Anger At Rejection Of Putney High Street Air Quality Bid
Wandsworth fails again to get funding from Mayor's and TfL's scheme
There has been an angry reaction to the announcement that, once again, Wandsworth has failed in its bid for funding from a TfL programme to make London more liveable.
The Putney Liveable Neighbourhood Bid was turned down last week with other projects across London getting millions of pounds worth of support. The local project aimed to make further improvements to Putney’s air quality.
The Mayor and TfL's Liveable Neighbourhoods programme funds projects to reduce car use and improve London's environment. 11 bids gained funding in the latest round of awards but, as with the previous tranche, Wandsworth was unsuccessful.
The funding, which has increased from £33 million in November 2017 to £53.4 million this year, is to be used to transform local neighbourhoods, with new walking and cycling infrastructure, new pedestrian crossings and rat runs closed to motor traffic.
The London boroughs of Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Enfield, Hounslow, Lambeth, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Redbridge and the City of London Corporation have all been successful in being awarded funding. On top of the £33 million funding awarded last year, this means that 18 boroughs have now received Liveable Neighbourhoods. Ealing, Greenwich, Hackney, Haringey, Havering, Lewisham and Waltham Forest boroughs were all awarded funding last year
Liveable Neighbourhoods is part of the Mayor's record £2.3bn overall investment to create Healthy Streets across the capital, with the aim of increasing the proportion of people walking, cycling and taking public transport to 80% by 2041, and cut the damaging impact of air pollution in the capital.
Cllr Rosemary Torrington told PutneySW15.com,"It was a bitter blow. We very much hope that further funding bids will be successful. It is also important for the regeneration of the high street that public realm and air quality continue to be improved."
Leader of the Council, Ravi Govindia said, "Everyone in Putney will be disappointed, given that the bid sought to address what the Mayor says is one of his priorities, namely to improve air quality and help to provide an environment suited for walking, cycling and public transport users."
According to Cllr Govindia, the council is determined to continue with plans to improve Putney town centre. The council has also asked for feedback on why the bid failed and details of what successful bids will receive.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: 'For too long streets around London have been designed solely around cars and motor traffic. Our £50 million investment will transform neighbourhoods and local town centres in inner and outer London, making them cleaner, greener and more pleasant places to spend time.
'Working with these boroughs to make our streets more welcoming for walking and cycling is vital for our health and wellbeing, but also essential for the future vibrancy and success of London's local high streets.'
Putney High Street has been one of the most polluted High Streets in London for many years and, although there is evidence the levels of nitrogen dioxide are reducing, the Council say more needs to be done to protect residents' health.
One of the ongoing plans is the proposal for a green wall on the ODEON LUXE cinema.
Artist's impression of the proposed wall
March 8, 2019