Putney MP Hosts Meeting on Active Travel

More cycle routes and changes to Putney Bridge Road junction planned

Fleur Anderson MP with some of the attendees at the active travel meeting

March 17, 2023

A public meeting to discuss active travel proposals for the area was hosted by Fleur Anderson this Thursday (16 March).

Residents were given more information about Wandsworth Council’s plans for new cycle routes around Putney High Street and an overhaul of the junction near Putney Bridge Road.

The Putney MP gave her backing to the proposals which aim to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer in the area.

Councillor Jack Mayorcas, Active Travel Champion, and Councillor Clare Fraser, Cabinet Member for Transport, spoke at the meeting and asked residents what changes would make.

There was a wide range of ideas, including more enforcement of the 20mph speed limit and school streets, better cycle routes on Putney Hill, West Hill and Roehampton Lane, and better pedestrian crossings at junctions on Putney Bridge Road and Upper Richmond Road.

Ms Anderson said, “Walking, wheeling and cycling should be safe, easy and enjoyable and we saw in the meeting how many people want to cycle more but don’t feel safe, and how dangerous junctions make wheeling and walking unsafe too. We all want less traffic and cleaner air and to save money too, so it was good to talk about how we can achieve this.

“It is good to hear the plans from the Council that I’ve been pushing for since I was elected. I hope to see more cycle routes across Putney too, and there were some very good ideas in the meeting about where they should be.

“I’m gathering all ideas for a report to the Council and would love to hear from anyone who couldn’t come to the meeting with ideas that you have about specific changes the Council could consider, or anything I can take up in Parliament too. Please email me: fleur.anderson.mp@parliament.uk”

Councillor Clare Fraser said, “The best ideas we have as a council come from listening closely to what residents need. I was really glad to hear directly how we can encourage potential cyclists to take to two wheels in the knowledge that their journey will be safe and enjoyable, as well as making life better for seasoned cyclists. Our gold standard is that every year 6 child in Wandsworth is able to cycle safely to and from school – then we know our roads will be safe for everyone to cycle on. I look forward to getting the report from the meeting and all the feedback about specific changes we can make for people wheeling and walking too.”

People listening to discussions at the meeting

Councillor Jack Mayorcas, “Events like this show the positivity and level enthusiasm for improving the streets that we all live on and travel on. We come up against reasonable and valid and concerns, but ultimately everyone wants less traffic, better air quality, and safer cycle routes for people of all ages to get around our communities. I’m proud that Wandsworth’s Labour Council has ambitious plans for Putney, Southfields, Roehampton and Wandsworth Town.”

Local resident Andrew, who attended the meeting, said, “My daughter loves cycling – I think that gets missed in this debate. There is a lot of joy to be had in cycling. Once streets are safe enough for all children to cycle to school, which I know is the Wandsworth Council target for cycling, then we will know we are getting somewhere. Active travel is good for health, for the local economy, good for the environment, good for air pollution, good for our children. It’s a no brainer. If it’s safe enough for kids to cycle, then it’s safe enough for everyone.”