But parents behind a petition to improve safety say plans do not go far enough


Work commenced to improve parking zone outside cemetery on Lower Richmond Road

Council workers have started works on the parking area outside the cemetery in the Lower Richmond Road. Parents who had raised awareness of the issues of pedestrian safety in this area with a petition with 469 signatures, have responded that the works do not go far enough.

The current works which is expected to take two weeks, includes resurfacing the parking and pedestrian areas, repainting parking grid which includes a fewer bays to reduce the pinch point by the Gatehouse.

Sophie told this website, "The progress in relation to the controlled parking implementation and the resurfacing proposal is hugely positive and I look forward to seeing that implemented in due course. That will certainly help to prevent pedestrians and cyclists from being ‘pushed’ onto the road by badly parked vehicles next to the cemetery."

She continued that she has requested support from Putney's MP Justine Greening pointing out: "That said I still have a 2 key concerns that I feel still need to be addressed:

1. The 2 lighting columns nearest to the Gate House are still not working and do not light up at night. Visibility is extremely poor here at night as a result.


image: Alex Turner

2. The pathway between the road and the Gatehouse (above) is too narrow and is dangerous - this section of pavement falls under Richmond jurisdiction. It urgently needs reviewing - a barrier between the road and pavement could be possible but may not leave enough room for wheelchair/buggy access. The speed limit here is 30mph but cars and vans often whizz along more quickly. Some traffic calming measures are required if there is no way of protecting pedestrians on the narrow pavement"

One alternative Sophie proposes would be to "introduce a well-lit alternative path across the common into the rear of Rocks Lane. There are currently pathways but they are dark and muddy in winter. A paved/lit pathway behind the Gate House/Cemetery could be an alternative solution".

The area is the responsibility of Wandsworth Council who have told the site: "Before we'd received any petition we'd become aware that parking at this location was creating difficulties for pedestrians and that changes were needed here- and this is what's happening now.

The changes will prevent vehicles blocking or encroaching onto the footpath while also reducing the overall number of parking spaces which should remove a particular pinch point and widen the space available for people on foot, especially parents with buggies and people who use wheelchairs.”

We have asked Justine Greening MP for comment.

March 8, 2019