A delayed report into why Mitcham's Bishopsford Road Bridge collapsed will now not be published until next year.

In April work began on strengthening the bridge over the River Wandle, which borders Sutton and Merton. But on June 10 the river flooded causing a series of unfortunate events.

Four days later the northern arch of the bridge partially collapsed, breaking gas, water, electricity and broadband mains.

It is not clear how long it will take for the bridge to reopen and an independent report into why it collapsed has still not been published.

Conservative opposition councillor David Dean said he thinks there has been a lack of urgency from the ruling Labour group in getting the bridge repaired and the report published.

He said: “We haven’t seen a report that explains why it happened and what they are going to do about it.

“The report should have been published by now. There does not seem to be any urgency.”

The southern arch of the bridge was unaffected but the central arch also suffered minor damage.

Repairs of the bridge will be carried out by contractor FM Conway and Merton Council said it is working to manage the flood risk while work goes in.

A time-scale for the construction will only be known when the independent report is completed, the council said this will be ‘in the new year’.

Merton Council’s director of environment a​nd regeneration, Chris Lee, said: “We know that residents are concerned about how the work at Bishopsford Road Bridge may affect their day-to-day lives, and we are taking every possible step to minimise any disruption.

“It’s also very important that we manage flood risk during the works and in the future, that’s why we’re working in consultation with the Environment Agency about the future permanent design solution.”

‘Keeping Ravensbury connected’.

The works and uncertainty have caused disruption to those living in the area.

So the council and TfL have announced that an additional bus service will run in the area to “keep Ravensbury connected” to the tube station while route 118 is on diversion.

From Saturday (November 30) The 718 will run between Morden Station and Rose Hill Roundabout via London Road, Morden Road, Wandle Road and Bishopsford Road.

The new 718 route will run  every half an hour from 5am-midnight.

It will stop at route 118 stops between Morden Tube Station and Wandle Road and all route 280 bus stops between Wandle Road and Rose Hill Roundabout.