Schemes to improve walking and cycling access to and from stations will be introduced in Wimbledon.

Designed to help boost the local economy, South Western Railway has revealed the hot spots and community groups in Merton who will receive funding.

The Customer and Communities Improvement Fund aims to target social isolation whilst enhancing pedestrian spots in the borough.

SWR is supporting the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators with a grant of £60,000 to improve the Beverley Brook cycleway which connects Wimbledon with Kingston Vale, Roehampton and Putney.

Wimbledon Times:

In Wimbledon town centre itself, £30,000 has been allocated to Wimbledon Guild for their project “Wimbledon Day Trips for Older people” which is a programme to develop confidence amongst elderly people to travel by train or bus.

Finally, business district Love Wimbledon has been offered £20,000 for their “Goodbye to Graffiti project” which looks to provide public art on a heavily used footpath adjacent to the railway line west of Wimbledon.

Similarly, CCIF funding will support projects looking at mentoring young women and people living in disadvantaged communities.

As well as, introducing projects across the SWR network that will look to reduce social isolation amongst the elderly - with virtual train trips to build up confidence in using public transport.

SWR Commercial and Business Development Director Peter Williams said: “We at SWR recognise only too well the vital role that rail plays in the local as well as the national economy.

"I am delighted that we have been able to further support the communities we serve through this funding.

“The first year’s recipients cover a wide range of, and in many cases innovative, projects, and I look forward to them all coming to fruition.”