Chairman's Blog - November 2024
RESIDENTS’ AUTUMN OPEN MEETING
We held a very lively and informative Open meeting at West Barnes Library on 8th October. The meeting was packed despite heavy rain.
We heard three representatives of Network Rail tell us about the progress of the accessibility work on Motspur Park station and, with Toby Ewin, we discussed the plans for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the station on 12th July next year. Potential proposals for housing on the site of the gas holders on the Kingston side of the borough boundary were mentioned.
There was criticism of plans to put in more double yellow lines in various roads, and the Leader of the Council, Ross Garrod, was there to listen to these and other concerns. We also raised a toast to Diane Jones who has sadly passed away. She was a former member of the Committee and a long serving Road Steward.
PARKING AT RAYNES PARK STATION
Another issue raised was the inability of cars to stop briefly at Raynes Park station to drop people off or pick them up. This causes major difficulties for passengers with disabilities, or young children, or anyone with heavy luggage. This is despite the clear intention to provide room for cars to do so. Instead, many cars appear to use the spaces to park all day and no enforcement action is taken.
Jerry Cuthbert was able to give the background to the problem. The extensive industrial estate beyond the arch and the access road is owned by the same company right back to the public highway. Some years ago, planning permission was granted for redevelopment of the industrial estate, with a combination of both new homes and new industrial units. This planning permission included a requirement for the new “Kiss and Ride” area at the Station. Whilst much has already been done to improve the area outside the station, the whole project is still only partially completed.
However, as the new (but still only partially completed) “Kiss and Ride” area is on private land, the onus is on the owner to enforce parking controls. Despite pressure from residents’ and business associations, it seems that the company has no interest in enforcing any parking controls. The Council cannot do so, since it is not land in public ownership.
John Elvidge, Chairman
