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Staying Safe in South Wimbledon
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We hope you are keeping safe and well...
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We hope this update finds you well.
Covid-19 continues to affect the way in which we live our lives. As local councillors we are very proud of our community and how they've handled these challenging times. Please see our last update for examples of local inspiring campaigns and community-led services to donate to or get involved with.
As ever, please do get in touch with us if you need any advice or support.
Merton's Coronavirus website for updates on support and services: http://www.merton.gov.uk/coronavirus
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ |
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Tube Station Reopening Soon
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South Wimbledon Tube Station
After a long dialogue with TfL we have received information on the tube station's reopening:
"I am pleased to confirm that South Wimbledon station will be re-opening from Monday 17 August, Monday-Friday between 07:00 and 19:00.
I appreciate the inconvenience and disruption station closures like South Wimbledon has caused to constituents and local businesses. It is not something we do lightly, however, with front-line staff absence levels as high as a third during earlier parts of the coronavirus pandemic, closures were unfortunately inevitable.
As staffing levels have improved, we have been working hard to re-open stations as quickly as possible and are working to have as many of the 14 stations that are still closed reopen during August. While some stations, including South Wimbledon, will only be re-opening during core hours to begin with, normal hours will be resumed as soon as more staff become available."
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If you are out and about, why not use this summer to support some of our local businesses? They have been working hard to ensure that they can safely reopen. For example, Merton Abbey Mills has a number of al fresco dining options, perfect for summer. Deen City Farm is open again, but with restrictions on visitor numbers - book ahead if you can.
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Making our school streets safer
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School Streets
We are delighted that Transport for London is supporting Merton Council plans to deliver 28 "school streets" across the borough from the start of the new school term in September, including three in Abbey Ward - All Saints, Pelham and St Mary's.
"School streets" aim to deter car trips for the school run which is a major source of congestion and poor air quality outside many of our primary and secondary schools where walking and cycling should be the preferred mode of travel.
This means cars will be restricted during the school’s morning and afternoon school drop off and pick up times. During these periods, the road will be predominately ‘pedestrian and cycle only’ zone. Residents who live in the directly affected roads will be allowed access.
These are being enacted as emergency measures, but if successful we would hope to make them permanent. If you live nearby, you will be formally notified by the council about any consultation on permanent arrangements.
See more here.
Improvements to our cycling infrastructures
This is part of a number of measures that the council is enacting to make it easier for residents to walk and cycle across the borough. For example, TfL is looking at extending Cycle Superhighway 7 to Colliers Wood and putting in place light segregation, and the Council hopes to expand a segregated cycle path west to Haydons Road.
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New buildings proposed in our area
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YMCA: There have been plans to develop the YMCA eyesore for some time, with several rounds of consultation led by the owners. There has finally been a formal planning application submitted. We have been helping to let local residents know how to make representations. Formally, the deadline for views have passed but you can still contact the Planning team, and let us know your views. The plans are here.
We believe that they have worked hard to take on board residents' concerns with previous proposals, particularly regarding height and massing, and we recognise that the charity needs to develop the building, not least to improve the rooms it provides for single homeless people, which are currently not fit for purpose.
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Abbey Wall Works, Station Road: Following a rejection of a previous application to build on the site a 6 storey building, which where Cllr Stringer spoke to raise concerns from residents, an updated application for a 5 storey building was recently approved. A summary of the proposal is here.
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Eddie Catz site, Station Road. There is a "pre planning" application for a building on the site of Eddie Catz. At the moment, there is no publicly available information, but as councillors we have had early sight of some designs that we believe will need substantial working to become something appropriate for the area. We will let you know when we have further information.
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Merton currently has a number of consultations running - on everything from parks to housing. Do take a look here: https://consult.merton.gov.uk/
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We hope you enjoyed this update - please share with your friends so we can reach as much of the community as possible.
For anyone who isn't already subscribed you can do so here:
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We send out these regular updates as Councillors in South Wimbledon including information about what's on in your area, and how to get involved with various consultations or community activities.
Thanks for reading. Please tell us what you'd like more information about for next time.
The Council is updating residents about the ongoing situation through a new dedicated newsletter, we recommend you sign up for these updates.
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Do forward this email to any interested neighbours - they can sign up directly here. And do like our Facebook page for more regular updates.
Do please email or call us if there's anything else we can help with.
Our last newsletter is available to read here: May 2020
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