Local news
Grand Drive Update - October 2025
The resurfacing works along Grand Drive works were completed quickly in September 2024, through overnight working, and residents are already benefiting from reduced noise levels. Huge thanks to CONWAY for their efficiency! We took this photo at 11.08pm of a wayward vehicle getting caught up in the road closure – Conway stayed firm!
Meanwhile, as promised in the letter residents received from Ross Garrod, other monitoring measures are being installed in Grand Drive . Three of the above black boxes have been attached to lampposts. One has cables running across the road. They will be collecting more data on traffic flow. Altogether, a serious attempt to alleviate the existing problems and improve residents’ lives!
Helping Hedgehogs
Despite the declining numbers nationally, we are lucky that there are still hedgehogs in Raynes Park and West Barnes. They are present on Cannon Hill Common and also in some of our back gardens. Sadly, many people are only aware of hedgehogs when they are killed by cars, such as a young hoglet squashed recently in Linkway.
Hedgehogs are considered the gardener’s friend as they can help keep some of garden pests under control; the most important invertebrates in their diet are worms, beetles, slugs, caterpillars, earwigs and millipedes.
A few ways of helping our prickly neighbours Hedgehogs travel around one mile every night through our parks and gardens in their quest to find enough food and a mate, so create 'hedgehog highways' by simply cutting a hedgehog-sized hole (13x13cm) in your fences. Let at least some of your garden grow wild: rough grassland, scrub, hedges, shallow ponds, log piles and compost heaps all provide food and shelter. Keep your green areas green by avoiding paving, decking, and artificial lawns.
Please avoid using slug pellets – hedgehogs will eat the dead slugs and fall ill or die.
We can help by reporting all sightings (alive or dead) to: https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/. This website has lots of information on helping hedgehogs. At this time of year, some may need extra food, so that they are big enough to survive the hibernation period.
The RSPCA have lots of good advice if you find a hedgehog that looks ill: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/hedgehogs
Mary-Jane Jeanes
Traffic in Grand Drive - Update July 2024
In July 2024, residents in Grand Drive received further information from the Leader of Merton Council, as follows:
The London Lorry Control Scheme
The LLC is aware that Grand Drive is often used as a shortcut from the A3 to Wimbledon, Morden and Sutton. 35 penalty notices have been issued to HGVs operating outside the terms of the LLC Scheme in respect of:
- Vehicles over 18 tonnes
- Enforcement hours, Mon – Sat morning, 9.00pm – 7.00am.
- Vehicles on unpermitted routes..
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
The Leader has asked London Councils for Grand Drive to be included in the forthcoming ANPR enforcement scheme.
Road Safety
The council has identified two possible locations where a zebra crossing might be added as part of scheduled highways works.
Merton Council will carry out more traffic and pedestrian monitoring, especially during term-time, before any decision is made in respect of the possible crossings.
Queries on the above should be addressed to : Councillor Ross Garrod, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 020 8545 3424
Our Local Shops
One of our members, Rosemary, always an ardent supporter of local causes, shows that there is no need to travel into other areas to buy gifts and cards. Most residents are already aware of the amazing choice of cafes and restaurants available to us, but this selection of shop windows is an invitation to browse and appreciate the variety of small shops in the neighbourhood. This selection of photos celebrates the small shops in the Raynes Park area, all thanks to Rosemary.
Motspur Park Stn - May 2024
We have recently received the latest news update from Network Rail on their progress with "Access for All". Click Here
Fix My Street
Information and advice from one of our Road Stewards
I was walking the dog at around 8.45pm when I noticed our street sign had been tagged. On returning home, I reported it using the FixMyStreet.com website, and was amazed to receive an update at 8am telling me it had been cleaned off!
I’ve also used it to report fly-tipping by the green at Motspur Park/West Barnes Lane, and on the street at Blakes Terrace and Byron Avenue, each time collected within 24 hours.
I’m so impressed by the process, and I think it’s important to not only acknowledge when Merton does well, but also to share that it really is worth reporting even the small things.
We all want our neighbourhoods to look their best. If I hadn’t reported it, the graffiti might have been there for far longer. I encourage all residents to enable the maintenance crew to address streetscape issues by using the website or app whenever you spot something amiss, so that it’s on their radar and can be prioritised.
London Buses - Superloop
October 2023
A member has drawn our attention to a cheap, convenient way to get to Hatton Cross Underground and Heathrow Airport. The SL7 can be boarded at the 131 bus stop at The Fountain, opposite the Environmental Centre, New Malden.
The SL7 is an updated version of the X26 green line, with frequency doubled and low fares maintained.
http://www.londonbusroutes.net/times/SL07.htm
The Superloop is a huge TfL development of express bus services, which forms part of the Mayor’s commitment to improving the bus services in outer London. There will eventually be ten routes, with four already in operation, two more to begin this year, another three in 2024 and the final one in 2025. When complete it will circle the entire capital, connecting key town centres, stations & transport hubs.
All valid concessionary fares apply, e.g., freedom passes.
Meanwhile a recent bus journey on an old style “boneshaker” railway replacement bus reminded us how fortunate we are to have the new, wonderfully smooth, quiet 163 buses transporting us to Wimbledon and Morden.