Residents in southwest London are fuming after Wandsworth Council spent £600,000 repainting two railway bridges at East Putney Underground Station – a makeover that locals say looks like an IKEA branding exercise.
The work, carried out in March under the previous administration and completed in May 2026, included “pigeon-proofing” the metalwork and a new blue-and-yellow colour scheme. But rather than winning praise, the bridges have been nicknamed “the IKEA bridge” by neighbours who say the colours are out of keeping with the area.
“Wandsworth Council spent £600,000 painting railway bridges, leaving locals comparing the colours to IKEA.”
Emma, 38, who has lived in Putney for eight years, said the palette was “garish” compared to the previous muted red paint. “I just think it’s a bit of a shame they’ve gone for this garish colour palette that’s not in keeping with the surrounding area,” she said. “It’s all just become a bit of a running joke amongst everyone in terms of the IKEA bridge.”
Conservative ward councillor and cabinet member for children George Crivelli agreed. “I think it’s a bit too bright, and not in keeping with the local area,” he said. His main concern was that “in effect, one councillor has decided the colour scheme on it.” Crivelli said he would have liked the council to have consulted local residents. “People call it the IKEA bridge,” he added. “The only positive thing about those bright colours is that I suppose it will fade over time, won’t it?”
Council officers said the bridges – owned by Network Rail and Transport for London – were repainted to a specification recommended by the council and approved by former Labour councillor Finna Ayres. They confirmed no formal consultation took place because the work was considered “capital maintenance” and was not legally required.
Responding to the backlash last month, a senior transport planner at the council said there were “no plans to revise the design”, adding that negative comments were “relatively few given the very large numbers of local residents and station users.”
A Wandsworth Council spokesperson confirmed the cost and completion date: “The cost was £600,000 and the project was completed in May 2026.”