Petition Opposing the Closure of the Commons Extensions Car Park on Weekdays 

To: Merton Council
Address: Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX 

We, the undersigned residents and regular users of Wimbledon Common, oppose the weekday closure of the Commons Extensions car park. This decision was made without public consultation and was announced with less than one week's notice before the closure date of November 18, 2024. We believe this decision poses serious safety risks and will significantly reduce access to this vital public space, particularly for families, the elderly, dog walkers, and those with limited mobility.  The issue of limited parking is already a challenge, and closing another car park will only exacerbate the problem.

Our Key Concerns: 

Safety Hazards and Crime Risks: Wimbledon Common has a history of serious crime, including the tragic murder of a young mother in the 1990s. Recent reports of sexual assaults and sightings of a local flasher, who remains at large, continue to highlight safety concerns for lone joggers, dog walkers, and other users. Closing the car park will make large areas of the Common deserted during the week, increasing the risk of crime by reducing the number of people using these spaces. 

Restricted Access to the Common: The size of Wimbledon Common makes it difficult for many visitors to access on foot or by public transport, especially for those with children, pets, or limited mobility. By closing the car park, you will make large portions of the Common inaccessible to these groups, effectively reducing the community’s ability to enjoy one of the few natural green spaces in our urban environment. This is especially concerning for weekday visitors, who rely on the car park for convenient access. 

Emergency Response Delays: The closure of the car park will severely impact emergency response times. In the event of a medical emergency or a crime, the ability of emergency vehicles to reach more remote areas of the Common quickly could be significantly delayed, potentially putting lives at risk. Swift access is crucial, and closing this key point of entry could have tragic consequences. 

Increased Traffic and Dangerous Parking Conditions: Closing this car park will put even more pressure on other already overstretched car parks (Windmill, Springwell, Barham Road) and push visitors to find parking on local roads, many of which are already congested and have limited availability. This will create dangerous conditions, especially for those forced to unload children, pets, and equipment onto busy streets or even along the A3 motorway. The increased traffic on residential roads will also be a significant burden for local residents, causing more congestion and safety risks. 

Alternative Solutions for Commercial Dog Walkers: If the aim of this closure is to reduce the number of commercial dog walkers with an excessive number of dogs, we believe there are far better alternatives. A licensing system or the introduction of a warden to monitor commercial dog walkers would directly address this issue without restricting the broader community’s access to the Common. This would allow for the management of high-volume dog walkers while maintaining safe and equitable access for all. 

Our Request: We strongly urge Merton Council to reconsider the closure of the Commons Extensions car park on weekdays. Instead of a blanket closure that will harm regular visitors and increase safety risks, we propose exploring alternative solutions, such as a licensing system for commercial dog walkers or appointing a warden to monitor activity. 

Wimbledon Common is an essential public space, providing recreation, exercise, and solace for a diverse range of people. Closing this key parking facility will reduce access, increase safety risks, and isolate large parts of the Common, particularly during quieter weekday periods. We believe a more balanced approach can be found that ensures public safety and preserves access for all. 

Sincerely,
The Undersigned 

October 2024

By signing this petition, we stand together in opposition to the closure of the Commons Extensions car park and advocate for solutions that maintain access, safety, and enjoyment of Wimbledon Common for all users.