Residents in southwest London are expressing discontent over Wandsworth Council’s decision to spend £600,000 on the repainting of two railway bridges near East Putney Tube station. The upgrade works, which included “pigeon-proofing” the metalwork, resulted in a new blue and yellow color scheme that locals feel resembles IKEA branding. The painting project was carried out in March before the local elections in May, prompting residents to criticize the new look as out of place for the area.
Emma, a long-term resident, described the vibrant colors as not fitting the character of Putney, contrasting with the previous subdued red paint on the bridges. Council officials clarified that the repainting was done according to a recommended specification and was deemed a form of capital maintenance, not a legal requirement. Conservative council member George Crivelli acknowledged the importance of the repainting but shared concerns about the chosen color scheme, advocating for more community consultation in such decisions.
Despite the backlash, council representatives confirmed that there are no plans to alter the design, citing that the negative feedback does not represent the majority of local residents and station users. The council disclosed that the project was completed in May 2026 at a total cost of £600,000.