We urge you to respond to the Rediscover Mitcham consultation documents that will be coming through your letter boxes very shortly if you live in the CR4 postal area.

It is very important that we have the views of all Mitcham residents, so that, hopefully, we can reduce the ever-growing decline of Mitcham town centre, which is struggling badly along with many high streets and town centres across the country.

You could be forgiven for thinking that, due to various articles in the press, there is a large body of people opposed to the re-introduction of the road through the Fair Green for buses only. A road cut through the Fair Green for at least 1,500 years prior to the pedestrianisation in 1992. Those campaigning against the bus lane represent a very small group of people, most of whom don’t even live by the Fair Green.

The bus route through the Fair Green is crucial to the regeneration proposals – bringing passengers directly to the shops, businesses and refurbished market, and most importantly, bringing activity into the area in the evenings when it is currently dark, isolated and intimidating for pedestrians.

Current community events and functions on the Fair Green will not be affected – in fact they will benefit from enhanced facilities.

Some people may wish to see Fair Green kept as a traditional village green, with horses and carts travelling through – but this is the 21st century, and we need to be realistic and move forward.

The Rediscover Mitcham proposals represent a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to create a thriving Mitcham town centre, so we need to get it right. Your views are important, so please get them in as soon as possible – the deadline is 26th July.

Figges Marsh Councillors – 
Agatha Akyigyina, Geraldine Stanford, Peter Walker

Cricket Green Councillors –
Russell Makin, Ian Munn, Judy Saunders