Definition of regeneration: In geographical terms it means improving an area that has been experiencing a period of decline.

Colliers Wood is an area in south west London, England, located the London Borough of Merton. It is a mostly residential area, but has a busy high street. Has the river wandle following through it. There are two large shopping areas, the Tandem Centre and the Priory Retail Park.  Colliers Wood had a population of 10,712 in 2011.It has a busy station served by the London underground's Northern line.

By the 17th century the river attracted textile processors, and the mills on the former priory site were major employers in the area. Due to Further industrialisation this textiles industry bloom in the area. But this lead to decline after industrialisation. In 2006 it become home London's ugliest building (colliers wood towers). It Gains further negative perceptions because of the 2011’s riots.

Colliers Wood is getting £1.6m from the Mayor’s Regeneration Fund, matched by £820,000 from Merton, to improve local roads and public spaces by widen pavements and improve pedestrian crossings to help pedestrian movement around the area, while a new lower speed limit will improve safety for all road users. A new square for the area around the tower will create an attractive arrival from the Underground station. Colliers wood has also suffered with traffic so it’s working with TfL to lessen the flow of traffic and make it easier for cyclists. The plan is to add new cycle lanes, rationalised and reduced traffic signals allowing pedestrians to cross the roads with less waiting, as well as making traffic flow more smoothly and cutting jams. Extending bus stop reducing congestion due to frequent and unnecessary bus stops.

What do the locals think?

I think it’s good for the area and this will also bring in more private investment –Vivian

It’s long overdue especially the tower near the station it one the ugliest building in the London and was the first thing people saw when they came here.-Faiza Ahmed

I think it’s great and can already see the multiplier affect taken place with all the new flats and shops such as costa and the co-op-Mahnoor Ahmed