate and slow down.

What about the businesses?

The enhanced use of public space will make shop frontages and pedestrian areas more attractive to locals and visitors. Data from various global studies suggests increased footfall can bring sales boosts to the local economy of 35 to 40 per cent!

Providing seating for people is proven to be good for business – helping our lovely local shops to thrive. People shop not cars.

What else is planned?

Investigations are also underway into upgrading the seven crossings on the Wandsworth Bridge Road to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The use of raised crossings, widened islands, contrasting surface dressings will further slow traffic and alter driving behaviour.

Longer term, LBHF are working with Transport for London and Wandsworth Council on the necessary changes to both the New Kings Road junction and the Townmead/Carnwath/Bridge junction to prioritise safe pedestrian and cycle crossings. This work is necessary to help control the volume of traffic able to enter and exit the Wandsworth Bridge Road and finally instal the much needed pedestrian light phases at the Townmead/Carnwath junction.