Local news

RPWBRA Open Meeting - 8 October 2024

Many thanks to all those members who were able to join us for an excellent Open Meeting held at West Barnes Library on Tuesday 8^th October 2024.

INVITED GUESTS

Councillor Ross Garrod, Leader of Merton Council,

Jack Wharton, Senior Public Affairs Manager, Network Rail Southern

Ian Alberto, Scheme Project Manager, Network Rail Southern

Omar Megbele, Commercial Scheme Sponsor

Our Chairman, John Elvidge, opened the meeting and thanked everyone for turning out on such a rainy evening!

He was pleased to welcome the Leader of the Council and three representatives from Network Rail Southern.

MOTSPUR PARK STATION "ACCESS FOR ALL"

Jack Wharton thanked residents for their patience regarding the delays that had been experienced and assured them that the scheme was very nearly completed. He said that the Motspur Park residents had been a wonderful community to serve, and that working with local people had been a privilege.

Ian Alberto explained that it was vital to undertake a rigorous testing schedule, and that some “juddering” in one of the lifts had been detected.

As some of the components were made in Italy, a last-minute delay had been inevitable. However, he was confident that in November, there would be three working lifts!

Omar Megbele reminded residents that despite the general cooperation of local people during the works, a small minority of passengers had put themselves and others in jeopardy by walking along the tracks to avoid a small detour via Claremont during the process. This had led to safety issues, so an additional £310,000 had to be sourced to enable a temporary bridge to be installed. At all times, residents’ safety had been at the heart of the process

QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Following the presentations, the chair invited questions. Residents requested clarity about various issues:

The NRS representatives explained that they were addressing the issues that were within their remit.

A question was asked about the station roofing, which looked somewhat shabby compared to the new build, and Jack Wharton explained, that whilst he understood the concern, funding was complicated.

A member asked if the great improvements taking place at Motspur Park would be followed by a similar programme at Raynes Park, and the Manager said he was waiting for further information from the Department of Transport.

Other matters raised were: 

·         siting of card machines on the platforms

·         accuracy of notice boards

·         bike storage

·         seating on the platforms

·         disposal of building materials 

The RPWBRA committee members took note of all the concerns raised,

John Elvidge thanked Jack Wharton and his colleagues for liaising so effectively with the local community and looked forward to the Grand Opening Ceremony. 

MOTSPUR PARK STATION – 100 YEARS CELEBRATION- 12 JULY 2025

Local historian, Toby Ewin, then gave a fascinating presentation about the history of Motspur Park Station. He is the driving force behind the plans for the centenary celebration on Saturday 12 July 2025.  

Toby had produced a helpful handout listing organisations and individuals already involved or to be approached, some planned aspects and some additional possibilities. 

OTHER LOCAL MATTERS RAISED

Although there was a major emphasis on the station, Dick Coleman spoke briefly about the rumours abounding regarding possible plans for the iconic gas holders sited just on the Kingston side of the borough boundaries. 

It was noted that Sarah McAlister’s bold, intriguing work for her MA presentation, featuring her interpretation of the gas holders was already on display in the foyer. 

Jerry Cuthbert clarified the situation regarding the “Kiss and Ride” near Raynes Park Station, explaining that it was private land. 

Simon Hillson was introduced as the new Treasurer and welcomed to his first open meeting at WB Library. 

During the meeting, concerns were raised about parking in Tennyson Avenue, particularly when Kings College were using their school sports field. 

Borough-wide proposed council plans (WR2024B1) for double yellow lines in Blenheim Road (amongst others) were criticised by Garry Hunt as inappropriate. The lack of meaningful consultation was also raised. 

The Chair then invited the Leader of the Council to respond to some of the issues raised in the meeting. 

Councillor Ross Garrod had taken notes of the concerns raised and he explained he would take back the various issues raised by residents to discuss with the relevant councillors.

He has since notified us of his findings on some of the issues. 

The Gas Holders

 Merton’s Planning team will be consulted by the Royal Borough of Kingston if/when an application is made. This is because of the site’s proximity to the Merton boundary. 

Rainbow Estate “Kiss and Ride” 

LBM Building Control are looking at the original planning conditions to establish whether the completion of the scheme can be enforced at this stage or if not, at what stage in the development this is triggered. 

Blenheim Road/Close proposed double yellow lines 

A site meeting will be arranged in November following the closing of the consultation and before any decisions are taken. 

Zebra Crossing: West Barnes Lane/Station Road 

FM Conway (Council Contractor) will re-mark the crossing by the end of the month, weather permitting. 

Report by Clare Townsend, RPWBRA Hon Secretary

London Buses - Superloop

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!

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.

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

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.