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First Draft Wandsworth Night Time Strategy Consultation Report
In March 2023, Wandsworth Council completed its first draft Night Time Strategy for the borough to provide recommendations on how we can make the night time a better experience for everyone living, working, and visiting the borough. The Night Time Strategy is a document that looks at issues like conditions for night workers as well as the economic and cultural development of night time activities. It includes ways we can plan for safety, design, lighting and transport at night.
Between 27 March 2023 and 14 May 2023 the Council undertook a consultation on its first draft Night Time Strategy for Wandsworth. The document was presented in both a PDF format, as well as an interactive document, see Figures 1 and 2 below.
Figure 1. Night Time Strategy PDF
Figure 2. Night Time Strategy interactive document
The interactive document was unique and built specifically for this project to make the Strategy more accessible. Officers used DLUHC Prop Tech 2 funding, which was a government fund for piloting new digital engagement tools, and worked together with Commonplace to produce this innovative new way to present strategic documents.
The online consultation received 283 responses from 99 contributors and 7 separate emails, made up of individual representations as well as community groups and organisations. Officers also attended a Wandsworth Older People’s Forum meeting to gain a better understanding of the needs of older people, who were not represented enough in the previous consultation.
The feedback from the consultation was used to build on the draft recommendations in the Strategy, pushing the document to approval.
Methodology
The following methods were used to promote the consultation:
Stakeholder Panel Meeting
Officer Working Group
Mail-out to project contact list at start and end of project
Social media incl. Facebook paid advertisement
Rose Community Club Warm Space event
Article in Brightside
Articles x 2 in Wandsworth Art Update
Internal Comms – the Loop
Meeting with Wandsworth Older People’s Forum
Linked-In – Officers, GLA, DLUHC
Questions
The questions posed to the public for feeding back on our recommendations were:
A) How do you feel about our recommendations for [insert section title]?
B) Is there anything you would like to add?
C) Is there anything you would like to change?
2.1 Vision
Responses were neutral and positive, with one respondent asking the Council to add clarity around the balancing of night time activities with the impact on residents who do not participate in the night time economy and may suffer from noise and other associated issues that such activity can bring.
2.2 People
Safety and activity
Responses ranged from very positive to two negative contributions. One respondent asked for the Strategy to add recommendations made in the recent Roots to Change CIC report ‘Towards ending violence directed at women and girls in Wandsworth’, which considers systematic changes and wider responsibilities beyond the Council and the night time (considering the day time too) to create better foundations for tackling the night.
Other comments advised designating specific businesses as safe spaces with charging points for people to use at night if feeling unsafe, ensuring safety is balanced with the impacts of light pollution by using warm and ambient lighting rather than a ‘clinical glare’, security interventions at specified locations, tackling homelessness, focussing on prevention rather than response to aggressive male behaviour making women and minorities feel unsafe.
“Spill out spaces onto back streets must be negotiated with local residents.”
For changes to the recommendations, there was concern around spill out spaces and later opening hours exacerbating existing issues like noise and late night takeaways as hotspots for antisocial behaviour, as well as more fast food takeaways opening rather than a range of options such as healthy food, discussed in the Strategy. There were also suggestions to monitor areas monthly for problem behaviour and complaints, a proposal for a system to be set up for businesses to warn them of active problem groups in the area, and a request for the Council to aim for Purple Flag status by a specific date.
Safety for disabled people was discussed, with a recommendation to provide accessibility information and training for disabled people who are more likely to experience harassment and barriers at night, as well as considering disabled people and their safety when encouraging spill out spaces to ensure throughfares do not pose as obstacles for them.
One respondent asked for clarity on how the Council will tackle safety issues, rather than relying on cross agency work and voluntary organisations.
Young people
Responses to our recommendations for young people were all positive to neutral, with most respondents sympathising with the lack of support for young people.
Respondents asked for the recommendations to include education for young people around the impact of substance misuse and litter rather than punishment (especially with regard to the criminalisation of nitrous oxide), exploring youth work in and out of youth clubs through initiatives like detached youth work, linking with community services and targeted youth support, a push to reconnect young people with their communities, and an increase in police visibility.
“I have never seen any young people committing 'antisocial acts' following NOX use. However, I've seen the litter created by this activity. I wonder how many residents unwittingly equate the visible litter they see to an increase in antisocial behaviour? Let's educate the users to responsibly dispose of their waste - that might help!”
Night workers
Responses to our recommendations on night workers were all very positive to neutral, although more engagement with night workers is needed, as highlighted by one respondent who did not feel they had been sufficiently consulted previously.
Additions to the recommendations included reference to more night worker occupations such as taxi / Uber drivers and sex workers, ensuring a range of food options are open later for night workers (not just fast food), and better regulation of delivery mopeds. A question was also posed around who would be providing the toilets, food and rest places discussed in the Strategy.
Learning
Responses to our recommendations on learning were all mostly positive to neutral, and there was general agreement around promoting a change of behaviour.
“Thank goodness someone is doing something to combat gender and race-based violence, very encouraging”
For additions to the recommendations, comments included not making men the ‘target’, referencing LGBTQ+ and people with disabilities, moving beyond campaigns and including education as part of young people’s schooling, acknowledging the need for and creating wider systemic and cultural change alongside this Strategy.
The term ‘zero tolerance’ was discussed, with some respondents agreeing to such campaigns whereas another suggested a more ‘kind and compassionate’ message was needed, one that is not divisive but encourages collaboration and de-escalation.
Respondents discussed the recommendation to educate men and it was generally agreed that such sessions should not be based around blame and should move beyond legality to encourage kindness and male pride. It was also suggested that such sessions should not be voluntary as only already self-aware men would attend, and in turn sessions should be mandatory for those charged with sexism offences such as cat calling.
There was however a question around where the responsibility of implementing these recommendations lies.
2.3 Place
A place for everyone
Responses ranged from very positive to neutral, with particular agreement to the 15-minute neighbourhood approach and public toilet provision.
Additions included more vegetation on street level such as vertical gardens and protecting existing trees, balancing the recommendations with the impact on residents, adding disabled people to the list and a question on who will be responsible for implementing these recommendations.
Design our centres for the night
Responses were in the main positive, with support for animating vacant units and creating a sense of ownership. There was a recommendation for empty premises to display temporary installations of history, heritage, art or poetry. Concern was raised around the use of lights to create active frontages, highlighting the importance of environmentally friendly design and consideration to residents living above the premises.
Parks and open spaces
Responses were mostly positive to neutral. Additions to the recommendations included better lighting, lighting positioned at entrances and exits, separate cycle paths in parks, allowing cycling in parks, improved café and toilet facilities, food markets, skateboard areas, more purpose-built seating such as the likes of New York, and consideration of the riverfront as an open space for walking.
Culture and art
Responses were in the main positive, with respondents asking for personal events hosted in cafes, more public art, facilitated graffiti workshops with young people, night markets, free events, and live music venues.
“Competitions and commissions to cover dull facades etc. could start a new culture of dynamic creativity. Now that would brighten up the place!”
There was a request for consultation with potentially impacted residents for the placement of night markets, and a concern that art on ‘undesired paths’ would invite vandalism.
One respondent asked for a definition of culture and art and felt that the daytime should be prioritised (until 11pm) over the night for such activities. In response, it is important to highlight that the Council recently adopted the Wandsworth Arts and Culture Strategy which focusses on daytime activities, and all art and culture beyond 6pm is considered in the Night Time Strategy therefore activity prior to 11pm falls into this Strategy too.
Creative lighting
Responses ranged from very positive to very negative, with a general agreement that a lighting strategy that considers location, brightness and sustainability would be welcomed. Respondents went into further detail about this, to ask for private landowners and all future developments (via Planning permission) to consider lighting and design as part of their schemes, clarity on the impact on wildlife, and timed lighting whereby the brightness is dimmed after a certain point in the night / automated sensor lighting to reduce light pollution and cost. It was highlighted that light does not need to be everywhere, but the borough should be light enough to navigate at night and ‘warm’ lighting was preferred.
The negative comment highlighted that Christmas tree lights were still on in one of the town centres and should be removed.
Architecture and public realm
Responses ranged from positive to negative, with a general agreement with the recommendations although concern was raised around outdoor gatherings as part of the proposal for outdoor performance and open space. A question was posed around recommendation 5 on how women and other user groups would be consulted, and whether ‘equality’ should be replaced with ‘equity’ due to women being disproportionally impacted by night time safety issues.
2.4 Economy
Working together, creatively
Responses ranged from positive to negative, with agreement on supporting the LGBTQI+ community but also stressing the importance that all venues should be inclusive to all. Additions included providing safe spaces for women, police presence to ensure minority groups feel safe, and the importance of building on the talent London has to offer as a city (attracting performers of music, art, poetry, theatre, dance) rather than focussing on local artists only.
New, affordable and flexible spaces
Responses were mostly positive, with endorsement of non-drinking social spaces and healthy takeaway options. Additions included consideration for older people and those with disabilities, encouraging local businesses, venues and events to think about accessibility.
Night workers
Responses were positive and neutral, with a point made to work with town centre BIDs on resolving the issues highlighted in this section.
Digital inclusivity
There was general agreement around this, with one negative comment. The main point highlighted was that more promotion is required for events in the borough, with an idea to extend the online to calendar to a print-out version available too, as well as businesses showing the calendar on their windows.
Data collection and incentives
Responses ranged from very positive to negative, with a point made that the only way any later opening time initiatives would have a positive impact is if all businesses and their environments are safe, particularly for women and girls.
2.5 Transport
Public transport
Responses to our public transport recommendations were all very positive to neutral.
Topics discussed included the request for more night buses, a need for transport staff to be physically present on platforms and station entrances, all bus stops to have bus time information, a new bus service needed to connect Clapham Junction to the emerging Battersea Power station and Nine Elms area. Other points raised were around buses driving faster than speed limit and loud trains running through the night disturbing residents, and the need for more of an emphasis on the cleanliness, safety and reliability of public transport within the Strategy.
Walking and wayfinding
Responses ranged from positive to neutral, with agreement for clear signposting and light for a journey to feel safe. One respondent also discussed the importance of safe crossings in reference to dangerous crossings at Wandsworth Town, and another highlighted the importance of lighting being planned with women’s safety in mind.
Cycling
Responses were mostly positive, with agreement to more bike hangars and helping to make locked up bikes safer.
Additions included segregated cycle routes (especially important at night when visibility is low and cars drive faster), parking places provided for dockless e-bikes at stations and across borough to ensure availability for women to cycle safely, and as part of cycle sessions provide advice on lighting bikes and wearing high vis to increase visibility.
E-bikes however were not welcomed by all, with one respondent asking for more enforcement on inconvenient placement of bikes causing danger to pedestrians, and bike hangars also carefully placed.
Private transport
Responses were mostly neutral, with noise from cars and helicopters highlighted as an issue at night. Whilst one respondent asked for less speeding cars at night, another suggested speed limits on main roads should be raised at night for night workers to get to and from work. One respondent proposed an incentive scheme should be made available for night workers to get home safely if transport is unaffordable or unsafe. Another respondent suggested more accessible car parking spaces close to restaurants, and to start from an earlier time such as 6pm.
Deliveries
Responses were balanced between positive and negative, with most comments based around regulating delivery mopeds. It was requested that designated areas for delivery workers are sensitive to the needs of nearby residents and a restriction was suggested on mopeds for food and grocery deliveries to be made with e-bikes and bikes instead to reduce noise and air pollution as well as aggressive behaviour of riders. Another suggestion was more strict regulations for delivery drivers in general with additional licensing to operate in the borough.
2.6 All recommendations
Respondents had an option to provide feedback on the overall recommendations, rather than each one separately. Out of the 44 responses to this option, feedback was mainly very positive to neutral. Many recommendations were welcomed by the respondents such as night markets, events for community cohesion, more culture, activities for young people, limiting dark corners and narrow passages, sustainable lighting, reuse of empty shop fronts, exploring the different aspects of safety, night time cafes, encouraging active travel through parks at night.
“Great recommendations - good review of different aspects of safety. Would love to see these changes delivered!”
Aspects that respondents felt should be added to the recommendations included:
removing street clutter for safety
a strategy for the homeless and mentally ill
more on the appropriate timing of various types of lighting
improved licensing policies to allow for creatives to put on late-night events
bottom-up work on the ‘basics’ in town centres such as fly-tipping, littering and drug dealing which will make the borough safer overall
secure cycle parking (not just well lit)
more active travel infrastructure and less space for cars
more availability and space designated for dockless electric bikes for women to cycle home safely from stations
24-hour police surveillance
emergency buttons to call 999 at bus stops
“I would really really really support this night time economy strategy and much more culture and things for young people is needed in Wandsworth”
Changes to the recommendations include:
not only focusing on women escaping domestic violence but practical help protecting women from it
understanding the impact of noise from the night time economy on residents in town centres
focussing on the high streets at night but allowing side streets to stay quiet
either less late-night bars or less of a concentration of bars and late-night convenience stores in any one area (some respondents were against later opening venues due to ASB and littering)
hold bars accountable for antisocial behaviour of punters
emphasise safety of older people as feeling vulnerable stops older members of community accessing the night
“This is all well-meant, no doubt, but in reality, growing the night time economy just results in more noise.”
Other points raised include:
discussing lighting with private landowners / gated communities to discourage bright flood lights for safety
more engagement with creatives looking to put on events
later running public transport
light installations in empty store fronts
attracting larger coffee shops to act as alternatives to pubs / restaurants
reopening Northern Line night tube
local musicians to collaborate with bars to host live music
Council to support music venues, live music and places for young people, understanding the return of investment into music venues / concerts for surrounding businesses and NHS savings
noise, aggressive behaviour, thefts and littering at night
light pollution at night and the importance of the sleep of day workers between midnight and 6am
informal 'release’ (public realm) and ‘host’ (interior) spaces to encourage ad-hoc creative potential of night time economy
wellbeing of local residents impacted by large groups that are intimidating to walk past
“High streets are not just places to shop. They are places of social, cultural and political exchange...What makes urban space civic is not the actual ownership model, but its capacity to provide for the diverse needs of citizens.”
“I believe they [elderly people] should be included in your emphasis as late at night we also feel vulnerable and that does restrict how we participate in the community.”
3.1 Tooting Commons Management Advisory Committee
The Tooting Commons Management Advisory Committee (TCMAC) are a democratically elected group of volunteers who advise the Council on matters relating to the management of the Tooting Commons.
The TCMAC welcome the approach of the Wandsworth Night Time Strategy of making night times in the borough safer - especially for those from vulnerable groups - more varied and more accessible. They particularly welcome the focus on increased education and policing to reduce antisocial and criminal behaviour.
Comments are summarised below:
Access routes
TCMAC agree with the recommendations that are made on page 13 and are separately working with the Council on encouraging cycling through the Tooting Common by opening up two new routes (from Tooting Bec Road to the Lido and from Drewstead Road to Sternhold Avenue). Other paths across the Commons are generally too narrow and in too poor a state of repair to permit dual use in safety and we are conscious that users view the Commons as valuable amenities in their own rights rather than as something to traverse from one point to another.
Events
On page 16 there is a recommendation that Parks could be used for more family orientated events i.e. outdoor cinema, which could increase trade for surrounding businesses. There is already a significant range of family friendly events that happen on Tooting Common, and the only business that would benefit from more is Rose and Crown on Tooting Bec Road. In TCMAC’s view this would not be an adequate justification for increasing early evening or night time activity on Tooting Common which could cause increased disturbance for those living close to the Common.
Lighting
Improved lighting is suggested as the solution to making routes safer and TCMAC welcome the Council’s recognition on page 14 that there are likely impacts of lighting on biodiversity. TCMAC are pleased to note that there is no specific recommendation in the strategy to increase the number or intensity of lights on green spaces.
There are several studies that suggest that whilst streetlights may make people feel safer, they do not necessarily make them safer. Changes to lighting is no substitute for a robust and frequent Police presence which TCMAC believe is necessary now, and will be especially so if people transit open spaces more in the evenings. Whilst TCMAC are grateful for the work of the Parks Police they would welcome additional support from the Metropolitan Police to act as an effective deterrent and to apprehend malefactors.
There is also a considerable body of evidence of the harm that it can do to biodiversity. Especial caution should be taken with the use of LEDs (which currently is probably the lowest energy lighting available and so may be the preferred option) the blue light of which is especially damaging. TCMAC are very concerned that any increase in lighting of paths across the Common may not improve safety and is very likely to have very negative impacts for Tooting Common as an already vulnerable green space.
3.2 Wandsworth Gasworks development site
These comments are prepared by Common Projects (CP), on behalf of SGN Mitheridge Ltd (SGNM), the owner of the Wandsworth Gasworks development site.
A planning application has recently been submitted for the Wandsworth Gasworks site (planning ref: 2022/3954). The application is for a multi-tenure residential led scheme which also includes ambitious plans for new public realm areas, cross-site connectivity improvements, commercial space and ground floor activation.
In that context, the ambitions and aspirations of the Night Time Strategy prepared by Wandsworth Council are welcomed and supported by CP and SGNM. More specifically, the following aims of the strategy align well with the ambitions of our development proposals and the specific plans submitted in support of our planning application:
A) Encouraging spill-out and improving activity and promoting active frontages
B) An enhanced place-based approach
C) A range of evening and night-time uses
D) Considering design and use of pedestrian spaces
E) Creative installations and public art
F) Encouraging walking and cycling routes
G) Provision of flexible, adaptable and well-designed commercial spaces
H) Working with cultural institutions and anchor cultural venues
As part of the proposals CP are working with music charity Neko Trust (who are already based on site, in their temporary home, the dEPOT) to create an exciting, new music hub complete with rehearsal, writing and studio spaces to nurture the talent and skills of the next generation of Wandsworth’s artists and music industry professionals and entrepreneurs. CP have already met with the Council Arts and Culture team to discuss these plans and look forward to further engagement in the future, both on those plans, and this overall night time strategy, to discuss how the plans can best align with the Councils ambitions.
3.3 Battersea Society
The Battersea Society supports the vision for the proposed Strategy and the four principles of Voice, Collaboration, Knowledge and Investment. Though the Society also supports the four key themes: People, Place, Economy and Transport, it has reservations about building the Strategy around twenty different themes within those four areas, within which there are 87 recommendations.
Though the Society supports most, if not all of the recommendations, it is not clear whether or how the Council might take effective action. The Strategy needs to give some sense of priorities and how they might be achieved, and to be effective cannot be built on so many recommendations. The Society believe that there should be a stronger focus on a much smaller number of priority issues where action by the Council could make a real difference. These could be built around the first three principles:
Voice: ensuring that residents and community organisations as well as businesses are engaged and consulted about developments such as encouraging businesses to open for longer into the night; the suggested development of night markets; or “spill-out spaces” onto back streets.
Collaboration: ensuring that the full range of agencies, including the Police, the Mayor and GLA, TfL, Network Rail and Train Operating Companies, as well as residents, community organisations and local businesses are engaged in developing proposals through to implementation.
Knowledge: ensuring that through effective data gathering and analysis – for example detailed data on footfall at different times and locations - a knowledge base is created and made accessible to all stakeholders to help in developing and implementing specific proposals.
Working in this way should then lead to effective investment decisions by the Council on issues and in areas of high priority.
3.4 The Amenity Society for Putney and Roehampton
The Putney Society took part in several consultations on the Night Time Economy and feel that whilst the draft could be considered very laudable, there is a lack of specific details. The following comments were made by the Society:
People
An enhanced ‘place-based’ approach to existing council and Police joint working to identify crime hotspots, consider more CCTV, tackle Violence Against Women and Girls and provide greater police presence and faster response rate in areas of need.
Considering recent cuts, clarity is needed on how more police, Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) officers and CCTV will be provided. The Society have been told that current SNT numbers are at the right level, despite them being only a third of the number they were ten years ago.
All new drinking establishments to require sexual harassment training provided by the council when applying for a license, and encourage existing establishments to undertake training too
The Society hopes that existing drinking establishments have the same training.
Given the lack of public toilet facilities available after drinking establishments have closed, the Society suggests that staff remind patrons to make use of the toilet facilities before exiting the premises. This would hopefully cut back on pavements and front gardens being used as toilets, which is an offence and very unhygienic.
There is no mention of defibrillators. Given all the recent media coverage about the importance of a defibrillator in the first 3 minutes after a person collapses there should be some installed in busy town centres that are available 24 hours a day.
Provide amenity space for bus, HGV and delivery drivers to access toilets, food and rest space at night
It would be good to know where exactly the Council plans to place these toilets.
Place
Need more youth clubs, sports facilities and safe places where young people can spend time during the evening
The Society supports the need for more youth clubs, sports facilities and safe places for young people. So many have been closed that it would really benefit all communities if there are youth clubs and spaces for young people to go. Disused spaces, empty units and railway arches should be used where possible. Landlords are often not willing for empty premises to be used for anything, for a variety of reasons. More legal requirements need to be written in law so that an empty shop can be used for pop-ups or other short-term things. Eg. Putney residents recently had flyers put through our doors from Rainbow Rising (www.RainbowRising.org.uk). They worked with Southside shopping centre to provide ‘pop-up’ shops for charities.
The many sections that discuss extra or increased lighting of various kinds
Biodiversity is a serious consideration and needs to be noted. There must be care taken that light does as little harm as possible to wildlife. Perhaps motion detector lights would be possible in some parts, so that it is light when people are walking past, but not light all the time. There is also the problem of higher energy costs when everyone is trying to conserve energy wherever possible.
Economy and digital inclusivity
There is no mention of public toilets. Having an increase in the night time economy activities means there must also be access to public toilets, or the pavements are just going to be used.
An easy-to-use online calendar showing day and night activities for each town centre, promoted across the borough through a strong visual campaign. Though various streams do already exist such as wandsworthart.com, these should be centralized
Some current advertising hoardings could be used to share information too, such as the JC Decaux hubs, which have the facility to share information if contact is made by the Council.
Transport
One area of the Borough, Roehampton, has extremely bad transport links, not only during the day, but particularly at night. There is no tube or train network link, and buses are few and far between. Given that the Alton Estate, one of the largest in the UK, with some 13,000 residents is in Roehampton, and that it is a deprived area, there should be a concerted effort to improve things in every category in Roehampton.
The Society also believe noise should be a factor and the Council’s 'noise line' should be advertised.
3.5 Individual email response
The consultation received 1 individual email response, summarised below:
The draft is open, honest and has concluded importance of safety for women, LGBTQ, night workers, businesses.
Agreement with improving lighting in streets and areas near businesses, as well as youth workers to accompany police to learn in regarding how to tackle any issues and problems with youth.
There is no mention of disabled people, the most vulnerable people in our borough. The elderly too, but often they do not go out at night time.
Late night bus and underground trains often host groups of youths with their faces and heads covered intimidating passengers.
The most important thing to tackle for this Strategy to work is the overall wellbeing of young people - providing them with sports activities, art, dance, cooking etc... before looking at improving the night time lifestyle.
Group activities for disadvantaged youths and young people will support better behaviour as well as pave the way for improved night time experiences for workers, women, LGBTQ and late opening hours for businesses.
Lights in the street are very important as well as installing cameras in the areas that are most secluded from street cameras.
“Please include DISABLED PEOPLE”
Officers attended Wandsworth Older People’s Forum on 13 June 2023 to acknowledge the lack of representation of older people in the Night Time Strategy. There were 17 attendees, and a summary of their feedback about the night time is below:
Most people said they went out after 6pm, some very late into the night/early hours of the morning, which challenges the assumption that older people don't go out.
A participant based in Tooting said there are 2 shops open 24-hours. When a café asked for late opening permission, residents objected because of noise nuisance but following discussion around the need for a diverse offering at night felt that considering the café would not have served alcohol, objecting may have been a mistake.
Many participants said they feel safer in Wandsworth than in previous towns they've lived in and regularly go to the theatre, people create a sense of safety.
"I feel safer in London than I did in Bradford"
One person lived in Balham and said they'd like to see more police on the streets, as well as more activities like markets in the primary school or activities to get to know your neighbours.
Accessible transport is needed as hard to access what the borough has to offer as a disabled person. With regards to buses, it was stated that new models are not as good as the older ones – they have more steps and there used to be more handrails. Drivers also need to pull up closer to the curb.
There was support for more mixed early evening activities
No lift at Tooting Broadway station – barrier to travel