MertonNewsWandsworth

Wandle Trail’s ‘missing link’ at Earlsfield on course to be fixed

By Harrison Galliven, Local Democracy Reporter

A peaceful riverside walk that is interrupted by a busy high street could finally have the ‘missing link’ added so walkers don’t need to come off the disconnected trail.

Despite both Merton and Wandsworth council deeming it a ‘priority project’, residents are calling for more urgency to ‘fix the link’ on the Wandle Trail with a petition passing 1,200 signatures.

The first steps are being taken in finding a solution as Merton council explores the possibility of buying Network Rail land to connect up the route.

The trail winds alongside the famous River Wandle as it passes through Croydon, Sutton, Merton and Wandsworth but there’s a gap in Earlsfield.

For over two decades, residents and outdoor enthusiasts have been calling for a solution to the issue of walkers having to leave the River Wandle near Earlsfield Station, and trundle along residential streets and the congested Garratt Lane, full of cars, shops, Lime bikes and often roadworks.

Suddenly the abundant flora and fauna that make the trail so loved give way to the sort of chaotic street scene walkers are trying to get a break from, before re-joining the trail on the other side of the railway line.

The path stops just before the railway bridge which is owned by Network Rail. Previous attempts from Merton and Wandsworth councils to address the issue have stalled due to the challenge of finding a practical solution to extend the Wandle Trail under the railway bridge, which carries the mainline out of Waterloo.

Merton council has recently completed a £1.1m feasibility study, which concluded that buying Network Rail land to extend the trail was the preferred option. Network Rail and the Environment Agency are now satisfied that the local authority’s ownership of the land under the bridge would not adversely impact the area.

Residents at Sunday Mills must currently take a long detour to access the trail, which is just a few yards downstream (Picture: WVF)

According to Tony Burton, chairman of the Wandle Valley Forum (WVF), the recent progress is thanks to the emergence of new developments in the area. The nearby redevelopment of Garratt Mill into co-living spaces at Sunday Mills has provided the funding for the study.

Mr Burton said: “Fixing the ‘missing link’ in the Wandle Trail would be transformational. A new car-free route for walkers, cyclists and wheelers would be created along the river and everyone could avoid a long detour via busy roads past Earlsfield Station.

“Wandsworth and Merton Councils have both agreed that fixing the ‘missing link’ is a priority project and a practical and affordable solution has been prepared.”

The WVF have set up an online petition calling for on the councils to follow through with their intentions to connect the path.

Merton’s cabinet member for transport, councillor Stephen Alambritis, said: “The Wandle Trail is a popular active travel route through the heart of our borough and we are committed to working with community groups, including the Wandle Valley Forum, to enhance it.

“We carried out a feasibility study last year to look at options to close the Earlsfield link so that walkers and cyclists don’t have to leave the riverbank where the railway bridge passes over the water. We are continuing to work closely with Wandsworth council to secure the significant amount of funding needed for this project.”

Wandsworth council has been approached for comment.

Pictured top: The Wandle Trail is interrupted just before Earlsfield, where a Network Rail bridge crosses the river (Picture: WVF)

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