Cash Boost For South Wimbledon And Colliers Wood

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Council plans to create 'High Street' atmospheres

Parts of South Wimbledon and Colliers Wood are set to be transformed to create an improved 'High Street' atmosphere, thanks to a £3.7m grant.

The funds have come from the Greater London Authority's regeneration funds to affect areas hit by the street violence in August 2011.

The money, which has been granted after a bid by Merton Borough council, will be used to improve Colliers Wood town centre and Merton High Street in South Wimbledon as well as supporting businesses in the area.

Some of the funding will help transform Merantun Way into a boulevard with cycle lanes and footpaths, improving access from High Path and Merton High Street to the historic Abbey Mills and South Wimbledon Business Area. Shop fronts in Merton High Street will also be given a makeover.

In Colliers Wood, Christchurch Road will see improvements similar to those currently underway in Wimbledon town centre. The area will be cleared of unnecessary street signs and benefit from quality paving and street furniture. Also planned is a new town square for the area around the Brown & Root Tower, which is itself due to be transformed with cladding and turned into new homes for sale and rent.

Mitcham will also benefit, with £715,000 from the GLA's Outer London Fund, to be used by Future Merton, the council's regeneration team, to finance major improvements. It will go into refurbishing shop fronts, rejuvenating Mitcham Market and landscaping Fair Green. Funding will also go on revamping the public space in the town centre, including new street furniture and trees as well as improved pedestrian areas. The council will match selected projects in Mitcham, to bring the total investment to £1.37m over the next two years.

Councillor Andrew Judge (left), Cabinet member of environmental sustainability and regeneration, said: "I am pleased our proposals for improving Colliers Wood, South Wimbledon and Mitcham have received the backing of the Mayor's fund. In these difficult times we need to be ambitious for Merton's future. That is why we have developed comprehensive plans to improve our town centres and local neighbourhoods. What matters is the quality of the environment for people where they live and work. This combined funding, supplemented by the council's own money, will make a noticeable difference to Mitcham, Colliers Wood and South Wimbledon.”

Councillor Henry Nelless (right), the Conservatives' Regeneration Spokesman said: "This is great news for South Wimbledon, Colliers Wood and Mitcham. Along with our local Assembly Member, Richard Tracey, Merton Conservatives have consistently lobbied the Mayor for much needed funds to help regenerate these parts of the borough. I am delighted that Boris has clearly recognised what a real difference this money can make to local residents.

"What is important now is that the communities and businesses located in these areas have a real say in shaping the way in which this money is spent for the benefit of their local neighbourhood.

"Merton's previous Conservative administration invested considerable amounts to enhance the appearance of Mitcham town centre and this GLA funding will help build on our earlier improvements."

• Earlier this month the council published an ambitious list of potential development sites in Merton has been published as part of a strategy to regenerate the borough.

  The draft list of more than 60 suggested sites has been published in a major planning consultation being undertaken by Merton Borough council.

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January 17, 2012