Yesterday we got some great news on our campaign to have a 20 MPH zone and increase road safety in our streets. The Council have told us that the recent consultation showed that there is huge support from residents in Balham and Tooting Bec, and they are proposing that this will be agreed. Lots of residents will remember us asking if they would be interested in signing the petition for this – and this big change is the result so we’re really pleased that we’ve been able to listen to the Community on an issue that matters to a lot of people, and get action from the Council as a result. Big thanks for all the support of our local MP, Sadiq Khan, and of the Councillors in Furzedown where there will also be a new 20 MPH zone.
What would it mean? 
Not only will there be a 20 MPH speed limit in the streets off the main road, but there will be other measures to increase road safety. Even better, at the same time money from Transport for London will be used to improve the condition of all the roads in the zone. This will mean one of the most significant investments in our ward in recent times.
What happens next? This needs to be agreed by the Wandsworth Council Community Service Committee which meets on 25th September. I’m on the committee so no surprises which way I’ll be voting, and I hope the other members agree.
Plans to upgrade the sports pitch at the Triangle – what do you think?
During the summer the Council announced plans to lease off the youth centre and football pitch on the Common for 25 years. The leaseholder would upgrade the very run down and hardly used pitch, improve the floodlights and use the youth centre as changing rooms. As this happened over the summer and is controversial in several ways, I wrote to ask for a longer time for consultation and the Council have agreed to extend until the end of the month. The controversial aspects are the Boxing Club being asked to leave their current home, the plans to extend the size of the football pitch by 25% to enable two 7-a-side pitches next to each other and taking up more of the common land, the potential disturbance of local residents from the lights and from extra people parking nearby. Comments can be emailed to HCSDirectorate@wandsworth.gov.uk or put in writing and addressed to The Director of Housing and Community Services 17-27 Garratt Lane London SW18 4AE.
Do let Rosena and I know your views too. More information here.
The Tooting Common White Line Debate – inquiry later this month
There is a national public enquiry into the issue of whether there should be a white line segregating the pedestrian and cycling sides of the path across the common. I think that cyclists will go more slowly if there isn’t a line and neither side feels it is ‘my side’ when in reality small children and dogs go between both sides so its not safe. The enquiry is happening at 10am on Tuesday September 30th in the Town Hall, and you can write in with your views and/or ask to speak to the enquiry: National Transport Casework Team, Tyneside House, Skinnerburn Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7AR quoting reference NATTRAN/L/CT/12
4 responses to “Good news on the 20 MPH zone, and your views on Tooting Common”
A Large part of the problem is the paths are too narrow why not turn the path into walking only and provide a wide separate cycle only route. This way you reduce conflict without rendering the route less usable by each. Removing the line will not reduce conflict between walkers and cyclists it may well increase it as people will not be aware of where they should be.
I cycle through Tooting Bec Common every day. It’s the highlight of my 8 mile commute and as such I’m keen that people respect the route.
Whilst I understand the thinking about removing the white line, it does help to make it easier for peds and cyclists to find a safe, consistent side to walk. I would urge you to keep it. Or perhaps have a dotted line, suggesting it’s permeable.
Cyclists should not assume that the line gives them the right to speed and ride dangerously, that is unreasonable. However, getting rid of the lines is likely to lead to confusion and conflict.
Thanks.
Regarding the consultation, which seems to be controversial and will be helped by residents’ responses, I checked with the organisers and signed, scanned letters can be sent by email to nationalcasework@dft.gsi.gov.uk. So no need to actually send it by mail.
Sorry for those whose comments were trapped in moderation – all have now been posted.