Changes To Wandsworth Town Centre Gyratory To Start In 2018

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TfL claims consultation shows public support for the scheme

Work to change Wandsworth Town Centre’s street network will begin in 2018. Transport for London says that plans to change the road layout radically in the centre of Wandsworth were supported by the majority of respondents in the consultation that ended in January this year.

The changes include better pedestrian crossings, the return of two-way traffic and extended cycle facilities. The aim is to create new public spaces and regenerate the town centre. For a map of the proposed new layout click here.

It is hoped that the removal of the gyratory system should help reduce traffic and improve pedestrian crossings. TfL says that bus services and stops will be reorganised to better serve passengers in the area, and that there will be greater bus priority on Wandsworth High Street. In addition, the realignment of Cycle Superhighway 8 to quieter roads and its extension through Wandsworth High Street, along with other cycle improvements, aims to link the area more effectively to London’s safer cycle network.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “For far too long pedestrians and cyclists have been put off by the levels of traffic in Wandsworth Town Centre. It’s a traffic-dominated, intimidating environment, so I’m delighted that our plans to make it more inviting can now happen. It’s another great example of how we’re investing in improving roads across the Capital to make them safer and easier for all road users.”

Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL, said: “Our planned improvements at Wandsworth Town Centre will change the road layout to make it safer and support the area’s growth. These plans were supported by the majority of people and we hope they will open up the town centre to new and exciting investments as it is transformed into a safer, more pleasant place to be and visit.”

Ravi Govindia, Wandsworth Council leader, said: “This proposal will take the regeneration of Wandsworth Town to the next stage and ensure this thriving town centre reaches its full potential. Hundreds of new jobs have been created here in recent years and if we want that to continue we must rationalise the road network and channel traffic away from the high street so it becomes far more pedestrian-friendly."

The Wandsworth Town Centre improvement would be part-funded by TfL’s £360m growth fund and by Wandsworth Council through its Community Infrastructure Levy and funding secured from new building developments in the Town Centre.

TfL says it will continue to work with stakeholders ahead of the start of construction.