Cycle Quietway Is Planned From Wimbledon To Clapham Common

Plans amended to help preserve local bat population

Cycle Quietway Is Planned From Wimbledon To Clapham Common

New plans have been proposed for a Cycle Quietway between Clapham Common and Wimbledon, part of which will be alongside the Wandle Trail.

Concerns had been expressed about the original proposal for 6m-high lighting columns and the effect it would have on the local bat population.

As a result, Merton Council called in a specialist lighting designer and an ecologist to take these concerns into account and briefed to provide a lighting design that would have as minimal an impact as possible to the ecology of the Wandle Trail whilst meeting Quietway standards of a safe and secure route.

The latest proposals are summarised as follows:

  • 4 metre columns with motion sensors and timers. The lights will only be activated when human activity is present.
  • Lit Bollards with motion sensors will be proposed just north of Plough Lane and the Wandle Meadow Nature Reserve which are more exposed due to less vegetation.
  • Potential bat roosts have been identified and no potential bat roosts will be lit
  • The lighting splay will be minimal and directed straight to the ground.
  • All existing lighting along the scheme will be replaced using energy efficient LED Luminaires. These Luminaires will also be more ecologically sensitive, especially to bats.
  • Improved access at the gateway to the Wandle trail south of Plough Lane.
  • The width of the proposed path at the Wandle Meadow will be 2.5 metres. This has taken into account stakeholder concerns that the previous proposal of 3 metres was too wide and not keeping in character to the Wandle Trail. The path will be built over the existing concrete path to reduce excavation and damage to tree roots.
  • The proposed width of the Wandle replacement bridge will be 3 metres to comfortably accommodate 2-way cycle and pedestrian traffic.
  • The railway underpass just off the Wandle Meadow Nature Reserve will be lit using wall brackets.
  • Removal of the timber gate at the North/Eastern entry to the Wandle Meadow Nature Reserve. Existing access controls make it unnecessary.

Feedback has been sought on the proposal and works are planned to begin in January 2017.

August 5, 2016