Improvements to Brighton Road

More improvements to Brighton Road

SOUTH SUTTON, CHEAM AND BELMONT LOCAL COMMITTEE 

On 13 September the Sutton South, Cheam and Belmont Local Committee met and discussed an agenda somewhat reduced from the agenda originally planned due to the “purdah” requirements following the announcement that there will be a Council by-election in Belmont Ward. No indication was given as to why Councillor McManus, previously a member of the committee, had resigned. Matters discussed included:

– we heard an interesting presentation on the work of the parks police, who are diligent in pursuing and preventing anti-social behaviour in our parks

– we agreed to set in chain consultation on an action plan to improve Overton Park

– we confirmed decisions to install speed awareness signs in Cedar Road, which is notorious for speeding, to complement those in Farm Road and those planned for Grange Road and Worcester Road

– we noted a number of improvements to Sutton South Ward, including re-painting of the railings at two places in Brighton Road and the modification of the width restriction at Grange Vale.

The widened width restriction in Grange Vale

A green, pleasant, suburban environment – this is Sutton South

The first full Council meeting of the new administration, following the local elections, was held on 10 September. It was held at Overton Grange school, in Sutton South Ward, the first time the Council has met in our Ward, This follows a decision by Council to get out and about round the Borough, to see the Borough and be seen, rather than sit in the Council offices.

The main debate was on the subject of single use plastics, on which Trish made an impassioned speech drawing attention to the plight of the oceans anc calling for greater responsibility worldwide. Richard took the opportunity of a debate on the Council’s plan to welcome Councillors to Sutton South. He said:

“We are now doing something we perhaps should have done before and getting out round the Borough, to see different parts of the Borough and be seen there. And tonight we are starting that process by meeting in Sutton South Ward. So I think it appropriate for me as a Councillor for Sutton South to welcome you all to Sutton South. I know my fellow Sutton South Councillor Councillor Fivey wants to join me in extending this welcome, to Sutton South which is famous for:

A low level of crime, one of the lowest for any Ward in the 32 London Boroughs

Excellent schools, our local schools are brilliant

A unique environmental facility in the Devonshire Avenue Nature Area

A green, pleasant, suburban environment

And a relatively high level of employment, contributed to by our success in persuading a major transnational company in the oil exploration business  – Subsea 7 – to locate their global, international headquarters in the Ward, bringing 900 jobs, some – not just in more routine occupations – now being occupied by local people, with 900 staff spending money in local shops and restaurants, and boosting the local economy.

I relate this to the important entry in the plan on page 17 reading

“Implementation of the Local Plan to deliver retail, office and industrial development and employment opportunities”

We have done that in Sutton South – we will continue to do it.”

The widened width restriction

We remain concerned to reduce speeding in the Ward and the width restriction at Grange Vale was a measure to ensure vehicles slowed when passing under the bridge, to protect the safety of pedestrians walking on the narrow pavement, towards Brighton Road.

Residents suggested that as there is a slight right turn just as you pass through the restriction the standard width for such a restriction, of six feet six inches, was too narrow. In response the width restriction has been widened very slightly.

Richard is seeking action on the mindless vandalism that has plagued Warren Park recently, with damage to the fencing around the nature reserve area of the park. Though just outside our Ward, the park is used by many of our residents, particularly joggers, dog walkers and those caring for small children. Richard often takes his three year old grandson there. The mentality of people who would damage the fence in this way is disturbing. The park includes a walk alongside the two railway lines that run into Sutton station but a part is fenced off to protect wildlife and provide a nature area.

Richard’s grandson Ciaran

We have been discussing possible improvements to Overton Park. It is not in our Ward but adjacent, so much used by many of our residents.

The park is mainly given over to playing fields, with a pavilion and a children’s play area. It is well used by joggers. It was in the distant past the playing fields of the London County Council and passed to Sutton Council when Mrs Thatcher abolished the LCC. It is flat and might be improved by tree planting or perhaps more daffodil bulbs. Sadly, some trees planted last year were vandalised. Might the metal “trim trail” equipment spread around the park be better used if it was brought together at one place?

We would like to invite ideas. Do contact us if you have a view, at   richard.clifton@sutton.gov.uk.

A part of the “trim trail”

We regret that local democracy has again been overruled by the remote Planning Inspectorate, based in Bristol. The proposed development of 81 and 83 Langley Park Road to demolish the houses and build a block of nine flats was turned down by Sutton Council but then granted on appeal by the Planning Inspectorate.

The concerns of the Council largely related to design. We expect high quality standards of development in our Ward and could envisage a much more attractive development if this proposal was to go ahead. There were also issues about car parking, traffic and congestion, largely dismissed by the Inspector in his report.

Our concern is with the outcome but also with the system. The Planning Inspectorate seems to us to have a bias in favour of development, come what may, and it seems wrong that local decisions taken by locally elected Councillors reflecting a local plan can be overturned with no further right of appeal.

While this is a disappointing outcome, we will, as your local Councillors, continue to seek acceptable standards in proposals for development in the Ward.