Chairman's Blog - October 2025

OPEN MEETING AT WEST BARNES LIBRARY – 8 OCTOBER 2025 at 7:30 PM

We are holding an Open Meeting at West Barnes Library on Tuesday 8th October at 7.30 pm. Do come along! We hold this autumn meeting every year in Motspur Park. Last year we had a very good turnout of residents, who were able to discuss, among other matters, the installations of the lifts at the station. As those of you who live near the station are aware, there has been a delay, and we are pleased to confirm that Jack Wharton and a colleague will be in attendance. Light refreshments and drinks will be provided. It will be an opportunity to discuss a range of local issues and to raise and share concerns or ideas.

One of the potential causes of concern will be the likely planning application for housing on the site of the gas holders, which we reported on in the last edition of The Guide. Although the holders are in the borough of Kingston, any application will impact on the Merton side of the borough boundary.

We will also be discussing the celebrations to mark the Centenary of the station next year. We hope to have a range of interesting speakers. We look forward to welcoming you there.

VERGES ON CANNON HILL COMMON

A local resident in Parkway raised the fact that while the Common itself had been beautifully cut, the verges which face Parkway and Cannon Hill Lane have been left to grow wild and out of control. We reported this to the Council on its website, and we hope that long before you read this they will have been trimmed back, as used to happen regularly. The Council’s website allows anyone to complain about any kind of matter that needs attention. Complaints and demands for action can be made anonymously, if necessary. The Council responds with an email acknowledgment, and, sometimes, a positive response. 

John Elvidge