Drivers and bus passengers who use the Putney Bridge are being forced to endure disruption after it was closed in both directions for essential roadworks from today.

Wandsworth Council has ordered the works at Putney, but it unhappily coincides with repairs being carried out on Chiswick Bridge and the Hammersmith Flyover.

TfL declined to comment on why the works were all taking place simultaneously, and commuters took to Twitter to vent their frustrations.

getwestlondon spoke to a handful of commuters to get their thoughts.

Ian Dabbs, 65, of Fulham Palace Road called the time an "utter catastrophe". He added: "[The workmen] are just standing around doing nothing. They seem totally unprepared, all the work they’ve done today could have been done while the road was still open. There is no urgency about the matter at all."

The retired BBC cameraman said he had visited over 100 countries and couldn’t imagine such works taking three months in any of the places he has visited.

Another commuter, 24-year-old Jade, who takes the bus between Ladbroke Grove and Tooting every Monday was more optimistic about the events. She said: "It’s a lovely walk across Putney Bridge, and we all have to get used to it together. It was quite busy on the bridge, but the work has to be done."

The closures come a week after a bus crashed into Putney Bridge forcing it to close in both directions.

Passengers can use a card to cross Putney Bridge
Passengers can use a card to cross Putney Bridge

Passengers wishing to cross the river are issued with a card that will last the duration of the works. 

In conjunction with a valid Pay As You Go Oyster Card passengers can get off the bus and take another bus once they have crossed the river without paying an extra fare.

The works on the bridge are set to take place until mid-October this year.

The following bus routes are affected: 14, 22, 39, 74, 85, 93, 220, 265, 270, 424, 430, N22 and N74.