The Apostles Residents' Association
Raynes Park Community Forum
18 March 2025
Chair’s Report
The meeting was held in Raynes Park Library and chaired by Councillor Matthew Willis with Chris Edge from the Raynes Park Association (RPA). More than 50 residents and three councillors attended. The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Flood Strategy
Tom Sly and Tara Butler from London Borough of Merton, and Samer Bagaeen and Max Tant from Arcadis gave a presentation on the consultation on Merton’s Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. The presentation is included with this report.
The consultation on the draft strategy opened on 17 March and will be open until 2 May. There are seven priority areas, of which Raynes Park is the largest. The risk is based on national mapping and historical flooding. The strategy aims to find a range of solutions including natural ones like rain gardens.
Residents were reminded that reporting flooding incidents is critical as it helps identify issues that need to be tackled. For issues on the highways report to Merton Council, for water supply or foul water (sewage) report to Thames Water, and for river flooding report to the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60.
Tom explained some of the recent interventions in Raynes Park which had included expanded drainage, new pumps that were twice the capacity of the previous ones, and a tank on Approach Road. During the severe rainfall incidents since the changes there had not been a repeat of the flooding under the railway bridge.
Cllr Willis asked about the problems with foul water on Abbott Avenue. Tom said this is part of a wider alleviation study looking at the whole catchment area. There are number of different interventions currently being modelled and Thames Water are leading on this.
A resident suggested that large developments in the area include interventions to reduce the risk of flooding. Tom reviews planning applications to assess flood risk and under the Council’s new Local Plan alleviations such as water tanks and pumps can be an option. On the Manuplastics site in Raynes Park the planning permission includes tanks and other measures to reduce the risk of flooding.
Borough of Sport
Cllr Caroline Cooper-Marbiah gave a presentation on Merton’s Borough of Sport campaign. The presentation is attached to this report.
Caroline said that the purpose of the Borough of Sport is to use Merton’s sporting heritage to promote healthy active lives for all residents. The three missions of Borough of Sport are to give everyone an opportunity to be active; to be the natural home for sport in London; and have a thriving sport and leisure economy.
Caroline described some of the opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity in Wimbledon. These include:
- Free swimming for over-65s and under 16s at Wimbledon Leisure Centre
- Equip Sports boxes in parks for free or low-cost equipment hire
- Goodgym community projects
- Our Parks free fitness sessions
- CDARS cycling sessions
- Combination Dance and wellbeing programme
- Free activities in Merton Libraries including Raynes Park
A resident questioned the Cabinet member on whether she was happy with the Tennis in Merton contract as it was excluding local business owners. Caroline said anyone had the option to tender for the contract and tennis coaches can continue to coach in Wimbledon Park, but under the Tennis in Merton umbrella. All Tennis courts that were free to use previously, continue to be free.
A resident asked about community use of the new tennis courts on the former LESSA Sports Ground following the development of the site. The courts are run by the Raynes Park Lawn Tennis Club who charge for use. Caroline was not familiar with the site as it is privately owned.
A resident said that the Merton Women’s Run has a group at Joseph Hood Rec.
A resident asked if the Council is working with established sports bodies like All England Lawn Tennis Club and AFC Wimbledon. Caroline said that AELTC sits on the Borough of Sport advisory group and the Borough of Sport Forum involves all clubs to participate.
A resident asked if there was coaching available to sports in parks. Caroline said that the Borough of Sport grant fund supported a range of community groups to provide different sessions.
A resident said that Prince George’s playing fields often flooded, and they had heard some discussion about housing being considered for the site. Cllr Willis sad the site was privately owned but as a member of the Development Planning Applications Committee he had not seen a planning application for housing to consider. Caroline said that a pitch strategy is in development and the council had just announced that £3m to be spent over 4 years which could be used to support access to playing fields.
Railway
The Friends group had received a grant of £4500 from Merton Council’s Civic Pride Fund last summer. The funding has been used buy tools and plants with the remainder to be spent on stepping stones and summer plants. Liz and volunteers have planted 120 perennials and 1000s of spring bulbs. After the planting has been complete the focus will switch to maintenance.
The Friends also received £5,500 from Network Railway (NR) which has been used for secure storage for tools, planting and accessing the water supply. On platform 4 the flower bed is 128m long and the group have planted more than 50 perennials and 1200 spring bulbs. There will be more planting after Easter. On platform 3 the group has permission to install four planters and will need volunteers on Tuesday mornings for carrying up compost and planting these.
The group has been asked by NR to commemorate Railway 200, which marks the 200th anniversary of the Stockton-Darlington railway. The group will be growing a herb garden at the end of platform 4.
The group won two awards in 2024 and have entered for station award in London in Bloom. They will also have a stand at the Merton 60 celebration.
Leonie Cooper AM
Leonie Cooper, Assembly Member for Merton and Wandsworth provided an update on the work of the Assembly. Over the last couple of months, the focus has been on scrutinising Mayor of London’s Budget. The £21billion budget covers the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London, and London Fire Brigade, and is mainly revenue with some capital spending. The Mayor has decided to increase the council tax precept, largely to provide additional funding for London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police.
After the 2012 Olympics there was a drop in central government funding for the Met’s extraordinary functions around security and counterterrorism, known as the National and International Capital City Grant, leading to a shortfall that had to be met by Londoners. The new government has increased the NICC grant, and as a result police numbers have not fallen.
Two years on from Louise Casey review the Commissioner is still tackling the cultural issues in the Met. Recently a group of officers who would have failed current vetting procedures were dismissed but this decision was overturned following legal action. The Commission is currently considering appealing this decision. Leonie was pleased that the Met recently came out ‘Engage’ status, an enhanced monitoring process by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), having shown significant improvement.
LFB is focused on changing the organisations culture and responding to the implications of the Grenfell enquiry. One change has been to improve the layout in their control room, based in Merton to be more responsive, and they have also purchased two 64-meter ladder engines, one of which is in Wimbledon. A big challenge for LFB has been poor building works including the unresolved cladding issues. As a result, the LFB also recruiting more fire inspectors.
London Overground lines are covered by Transport for London, and they have improving step free access in their stations. TfL income is now catching up to pre-covid levels, but they still a need for additional funding for capital works.
Leonie also reported that the London Tideway tunnel is nearly finished and when operational it will take 95% of wastewater out of the Thames.
Local Rotary Clubs are giving away crocus bulbs for planting as part of their campaign to raise awareness for Polio.
A resident asked about the recent oil spill in the River Wandle. Leonie said that the oil has been going down the river towards the Thames. Gareth Roberts AM will be asking a question at the next Mayor’s question time.
A resident said it was frustrating for residents to have to apply for charging points for electric vehicles. Leonie said that there is funding from government for EV charging points but each of the 32 London boroughs have a different approach for on the road charging, some using lampposts. The Go Ultra Low and Low Emission Vehicle schemes included funding from City Hall to encourage boroughs to deliver more charging points. Residents can find out more about the options in Merton.
A resident said it should be illegal for e-bikes/e-scooters to be charged indoors due to the fire risk. Leonie said that this issue has been discussed at the LFB committee and the LFB held event in parliament to raise awareness. LFB gets a call every other day to deal with fires caused by e-bikes or scooters and there is a particular problem with conversion kits. There does need to be much greater awareness of this issue and the problems caused by inappropriate disposal of vapes. The government is going to ban single use vapes from June which will help.
Updates from local Councillors
Cllr Wilson said there was a litter pick by volunteers at the Kiss and Ride site by the station as there has been an issue with fly-tipping on that site. There is now information on the Council website about trees works including planting, pollarding and high-risk trees. Local hedgehog populations are being supported by volunteers.
Cllr Willis said he met with South Western Rail to confirm feasibility study for step-free access at Raynes Park station. The solution will involve an additional bridge, but it is unlikely any works will happen before 2029.
Cllr Page said there had been planning application for flats at the gasworks by St Joseph’s Rec. There is an issue with road access so Cllr Page will want clarification on how that will be managed. A Controlled Parking Zone around Motspur Park station is being consulted on. Cllr Page is asking for a pedestrian crossing West Barnes Lane to help with school pupils crossing the road.
Update from Paul Kohler, MP
Unfortunately, Paul Kohler MP had been delayed at the House of Commons so was unable to attend the meeting. He had provided an update the Cllr Willis was able to share.
Paul’s office is now fully staffed but they are looking for bigger premises in South Wimbledon.
Paul has written to the Minister about Raynes Park post office and will be meeting with Post Office managers on Thursday.
Paul has written to the Health Minister about getting a Breast Cancer screening facility in Wimbledon.
There was a debate today on step free access at railway stations which Paul spoke at.
Paul has also been campaigning against VAT being charged on private schools and has been campaigning for restorative justice and better services for those with eating disorders.
Paul has raised Wimbledon police station with the Met Commissioner. He has also taken part in debates on hospice and palliative care and the night-time economy.
Paul is also the Liberal Democrat transport spokesman and has raised that Merton has second worst roads in London with Ministers.
Open Forum/Any Other Business
A resident raised concern about the condition of the pavements in the Apostles due to damage caused by trees, in particular outside Warwick House in Chestnut Road. Residents can report problems with trees via the Council website.
A resident raised concern about the cost of parking permits.
A resident asked if there was funding to support installation of solar panels. There is funding from The London Borough of Merton via Lendology
Chris Larkman said there would be a celebration in Raynes Park as part of the Merton 60 events on Sunday 4 May.
A resident said that there will be a celebration event to mark 100 years of Motspur Park Station on 12 July.
Any issues or questions can be emailed to getinvolved@merton.gov.uk
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