NEWS ROUNDUP From ULEZ fines and council landlord payouts to Wandsworth’s rising status, Safe Havens, and local sport victories, here’s your quick Sunday news roundup.
Don’t ignore ULEZ fines, TfL warns
Drivers are being urged not to ignore penalty charge notices (PCNs) for the Ultra Low Emission Zone after new Transport for London figures showed 94% of fines involve persistent evaders.
TfL recovered more than £16.5 million of debt in the first half of 2025, seizing over 530 vehicles and auctioning 350 of them for nearly £285,000.
Chief Customer & Strategy Officer Alex Williams said ULEZ was tackling London’s public health crisis:
“If you receive a penalty charge for driving in the zone, you should not ignore it. Your penalty will progress to enforcement agents … and there is a risk your vehicle or other property will be removed.”
Councils spend millions on landlord ‘incentives’
A new Freedom of Information investigation by Generation Rent has revealed London councils spent more than £24 million in 2024/25 on one-off payments to private landlords to house homeless families.
In Wandsworth, the council made 105 incentive payments totalling £374,134, with the highest single payment reaching £6,785. Across the capital, the practice has increased 54% since 2018.
Campaigners say the payments are a “senseless waste of public money” that could have funded more than 100 libraries. Crisis data shows just 2.5% of private homes were affordable to those on housing benefit in 2024.
AFC Wimbledon named Merton’s first Safe Haven
Plough Lane, home of AFC Wimbledon, has become Merton’s first designated Safe Haven – a scheme offering people a refuge if they are injured, harassed, or feeling unsafe.
Staff at the ground can call a loved one, connect people to support, or provide space to charge a phone while help arrives. Local shops, cafés, and pubs can also apply to join the Safe Haven scheme by registering with their council.
Wandsworth rated among London’s best places to live
Lifestyle site Muddy Stilettos has ranked Wandsworth as one of the top three neighbourhoods in London – behind only Islington and Kensington – praising its mix of riverside living, strong schools, transport links and green spaces.
The guide describes Wandsworth as offering “village charm and city convenience,” with areas like Putney and Wandsworth Town highlighted for their community feel, markets and riverside pubs.
Meanwhile, new research from Savills has confirmed West Putney as one of London’s newest “£1 million villages,” joining South Hampstead and Ravenscourt Park with average house prices above the seven-figure threshold.
Sports roundup
- Fulham 3-1 Brentford. Fulham overturned an early setback to beat Brentford 3–1 at Craven Cottage in a fiery West London derby, with Alex Iwobi pulling the strings. Mikkel Damsgaard gave the visitors the lead after pouncing on a defensive mistake, but Fulham hit back before half time as Iwobi scored the equaliser and then set up Harry Wilson to make it 2–1. Just after the restart, Ethan Pinnock bundled into his own net under pressure to seal the victory, giving Fulham a third straight derby win and leaving Brentford to rue their inability to defend a lead.
- England 35 – 17 France. England’s women powered into the Rugby World Cup final with a 35–17 win over France at Ashton Gate, driven by a stunning two-try performance from Ellie Kildunne. Returning from a concussion layoff, she scored in the opening minutes and again late on, while Amy Cokayne, Abbie Ward and Meg Jones also crossed the line. Zoe Harrison was flawless with the boot, slotting all five conversions, as England soaked up French pressure before pulling away decisively to set up a final against Canada at Twickenham.
- AFC Wimbledon 2 -1 Doncaster. In League One, newly promoted AFC Wimbledon continued their strong start to the season with a 2–1 win away at Doncaster, a result that lifted them to ninth in the table and underlined their growing confidence at a higher level.
Thames Path challenge for cancer research
Starting at Putney Bridge, Specsavers worker John Ingram completed the 100km Thames Path Challenge to Henley-on-Thames in memory of his father, raising over £600 for Cancer Research UK.
The route took more than 3,000 participants past Richmond, Hampton Court, Windsor Castle and into Henley. John said he was motivated by the care his father received:
“The training hasn’t been easy … but I’m very grateful for the support from family, friends and colleagues.”
