The opportunity to create a vibrant riverside quarter in Wandsworth has been squandered, the Wandsworth Society claims.

The society alleges Wandsworth Council has been hell-bent on turning the riverside into a haven for private developers.

Originally, a string of projects was planned for the Wandle Delta area, to be funded by the Government's Single Regeneration Budget money, which is managed by the Wandsworth Challenge Partnership, made up of the council and local business leaders and community groups, including the Wandsworth Society.

These included a new footbridge over the Wandle, better pedestrian links, a promenade from the High Street to Armoury Way, a riverbank improvement plan, a water sports centre and a visitor attraction.

Of these, only the footbridge has been completed, although some work on the riverbank improvement plan is expected eventually. But the visitor attraction has been cancelled outright, as has the water sports centre, with money earmarked instead for work to the Arndale Estate.

And the society fears the Wandle Promenade will never happen because the council is not keen on this project'.

The society argues its comments and complaints are not properly recorded in the Partnership meeting's minutes and half a million pounds has been spent on reports which often never see the light of day.

"The conclusions must be reached that the Wandsworth Society and the council have opposing visions for this area," the society says.

"The Wandsworth Society sees it as a great opportunity to reunite Wandsworth town centre with the Thames and Wandle rivers.

"The council sees the area as a site for private developments."

The group has been backed by Tony Martin, from the Wandle Delta Network.

He said: "A lot of volunteers' time and effort has gone into pushing forward schemes only to find, for seemingly not very good reasons, they're pushed aside and new initiatives have not been permitted to develop in their place."

But a spokesman for Wandsworth Council said there were new schemes in the pipeline, including ecological improvements, a new pontoon and work to The Spit.

"Everyone will admit to frustrations when what on the face of it are very attractive schemes don't get done, but there are complicated land issues and if a scheme's not going to be financially viable it's not in anyone's interest to put money into it."

November 12, 2001 12:00