Putney Bridge - is there a real Troll living there ?

[topcat1]

I use Putney bridge to get to Richmond park at least once a week and it seems that there's a Troll putting pot holes where you least expect them.

Northbound from the bus stop onwards there is a nasty deep one, further along the recently filled ones are now waiting for you.

Southbound's not too bad but is showing signs of wear n tear.

It can't be the weather, and on both sides it's where the buses run but the buses don't do wheel spins.

It seems that every week someone has gone out with a shovel and picked a spot to dig, so is there a Troll living on Putney bridge?

 

[KneesUp]

Probably. You only have to go for a short walk in the woods with my daughter to realise that there are trolls almost everywhere.

As she tells it, every lump in the ground is where a troll has "planted his gross" and once they've done that it will slowly build it into a bridge. Only fully grown trolls have bridges, you see - it's a bit like an insects life-cycle I think - she's a bit vague on the details, but she's only four.

Anyway, given this, it seems likely that the "gross" they start with is part of another troll's bridge - I think it's where the idea came from for making Eve out of Adam's rib. So, yeah - there probably is a troll, and it's having loads of babies. So you get a rough ride, but look on the upside - new bridges in the future.

 

[mistral]

I usually cross the bridge twice every day, it's a constantly changing patchwork of holes. I take the centre line, it's quicker, safer & free from holes, just have to keep an eye on approaching motor bikes/scooters & WVM

It closes soon for months of repairs & ensuing local traffic chaos. I believe cyclists & peds will still be able to cross while work is going on

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27671333

 

[ianrauk]

It's definitely one of the worse London bridges for pot holes if not the worst.

 

[Roadrider48]

Agreed! I use it regularly, and it is bloody awful for potholes.

 

[Markymark]

At least you guys in the west get bridges....

 

[ianrauk]

At least you guys in the west get bridges....

Well, hopefully the new bridge east will become a reality. But will it mean the end of the Woolwich Ferry.. which is a London Gem.

 

[Markymark]

Well, hopefully the new bridge east will become a reality. But will it mean the end of the Woolwich Ferry.. which is a London Gem.

...isn't that just an architect's impression of what could be built of the money/political-will was coming? From what I understand, we're no closer.

 

[ianrauk]

...isn't that just an architect's impression of what could be built of the money/political-will was coming? From what I understand, we're no closer.

Indeed... from the BBC
Plans have been unveiled for a new £600m cycle-friendly bridge to span the river Thames in east London.

The designs were commissioned by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in its campaign to improve connections in the area.

The LCCI said east London has only two fixed river crossings compared to 22 west of Tower Bridge.

The design takes account of planes taking off from nearby City Airport and the need for ships to sail underneath.

'Gap in infrastructure'
The crossing, named Bridge East London, would include a segregated cycle lane and was designed by architects HOK and design consultants Arup.

The LCCI said almost half London's population lives east of Tower Bridge but no new road capacity has been developed to the east of it since the opening of the southbound Blackwall tunnel in 1967.

The new bridge would link Beckton and Thamesmead at Gallions Reach
It said the £600m price tag, compared to £150m for a new ferry, was justified because a bridge would attract more private sector funding and could also bring in money through tolling.

'More traffic'
However, Darren Johnson, Green Party member in the Greater London Assembly, said the proposed bridge would not help the local economy but create more congestion and pollution.

Val Shawcross, London Assembly member and transport spokesperson for Labour, backed the scheme, saying it would "boost road capacity, public transport connections and cycling and pedestrian routes".

Transport for London (TfL) said the capital's population is set to grow to 10 million by the early 2030s, and is looking at river crossings in east London in a 10-week public consultation that is due to start on 7 July.

It will consider four options: a new ferry at Woolwich or Gallions reach, or a new bridge at Gallions Reach or Belvedere.

A Boris Johnson spokesperson said: "The mayor has been a strong and vocal supporter for more river crossings in east London and is pushing them ahead as fast as national infrastructure processes allow."

 

[Markymark]

Coolio!

 

[Saluki]

There are trolls under every bridge in the world. Everyone knows that!!! I'm surprised that you even needed to ask. It's one of those universal truths that even 4 year olds know, @KneesUp even pointed that out.
Of course they make potholes, that's how they catch you and then get to eat you It's all true I tell you.
Let's be careful out there

 

[Cuchilo]

They have closed the bridge for repairs during the school holidays .

 

[slowmotion]

Putney Bridge is a bit of a one-off. I think that a borough boundary is somewhere at mid-span and that the two parties bitch about their responsibilities. It's a horrible piece of tarmac in the cycle lanes. Craters really.

 

[glenn forger]

do you have to dismount?

 

[Roadrider48]

do you have to dismount?

Apparently. That's what TFL say on the info about the bridge works. I haven't been that way myself yet though.