Merton Council, together with Network Rail, South West Trains and Transport for London (TfL), has committed £2.5 million to give Wimbledon town centre a facelift. All partners recognise the role of the station as a major transport hub and the heart of Wimbledon town centre. The investment is intended to improve both the functionality and appearance of this key area. In addition to improvements to the station forecourt, investment will be made in the Broadway, including reconfiguration of the junction with Alexandra Road to enable a diagonal pedestrian crossing. Paving will be replaced, trees planted and new street furniture installed.

Although the high-level programme of works has been agreed with TfL, full design details have yet to be developed and agreed. The council will be consulting Wimbledon businesses and residents along Wimbledon Hill Road and the Broadway from the junction of Woodside and Mansel Road to the junction with Queens Road as well as the rail, tram and tube passengers who use the station. The consultation is to take place from 19 April to 15 May 2010 when people will be able to view the proposals for themselves at http://www.merton.gov.uk/wimbledon and send in their comments to the council.

Merton Council cabinet member for finance and regeneration Councillor Diane Neil Mills said: “We recognise the importance of Wimbledon as a destination of international standing.

“With Network Rail and TfL we are working on creating a town centre of which we can be proud, both for visitors and local residents. The objective of the investment is to deliver a high quality environment that establishes the standard we expect to achieve right across the borough.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

1. Transport and pedestrian statistics for Wimbledon Station forecourt:

· 152 buses per hour during peaks

· 2,600 pedestrian movements per hour around station at peak times

· 30 cycles parked informally in and around station (70 in formal stands)

· 34 car parking spaces on the service road (two disabled spaces on the forecourt)

· 80 car drop offs per hour at peaks

· Space for 18 taxis (up to 25 queuing)