Emergency services were called to Abbey Road, SW19, at around 11.40am on Tuesday, March 25, after a man was seen scaling a lamp column.
A heavy police presence remained at the scene throughout the day, with road closures put in place and at least a dozen emergency vehicles in attendance.
The man eventually came down at around 6.45pm and was arrested by officers from the Metropolitan Police.
The action is understood to be in protest of Merton Council’s new traffic restrictions in the area – which have been introduced under an Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETMO).
This involves closing the junctions of Abbey Road/Station Road and Pincott Road/High Path to through traffic.
The restrictions are not physical and are enforced using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
The council says the changes aim to tackle rat-running in the area following a petition from residents in September 2023.
The restrictions are in place as part of a trial period, which will continue for six months.
Public consultation is currently ongoing, and a survey remains open until September 15, 2025.
A spokesperson for Merton Council said: “We’re aware that a member of a public has climbed a lamp column in protest at the Abbey Road traffic scheme.
“This has resulted in a large response from the emergency services, with numerous staff and vehicles in attendance and the closure of the road.
“Not only is this incredibly disruptive for large numbers of residents but is also a huge drain on the resources of our hardworking emergency services.
“This latest action comes after a week during which council staff have been harassed and public property damaged. We continue to work with the police to take action against those responsible.
“We welcome feedback and a robust debate over the new scheme, but we will not tolerate abuse or vandalism.”
Councillor Stuart Neaverson said: “Not only is he wasting the time of our vital first responders, but he’s shut down the road he was claiming he was desperate to keep open. It’s embarrassing and illegal.”
