Local news
Looking After Drains and Ditches
One of our Members, David Rush has kindly been keeping an eye on the ditch at Meadowsweet Close that the late Jane Bailey kept an eagle eye on, and was often to be seen cleaning out accumulated rubbish herself. In response to a letter on our behalf from David to Tom Sly, Flood Risk Management Engineer at the London Borough of Merton, we received the following response.
“I have made contact with L&Q directly and have requested that they raise a purchase order for their contractors, groundscapes, to undertake this work which is done annually at the end of the growing season. Following completion, I will undertake a site inspection to ensure it has been done appropriately”
However, Tom also urged us as an Association to remind residents both in Meadowsweet Close and importantly from 167 Grand Drive to 11 Westway, whose properties back onto the ditch that they must keep their back boundary fencing in good order and not put grass cuttings/litter over this fence as this may block the flow and cause a flood risk to properties.
Pavilion Club - September 2017
Pavilion Club Members raised £320.42 at a tea party for the Macmillan Cancer Fund held on Thursday 21st September 2017. This was over double the amount they made last year, and reflected the huge effort that was put in by everyone.
The organizers would like to extend their warmest thanks to all who came for tea and bought raffle tickets and cakes in support of this very worthwhile charity.
Community Forum - 14 Sept 2017
Flooding in Raynes Park Area
Carly Mason and Patrick Maher from Thames Water attended the forum to discuss residents’ concerns about flooding.
Chris Edge informed Thames Water that there are lots of issues with flooding in the area. He noted that there is a problem under the railway bridge, where the council has cleared gullies, which suggests that the pipe is not big enough to handle the flow of water. Patrick Maher explained that Thames Water have investigated and not found any issues; the pipe is large enough. The problem is that when there is heavy rain, it collects because of the land being basin shaped. It was agreed the problem would nonetheless be taken back to Thames Water for further consideration.
Chris Edge suggested that if major building works take place for Crossrail 2, perhaps Thames Water could undertake major sewer works at the same time, including perhaps implementing a soak-away if the sewers cannot handle all the rainwater. Thames Water agreed that such works would take place in conjunction with Crossrail 2 construction.
Thames Water is aware of flooding at PAG Ltd and Dundonald Church and are carrying out investigations into the problem.
Residents were reminded that flooding incidents should be reported every time they occur, so that Thames Water have a record of the problems.
A resident pointed out that the pump stations have failed and asked why Thames Water are not more proactive in such instances. Carly Mason agreed that the situation is unacceptable and apologized on behalf of Thames Water. Thames Water is adopting private pumping stations and is in the process of investigating and upgrading them: on Abbott Avenue the equipment is being upgraded; and Approach Road is under investigation.
Compensation can only be offered if there has been a failure in the service Thames Water provides, not for flooding from foul sewers. In such instances, Thames Water would provide a clean-up service.
A resident explained that drains along Clifton Park Avenue are blocked, but when this was reported to Thames Water, the response was that Thames Water would not clear the drains until flooding had occurred. Carly Mason apologized and undertook to report the issue so that it can be fixed.
Thames Water agreed to investigate regular flooding of the shops by Raynes Park Bridge.
Thames Water is holding discussions with the council to look at inlet gullies.
Edna Road is being investigated and further works are planned. A CCTV survey of Abbott Avenue was carried out after flooding occurred on 30th July. No structural issues were found. Worple Road, which is linked to the same problem, is being investigated.
Carly Mason reported that Dupont Road was heavily filled with silt this was cleared by 23rd June 2017.
Residents noted that Burlington Road is still flooding, despite works to rectify it.
West Wimbledon Primary School - Newsletters
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No Wheelies Please
From the No Wheelies Please - Merton Group
The results of two surveys (one borough wide, and the other by the Apostles Residents' Association) have indicated that over 90% of the respondents reject the Council's proposals for fortnightly waste collections (from October 2018) and the introduction of 68,000 wheelie bins across the borough.
The NO WHEELIES PLEASE - MERTON group, have instigated a non-party-political RESIDENTS' REFERENDUM to enable residents to make known their preferences for the frequency of dustbin waste collections, and for 80 litre, lidded, recycling bins in a uniform colour, instead of wheelies and open topped boxes. Thephotos on the website say it all! (but there's loads more info at- www.nowheeliesplease-merton.org.uk.
Having gathered the first thousand signatures, the group will be trying to secure face to face negotiations with the Council and Veolia Waste Management (who are taking over Merton's waste collection service this month).
Raynes Park Bereavement Service
The Raynes Park Bereavement Service was launched on Monday 24 November 2014.
The service provides free and confidential one to one support to people who have had a bereavement, recently or in the past.
This service is provided by volunteers who have been vetted, trainedand are supported by professional counsellors. It is being provided primarily for people living in the Raynes Park area, but it is open to requests from elsewhere. The service is managed by Christ Church, Raynes Park, and is open to people of all faiths and none.
The service is accessed by calling 07914 263420 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The volunteer will then arrange a meeting at Lambton Road Medical Practice for as many times as needed. (If someone is housebound arrangements will be made to see them in their own home.)
Merton's Scrapped Weekly Collections
Merton Scrapped Weekly Collection - FAQs
As you know Merton's council’s current administration is planning to scrap the weekly rubbish collection. Over 3500 people replied to the opposition parties’ survey, with 95% against the administration’s plans. Many of you asked for more detail, so here is an FAQ which prepared by opposition Councillors to help you understand more about these plans.
Postal Collections in Raynes Park
Whilst most of us use the post less than in the past, it may just be worth remembering where there is a later postal collection locally, should we need it at any time.Latest Postal Collections in London SW20 and Surrounding Area
Diesel Levy
From: John Elvidge (RP&WBRA)]
To: Councillor Stephen Alambritis
Date: 27th January 2017
Re: Diesel Levy
I write as Chairman of the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents' Association. I understand that the Council is proposing to bring in a levy on diesel vehicles as early as this April, with a surcharge for parking permits and business permits, that is likely to increase in future years. Please take this e-mail into account in reply to the public consultation that you are (belatedly) undertaking.
While I understand that modern research shows that such vehicles bring health issues, there does need to be a period of time for public education and during which people are able to change vehicles, otherwise the costs to them will be inordinate. Most people change their vehicles only every three years or so, and those who have recently bought such a vehicle will be heavily penalised, given the depreciation in value. If the proposal has merit, it should be introduced over a number of years. The proposal will also hit hardest those who are less well off, as they can ill afford to change their vehicle, simply to avoid extra costs.
Further, there seems little evidence of such bad air pollution in Merton that it is vital to introduce this scheme at such speed.
I trust that the Council will defer the introduction of the scheme at this time.
Please acknowledge receipt.
From: Cllr. Ross Garrod (LBM)
To: John Elvidge (RP&WBRA)
Cc: Cllr. Stephen Alambritis
Date: 27th January 2017
Re: Diesel Levy
Thank you for your email that has been passed to me as Cabinet Member responsible for the diesel levy. I have passed your response to the consultation to the Traffic and Highways team so that it can be considered. However, I must advise that it will be considered as an individual response and I would urge you to speak to members of your association to email the traffic and highways department directly should they wish to raise individual concerns about the levy. Please be reminded that the consultation concludes on 3rd February.
Just as a note of background - the proposed introduction of the Diesel Levy is to tackle the issue of air pollution in which the emissions from diesel cars contribute disproportionately. It is estimated that air pollution kills over 9,000 Londoners and will also have a significant impact on the health of many others. I am sure you would agree that this is alarming especially as those exposed to the pollutants would be unsuspecting residents. The issue of air pollution is a top priority for the Mayor of London as the air in particular parts of London is often in breach of regulated levels. This is line with the air quality tests we have undertaken in the borough.
As I am sure you will agree, there is a need to act to tackle this issue and as an authority we have a duty to our residents. The powers open to local authorities to dissuade the use of diesel cars are limited. In fact I would have much rather the Government bring in a scheme to incentivise the scrappage of such vehicles. However, they have consistently demonstrated a lack of willingness to act and in their absence I think as an authority we should do what we can to limit the impact and exposure of these poisonous substances impacting on the health of residents in the borough.
I appreciate the concerns you raise about the introduction being introduced over a number of years and this was raised at a scrutiny meeting by Councillors and as result we have proposed that the levy be introduced over a three year period. The first year will be set at the reduced amount of £90 and by year three it will be £150. This will afford residents two years to prepare before the full priced levy be applicable.
I hope that you have found my email to be helpful and once the consultation closes you will receive further communication from the Traffic and Highways team.
Merton's Top 10 Parking and Traffic Ticket Spots
(Courtesy Wimbledon Guardian)
- Hartfield Road bus lane camera, Wimbledon – 2,970 tickets
- Hartfield Road car park, Wimbledon – 2,605 tickets
- London Road bus lane camera, Mitcham (opposite Elmwood Road) – 2,338 tickets
- London Road bus lane camera, Mitcham (opposite Bond Road) – 2,282 tickets
- London Road bus lane camera, Mitcham (adjacent to Figge’s Marsh) – 1,959 tickets
- High Street, Wimbledon Village – 1,938 tickets
- Coombe Lane, Raynes Park – 1,394 tickets
- Russell Road, Wimbledon – 1,373 tickets
- Coombe Lane car park, Raynes Park – 1,159 tickets
- London Road bus lane, Mitcham (Armfield Crescent) – 1,100 tickets
Raynes Park High School Newsletters
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