Melrose Avenue - Wimbledon Park Review of existing contra-flow cycle lane

Merton Council are proposing to change the existing cycle lane layout on Melrose Avenue. They are proposing:

• to remove the existing cycle lane except for the section of the cycle lane from Arthur Road for a distance of 27 metres. 
• With the removal of some of the physical features, the residents will be gaining additional parking spaces. It is important to note that although the cycle lane is being removed the actual cycle contra flow will be maintained on Melrose Avenue and the appropriate signage and road markings will be installed to inform motorists. 
• The Council is also proposing to introduce a speed table near its junction with Melrose Avenue/Ryfold Road. This will include a buildout to accommodate a ‘No Entry” sign and a tree. A further buildout is also proposed adjacent to 151/153 Arthur Road although this will have no impact on parking. The introduction of the speed table, the additional parking bays and the changes to the contra-flow cycle lane require a statutory consultation. 

You can read Merton's proposals and view a plan of the changes by reading the newsletter distributed to residents. Or you can review hard copies at the Merton Civic Centre or Wimbledon Library.

The consultation is open until 22nd March 2019, and can be submitted by emailing Traffic.AndHighways@merton.gov.uk quoting reference Melrose Avenue Cycle Lane.

MCC are considering the proposals and will submit a consultation response.

MCC comments on Future Wimbledon Master Plan

Merton Borough Council have prepared the Future Wimbledon Masterplan to create a long-term vision for the future of development of Wimbledon town centre.

MCC believe that if the multi-modal reputation of Wimbledon is to be maintained it is necessary for the Masterplan to integrate cycling infrastructure effectively, including cycle hire provision and charging points for electric bicycles/mobility scooters within developments and on the streets. You can read our response to the Future Wimbledon Masterplan here, and our comments on the Transport section of the Draft Local Plan here.

TfL Consulting on Sutton Link until 6 January 2018

TfL are consulting on a proposed new transport link between Sutton and Merton called the Sutton Link. They are seeking views on three route options and whether a tram or Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) service would provide the best service.

We broadly welcome improvements to the public transport in Merton and the neighbouring boroughs as it reduces car use and improves air quality. We'll be pushing to ensure that the proposals don't negatively impact on cycle routes, that the proposed stations and stops have good cycling and walking routes to them and that the space for the final scheme comes from private car lanes, not cycling space. If the tram is the eventually chosen then any places where cyclists cross the tracks must be well designed with the latest materials to avoid tramlining incidents.

MCC will be submitting a response to the consultation and would love to hear your views to feed into our response. Let us know what you think by: 

• Going to CycleSpace and comment on the proposals
• Commenting below 
• Emailing hello@mertoncyclingcampaign.org.uk 

Or you can complete TfL's online survey by Sunday 6 January 2019 www.tfl.gov.uk/sutton-link

Wimbledon Quietway

The Wimbledon Town Centre to Plough Lane section of the London Quietway network is currently being planned for delivery in 2016. The work is at an early stage, and will continue to change before formal public consultation.

This article takes a look at the current configuration of Merton Councils planned route, along with an alternative route in order to examine the problems and benefits of each. The Merton Cycling Campaign have not yet taken a position on its preference, and would welcome comments from anyone interested in this important project.

The New London Quietways

The London Quietway network was first announced in the Mayor's Vision for Cycling published in 2013. Intended to compliment the high capacity Superhighways, the Quietways would be designed for those wanting a more relaxed journey on low-traffic side streets.

The Mayor declared the following objectives for these new routes:

• They will be direct.
• They will be better-surfaced.
• They will be clearly signed.
• Each route will be delivered as a whole, not piecemeal.
• They will not give up at the difficult places.
• Barriers and ‘Cyclists Dismount’ signs will be removed as far as possible.
• Where directness demands the Quietway briefly join a main road, full segregation and direct crossing points will be provided, wherever possible, on that stretch.
• We will use judicious capital investment to overcome barriers (such as railway lines) which are often currently only crossed by extremely busy main roads. Subject to funding, land and planning issues, we will build new cycling and pedestrian bridges across such barriers to link up Quietway side-street routes.

The Raynes Park to Wimbledon Town Centre Cycle Route

MCC member Harry Cole takes a closer look at one of Merton's present day cycle routes.

With the news that Kingston Council have had a public exhibition of their plan for a Cycle Path from New Malden Station to the Car Park at the Raynes Park Social Club, and are apparently keen to press ahead with the construction phase, I decided to take a critical look at the existing path it will connect to from Raynes Park Station to Wimbledon station.

This is a shared path throughout its length, except for the short sections at Wyke Road and Alt Grove before it joins St George's Road in Wimbledon. It is a generally good quality Tarmac surface with the railway fence on one side, and the rear fences of properties along the other. The railway fence is a good quality one, more than can be said for many on the other side with are generally in poor repair and covered in graffiti. There are lampposts along the whole length, though I imagine that in the dark it might seem rather unsafe.

My main concerns are the crossings by the Raynes Park and the Lower Downs Road tunnels, the variable width in places, and the ending of the path in Wimbledon.

Wimbledon Town Centre Gyratory

TFL's relationship with Merton is described as a "partnership" by TFL's Commissioner Hendy. What might have been a Mini-Holland cycling partnership, is now a Local Implementation Plan (LIP) partnership to improve Wimbledon Town Centre. In 2015-2016 this means £200,000 towards improving cycling conditions in Wimbledon Town Centre, to include "identifying" how the gyratory can be madesafer and easier for cyclists and pedestrians.

• Newham have £1m to remove Stratford gyratory.
• Haringey have £1m for green spaces and 20mph zones.
• Hammersmith & Fulham have £0.6m for cycling improvements and 20mph zones.
• What will Merton make of their £0.2m?

The Mini Holland proposals for the Town Centre appear to have bitten the dust as the "partnership" seems intent on a gyratory, but with "safe" gyrations, and the funds are to include "identifying" how. Which sounds like another expensive report and little else…

…BUT WAIT…Merton Voluntary Service to the rescue, they headlined this as
"Merton set to make cycling provision reality'

They proudly herald TfL's 2015-2016 allocation and state that: "the Council will look at the best ways to spend this funding to make cycling as safe and convenient for everyone, including children and families, as it is in the Netherlands". So that's alright.

Hugh Morgan