Local councillors Jill, Hamish and Alan wrote to the Sutton Guardian newspaper recently and our letter has been published in the 21st March 2013 edition, concerning the shops in Carshalton High Street:-  

Dear Editor,

 

Bob Steel may be interested to learn (Character of High Street 7th March) that Councils have the ability to improve High Streets through bids to Transport for London’s (TFL) Outer London Fund (OLF) scheme. Until recently these funds were limited to larger and more disadvantaged district centres (we currently have OLFs in Hackbridge and Worcester Park/North Cheam). However, at a recent meeting with TFL, the Council was advised that the rules have been changed and that councils can now bid for OLF funds to improve smaller district centres which have historical and environmental character. As Carshalton Central Ward councillors we will be investigating the possibility of the Council bidding for funds for our area.

 

We understand that the empty shops in Carshalton High Street are likely to be replaced by a restaurant and new greengrocer. For nearly three decades local Liberal Democrat councillors have worked tirelessly to improve the High Street including the new conservation lighting and better pavements, planting, signage etc. after decades of neglect under the previous Tory regime which did very little and invested little in Carshalton!  We have worked with the traders, for instance, on the Christmas lights which were installed for the first time in 2012.  

 

The Council has made other major investments in local buildings including the newly refurbished Honeywood Museum, Westcroft Centre and new Carshalton Library which have helped the local economy through an increased number of new visitors to the area.
And events such as the Swan on the Pond event for London 2012 last July and the Frost Fair last December, have also helped draw in people to the area, not to mention the ever popular fireworks event and Environmental Fair in Carshalton Park. 

Yours Sincerely,

Hamish Pollock, Jill Whitehead, and Alan Salter,Ward Councillors for Carshalton Central

Letter in Sutton Guardian