Work commences on Putney Exchange project

Residents of the London borough of Wandsworth have a new-look shopping centre to look forward to with work having already begun on the Putney Exchange venue, which could provide a vital boost to trade in the area.

The work, which includes the demolition of two empty shops previously occupied by Thomas Cook and Millets, will see the carpark extended to include more parking spaces and the inclusion of six electric vehicle charging stations as the city embraces the future.

New toilet and baby changing facilities are expected to open from May 2013, while fashion fanatics have a new two-storey branch of H&M to look forward to.

Many of the improvements set to be made to the shopping centre have been designed with environmental friendliness in mind. As well as the electric car charging points, the council lobbied Transport for London to bring in hybrid buses with a view to cutting carbon dioxide emissions on all Putney routes.

The Exchange will also benefit from the planting of new trees in the area, which will make for a more pleasant shopping experience while having the effect of neutralising the carbon footprint around the centre.

Traditionalists will be pleased to discover that the building's original stained-glass window featured at the front of the exchange will be removed for restoration work and returned in time for the new building's grand reopening.

Access to the shopping centre will be improved with a remodelled road layout around the station in the high street, which is being altered with a view to reducing congestion in traffic flow.

Pedestrians will also have an easier time of moving around the outside of the building as steps are being taken to reduce clutter from the pavements.

The council's business spokesman James Cousins commented: "2013 will see a whole host of improvements to Putney and the new-look Exchange will be a fantastic addition to the town centre.

"We know times are challenging for local traders, and that pollution is a real problem, but local people can be assured we are taking real and positive steps to make their town even better."

Published 12th March, 2013

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