Major works to fix Putney Bridge are well under way.

The bridge’s closure has received mixed reviews from people who have to cross the River Thames on foot for the next three months.

The Grade II listed bridge closed on Monday, July 14, as part of a £1.5m repair programme.

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One man, who is registered blind and asked to be known as Terry, 65, from Roehampton, raised concerns about the disabled and elderly crossing the bridge.

He said: "I have already almost had three accidents with bikes. People don’t see my white cane.

"What we need is one of those little things they have at the airport to transport people. A lot of people actually can’t walk and there’s no way they are going to get over the bridge. Wait until people start rushing about. There is going to be serious things."

Now the old road surface has been removed, along with the paving, and some of the kerb stones on the western footway.

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Engineers are due to inspect the underlying bridge deck to see what repairs are needed before the new waterproof membrane is laid on top.

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All of the Victorian lamp columns have been removed so a team of restorers can repair them.

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Temporary lighting has been installed and additional lighting will be placed on the eastern footpath in response to requests from pedestrians.

Work has also begun on the refurbishment of the subway on the northern side of the bridge.

Transport spokesman Councillor Jonathan Cook said: “The works are progressing well so far and we will be looking to keep this momentum going to ensure that the bridge does not have to remain closed for a single minute longer than is necessary.”

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The works also include a separate project to fix the damage caused by a bus crashing into the bridge’s wall.

This will involve retrieving six large granite blocks from the riverbed that were knocked by the bus into the Thames.

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