214 Upper Richmond Rd, parking charges in Richmond Park & more ....

Plans to redevelop 214 Upper Richmond Road , home to the only post office in central Putney, could bring further upheaval to local services. If the current building goes, the post office on the ground floor will have to find a new home.

My fellow Putney councillor Jim Maddan has already spoken to the managing director of Post Office Ltd Alan Cook. He has won assurances that, whatever happens, the post office would remain in the town centre.

The national closure programme has already wiped out the branches at Putney Bridge Road and Lower Richmond Road . We've told the Post Office that if rebuilding goes ahead they should not move out until they have found suitable replacement premises in the immediate area.

It's time Putney had a modern, well-equipped post office. A new building on the Upper Richmond Road site could provide that, which makes it essential that Post Office Ltd stick to their word.

If ever there was an example of people power in action it was the successful campaign to save the Half Moon. We got the message across to Young's that such a celebrated live music venue really was worth preserving.

Now that a deal has been struck, let's see how the changes work – and give the pub and the bands that play there our support. There's no reason why this London landmark should not go from strength to strength.

Not such good news on the Government's bid to make us pay for parking in Richmond Park . I met the minister Margaret Hodge this week with fellow leaders from Richmond and Kingston councils but her mind was already made up.

Despite opposition from more than 20,000 people the minister was unapologetic in her strongly-expressed view that people in south west London could afford to pay. What a shame to see class warfare alive and well in the Culture Department – especially when such prejudices are not borne out by the facts.

The Royal Parks' own survey showed that 40 per cent of vehicles using the car parks were more than seven years old. If the minister was serious about improving access to the park for all income groups she would have held back on the charges until proper local bus services were in place. All three councils, while exasperated with the minister's logic, will continue to press for these essential public transport improvements.

Keeping the borough's roads safe is a key priority for the council. Our traffic engineers will shortly be asking local people what they think about a scheme for new 20mph limits in the Dover House road area.

The idea of introducing slower speeds is that it would discourage motorists from rat-running and make conditions safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Finally, for those in business, a date for your diary. The next Putney Retail Seminar will be held on Tuesday February 23 at St Mary's Church. There will be advice on business rates including the council's hardship scheme for small businesses. The evening will include tips on web marketing as well as information on the support available from the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce. To book a place, email the council's town centre manager on sdwallace@wandsworth.gov.uk

Edward Lister
Leader of the Council
elister@wandsworth.gov.uk

January 22, 2010

Edward Lister is the Leader of Wandsworth Council and a member for Putney's Thamesfield ward.