Wandsworth council plans to end popular Battersea pedestrianised scheme
By Charlotte Lillywhite, Local Democracy Reporter
The pedestrianisation of a popular Battersea hotspot could soon be abandoned as the cost of living crisis hits council spending.
Wandsworth council has revealed it must make “tough decisions” to support residents dealing with soaring bills as it plans to cancel the Northcote Road pedestrianisation scheme.
The scheme was first arranged in 2020 under the council’s old Conservative administration and has seen Northcote Road close to traffic every weekend from April to September.
The move allowed bars and restaurants to provide al-fresco drinking and dining along the street.
It was reintroduced in 2021 and 2022, and it was described as “immensely popular” by former council leader Ravi Govindia.
But a new report to the council’s finance committee recommends cancelling the scheme, in a move which could free up £2.5 million.
The report says businesses will still be able to offer outdoor dining and the authority will look for ways to support the closure of Northcote Road in future years.
But Wandsworth Conservatives, who lost control of the council for the first time in 44 years in May after a Labour victory, have hit out at the plans.
The group said they will oppose the proposal when it is debated at the end of September. The proposal will be considered at the council’s finance committee on September 29 before being approved or rejected at an executive meeting.
A spokesman for Wandsworth council said the authority needs to make “some tough decisions” in prioritising where to spend money as it supports residents” facing severe hardship due to rising energy costs, inflation and soaring food price rises” during the cost of living crisis.
The spokesman said: “While the council has co-funded the Northcote Road closure scheme with the Northcote Business Network for the last three years – partly using Covid support money which is now no longer available – proposals to introduce a permanent gates and bollards scheme will potentially run into millions of pounds.”
Pictured top: Al-fresco dining in Northcote Road (Picture: Wandsworth council)
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
