Latest news

Wandle Fortnight is a celebration of the Wandle Valley run by the community for the community. 2026 is our eleventh Wandle Fortnight. There are over 60 events and activities. You can find out what's happening by using the Calendar. We have made Wandle Grants worth over £4,600 to 21 local organisations to support their events and activities.
Fix the "Missing Link" - The Wandle Trail is blocked by the major railway bridge near Earlsfield. Walkers and cyclists are forced to leave the river and divert via busy roads.

Fixing this "Missing Link" in the Wandle Trail has been a priority for local communities and all who care for the Wandle for many years. Providing a route through the bridge will be transformational. It will create a major new active travel route for walkers, families with children, cyclists and wheelers. This will address demands arising from significant new development in the area and help meet the wider needs of the Wandle Valley.

The railway bridge lies on the border of Merton and Wandsworth. Both local authorities have identified it as a "priority project" in their Local Plans and Infrastructure Delivery Plans. It is included in Merton's Walking, Wheeling & Cycling Strategy and is eligible for funding from the community infrastructure levy on new development among other sources.

A feasibility study  has now been completed by Merton Council. It provides a preferred option which has the support of Network Rail and Environment Agency and costs c£1.1m.

There was universal support from all the candidates who stood in the 2026 local elections for the four surrounding Wandsworth and Merton Council wards who responded to our request for views - read their responses here.

We are asking the leaders of Merton and Wandsworth Councils to deliver this preferred option and realise the benefits it will provide. We have helped secure support from the Mayor of London to help both local authorities with implementation.

A campaign video from Wandsworth Cycling Campaign demonstrates the problem.
Diesel oil spill
​The Wandle downstream of Poulter Park was hit by a 4,000 litre oil spill on 18 February 2025. Further details can be found on our X thread. In terms of next steps we are calling for:
  • prosecution of the perpetrators with fines being used directly to restore the river
  • immediate implementation of long term pollution monitoring to provide the data needed fully to understand the impact of the spill
  • a lessons learned review led by the Wandle Catchment Partnership to improve future emergency responses
  • installation of network of sensors to provide early alerts of future pollution 
Delivering the promised nature reserve on Beddington Farmlands 

The new Beddington Farmlands nature reserve promised when the Beddington incinerator was built should have been open by the end of 2023. It has yet to be delivered. New plans from Valencia Waste Management were given permission in principle by Sutton Council in August 2026. We have called for a much more ambitious approach that benefits wildlife, provides better public access and connects the site with the surrounding green space between Mitcham Common and Beddington Park on both sides of the railway. Read our full response here and see our presentation to CPRE London's Annual Meeting and its ten New Parks campaign in 2024 here.

Wandle Valley Forum

Wandle Valley Forum provides support and an independent voice for 150 community groups & voluntary organisations and for everyone who shares a passion for the Wandle.  Our campaigning was instrumental in establishing the Wandle Valley Regional Park and we are integral to its future development.  Support us by offering your time or giving a donation.

​Our priorities are set out in the Wandle Valley Forum Charter.

Latest Wandle Bulletin

Wandle Bulletin 55 - September 2026
Wandle Valley Forum Charter 
The Wandle Valley Forum Charter was launched in April 2016.  The Charter is grounded in the views of community groups, voluntary organisations and local businesses that support Wandle Valley Forum. The Charter:
  • describes the distinct role of Wandle Valley Forum vis a vis other Wandle organisations
  • sets out community priorities for the Wandle Valley
  • identifies the contribution to be made by Wandle Valley Forum in delivering on the priorities

​Have a look at the Wandle Valley Forum Charter here.

Download and print the Wandle Valley Forum Charter here.
Wandle Trees and Tree Trails
Enjoy our online guide to some of the magnificent trees along the Wandle Trail & the many tree trails produced by volunteers in local parks and green spaces. Produced in collaboration with TiCL.
Wandle Vistas and Topsocopes
You can enjoy some of the best viewpoints in the Wandle Valley and explore the skyline online with our Wandle Vistas and Toposcopes produced in collaboration with TiCL.