logo
MP demands answers over travel chaos at Wimbledon

MP demands answers over travel chaos at Wimbledon

Rhyl Journal7 hours ago
Paul Kohler, the Labour MP for Wimbledon, posted a letter to X on Wednesday addressed to the Commissioner of Transport for London, raising concerns about repeated issues on the District Line, including signal failures and a fire alert at Southfields – the station closest to the All England Club.
He said the problems had severely affected the journeys of residents, commuters and visitors, warning: 'Attendees are now being caught up in cancellations and delays.'
I'm acutely aware of ongoing issues with District Line services, affecting both my constituents & visitors during this busy period.
I've contacted TfL for urgent updates on recent issues & requested a meeting to discuss improving reliability of services in short & longer term. pic.twitter.com/sBIKGd15Zo
— Paul Kohler🔶MP for Wimbledon (@PaulKohlerSW19) July 2, 2025
Mr Kohler said he had been told Wimbledon station was 'very crowded' on Tuesday and called on TfL to outline what extra support is in place to keep services running smoothly during the rest of the tournament.
On Thursday, Campaign group Save Wimbledon Park, which opposes the All England Club's expansion plans onto nearby parkland, said the tournament's impact on the local area goes beyond the grounds themselves.
'We love the tennis – we do,' the group posted on X.
'But there is a real cost to being taken over, even for just two weeks a year.
'Streets are closed, bus routes diverted, parking a nightmare, tube travel ridiculous and traffic at gridlock.'
We love the tennis – we do. But there is a real cost to being taken over, even for just two weeks a year. Streets are closed, bus routes diverted, parking a nightmare, tube travel ridiculous and traffic at gridlock. pic.twitter.com/oGNR5MkWAa
— Save Wimbledon Park (@SaveWimbldnPark) July 3, 2025
TfL has been approached for comment.
Despite the travel disruption earlier in the week, conditions have brightened up for day four of the Championships.
Sunshine and 24C temperatures returned to south-west London on Thursday, after rain caused delays and sent fans scrambling for umbrellas on Wednesday.
On Centre Court, Novak Djokovic continues his bid for an eighth Wimbledon title as he faces British number three Dan Evans in the second round.
World number eight Iga Swiatek also returns to action, taking on American qualifier Caty McNally.
Number One Court hosts men's top seed Jannik Sinner against Australia's Aleksandar Vukic, before teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva plays Italy's Lucia Bronzetti.
Maria Sakkari will meet 2022 champion Elena Rybakina later in the day, while British hope Jack Draper faces a tough test against former US Open winner Marin Cilic.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ban on Palestine Action clears Parliament but faces legal challenge
Ban on Palestine Action clears Parliament but faces legal challenge

South Wales Argus

time11 minutes ago

  • South Wales Argus

Ban on Palestine Action clears Parliament but faces legal challenge

The House of Lords backed proscribing the group under the Terrorism Act 2000 without a vote. A short time before, a so-called regret motion proposed by a Green Party peer criticising the measure was rejected by 144 votes to 16, majority 128. The ministerial order, which has already been approved by MPs, will make it a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison to be a member of the direct action group or to support it. However, it is unclear when the ban, which needs final sign-off by the Home Secretary, will come into force as the group is mounting a court challenge to try to temporarily block the move with a hearing scheduled on Friday, pending further proceedings. The Government crackdown comes after two planes were vandalised at RAF Brize Norton on June 20 causing £7 million worth of damage, in an action claimed by Palestine Action. Four people have been charged by counter-terrorism police in connection with the incident and were remanded in custody following a court appearance. Home Office minister Lord Hanson of Flint said: 'I will always defend the right of British people to engage in legitimate and peaceful protest and to stand up for the causes in which they believe. 'But essential as these rights are, they do not provide a blank cheque for this particular group to seriously damage property or subject members of the public to fear and violence.' He added: 'We would not tolerate this activity from organisations if they were motivated by Islamist or extreme right-wing ideology, and therefore I cannot tolerate it from Palestine Action. 'By implementing this measure, we will remove Palestine Action's veil of legitimacy, tackle its financial support, degrade its efforts to recruit and radicalise people into committing terrorist activity in its name.' Supporters outside Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, where four people were charged with conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom, and conspiracy to commit criminal damage following an incident at RAF Brize Norton in which two Voyager aircraft were damaged (Jeff Moore/PA) But ministers have faced criticism over the decision to outlaw Palestine Action, with opponents branding the move as 'draconian overreach' and comparing the group to the Suffragettes. The United Nations has also warned against the ban, with experts concerned at the 'unjustified labelling of a political protest movement as 'terrorist''. In the Lords, Green Party peer Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb opposed the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. Her regret motion argued the ban undermined civil liberties, constituted a misuse of anti-terror legislation, suppressed dissent against the UK's policy on Israel, and criminalised support for a protest group, causing 'a chilling effect on freedom of expression'. The legislation approved by the Lords also bans two white supremacist groups, Maniacs Murder Cult and Russian Imperial Movement, including its paramilitary arm Russian Imperial Legion. The Home Office describes the Maniacs Murder Cult as a neo-Nazi transnational and online organisation which has claimed a number of violent attacks around the world. The Russian Imperial Movement is an ethno-nationalist group which aims to create a new Russian imperial state. Its paramilitary unit fought alongside Russian forces in the invasion of Ukraine to advance its ideological cause. It also runs a paramilitary training programme to support attendees to carry out terror attacks, the Home Office added.

Wimbledon diary: Bear Grylls takes in the tennis on a day of Turkish delight
Wimbledon diary: Bear Grylls takes in the tennis on a day of Turkish delight

South Wales Argus

time12 minutes ago

  • South Wales Argus

Wimbledon diary: Bear Grylls takes in the tennis on a day of Turkish delight

The 23-year-old defeated Wang Xinyu 7-5 7-5 to continue through the tournament in what is her first experience of Wimbledon. She fell to her knees after the winning the final point, and the trailblazing achievement caught the attention of Turkey's minister of youth and sports, Osman Askin Bak, who said via X: 'Congratulations Zeynep, we are proud of you!'. ***** Actress Celia Imrie, star of Bridget Jones's Diary, Calendar Girls and, aptly, the 2004 film Wimbledon, was in attendance in the Royal Box. She was joined by Feargal Sharkey, environmentalist and former lead singer of The Undertones, and Dragons' Den business woman Deborah Meaden. England's Rugby World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward was also present, and so too was former Conservative Party leader William Hague, adventurer Bear Grylls and Lindsey Burrow – wife of the late rugby league player Rob. ***** Quote of the day 'I'd say, if I had to sum it up, it felt the tennis balls were back in my pocket very quickly and never stayed in there a long time.' – Dan Evans encapsulates what it is like to play tennis against Novak Djokovic. Picture of the day Luciano Darderi celebrates with his team and family after beating Arthur Fery (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Tweet of the day Friday's match of the day Emma Raducanu is ready for Aryna Sabalenka (Mike Egerton/PA) There is likely to be a real sense of anticipation in SW19 on Friday as attendees await the final match on Centre Court – Emma Raducanu versus Aryna Sabalenka. The latter is the world number one and a favourite to go all the way having reached the final of the last three grand slams before making light work of her opening two matches. British number one Raducanu has also enjoyed a straightforward start to the tournament, looking in fine form when beating 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova in the second round and sparking plenty of excitement about her chances of a deep run. They are both among the most high-profile female players and, with one of them on home turf, a Centre Court ticket for their third-round meeting will be a coveted thing indeed. Friday's weather forecast Sunny changing to partly cloudy by nighttime with highs of 26 degrees Celsius – according to the Met Office.

Foulling claims levelled at Wimbledon tennis fans
Foulling claims levelled at Wimbledon tennis fans

The Independent

time17 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Foulling claims levelled at Wimbledon tennis fans

Wimbledon fans queuing overnight for tickets are allegedly defecating and urinating in Horse Close Wood, a section of nearby Wimbledon Park, according to local campaigner Simon Wright. Mr Wright, from the Save Wimbledon Park residents' group, claims to have found human faeces and used tissues, raising concerns about health risks and a lack of respect for the historic woodland. He stated that discreet signage urging visitors to respect the woods has proven ineffective, and he has observed individuals using the area as a toilet. A spokesperson for the All England Club said they have not seen any evidence to substantiate the claims but confirmed that stewards regularly patrol the area to ensure it is well maintained. Concerns about sanitation and limited toilet facilities for queuers have been raised previously, with similar complaints reported in 2015 and 2022.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store