Residents Journal
society matters
The Putney Society breaks down its current
concerns, causes and upcoming celebrations
Residents Journal
on Putney High Street. Reported as one of the most
polluted roads in the capital, recent research has
suggested that around 62 deaths per year in Putney
and Roehampton can be linked directly to the poor air
quality in the area. The Society put forward a number
of recommendations to the Environmental Audit
Committee (EAC) which published a report on the
problem in late 2014, and was delighted when some
of these matched those submitted by the EAC to the
government. The Society feels that stronger measures
are needed, but understands that, as one of the major
thoroughfares out of London, reducing traffic volume
and increasing pedestrian access (one of the major
recommendations) will be a difficult process.
The Society is not opposed
to construction in the area as
long as it is in keeping with the
surrounding architecture
Planning
athering around dining room tables
and in meeting rooms across SW15,
The Putney Society works to promote
the local character and amenities for
residents. The Society, which was founded in 1959
after a local resident campaigned to save an elm
tree in his street, has been at the forefront of many
of Putneys upgrades, restorations and campaigns
ever since. The structure of the Society has changed
very little since the idea was born in the Fox &
Hounds pub in November of that year, or since the
inaugural meeting of 45 members in January 1960;
the three original panels (Buildings, Transport
and Open Spaces) still operate in almost the same
way today (allowing for technology upgrades) and
the Community panel, which began just a
few years later in 1971, also remains
a society staple. As and when the
needs arise, ad-hoc groups (for
example, dealing with pollution
on Putney High Street or
The Society is looking
the campaign against the
for volunteers to help the
expansion at Heathrow
treasurer, membership officer
Airport) are convened to allow
and bulletin editor.
the Society and its members to
Contact
[email protected]represent the local community
if you would like to be part of
to the best of its abilities.
this active local group.
Get involved
Nature focus
As part of its Open Spaces panel, the Society is always
concerned with the environment. To that end, it
uses its established tree fund for tree-planting efforts
across SW15, particularly on the Commons, as part
of its commitment to preserving the green feel of
the area and replacing any trees demolished during
construction projects. That said, the Society has been
successful in convincing developers to retain mature
trees in many of the recent local projects.
The Heathrow debate
Heathrow Airports desire to add another runway to its
current site will not be news to residents of south-west
London, nor will the campaign against the expansion,
the Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft
Noise [HACAN]. The Putney Society stands as a firm
voice against the new development, joining with
members of Wandsworth Council and local MP Justine
Greening in meetings packed to the rafters where
locals could hear about and discuss plans to oppose
the expansion. Debate is still raging on the subject.
Putney High Street
The Society takes a keen interest in the health and
wellbeing of the local community and is therefore,
with the council, closely monitoring the air pollution
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Although the Society is not opposed to construction
in the area as long as it is in keeping with the
surrounding architecture, it feels that some of the
plans recently submitted to demolish and redevelop
certain sites along the high street and Upper
Richmond Road are several storeys higher than
recommended in the Local Development plan. In
addition, it is concerned about the amount of office
space being replaced with residential apartments
which will adversely affect local retailers by removing
an important source of daytime shoppers.
Community solutions
upcoming events
14 May
Visit to the Guards Museum
and Guards Chapel
Bryan Busovicki / Shutterstock.com
An exclusive chance to get a behind-the-scenes
tour of the secure repository for artefacts
belonging to Her Majestys Foot Guards.
The tour will cover history from the end of
the English Civil War up to the NATO-led
Afghanistan campaign. Its also a chance to visit
the only remaining Military Chapel in London.
Deadline for booking 7 May, 12, meet at
1.30pm, coffee and tea on arrival.
Birdcage Walk, SW1 6HQ
28 May
William Morris Members Meeting
William Morris print
One of the latest ventures the Society is keen to
express is its concern over the safety and practicality
of the pedestrian crossing at the Putney Bridge end
of the high street. Following research, the Society
discovered that, under the bridge, there are disused
vaults which if knocked through could, at relatively
little cost and construction time, offer subway
connections for pedestrians an altogether safer
crossing option which would also reduce the amount
of traffic build-up on the high street and thus assist in
the reduction of air pollution in the area. Although
the proposals must wait until the Thames Tideway
Tunnel construction in the area has been completed,
the Society is pleased that the council, when re-leasing
the vaults to the local businesses above, has stipulated
that should such a project be undertaken in the
future, the vaults would be made available. n
The Putney Society is always seeking new
members. If youre interested in becoming a
part of the work it does in the community,
contact
[email protected](putneysociety.org.uk)
The May members meeting falls at the same
time of the Wandsworth Heritage Festival,
which runs from 23 May to 7 June. As part of
the celebration, a speaker from the William
Morris Society will give a talk on William
Morris and the Arts & Crafts Movement.
3 charge for non-members, 7pm, All Saints
Church, Putney Common, SW15 1HL
For more information about how to book a place
at either of these events, contact the Society
regarding membership.
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