Lytton Grove Crossing, Shoddy Street Signs and More

Spring update from your East Putney councillors

East Putney councillors George Crivelli and Ravi Govindia

April 7, 2023

Welcome to the Spring 2023 e-Bulletin from your East Putney Councillors, Ravi Govindia and George Crivelli

Lytton Grove zebra crossing: Ravi and George are delighted that their campaign for a zebra crossing on Lytton Grove has succeeded, thanks to a huge number of residents signing their petition. This persuaded the Council to build a crossing between Putney High School and East Putney’s local convenience store opposite.

George said: “When I presented our petition to the Council, it was clear how popular it was - 86% of residents living nearest to the problem signed it. Ravi and I send huge thanks to everyone who signed. Lytton Grove is a busy road, and the new zebra will make it much safer for residents and schoolchildren.”

Shoddy street signs: Ravi has succeeded in getting the Council’s street inspectors to investigate all the street signs on Longstaff Crescent and Longstaff Road, after he spotted several that were shabby, faded or damaged. The Council team committed to replacing the ones that Ravi spotted, and any others they find in a poor state during their inspection.
Are your street signs also shoddy, missing or damaged? Tell Ravi or George and they will press for action.

Electronic bus signs : Ravi has learned that Transport for London aim to install over 300 ‘Countdown’ signs at bus stops this spring, adding to 2500 already in place. These are the yellow electronic displays showing live bus information.

Ravi said, “As a keen bus user, I know how helpful it is to see when your bus is coming. But these signs must be agreed and paid for by the Council. I hope Wandsworth’s new Labour administration is not overlooking Putney!” Would you like a Countdown sign at your local bus stop? Contact Ravi and he will urge the Council to make it happen.

Two telecom poles refused: Ravi has wholeheartedly backed two decisions to stop huge telecom poles being built in East Putney. He said,“Telecom companies need to get this right!”

The Government Planning Inspector has refused permission for Hutchison Networks to build a 19-metre pole and three cabinets on the pavement near Park Tavern on Merton Road. The Inspector upheld a refusal by Wandsworth’s former Conservative Council, which Hutchison had appealed. But the Inspector refused the appeal, saying it would “unacceptably harm the setting of Park Tavern” in the West Hill Road Conservation Area.

Three Communications also asked to put a 59-foot telecom pole and four cabinets on West Hill opposite Rusholme Road, replacing a 33-foot pole and two cabinets. Council planners rejected it, saying it would be an eyesore towering over trees and flats and would “harm the setting and character of the Rusholme Road Conservation area”.

Ravi said, “Come on, telecom companies - you need to get this right! We all want good phone coverage, but the companies must try harder to find locations that work not just for them, but also for local communities, and that don’t harm local heritage assets.”

Street trees: Lots about trees this Spring! George is happy to report that 28 new street trees were planted in East Putney in the recent planting season - in Mexfield Rd, Rusholme Rd, Carlton Drive, Oakhill Rd, Seymour Rd, Cromer Villas Rd, Jephtha Rd, Viewfield Rd, Southfields Rd, Haldon Rd, Ringford Rd, West Hill Rd, Melrose Rd, Wimbledon Park Rd and Merton Rd.

George said: “ This is great for our ward. But let’s keep an eye on our trees. If you’re worried about any trees in your street , please tell us and we can press for something to be done.”

For example, Ravi recently spotted this dead tree stump in Cromford Road. He pushed the Council to act, and got a promise that a new tree would be planted within 10 days.

Ravi also got Transport for London to replace two dead street trees on West Hill, just beyond the fire station going into Wandsworth Town. TfL are responsible for main roads like West Hill, including tree-planting.

Ravi said: “I suspected that these two ’strawberry type’ trees did not suit a busy road like West Hill, which may be why they died. I’m delighted that after some pressure, TfL replaced them with a ‘honey locust’ type of tree, said to be well suited to urban settings. Let us hope so!”

Spring flowers: Spring flowers are now cheering us up around Putney. But are some areas missing out? George and Ravi are asking residents to suggest green spaces where you think the Council could plant spring flowers.

George said: “Tell us about green spaces on streets or Council estates that don’t have flowers this spring, but that you think could be planted, and we’ll press for bulbs to be planted for next spring.”

 Meet your local police: George is reminding residents that our East Putney ward police hold quarterly ‘panel’ meetings with residents. Anyone living in East Putney can attend. You can discuss East Putney’s crime figures and police priorities for our ward, meet local officers, and get crime prevention advice.
George said: "Do think about coming along; you are very welcome. These are good opportunities to meet our local police team and raise concerns, and officers often have helpful advice about how to stay safe from crime.”

The next meeting will be in May or June. To attend, or join the email list to get word of meetings, please email EastPutney@met.police.uk

Oak House costs: George is concerned about costs for residents at sheltered accommodation Oak House in Carlton Drive, run by PA Housing. Residents have told Councillors that the PA Housing Association wants to raise their weekly payments for rent, heating, water and electricity by up to 58%, or over £100 a week.

George said: "We have raised this with PA Housing and we want them to respond to residents' concerns. We will keep an eagle eye on their reply. We all know the cost of heating and electricity have risen, but some of the proposed increases look worrying.”

Ukraine refugees : Finally, Ravi sends a big ‘thank you’ to the East Putney residents who have taken in Ukrainian refugees. The latest figures show that East Putney has welcomed 51 people from Ukraine into 26 homes.

Ravi said: “As a former refugee myself, from Idi Amin in Uganda in the 1970s, I know how it feels to flee a terrible situation. I’m really heartened that our corner of the UK is doing its bit. If more residents would like to help, there is information for residents, community groups and for Ukrainians in Wandsworth here. https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/supporting-ukrainian

There’s more from Ravi and George, plus local community news, on Facebook.

Please feel free to forward this e-Bulletin to other East Putney residents who may be interested. To join our circulation list, residents can email heretohelp@wandsworthconservatives.co.uk

To contact your East Putney Conservative Councillors:

Cllr Ravi Govindia: cllr.r.govindia@wandsworth.gov.uk
Cllr George Crivelli: Cllr.G.Crivelli@wandsworth.gov.uk