Mitcham's Corner Development Framework SPD

In general I welcome the degree of attention and commitment that the Council has invested in Mitcham's Corner. I believe that the proposals, if implemented, would represent a significant improvement to the existing environment of this area, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.

However, I am disappointed that the Council has only entertained one masterplan for the remodelling of the gyratory system (the "shared space" approach). I am not convinced that this is the ideal solution for this exceptionally busy junction. I am concerned about the impact, from a traffic flow perspective, of the S-bend connection between Milton Road and Victoria Avenue. Long tailbacks at this junction would not benefit users of buses and other vehicles, and they would not benefit pedestrians and cyclists either.

In my view an alternative scheme, the "IDBE" design, should be drawn up alongside the current proposal, and both schemes subjected to a feasibility exercise, including traffic flow modelling. The choice of scheme to be implemented would then be made on the basis of cost, feasibility and public preference. The IDBE scheme consists of the following elements:

1) Compulsory purchase and demolition of the terrace of houses in the middle of the gyratory;

2) Realignment of Milton Road to line up with Victoria Avenue, and creation of a conventional crossroads where these roads intersect Chesterton Road;

3) Extension of the remaining terrace site to the north and east (via a land swap) and redevelopment of the site for retail and housing;

4) Creation of a longer pedestrian square in front of the Portland Arms and stretching as far east as the frontage of the potential new supermarket building.