The New and Old Malden Neighbourhood Committee met on Wednesday 9 September 2026 to discuss a range of local issues, including the implementation of a School Street Zone for Coombe Girls School, the installation of a new zebra crossing on South Lane, and the allocation of community grants. The committee approved the progression of the School Street Zone scheme to public consultation and agreed to the installation of the zebra crossing on South Lane. Several community grant applications were also approved, supporting local organisations and initiatives.

School Street Zone for Coombe Girls School

The committee discussed the proposal to implement a School Street Zone for Coombe Girls School, covering Darley Drive and surrounding roads including Buxton Drive, Bakewell Way, Cromford Way, Matlock Way, and Branksome Way. This scheme aims to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and encourage active travel during school drop-off and pick-up times. Residents expressed concerns about potential parking displacement and the impact on tradespeople and those with multiple vehicles. However, officers clarified that exemptions would be available for residents and tradespeople, and that the scheme was intended to improve the overall quality of life in the area. The committee ultimately approved the scheme to proceed to local public consultation, with a decision on permanent implementation to be made following the consultation period.

South Lane Zebra Crossing

A proposal to install a new zebra crossing on South Lane, outside number 261, was considered. The scheme aims to improve pedestrian safety and act as a traffic calming measure for vehicles entering the 20mph zone from the A3. While many residents supported the need for a crossing, citing difficulties in crossing the busy road and concerns about speeding traffic, a significant number of objections were raised. Concerns included the proposed location being too close to the A3 slip road and a junction, potential visibility issues, increased congestion, and noise and air pollution. Some residents also questioned the demand for a crossing at this specific location, suggesting alternative sites further down South Lane. Despite these objections, the committee approved the implementation of the zebra crossing at the proposed location, citing the need to improve pedestrian safety and the potential for traffic calming.

Community Grants Programme

The committee considered several applications for Neighbourhood Community Grants (NCG). The following organisations were successful in their applications:

• Disability Challengers - Kingston Youthscheme: Awarded £3,000 to support their work in providing play and social opportunities for disabled children and young people.
• New Malden Town Centre Partnership: Received £3,000 to support the Santa Switch On event and the ongoing maintenance of Christmas tree lights on the High Street, aiming to enhance the town centre's attractiveness and safety.
• Malden, Coombe and Kingston Branch, Royal British Legion: Granted £1,090 to purchase a National Standard and a Union Flag coffin drape, to provide dignified ceremonial honours for veteran funerals and commemorative duties.
• Learn English at Home: Awarded £3,000 for their project providing weekly English language classes for parents at Burlington Infant School, aiming to reduce isolation and foster integration.
• Achieving for Children: Received £1,500 for their After School Club Cafe at the Old Malden Family Hub, to provide nutritious meals for children attending the club, particularly those from families facing hardship.

Community Safety Update

Steph Royston Mitchell from the Kingston Community Safety Team provided an overview of the Safer Kingston partnership's work over the past 12 months. The presentation highlighted four key priorities: preventing and reducing violence and exploitation, tackling anti-social behaviour, promoting thriving neighbourhoods, and addressing online harm and reducing re-offending. The team showcased various initiatives, including the Met Engage platform for neighbourhood policing, the ASB HELP pledge, a nationally recognised transitional safeguarding panel for young adults, and the award-winning Entrapreneur project. The presentation also detailed efforts to combat violence against women and girls, including a co-produced strategy and a Silent No More event. Initiatives for thriving neighbourhoods included a 24-7 helpline for hate crime victims and a youth-led community safety conference.

Urgent Items

An urgent verbal update was provided regarding the Coombe Vale traffic calming petition. It was noted that while standard signage is generally effective for speed, the core issue identified from the petition relates to reckless and antisocial driving. A report will be presented in November detailing a coordinated intervention strategy involving council departments and the local police.

The meeting also deferred a report on the Neighbourhood Manager's update to the next meeting due to time constraints.