Wandsworth railway bridge re-opens earlier than planned following makeover and repair works

By James Mayer, local democracy reporter

A railway bridge has re-opened earlier than planned in following a makeover and repair works to strengthen it.

St John’s Hill railway bridge gets Londoners to Clapham Junction from the east of Wandsworth.

The main repair works have been completed in eight weeks instead of the original 10 predicted, allowing traffic to head in both directions.

The repairs included renewing its ‘concrete deck slab’, which holds the bridge’s structure together, waterproofing, resurfacing of the carriageway and foot way as well as painting the guardrails.

But a few smaller foot way works are still under way but these should be completed soon, say Wandsworth Council.

Cllr John Locker, Conservative cabinet member for strategic planning and transportation, said: “This was a complex and major infrastructure project to ensure this bridge over the railway tracks remained safe and in good condition.

“The reopening will be welcomed by all road users and bus passengers who can look forward to having buses returned to their normal routes and frequency.”

He added: “The town hall engineers in charge of managing this project and the contractors who were appointed to complete the works should be congratulated for their efforts.

“They have got the job done in quick time, despite some very challenging weather conditions recently.”