Call for Action on Wandsworth One-way System
Lee Roberts says congestion caused by redesign delays is reaching Putney
The existing Wandsworth one-way system. Picture; Facebook
April 28, 2023
Lee Roberts, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesperson for Putney, has challenged TfL to fix Wandsworth’s One System.
Since the end of lockdown, drivers have experienced slow speeds and increased congestion around Wandsworth Town, which Lee Roberts blames on TfL’s failure to make progress on the one-way system. He says the previous Conservative administration in Wandsworth set aside £27m of funding for this purpose which was raised from levies on developers.
The Conservative plan was to improve traffic flow for cars, provide more space for pedestrians and cyclists and maintain bus services in the area. The plan was designed to boost local business and support the area as a shopping and leisure destination following the development of the former Ram Brewery. The work was meant to start in 2017 with completion in 2019.
Although the plans are ‘shovel ready’, difficulties with finding financing for TfL has meant that it was unable to pay its share. These have been exacerbated since the pandemic due to the reduction in TfL’s revenues and the tight control exercised by central government on its budget. Although around £1 billion a year has been made available for capital projects, the Wandsworth One-way system has not been chosen as one of the projects to proceed with.
Map of proprosed Wandsworth one-way system
All the road space in the one-way system is part of TfL’s strategic road network of ‘red routes’. The Council has no legal powers or authority to make any changes.
Lee Roberts wants to increase public pressure on TfL to action this plan, and call upon the Labour administration in Wandsworth to support this measure, and has launched a petition.
A Facebook group has also been formed.
Lee Roberts said, “Locals can see that the Wandsworth one way system cannot cope. Every driver, cyclist and bus passenger has been affected by long waits and static traffic. This is awful for air pollution and our quality of life. The previous Conservative administration called for this and set aside £27m to fund an improved one-way system. TfL promised to implement this in 2017 and we are still waiting. ”
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