Partnership proves to be the key to success in Raynes Park

19/11/2003

The recent completion of a series of improvements near Raynes Park station marks the end of a major project costing around £1m started several years ago to improve the transport facilities and services for people using the shopping area and the station. Merton has been particularly successful in levering in funding from a number of sources, and working with a number of partners to realise the improvements. As well as funding from the South and West London Transport Conference (SWELTRAC) that Merton is an active partner in, funding for the improvements has been obtained from separate sources for cycle development - from the London Cycle Network (LCN), bus priority - from the London Bus Priority Network (LBPN) and direct from Transport for London (TfL) for the footway and carriageway works. Railtrack (now Network Rail) also participated in the study.

• Resurfacing of the carriageway south of the station along Approach Road, together with the conversion of the pelican crossing on the corner with Grand Drive to a Toucan crossing. Also footway reconstruction to the south of the Toucan.

• Repaving and waterproofing of the subway known as 'Cattle Arch'.

• Resurfacing of the carriageway beneath Raynes Park Bridge.

• A new bus lane in Pepys Road.

• A new bus stop in Coombe Lane outside the station entrance.

• Resurfacing of the carriageway and footway reconstruction north of the station along most of Pepys Road and Coombe Lane.

• New traffic signals incorporating pedestrian crossing facilities at the junction of Coombe Lane with Lambton Road.

• A raised and resurfaced segregated cycle lane along the southern side of Coombe Lane between the station and West Barnes Lane traffic lights.

• The conversion of the zebra crossing in Coombe Lane, between Durham Road and Amity Grove to a pelican crossing.

The conversion of the pelican crossing in Coombe Lane, between Amity Grove and Lambton Road to a Toucan crossing.The final stage of the improvements was the installation of anti-skid coloured surfacing this year to improve safety. Merton continues to work effectively in partnership with key

stakeholders in Raynes Park. In September the new metro-style train service in South London was launched, and Raynes Park is on one of the four pilot routes of the newly conceptualised Overground Network (ON). Officers have been liaising closely with Consultants working for the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) over the location of prominent new ON signs, which will shortly be placed outside the station.