A COUNCIL has sparked outrage after spending £600,000 painting a railway bridge in “garish” blue and yellow tones which locals say resemble the IKEA branding.
The two railway bridges at East Putney tube station in London were restored by Wandsworth Council under the previous administration in March.
A council has sparked outrage after deciding to paint a railway bridge in ‘garish’ blue and yellow Credit: SWNS
Councillor George Crivelli said the paintwork was ‘a bit too bright’ and ‘not in keeping’ with the area Credit: SWNS
This included ‘pigeon-proofing’ the metalwork and redoing the paintwork.
But residents in the area have compared the council’s bold choice of colours to the logo of furniture company IKEA.
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Emma, who has lived in Putney for eight years, says she considers the new colours to be “out of character” with the area, compared to the previous muted red.
The 38-year-old said: “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.
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“It’s all just become a bit of a running joke amongst everyone in terms of the IKEA bridge.”
Council officers claim the paintwork on the bridges – which are owned by Network Rail – had been carried out according to a specification recommended by the local council.
Conservative ward councillor and cabinet member for children George Crivelli said: “I think it’s a bit too bright, and not in keeping with the local area.
“My main concern about it was that, in effect, one councillor has decided the colour scheme on it.
“What I would have liked was that we actually maybe consulted local residents on it.”
He said that this would have allowed the community to find something more “in keeping” with the neighbourhood.
George added: “I’m very pleased to see the bridge being repainted, and I’m very pleased to see it being cleaned up, but a lot of people think it’s a bit garish, and I have to say I’m inclined to agree on that.
“People call it the IKEA bridge, I’ve heard people say it looks like an IKEA bridge.
“The only positive thing about those bright colours is that I suppose it will fade over time, won’t it?”
A senior transport planner at the council responded to angry backlash last month, confirming there were “no plans to revise the design”.
They claimed that the number of negative remarks were “relatively few” given the population of the area and number of station users.
Wandsworth Council has been contacted for comment.
