TfL Raises Alarm Over Potential Bus Delays From Hammersmith Road Scheme
Transport for London (TfL) has formally warned Hammersmith and Fulham Council that its planned works to Wandsworth Bridge Road could cause significant delays to bus journeys, according to newly released documents. The concerns center on the council's proposal to install four new raised zebra crossings as part of a broader road redesign initiative.
Ongoing Concerns About Bus Performance
In feedback provided to the council in October and obtained through Freedom of Information laws, TfL explicitly stated it had "concerns about the impact on bus journey times" due to the proposed crossings. The transport authority noted that buses already face performance challenges on this route and expressed "ongoing questions pertaining to the design and potential for further erosion of bus speeds."
Despite multiple inquiries from journalists, TfL has not provided any significant updates on developments since submitting this feedback. It is understood that the transport authority has yet to complete a full assessment of the proposals, with discussions between TfL and the council continuing behind the scenes.
Council's Conflicting Assessment
A spokesperson for Hammersmith and Fulham Council offered a contrasting perspective, stating that their own engineers believe the proposals "will help rather than hinder bus journey times." The council confirmed it is currently reviewing technical assessments for the crossings upgrade and working with TfL to establish a revised program of works.
The planned improvements to Wandsworth Bridge Road were originally scheduled to begin in August 2025, with works expected to last approximately one month. The comprehensive redesign includes:
- Installation of four raised zebra crossings
- New cycle hire parking bays
- Replacement of existing parklets with extended kerbs featuring communal seating and greenery
- Designated loading bays for local businesses
Project Delays and Consultation Issues
The project has experienced multiple delays, initially pushed back from August to September 2025 due to what the council described as "the volume of correspondence" received during consultation. Further postponements occurred when it emerged that TfL, as a statutory consultee, had not been included in the initial consultation and design process.
Documents reveal that TfL rated various aspects of the proposed scheme according to their potential impact on bus operations:
- Two elements were considered to have a "high" impact
- Two were rated "medium" impact
- Ten items received a "low" impact rating
Key Point of Contention
The most significant disagreement between TfL and the council centers on a proposed zebra crossing at Cresford Road and Stokenchurch Street. TfL requested the addition of a pedestrian refuge (or island) to "aid bus journey times" by allowing drivers to proceed more quickly when pedestrians are crossing.
The council rejected this suggestion entirely, arguing that while refuges would assist pedestrians, their inclusion would "erode the footway gains at each side of the crossings" and exacerbate existing visibility issues caused by trees along the route.
Political Reactions and Future Steps
Conservative opposition leader Cllr Jose Afonso criticized the council's handling of the project, calling it a "Labour farce" that has continued for eight months without proper consultation. He pledged that if his party gained control, they would remove parklets, scrap planned build-outs, and work with residents to deliver safer crossings that respect all modes of transport.
In a separate FOI response published in January 2026, TfL acknowledged that while it has not completed a full assessment of the scheme's impact, congestion already occurs on Wandsworth Bridge Road and "there is potential for these proposals to increase congestion which may also negatively impact bus performance."
The council maintains its commitment to transforming Wandsworth Bridge Road from a highway into a vibrant high street that is more accessible to all users, promising continued collaboration with residents and businesses through consultation and engagement.
