MCC comments on Transport Chapter of Merton Draft Local Plan

Merton Cycle Campaign (MCC) is the local group of the London Cycle Campaign. MCC promotes cycling and seeks to make Merton’s streets better and more pleasant places, for the benefit of individuals, local communities and the wider environment by raising awareness of cycling issues, campaigning to improve conditions for cycling and providing a range of services for our members.

Pedalling the Bounds

On 7th January a small, but perfectly formed, group of Merton cyclists set off to pedal the boundary of Merton, all 36.9km of it! Thanks to Chris and David's excellent route-planning we took in the borough in all of it's wonderful diversity, from the hilly heights of Wimbledon Park to the wonder of a horse yard, to the river Wandle and back roads and cycle routes we didn't know existed!

MCC comments on Draft Merton Local Plan

MCC has submitted our response to Merton's consultation on the Local Plan 2020, closing 6 January 2018. Commenting on the Draft Local Plan in relation to cycling, active transport and healthy streets has been hampered by the fact that the online consultation draft of the Infrastructure Chapter (which was stated as incorporating Transport policies) was not correctly published to the Merton website, a fact that MCC drew to the attention of the Council. You can read our submission here.

Merton Council quickly offered an extension to the deadline, however we are particularly concerned that this crucial chapter has not been available to residents, local groups and businesses to review and comment on for the full consultation period as Strategic Objective 5 of the Plan aims to  ‘make Merton a well-connected and accessible place where walking, cycling and public transport are the modes of choice when planning all journeys” by “creating streets and routes that encourage the use of cycling, walking and other modes of sustainable travel’. 

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.

Join us for our Winter Warmer Ride 6 January 2019

Join us on Sunday 6th January for cycle tour of the borough and a sociable lunch.  We'll be meeting outside The Sultan at 10.30 and sticking as closely as possible to the Borough boundary, taking in West Tooting, Mitcham, the edge of New Malden, The Common*, The Village and The Wandle.

It's 17 miles all the way round, with the pace set to 'leisurely' (if you're a racer, wrap up warm).  We'll finish at The Sultan, where we'll have lunch and a beer.

Meet: 10:30 on 6 January, The Sultan, 78 Norman Rd, London SW19 1BT

Things to bring

• You
• Your bike
• Maintenance kit (including spare inner tube)
• Something to drink
• Something to eat (optional - it's really not that long)
• Warm clothes
• A waterproof

*If you don't like mud, there'll be an on-road detour, rejoining the main ride in The Village.

Have your say on the Merton Local Plan before 6 January 2019

Merton Council are consulting on their new Local Plan 2020, which will be used as the basis for planning decisions in the future. Planning decisions are one of the ways in which cycling policies are put into practice, so it's really important that the Local Plan incorporates strong commitments to cycling and active transport.

MCC will be submitting a response to the Draft Plan, and we would love to hear your views to incorporate into our response. Comment below, or on Cycle Scape or email hello@mertoncyclingcampaign.org.uk 

Find out more at merton.gov.uk/newlocalplan  - the draft Cycling policy is set out in the Infrastructure section, and you can also find out how to submit your individual comments or view hard copies of the documents. (The Plan also covers policy on housing, design, schools, healthcare, streets, travel, utilities, waste, open space, playspace, air quality and the economy, so you may find you have lots of things you want to comment on!)

Copies of the full document are also available to read at the Colliers Wood, Mitcham, Morden, Raynes Park and Wimbledon libraries. 

For more information please email Merton Council at future.merton@merton.gov.uk or phone at 020 8545 3837

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