Plans to radically change the notorious traffic jam black spot around Wandsworth Town Centre are gathing pace as Highway engineers at TfL are working closely with the council on plans that would significantly reduce traffic levels, improve vehicle flows and boost efforts to rejuvenate the town centre.

Traffic could be diverted away from the high street and parts of the town centre such as the area around Southside will be made pedestrian-friendly.

Transforming the town centre by removing much of its through traffic has been a long term strategic aim of the council, although the works can only be approved and carried out by TfL. It now seems TfL are taking action in response to council pressure, as well as the London Mayor’s Growth Fund, which helps local town centres within London by offering funds to rejuvinate and enhance them.

Wandsworth council Transport spokesman Cllr Russell King said: “Redesigning the one way system and removing the traffic that’s had such a negative effect on the town centre’s fortunes has been a key aim of the council for many years. I’m delighted that with these plans now gathering pace, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“The impetus behind this new energy is the granting of planning consent to the Ram Brewery which has secured an essential piece of the financial jigsaw. It means we are able to work closely with TfL to secure this important long term objective.

“The schedule now is for works to begin in 2017 and be finished in 2019. The council will be doing all it can to make sure that everyone involved sticks to this timetable.”