Merton celebrates new funding for local improvements in Wimbledon

People occupying flats to rent in Wimbledon are set to see a wide variety of improvements in the local area thanks to new funding that has been pledged to Merton Council this month.

The authority is celebrating after being allocated more than £4.45 million from two successful bids submitted to the Greater London Authority (GLA) for use in rejuvenation projects across the borough.

A total of £3.7 million has been allocated from the GLA's regeneration fund to improve Colliers Wood town centre and Merton High Street in south Wimbledon, as well as to support local businesses.

This money will be used to transform Merantun Way into a boulevard with cycle lanes and footpaths, make over shop fronts in Merton High Street, clear away unnecessary street signage and create a new town square around the Colliers Wood tower.

Meanwhile, a further £715,000 will be drawn from the GLA's Outer London Fund, to be utilised by Future Merton to make major improvements to Mitcham, including introducing enhanced street furniture, planting trees, rejuvenating the local market and landscaping the Mitcham Fair Green.

Andrew Judge, Merton Council's cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration, expressed delight at being able to attract the "much-needed" money for investment.

He said: "In these difficult times we need to be ambitious for Merton's future. That is why we have developed comprehensive plans to improve our town centres and local neighbourhoods.

"What matters is the quality of the environment for people where they live and work. This combined funding, supplemented by the council's own money, will make a noticeable difference."

This comes as part of a London-wide programme of investments outlined by Mayor Boris Johnson earlier this month at a special event in Barnet.

In total, £177 million will be spent on projects of this kind around the capital.

Posted by Chris Price

Published 24th January, 2012

© 2012 Estates IT Limited