Crossrail 2 consultation ends this Friday

The Crossrail 2 consultation has now closed.

Details of the proposals for Wimbledon can be found here (factsheets S13 and S13B).

Crossrail 2 Wimbledon BID Business Forum

CrossRail 2 Managing Director Michele Dix came to speak to Love Wimbledon businesses and landlords regarding the impact of CrossRail 2 on the town centre. The forum attended by representatives from over 80 businesses, council senior management, local councillors and Merton Chamber of Commerce, gave the business community a chance to ask questions and be brought up to date on the proposals.

After pressure from Love Wimbledon, CrossRail 2 have published a new document (S13B) which provides clearer information for Wimbledon businesses and residents on potential phasing through the project to minimise disruption. Love Wimbledon urged CrossRail 2 to present potential phasing plans for the town centre to understand the real impact of the work sites: one of the biggest areas of concern from the Love Wimbledon businesses. Michele Dix provided a clearer picture on how the impact of the work could be minimised and stated ‘that they are still open to different options’ including a deep tunnel for fast trains that bypass Wimbledon.

New information presented included:

  • Potential phasing of works in Wimbledon Town Centre (to reduce impact)
  • Reasons for wanting to use Centre Court as a work site
  • Centre Court may not be totally demolished
  • There is potential to extend retail / office in over-line development
  • Longer term the area around what is now ‘The Fridge’ would be redeveloped bringing retail / leisure / place making opportunities above a new 4 platform tram terminal
  • Investigation of a tunnelling option for fast trains which do not stop at Wimbledon

Please click here to see the slides that Michele Dix presented at our Business Forum.

New clarification information from Crossrail 2 please click here

Paul Windsor, Chair of Love Wimbledon summarised the event stating that ‘Whilst there is overall support for the long term infrastructure objective, it is crucial that disruption to Wimbledon during the build phases is minimised and the new tunnelling option is a very positive step in helping to achieve this. Major improvements for the town centre could be leveraged on the CrossRail 2 plans and we ask that there is a clear and honest assessment of impact. The boroughs scheduled masterplan is key – these plans will affect what we will see at street level in the town’.

Diana Sterck, CEO of Merton Chamber of Commerce, commented ‘ Economic impact verses economic blight , the development of businesses and their needs must be taken into account in this area, it is a priority and we need to maintain jobs and businesses during build. ’

Helen Clark Bell, BID Manager said ‘Love Wimbledon will continue to push for minimal disruption to the town centre and support long term improvements. We are working closely with Merton Council, CrossRail 2 and Merton Chamber of Commerce to ensure the voice of our businesses are heard. We are part of a strategic team providing input to the councils master plan for Wimbledon Town Centre, which in light of the current proposals, we will push to bring forward to early 2016. Some of the new development would give us the opportunity for better retail and high quality office and public realm – long term this would be great for Wimbledon.’

Have your say in the CrossRail 2 consultation on their website here.

A chance to win an authentic poppy from the Tower of London installation

Win a poppy from the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation at the Tower of London. The poppy is an original cermaic flower created by Paul Cummins and Tom Piper with it’s authenticity certificate. Kindly donated by Co-Op Funeral, Totting Branch to raise funds for the Wimbledon Guild. The draw takes place on 16/12/2015.

Tickets are just £1. Get your raffle tickets at:

Wimbledon Guild reception , T 020 8946 0735 or email the Wimbledon Guild here

Centre Court Shopping Centre on 12th November, 9am – 8pm

Christmas in the Village Shopping Day (outside Dog & Fox) on 5th December

Wimbledon Guild Carol Service on 10th December, St. Marks Church 6:30 – 8pm

Love Wimbledon takes on Town Centre Graffiti

Love Wimbledon in partnership with local business Wimbledon Offices Ltd arranged for graffiti on the wall of Tuition House to be removed and the wall restored to its natural brickwork.

For years the wall on Tuition House has been an eyesore for train passengers and pedestrians taking the shortcut known as ‘railway path’ from the railway bridge at Merton Hall Road, as they come into Wimbledon.

Hardly a positive welcome into town, the wall had over 5 layers of paint built up from years of neglect. Taking matters into their own hands, Business Improvement District ‘Love Wimbledon’ arranged for the wall to be cleaned with the financial support of Wimbledon business Wimbledon Offices Ltd, owners of Tuition House.

BID Manager Helen Clark Bell commented “Wimbledon is an internationally recognised place and our businesses and residents want a town centre to be proud of. Working with Wimbledon Offices Ltd, a long established Wimbledon business, we have jointly paid to have this unsightly graffiti removed. This is part of our continued plan to make Wimbledon graffiti free and keep it clean.”

Clean walls and buildings signify a cared for and safe town centre. Moving forward, Love Wimbledon have had a special coating applied to the wall to ensure any future cleaning is easier to undertake and they will be working with Merton Council to ensure any future incidents are removed promptly around town.

IMG_1396

Before: Tuition House Wall on Railway Path before cleaning

IMG_1442

After: BID Manager Helen Clark Bell and Wimbledon Offices Managing Director Jean Taylor

CrossRail 2 – Initial Strategic Plans Released

Last week, TFL launched the latest proposals for consultation for Crossrail 2. They are in the process of writing to all businesses and residents directly affected by these proposals.

On behalf of our businesses, we have asked Dr Michele Dix, Managing Director of Crossrail 2 to attend a business forum hosted by your Business Improvement District – Love Wimbledon.

We would encourage businesses to take a look at the Crossrail 2 website at www.crossrail2.co.uk. In particular the proposal for Wimbledon.

These proposals include ideas for new station entrances, a new vehicle bridge and the proposed enabling worksites.

The Consultation Process
You are able to comment on proposals through the TFL website here.

The key dates are as follows:

Tuesday 28 October – Crossrail 2 leafleting ALL businesses and homes in safeguarded area
Wednesday 18 November – Business consultation forum (Invitation only)
Wednesday 2 December / Thursday 3 December – ‘drop-in’ consultation on The Piazza (public)
Friday 8 January – Consultation closes

Love Wimbledon will do everything it can to minimise the impact of construction on the town centre and will support growth opportunities and improvements to the town centre. In the Spring, Merton Council will be leading on the development of a strategic masterplan to enable the aspirations of the Wimbledon community including commercial business to be realised. Potentially CrossRail2 can bring major benefits to Wimbledon. During the process we will continue to lobby on behalf of our businesses so the effect during construction is minimal and future improvements maximise the benefit for all in our town centre.

We represent the businesses of Wimbledon and are working with them to make sure their voices are heard during the consultation.