Chair Cllr Hina Bokhari and Tony Edwards, on behalf of the Raynes Park Association

The meeting was held in Raynes Park Library and chaired by Councillor Hina Bokhari with Tony Edwards from the Raynes Park Association (RPA). 15 residents and 8 councillors attended with 93 additional views on YouTube. The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

an opportunity to raise any other issue of local interest not covered elsewhere on the agenda.    Kindly email your request 24 hours in advance of the meeting to:Tony.Edwards@placedp.com

Cllr Flack said that following a meeting Network Rail (NR) and South Western Railway (SWR), they will be putting in a bid by mid-July for step free access at Raynes Park Station. The bid will be for a lift from platform 1/2 to access platform 3/4. Whilst this is not an ideal solution it will be a significant improvement. A decision on the bid should be made by spring 2023, but construction would not be completed until 2029. Cllr Willis said that support from community helps with the approval process.

Cllr Willis said that accommodation has been found for the two people who had been sleeping in Raynes Park tunnel. Residents can report anyone sleeping rough to StreetLink or by calling call 020 8274 4901 so that they can be assessed for support services. There is also an emergency out of hours line available which is 020 8543 9750. 

Cllr Willis said people have been sleeping on the vacant Manuplastics site and fly-tipping had occurred. Cllr Willis had spoken to the owners who said the fly tip will be removed over the next couple of weeks. The owners had appealed against a planning rejection and been successful in a scheme for 120 flats, but they will also be applying for a self-storage facility on the site.

Cllr Wilson said Clarion Housing will be carrying out an inspection on the local estates on 19 July. Trinity Place, near Waitrose, has been in a mess for some time, the managing agent has done a site visit and will be bringing in a contractor to make improvements. Tony Edwards said the RPA had some plans to improve the area but as it is private land it was not possible to access Community Infrastructure Levy.

PC Jonathan Donnellan ward officer for Raynes Park said that the team have a probation officer attached to the team for the next sixth months. PC Donnellan left contact details for the team; residents can email the team.

Stephen thanked the Councillors who were not re-elected and welcomed the new councillors. Stephen said he was keen to continue to work with local councillors and the RPA to continue the improvements in the area. Stephen said he was delighted to support the application for step-free access at Raynes Park station, as it is the most used station without step-free access on the South Western network. Stephen will be raising this issue with ministers.

Stephen has spoken to the Chief Executive of Workspace about the Kiss and drop area outside the station as it remains in use for long term parking instead of drop off point. Stephen said he also wants to see improved cycle space. Motspur Park step-free access development should happen in the next few years. The scheme for Wimbledon Chase site will include step-free access. Councillors will be visiting the site next week

AELTC planning application for Wimbledon Park is on land designated as Metropolitan Open Land and there is a legal covenant as well. Stephen said there are four major areas of contention: the closure of Church Road for an extended period; too many courts; too big show court: and the proposed new park has too many maintenance facilities meaning vehicle movements in a public park. The application is due to go to the Planning Application Committee in September, so it not too late to comment. To do so search for application number 21/P2900 on Merton Council’s Planning Explorer.

Stephen said he was pleased that the LESSA site application refused but important to stay vigilant.

Clarion have proved to not be the best social landlord so important to keep pressure on them and Merton Council. It was not good enough that they have not delivered improvements in time.

Stephen said he was pleased to see, and attend, so many street parties in Raynes Park and Wimbledon for the Queens Jubilee, showing lots of community spirit post-COVID.

Stephen said there has been an increasingly large Hong Kong community in Raynes Park, and this group is wanting to get more involved in the local community. It is likely some will want to get involved in local resident associations.

A resident asked about the current status of Crossrail 2. Stephen said that this was in ‘deep-freeze’ at the moment. He expected Network Rail to produce a final safeguarding list but it seems unlikely there will be any progress in next decade.

A resident said there were two other vacant sites opposite Manuplastics where developments have stalled and Stephen said he will follow up to find out who owners are.

Tony Edwards gave an update on behalf of Tom Sly, Flood Management Officer, at Merton Council.

• Repairs to gully connections and new highway drainage pipework was completed in April on Coombe Lane in Raynes Park town centre (Amity Grove to Lambton Rd section) by Merton Council. At the same time, Thames Water undertook jetting and cleansing of their surface water sewers in this part of the town centre under the Council’s traffic management.

• Merton are awaiting the outcome of our x3 surface water management bids to Thames Water – one of the bids includes a new SuDS raingarden feature outside the Shell Garage on Worple Rd.

• Merton are working closely with Thames Water, the Environment Agency and Network Rail on a flood risk feasibility study for Raynes Park. This first stage of this work is to undertake a detailed hydraulic model for the wider area, with the project partners. From the model, we will be able to produce a long list of options which provide the best benefits for flood risk reduction along with other deliverables such as improved amenity, water quality and biodiversity.

• Merton are working with Metis Consultants to complete formal flood risk investigations into the flooding that occurred last summer across the Raynes Park catchment. We will be undertaking a survey seeking feedback from residents and businesses to ensure all reports of flooding are captured. This survey will be on our website and the Council will issue comms on this, including via social media when available.

• There remains an issue with residents and businesses not reporting flooding from surface water sewers and foul sewers to Thames Water. For instance, if a manhole overflows and floods, this is a matter that should be reported to Thames Water. We encourage all to report flooding to Thames Water as this will affect future capital investment and remedial works by Thames Water. Thames Water’s telephone number to report flooding on is 0800 3169 800. The Thames Water sewer flooding questionnaire can be found here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=zb56VRQyu0-OUUFLaOu3ljewBCxI7CJHjCHCf31I76FUMEMwNkkxRVdIMEVVS1BPM0xZVVBTVjZFUi4u

• Residents can report blocked gullies directly on the Council’s website for priority clearance here: https://www.merton.gov.uk/streets-parking-transport/street-cleaning/drain-and-sewer-problems

• Residents at risk of flooding should all visit the National Flood Forum where they can find more information and guidance on what they can do to help manage their own flood risk and help using property level protection.

• There is information on the gov.uk website regarding steps to prepare to flooding here: Prepare for a flood

• For those residents who live adjacent to a main river they should also visit Owning a watercourse - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) to find out what responsibilities they may have if any. Any further queries relating to main rivers such as the Beverley Brook and Pyl Brook. Any queries on this should be directed to enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk and specify you live within the Environment Agency’s Kent and South London Area.

• The Council’s information on flood risk management is hosted on Merton’s website here: Flooding and rivers (merton.gov.uk)

Tony said the RPA keen to work with Merton Council and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

•           Web site for SME’s to sell themselves

•           Traffic and Pollution

•           Help with parking for businesses not even discussed in review

Merton Council has launched an app called Merton Local for local businesses to register and residents search for local shops and services.

Tony said the RPA was disappointed that the Repurposing the Hight Street Scrutiny report did not address parking and traffic issues; more imaginative use of parking could help local businesses.

RPA Project Manager, Elizabeth Lane

Elizabeth Lane from the RPA said after a long campaign NR are going to allow volunteers to access the embankment on the north side to clear the overgrowth. Will be creating a ‘Friends of Raynes Park’ to manage the volunteers to clear the site, plant the area and maintain it. The RPA has sent out messages to local resident associations for volunteers and are looking for 8-10 people to go through the health and safety training NR insist on. No date yet for the training and still need to sort out the insurance required. Stephen Hammond offered to help with getting NR to address the insurance issue. The RPA will also need to look at fundraising options and will be getting advice from Cannizaro House.

A resident said vegetation has overgrown onto the highway. Chris Larkman said it was worth contacting NR to let them know. If it is obstructing the Highway can also report to Merton Council.

A resident asked how the RPA will deal with the steepness of the embankment. Elizabeth said they will start at the lower level but more structural work will need funding and contractors. A resident asked if the project had access to enough planting, and Elizabeth said she had a rough plan and will be looking at the Merton garden scheme for support.

To volunteer please email lizlizard30@hotmail.com

Led by Chris Larkman & Tony Edwards.  

•           Kiss & ride

•           Land transfer

•           Parklet

•           Tree strategy

Chris Larkman and Tony Edwards gave an update on local issues.

The Parklet is working well and being used, demonstrating need for open space

Land transfer at Raynes Park Station – legal agreement has been signed so Merton Council can start on footpath extension in the next month on Worple Road and outside the station.

Tree strategy – Cllr Gould said that the consultation on the strategy for council managed trees finished in February. A draft strategy out for consultation in the autumn. Residents can request tree planting via the Council website  and can also report any problems with street trees.

A resident asked about problems with overgrowing trees and Cllr Willis said the council will only pollard in the winter to avoid impact on nesting and other wildlife.

There was no update from the planning team. Cllr Bokhari said she would raise this with the Development Control Team as it was important for residents to be kept informed.

Cllr Bokhari said the Council was organisation a series of ‘Cost of living’ information and advice sessions at Morden Library on 9 July; Mitcham Library on 16 July; Wimbledon Library on 23 July. Cllr Charles said there was also an event at Morden Library event on 2 July to help residents who have not yet had their £150 Council Tax rebate

Cllr McLean said he was pleased that there would be a consultation on the speed limit on Bushy Road going to 30 MPH. The statutory consultation is due to take place from 14 July – 5 August and can be found on the council website.

Michael Marks from the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents Association said that planning permission for a standard rear extension on 124 Grand Drive had been granted but instead they are building flats. This needs action on enforcement. Michael also said that public comments on planning applications should be visible online.

Chris Larkman commented on the low turnout and asked attendees to encourage others to come along.

Cllr Bokhari thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting

Future dates for the Raynes Park Community Forum:

Tuesday 20^th September 2022; Wednesday 7 December 2022; Tuesday 25 April 2023

Future meeting:

Tuesday 20 September 2022, at 7.15pm in Raynes Park Library

Any issues or questions can be emailed to getinvolved@merton.gov.uk