One of the biggest petitions City Hall has ever had was handed over to the deputy Mayor of London today, with more than 5,000 signatures from residents against Crossrail 2.
The Wimbledon Guardian team organised the handover at the home of the Mayor, inviting local residents and councillors along to support them, and they did not disappoint.
Becky Middleton with London Assembly member Kemi Badenoch outside City Hall.
Boris Johnson’s number two and London Assembly Member Kemi Badenoch were hauled out of the final Police and Crime Committee before May’s election to officially receive the petition, which has almost 5,048 signatures on.
Reporter Pippa Allen-Kinross interviewing Tony Kane outside City Hall.
Joining the Guardian’s news editor Becky Middleton and reporter Pippa Allen-Kinross, who both organised the petition, were members of the newly formed Friends of Wimbledon Town Centre, Richard Tracey, Conservative London Assembly member for Merton and Wandsworth, and the man hoping to be elected into his role, Councillor David Dean.
The petition to Transport for London (TfL) launched in January to highlight and raise opposition to the controversial plans which would adversely affect the area.
Between 3,000 and 5,000 jobs would be lost or displaced, 60 per cent of Centre Court Shopping Centre would be demolished, alongside Wimbledon Bridge House, the Prince of Wales pub, Queens Court Care Home and the Everyday Church in Queens Road.
There would be tunnelling works by Gap Road and Weir Road, and building work to create space for trains to reverse in Dundonald Road.
The multi-million pound plans would mean up to ten years of disruption for residents and businesses, and some could be set to lose their homes.
After a consultation that ended in January, TfL has sifted through 2,000 responses from Merton alone.
This was the third highest of all the London boroughs, with almost 21,000 responses in total. 72 per cent of the comments about the proposals for Wimbledon raised issues or concerns. Only 16 per cent supported the plans.
Roger Evans, the deputy Mayor of London, said today: “I am accepting this petition from local residents to present it to TfL so they are aware of local residents’ concerns.
"It is absolutely vital we accept petitions. It is an opportunity for local people to raise their concerns which they may not be able to do.
"It is very important for TfL to understand the impact of what they are going to do. If you are a designer, you can modify the project.
“5,000 is a lot. It is a big petition. It is one of the biggest we have had.”
Mrs Badenoch, London Assembly member, who lives in Hillside, Wimbledon, said: “As a Wimbledon resident, this is something I have brought up several times. It is at the forefront of my mind.
"Even the tennis will be affected. It would be a disaster. Your petition is something I am 100 per cent behind although I cannot sign it because I am receiving it.
"5,000 is a significant number. This has been really successful. It has been a phenomenal response.”
Tony Kane, who is on the committee for the Friends group, said: “We need a different version for Wimbledon.
“Wimbledon is a residential place and this is what the planners don’t realise.
“We want an amendment, a rethink, a version which is not urban but still keeps Wimbledon town centre a place that residents want to live and people want to visit “It’s a question of people feeling there’s hope.
"When we started before Christmas, there was a terrible feeling that there was nothing we could do.
"After that meeting at the Trinity Church, we realised that actually we can do something. With enough people behind you, you can move the world.”
Friends group members Sally Clark and Christine Kenning travelled to London Bridge to support the petition.
Mrs Clark, of Faraday Road, Wimbledon, said: “I haven’t met anyone in Wimbledon who is for Crossrail 2.
“If we all make a little bit of effort, we could make a difference.”
She added that residents are a force to be reckoned with and should be heard.
Mr Tracey, who is set to retire in May, said: “The level of disruption expected in Wimbledon under the current Crossrail 2 plans is simply unacceptable.
“Of course the line will have financial and infrastructural benefits in the long term but Wimbledon’s vibrant centre should not be sacrificed to achieve those aims.”
David Dean said: "Crossrail 2 want to build a railway network. "The residents of Wimbledon want a great town centre. At the moment, there’s a disconnect.
"Merton Council’s planning briefing must be drawn by the people of Wimbledon. We have to demand great standards. I will be very cynical of any vagueries in their plans.
"Wimbledon is the jewel in the crown of south west London. People around the world say that. Wimbledon is a great place to be and we can keep that."
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