Letter to the editor: Councillors work tirelessly to improve the high street

Bob Steel may be interested to learn (No political will to keep character of high street, March 7) 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 and North Cheam).

However, at a recent meeting with TfL, the council was advised that the rules have been changed and 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 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 and signs, after decades of neglect under the previous Tory regime that did very little and invested little in Carshalton.

We have worked with the traders, for example, on the Christmas lights that were installed for the first time in 2012.

The council has made other major investments in buildings, including the newly-refurbished Honeywood Museum, the Westcroft Centre and the new Carshalton library, which have helped the area’s economy through an increase in new visitors.

And events such as the Swan on the Pond event for London 2012 in July and the Frost Fair in December have also helped draw in people to the area, not to mention the ever popular fireworks event and environmental fair in Carshalton Park.