Under previous Conservative control, Wandsworth Council ran the popular summer weekend pedestrianisation scheme on Northcote Road for two years, before setting aside £2.5m of funding from developers’ levies to make the scheme permanent.
This week, Wandsworth Labour, who took over the Council after the May 2022 local election, published proposals to scrap the scheme.
Wandsworth Conservatives have condemned Labour’s plans to scrap the hugely popular and successful Northcote Road summer weekend pedestrianisation scheme, which sees Northcote Road pedestrianised on weekends between April and September to allow al fresco shopping and dining on the street, with tables, chairs and stalls set up on the carriageway.
The scheme was first introduced in 2020 with temporary infrastructure to help businesses on the road recover after the first covid lockdown.
Due to its popularity with businesses and residents, the scheme was brought back for a second year in 2021.
A Council consultation found that 88% of residents supported or strongly supported the weekend pedestrianisation scheme on Northcote Road.
According to the Council’s business surveys, the scheme saved or created over 120 jobs and saved many businesses from insolvency.
The scheme was funded jointly by the Council through central Government covid recovery funds and by Northcote Road businesses. Plans were set in motion to make the scheme permanent with £2.5m set aside for capital works on the nearly 1km length road, all paid through developers’ levies, so that the Council would no longer have to make a financial contribution to the scheme year-on-year.
On the evening of Wednesday 21 September 2022, Labour-controlled Wandsworth Council published a paper recommending that the capital works be scrapped and without committing any funds to ensuring the temporary scheme can return next year.
This means that, under Labour’s proposals, the weekend pedestrianisation scheme would be scrapped completely.
Aled Richards-Jones, councillor for Northcote ward, said:
“It’s astonishing that Labour want to scrap a scheme that is hugely popular with residents and businesses,and comes at no additional cost to the council tax payer.
In the last two years, the scheme has literally saved many businesses which have been on Northcote Road for decades. As we head into future months and years where inflation continues to pose a threat, the increased trading during the pedestrainsed summer weekends will really help those businesses.”
Emmeline Owens, councillor for Northcote ward, said:
“The scheme isn’t just about helping businesses through difficult times – it’s about transforming Northcote Road into a safe street for shoppers, diners and families during the summer and creating a new focal point for the community. It brings new customers into the area which means the street stays vibrant and free frommultiple vacancies all year round.”
Labour proposal’s will be debated at the meeting of Wandsworth Council’s Finance Committee on Thursday 29th September 2022. Conservative councillors will oppose the plans.
