Major improvements to Putney High Street

Councillors last night approved the first phase of the improvement plan, which will see the most radical revamp of the High Street for many years. It was drawn up following extensive consultation with local people and groups, who were asked what changes they would like to see.

The first phase costing up to £640,000 will include:

• Sections of road-narrowing scheme in part of the High Street to enable pavements to be widened
• Improving the junctions of Putney Bridge Road and Lacy Road with the High Street
• Installing a piece of public art or ‘green wall’ on the cinema façade
• Uplighting key buildings
• Installing a trial ‘Copenhagen Crossing’ to make the busy High Street easier to cross. If this is successful, more could be installed
• Removing unnecessary guardrails
• Planting trees and installing planters
• Installing a ‘City Tree’ which help filter pollution
• Reducing the speed limit to 20mph
• A trial cycle lane contra-flow
• Improving cycle parking provision

The report contains a wide range of additional improvements, which will be introduced as more money becomes available.

These include further improvements to the cycle network, exploring opportunities for relocating the taxi rank, installing more public art, creating more public open spaces and enhancing bus stops.

The council’s community services spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook said: “We have been working on these proposals for some time, and I’m pleased phase one was agreed last night. We hope Putney residents will quickly notice the improvements.

“Going forward, there’s lots more we want to do. Some funding is in place and we are working hard to secure more. We’re disappointed that our recent bid to TfL was unsuccessful, especially as the Mayor of London has stated that tackling

pollution is a priority for him, but we will continue to work closely with TfL and make a further funding bid later this year.”

Read the full report