Wandsworth 3 AND Crossings of the River Thames 15: Wandsworth Bridge

My brief wanderings around Wandsworth are coming to an end, and so here we are by the River Thames at Wandsworth. And to be honest, Wandsworth is a dump. Yes, I ay have tried to sell it as something more than it is, but this is one lousy suburb of London and this was the one bridge I was not looking forward to. Unfortunately, my recent visit to Wandsworth proved my point. Nothing here but traffic and more. Wandsworth Bridge is no different. It s purely functional and has no other redeeming features to it or the riverside surrounding it. There is only one other bridge that I have such disdain for, Vauxhall, but that is another crossing, four months away. Now my wrath is concentrated at Wandsworth Bridge.



But no matter how much I dislike a part of London, I must visit it anyway and blog about it. Such is the challenge of London's River Crossings. But I really did not want to come here. My visits to Wandsworth are not for pleasure, just necessity. Oh my, and look, this really is not an impressive brdige. Built of steel and rusting away under its blue paint, Wikipedia claims this to be the busiest crossing over the Thames in London. Hah!




And I will tell you exacty why I do not like Wandsworth. Firstly, its nasty one-way system that has zapped the heart of the town centre. Secondly, the resultant lack of soul within this town. Three, the almost deserted streets late at night, except for the wine bars by the railway station. Fourth, its awkwardness to get there, except by car, fifth, the fact that it is an ugly place, and lastly (lined to the first one) it is not a destination, merely a place to pass-by.

Wandsworth Bridge itself was completed in 1940 and so makes it one of the newest bridges over the Thames (only Waterloo, London Bridge and the Millenium Bridge are newer). And it has stood the test of time very well. Although ugly, it is functional and to be honest, it is a harmless structure. Bus lanes and (narrow) cycle lanes on the pavement provide the populace with an environmentally friendly way to cross it and there is always Fulham to the north of the river with its fine sweep of the river. However, as we near the halfway point of my journey through London's river crossings, I will thankfully leave Wandsworth behind. Until the next time I am stuck in traffic.



Getting there and away:

Bus Routes 28, 44, 295, 424, C3, N28 and N44. The 391 also stops nearby. Wandsworth Town is the nearest railway station.

(Happily the next bridge for me to visit will be Battersea!)