Boris's Transport for London threatens the character of Carshalton Village by scrapping heritage-style streetlamps

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 18th Aug 2008

Transport for London (TfL) plans to scrap Carshalton Village's heritage-style street-lamps and replace them with standard lamps.

In a study, TfL identified that the lighting levels in Carshalton Village do not meet its current standards and must be replaced. TfL's Streetscape Review Group has decided to replace the heritage-style lighting that is currently in the village with standard 10 meter lamp columns.

This decision appears to have been taken by TfL with no consultation with elected members on the Council or in Parliament.

Tom Brake MP for Carshalton and Wallington, who learnt about TfL's decision when they wrote to him last week, has contacted TfL asking why such a decision has been taken, apparently without consultation.

He is also writing to London's Mayor, Boris Johnson, who chairs TfL, to ask whether replacement heritage-style lamps could be provided instead?

Tom Brake said 'The new Mayor promised to listen to, and fight for, the residents of the Outer London Boroughs. He must allow local people to have their say before his technocrats rail-road through their one-size-fits-all solution.'

Also commenting on this issue was local Liberal Democrat Councillor Hammish Pollock who said that 'We are astonished that TfL have not seen fit to consult local people and elected members about this. Carshalton Village has a special character which we must do our best to safeguard.'

If TfL gets its way, the installation of the new lamp columns is programmed to take place in November and December 2008.