Local news

Friends of West Barnes Library - Update for 2012

Target: 250 more active users

The term ‘active users’ means library members who have taken out a book, DVD or talking book, or logged in the People’s Network, in the present financial year. The Friends group aims to encourage 250 more active users of the library before the end of March this year. So please help us reach that target: if you or other family members, neighbours or local friends have library cards you haven’t used for a long time, everyone can do their bit to help save West Barnes Library. Use It, or you may Lose It. 

Do you enjoy walking?

We need some helpers to assist with delivery of our Winter Newsletter to Friends members’ homes later this month. If you would be able to help out by in a few roads near where you live, please email us back as soon as possible to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Merton library users gain access to six million borrowable items

Last month, Merton become the 15th member of the London Libraries Consortium (LLC), offering the borough’s library users access to six million items across the member authorities through the shared library catalogue, a brand new website and online catalogue. The new catalogue is one of the biggest in the country and includes access to some of the largest community language collections in London. One membership card can be used to borrow items from and return them to any of the 15 boroughs in the consortium. From this month, all users will be able to renew books and make basic enquiries via a dedicated 24-hour phone line. 

Merton libraries’ new web portal, Arena, offers users across the borough’s seven libraries and from any internet-enabled computer a more intuitive and interactive experience than traditional library catalogue searching. You can now read book reviews by other library users, or comment yourself on what you’ve read – similar to Amazon’s website. You can search the catalogue and log-in here.

Read on for information about upcoming library events.

Read more: Friends of West Barnes Library - Update for 2012

Using TfL's Bus 'Countdown' service online (or on smartphones)

TfL has now launched a live bus tracker system, which is available online or through an SMS text service from your mobile phone.   You can use this across London and it is updated minute-by-minute. 

WEB AND SMARTPHONE UPDATES:  To access the information from any web-connected computer or your smartphone while you're out and about, simply navigate to this link and search for your stop.  For example, you can type your home postcode to see the stops closest to your home address, select the ones of interest (you can also filter by routes to view the route you use) and then click "add to my stops" to view them in future.  You can then access an instant real-time update at any time for all of these stops by returning to the website.

TEXT UPDATES:  Simply send a text to 87287 with your bus stop code and you will receive a reply with real time bus arrival times for that stop.  The bus stop code is a black, five-digit number on a sign above the timetable.  Texts cost the standard network rate, plus a 12p charge to receive the response for UK mobiles. 

There is a video and further information about the service here on the TfL website.

Good news for the Freedom Pass

Good News for Freedom Pass holders: rail deal struck

London boroughs have committed themselves to the Freedom Pass, a cherished service for older and disabled Londoners, despite massive government cuts and reductions in transport funding from Transport for London.

London Councils has struck a deal for Freedom Pass holders to continue to be able to use their cards on London train services for the next four years.

The Freedom Pass, paid for by London's boroughs, is the most comprehensive concessionary fares scheme in the country. It allows older Londoners plus eligible disabled residents to travel free on the capital's buses, trains, London Underground, trams, and the Docklands Light Railway as well as local buses across the country.

London Councils has negotiated a four-year deal with the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) for the cost of Freedom Passes being used on national rail services in London for the next four financial years from 2011/12 to 2014/15.

In 2011/12 the amount boroughs pay to the train operating companies will be £17.9million. In the three subsequent financial years the settlement will increase by the retail price index plus 1.75 per cent which will be less than the likely fares increases.

London boroughs have paid for the Freedom Pass, run on their behalf by London Councils, for more than 20 years and have invested more than £3billion into the scheme during that time.

Chair of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee, Councillor Catherine West said: "We have driven a hard bargain with the Association of Train Operating Companies to secure the best possible deal which guarantees concessionary travel on the railways in London for the next four years

"The Freedom Pass, paid for by London's boroughs, is the most comprehensive concessionary travel scheme in the country.

Waitrose now open in Raynes Park!

The much-anticipated Waitrose store in Raynes Park opened on 7th April 2011.