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48
Trade, were opened for traffic in November last. The London
County Council having found it impracticable to carry out the
proposed improvement at the corner of Mitcham Lane and Babington
Road in accordance with the deposited Parliamentary plan, a
fresh line of widening at this point was agreed between the Borough
Council and the County Council. Nearly. all the widenings required
in connection with these tramways have been effected. Steps are
being taken by the County Council with the view of executing
the remaining improvement at an early date.
Southfield
Tramways.
59. The Borough Council has on several occasions during the
past year had before it the subject of the suggested
provision by the London County Council of a line
of tramways between High Street, Wandsworth, and Southfield.
During recent years extensive building operations have taken
place in the district immediately westward of Merton Road, and
a large residential population has sprung up there. On the
eastern side of Merton Road, and at the southern end of that
road adjoining the County boundary, there still remain tracts of
land awaiting development. Means of communication between
this district and other parts of London are at present limited,
and a tramway connection with the County Council's existing
system would be of great benefit to the residents. Two alternative
routes have been suggested for the proposed tramways
from High Street, Wandsworth. One would follow Merton Road
throughout to the County boundary, and the other would leave
Merton Road at the junction of Wimbledon Park Road and follow
the latter road to Southfield railway station. The Borough
Council has received deputations on two occasions in favour of
the former route, and representations in support of that proposal
were made to the Borough Council from a largely-attended public
meeting of residents in the district affected. After careful consideration
of all the circumstances, the Borough Council came to
the conclusion that the route following the Merton Road to the
County boundary was the most suitable for the proposed tramway.
60. The views of the Borough Council on the subject were
communicated to the London County Council and a deputation,
consisting of the Mayor (Alderman Dawnay, J.P.), Councillors