In recent months Trinity ward councillors have been working to ensure residents are aware of the current Crossrail 2 proposals and the impact that they will have on Wimbledon town centre. Like many people, we are appalled by the lack of consultation and information from Crossrail 2 and deeply concerned about the current plans.
Trinity councillors advertised this latest consultation deadline in our December newsletter to residents and Crossrail 2 was discussed at our street surgery on 19th December. We attended Stephen Hammond's last public meeting and of course submitted our own representation to the consultation making clear that, whilst welcoming plans to improve transport links, this should have minimum impact on residents and cause minimal disruption. We also called for other viable solutions to be considered and further discussions with residents and councillors alike.
Queues outside Holy Trinity Church on 7th January were testament to the anxiety and frustration felt by many residents in relation to Crossrail 2. Cllrs Holmes and Latif were present at the meeting at the Church, whilst due to overcrowding, Cllr Chirico co-chaired the impromptu overspill meeting at the Antoinette Hotel with Cllr David Dean.
Residents' concerns must be heeded by Crossrail 2. After all, we are the ones who will have to suffer over a decade's worth of disruption to Wimbledon town centre. People choose to live in Wimbledon because they want a pleasant environment where they can reside in relative peace. The current plans will heavily impact upon that which is why we made a further submission to the consultation straight after the public meetings on 7th January further detailing residents' concerns.
As local councillors, we recognise this is a vital issue for residents and will continue to work with Stephen Hammond MP and other Conservative councillors to lobby for alternative proposals to be offered. Crossrail 2 need to go back to the drawing board and re-engage with residents. Improved transport links between Wimbledon and central London cannot be at the cost of our precious town centre or residents' quality of life.
Cllr Charlie Chirico, Cllr James Holmes and Cllr Abdul Latif