Wimbledon Stadium / Plough Lane - Planning Application and Public Meeting
Last week, I again met with Galliard Homes and AFC Wimbledon. I raised a number of local concerns about transport, high density and the flooding risk. I have also written to the Environment Agency and have asked them what calculations they intend to undertake and what measures they will instigate to mitigate any flooding risk.
I await responses to my questions and will report further as I receive them.
In the meantime, a public consultation meeting has been arranged by Merton Council to give residents the opportunity to hear directly from Galliard Homes and AFC Wimbledon. If you would like to attend, the details are as follows:
Date: Wednesday 11 February 2015
Venue: Ricards Lodge School main hall, Lake Road, Wimbledon SW19 7HB
Time: 7pm-8.30pm
Save Merton Adult Education
After a very strong campaign by local residents, users of Merton Adult Education and some very thorough work behind the scenes by Conservative Education Spokesman, Cllr James Holmes, it appears that Merton Council may now be in the process of reviewing their original decision to close the service.
We wait to see full details of the new proposals, but I sincerely hope that the Council see sense and recognise that providing local adults with ongoing education opportunities is vital for both personal development and financial security.
Concurrently, I have applied to hold an Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons to highlight the case for saving Adult Education in Merton.
Crossrail 2
Last Thursday, I organised a meeting for local residents with TfL and Network Rail to discuss the safeguarding proposals for Crossrail 2. The meeting was incredibly popular and I am sorry if you were unable to make it inside the hall. Unfortunately, with short notice given by TFL, we were unable to secure a venue with larger capacity.
Prior to the meeting, I secured agreement to extend the consultation deadline. I am pleased that so many people got the chance to ask questions and make their points. I am also grateful to those that have also written to me since the meeting expressing both their support and concern.
During the meeting, it was explained that we were in the preliminary stages of the process and the broad parameters within which the line might pass were still being established. The results of the current consultation and any post-General Election spending review will inform the next stage. This will allow a final route to be drawn up and presented to local residents for consultation. At this stage I will organise a further public meeting so local residents can put questions to the route planners at both TfL and Network Rail.
Although the original consultation should have been sent to everyone within the 200m safeguarding limit (with an adequate time period in which to respond), I think it was clear that this process had not happened in an appropriate manner. Prior to the next stages, I will be speaking and writing to both TfL and Network Rail. I will ask them to ensure that residents get the right documentation, answered emails and dedicated telephone lines.
I attach a presentation of the slides that TfL and Network Rail intended to show last Thursday
Presentation-Wimbledon-Safeguarding.pdf
Motspur Park Traffic Consultation
If you live in the Motspur Park area then you may have recently seen the following notice::
LONDON BOROUGH OF MERTON
WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTION (AMENDMENT NO.) ORDER20**
Unfortunately, the Council have wrongly advertised these Orders. However, I am pleased to say that your local Conservative Councillors, Gilli and Brian Lewis Lavendar were on the case immediately. After their intervention, the consultation will be extended to 27th Feb and the Council will be writing to local residents. The wrong notices will be taken down and replaced and Gilli and Brian will be organising a local meeting shortly.
Haydons Road Post Office
You may be aware that Haydons Road Post Office is to close. However, together with local Conservative Councillor Abdul Latif, we have secured a new location for post office functions within the current shop at 256 Haydons Road. Further details will follow shortly.
Wimbledon Safer Streets Campaign
I am happy to report that consultations and investigations into safer local crossings will be carried out in the new financial year. Following my interventions with Wimbledon Park councillors, Oonagh Moulton, Janice Howard and Linda Taylor, we have finally got Merton Council to back our proposal for a safer crossing and a green man phase at the Arthur Road & Durnsford Road junction.
Whilst the final decision will lie with TfL, I hope residents will back the proposals during the investigation phase.
Freedom Pass Reminder
Those whose Freedom Pass expires at the end of March are urged to renew online as soon as possible, to ensure they receive their new pass before their current one expires. Letters have been sent to more than 860,000 older persons’ pass holders across London, with details on how to go about this.
Merton Civic Awards
In Wimbledon, and across Merton, there are many people who who make outstanding contributions to the local area and go out of their way to help others. Often this is without public recognition. If you know of someone like this, why don’t you nominate for a ‘Merton Civic Award’?
There are a total of nine categories, including the ‘Young Person’s Outstanding Achievement Award’ and the ‘Volunteer Award’. To find out more visit http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/mertoncivicawards/
Supporting my General Election Campaign
On 7th May, the UK will be voting in the most important General Election for decades. There are many ways you can help my campaign and support the Conservatives in 2015. If you are able to help with efforts such as delivering leaflets, canvassing or inputting data in the office please do get in touch by emailing me at [email protected]. Your support would be thoroughly appreciated.
Also please do follow me on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with my work locally and in Parliament.
With best wishes,
Stephen Hammond MP