Merton and Wandsworth's London Assembly member will go out at the top of his game when he steps down after 25 years in frontline politics this May.

Richard Tracey has served as the Conservative member for the two boroughs in City Hall since 2008 but from May, he will move aside to spend more time with his family, including his eight grandchildren.

Mr Tracey, 72, said: "This will be 25 years in frontline politics.

"I was in parliament as an MP, as a minister before I was a consultant.

"When the former member retired, various people suggested I should do this.

"I would rather go out at the top of my game, when people are applauding me for what I do.

"There are lots of people I have helped personally and I still get applause and praise."

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Through his eight years in City Hall, Mr Tracey has been able to count the Olympics, policing and public transport as key features of his role.

He said: "It has been great fun to work with Boris.

"I was one of his supporters and we effectively were elected at the same time.

"I have been the leader of transport, the biggest part of the budget, and the Mayor's ambassador for river transport."

Mr Tracey welcomed the news that TfL is set to take over the suburban railways when current contracts held by Southern and South West come to an end.

He said: "My own experience of South West Trains is precisely the same, and Stephen Hammond and David Dean have the same complaints.

"We have all been urging the Government to change the franchise of South West Trains.

"They [South West Trains] do not seem to respond to what the commuters say.

"I am amazed with the patience of the commuters."

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Transport has remained a key issue as he worked alongside Michele Dix, managing director of Crossrail 2, and been faced with both the Balham and Tooting Broadway question as well as the question marks hanging over Wimbledon town centre.

He said: "Michele is listening.

"She is desperately anxious to reach the right solution and I think they will in Wimbledon.

"In the same way that Wimbledon would be bashed about, so would Tooting, that is what has been made very clear by TfL and by us.

"The Balham objection is about having the shaft on Wandsworth Common.

"There are some very articulate people in that part of Balham who are saying there would be a building site on the common for five to six years and an enormous amount of traffic.

"TfL are looking very hard at all of this.

"I think TfL can find a solution."

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As member for two boroughs, border issues such as the return of AFC Wimbledon to Plough Lane are of particular interest to Mr Tracey.

The stadium was given permission by Merton Council, but its scale means it will go before Mayor of London, who has already had the opportunity to ask questions of the developers.

While the ground had support of councillors and football fans, many have expressed concerns about match-day traffic and public transport overcrowding.

He said: "The Mayor could turn it down, or call it in to go through the whole process himself.

"I understand the objections perfectly well, I do think Merton should listen a lot more.

Mr Tracey, who is married to Wandsworth Councillor Kathy Tracey, said:"It has been a pleasant and interesting part of my overall career.

"They are very nice people, Merton and Wandsworth, lots of very interesting folks.

"We have had some successes for them, I have enjoyed it."