Regeneration project: Colliers Wood

Colliers Wood is getting £1.6m from the Mayor’s Regeneration Fund, matched by £820,000 from Merton, to improve local roads and public spaces, connecting the area back to the river Wandle and Wandle Park. Though well positioned as a town centre, Colliers Wood has suffered from street dominated by traffic, while negative perceptions of the area were made worse by 2011’s riots. A scheme to revitalise Christchurch Road, the high street, and entrances to the park, is underway, creating a better setting for shopping and commuters, and making clearer links to the river and park. A new town square is being created to complement the redevelopment of the long unoccupied Brown and Root tower into residential units.

View our images.

Public spaces

Investment into Colliers Wood is focusing on improving the public realm. Designs by Gort Scott to widen pavements and improve pedestrian crossings are helping pedestrian movement around the area, while a new lower speed limit will improve safety for all road users. A new square for the area around the tower will create an attractive arrival from the Underground station, as well as a pleasant place to pause. The connection to Wandle Park will be made easier through the removal of fences and gates, new landscaped boundaries and planting. Trees, new surfaces, street furniture and public art throughout the town centre will encourage further use of outdoor spaces.

Transport

A coordinated TfL scheme for Colliers Wood is working to improve the flow of traffic through the town centre, while also providing better conditions for cyclists. Public realm improvements are aligned with TfL changes, including new cycle lanes and traffic signal bypasses will be added to major arteries, making Colliers Wood a safer place to cycle. The large number of traffic signals for some junctions will be rationalised and reduced, allowing pedestrians to cross the roads with less waiting, as well as making traffic flow more smoothly and cutting jams. Bus stops will be extended, further reducing congestion caused by buses stopping in other areas.

Borough: Merton

Partners/client: LB Merton, TfL

Consultants: Gort Scott

Funding: Mayor of London £1.6m, LB Merton £820,000