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Wonderful Wandsworth: Area one of the top places to live in the UK

Summary:

A campaign has highlighted the borough’s popularity.

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By Sandra Saadi

Tooting, Earlsfield, Battersea and Balham have recently been named among the best places to live in England and Wales.

The Sunday Times Guide 2013 listed Balham among ‘London’s most desirable locations to live’, alongside Richmond, Dulwich and Muswell Hill. The guide takes into account factors like transport links, crime levels, environment and unemployment rates.

The Time Out blog recently hailed Tooting as the latest foodie destination for South London.

Not to be outdone, Earlsfield, was highlighted by the Metro newspaper as a great place to settle.

The borough was noted for its highly regarded schools, low council tax, street improvement scheme in the town centre and the proximity to Waterloo station – less than 15 minutes away.

Even A-list celebrities cannot resist the lure of Wandsworth, with Gordon Ramsay and Victoria Beckham both setting up their businesses in the area.

But why is Wandsworth held in such esteem? The answer can be found among the numerous love declarations left by residents on the website council via the Love Wandsworth Campaign.

Many of them praised the efforts made by the borough to provide residents with a pleasant living environment.

“The centre of Wandsworth is developing nicely and there are plans to reduce traffic, develop the RAM Brewery and improve links to both the river and station,” said Ben Virgo.

The borough also inherits ‘natural’ advantages which make it a very convenient place to live.

“The location is fantastic – easy to get into town and easy to get out to the countryside. However we have plenty of green spaces in Wandsworth and some of the high streets still have some character,” said Luke Thomas.

However, there is still room for improvement. Some residents used the Love Wandsworth campaign as an opportunity to raise top priority concerns.

Kate Miranda said: “I would really, really, really like to see a working public toilet in Wandsworth Park. So many children spend a lot of time playing in the park and there are no toilet facilities. It is the same in Leaders Garden. There are tennis courts and a children’s playground but no toilet facilities.”

To find out more information on the Love Wandsworth campaign and to have your say on the area, visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk.

Photo courtesy of HerryLawford, with thanks.

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