Funding for Mitcham town centre improvements continues to grow, following an announcement from Transport for London (TfL) that the project is now on a list of transport schemes across London.
Through a combination of funding from the Outer London Fund, the Local Implementation Pan (LIP*), Section 106** and Merton capital, the council has already brought together £2.9 million for its three-year programme of works called Rediscover Mitcham and is now set to receive a further £300,000 after a successful bid to TfL’s LIP Major Schemes Programme. The money will be used to help develop an extended scheme. Successful completion of this development stage will enable the council to unlock up to a further £2.6m funding for works.
Through Rediscover Mitcham, the town centre will benefit from better transport links and improved design and appearance, which will allow easier movement around the town for pedestrians, bus users and cyclists. Mitcham Fair Green area will also benefit from new paving, lighting and seating. The council will also provide businesses with support to revamp shop fronts and help with business plans to help develop a more vibrant local economy.
The council’s first consultation with residents has just finished with over 1,400 people giving their views to the council about the changes they would like to see taken forward within the town centre. The results of the consultation will be published later this month.
Merton Council cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration Councillor Andrew Judge said: “These are exciting times for Mitcham. We want the best for the town’s residents, so we carried out the largest ever town centre consultation to find out what people think of our proposals and to hear what they want for their town. Almost one and a half thousand people responded. This funding will help us create a more attractive town centre that is open, uncluttered and accessible to all road users. We want to make it easier for people to walk and travel to the shops to help boost local business.”
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Notes to editor
*Transport for London provides financial assistance to support delivery of local transport schemes identified in boroughs’ Local Implementation Plans (LIP) that accord with the Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS). Each borough produces a LIP to demonstrate how they plan to implement the Mayor’s Transport Strategy locally. While Transport for London allocates funding for individual schemes, the LIP and delivery of individual projects is the responsibility of each borough.
**Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 allows a local planning authority to enter into a legally-binding agreement or planning obligation with a landowner in association with the granting of planning permission. It is often used to support the provision of services and infrastructure, such as highways, recreational facilities, education, health and affordable housing.