Getting the hump!
I read your comment about the road hump outside of your house in Sidcup. I suggest the council visit the web site www.abd.org.uk/speed humps.htm
These humps are nothing less than reverse pot holes creating an enormous amount of damage to vehicles crossing them.
In Barnet the local council removed all speed humps in 2005 and recorded a 14.9% drop in accidents.
Paul Rayner,
London SE
Landfill running out
We all know landfill sites are toxic, but blaming us or plastic carrier bags is stretching credibility. Some plastic bags are biodegradable but putrescible food waste is a health hazard. Bexley Council ten years ago could have done what Bromley Council had - vertical container waste processors.
Councils were implicated when waste was discovered being shipped out to Indonesia and other countries. We ought to be converting waste locally, now that fuel and transport costs are rising. Manchester are a shining example of what can be done given the political will.
The waste mountains grow bigger and the landfill sites grow smaller and our masters in Brussels will fine us heavily if we don’t pull our socks up.
R Grootendorst,
Sidcup
Sidcup needs the Manor House
Having lived in Foots Cray. “the village’” end of Sidcup. for nearly thirty years. I have witnessed the decline of the High Street and seen Sidcup lose a great deal of its character, but to lose the much loved Manor House would be a loss not to be borne The Manor House, a Grade 11 listed building, which has been beautifully restored, is eminently suited for its present use as the Register Office. The Manor House in its setting of The Green speaks of more gracious days. and its commercial development would be intolerable. The local community recognises the need for the Council’s Bexley First project to raise money, but would urge that this should be done through the sale of just “ordinary” buildings, and not one that is so special.
Mrs Muriel Varma
Sidcup
• The Chronicle agrees with Mrs Varma and many other readers who have voiced their support to leave the Manor House as it is. If you feel it ought to stay drop us a line or e-mail Newsdesk@bexleychronicle.com. Ed
Nursing is only a job!
I was very sad to read about Mrs Longleys plight of losing her husband whilst in Queen Mary’s hospital. I can understand her feelings because several years ago I too lost my husband because they refused to give him a brain scan because they had to save money. To me nothing has changed. If one is treated in the A&E department, any specialised department i.e. children or cancer, then nursing care is given totally. Otherwise nursing care is non-existent, despite what the chief executive tries to convey.
I visited a friend in September 2007. She was in a ward by herself. The ward was nice and clean, but why was a very used commode left for over an hour before a nurse came to empty it? I complained to the doctor. No-one bothered this disabled patient to wash . a dietician was ordered but never came. It was explained to me when I visited in 2006 if one had slippers under the bed you were expect to look after yourself! How is this possible if one is on continuos oxygen, or breathless through exertion?
What I have observed recently is that nursing is simply a job. It is no longer a vocation. In fact the whole medical business used to be patient orientated but what is it today? And why do nurses ask patients if they ave in their own toilet rolls? This still goes on, so what’s new. I asked this question at an AGM but did not receive a satisfactory answer. Twice I have now taken complaints to the Health Ombudsman.
Mrs. J.J.Rouse, Sidcup
Aircraft noise over Sidcup
The reason why there is so much aircraft movement over Sidcup is that it is an aviation crossroads made by the approaches to Biggin Hill and London City Airport.
The ‘instrument land path’ (ILP) for Biggin Hill runs directly north east to south west above Birchwood, Walton and Wren Roads as these roads run directly in line with the runway at Biggin Hill. Most of the traffic is light aircraft and is a minor nuisance, once an Airbus flew over to land and the noise was quite overwhelming - like living under an approach to Heathrow.
Two years ago, a business consortium tried to turn Biggin Hill into a commercial airport with promises of jobs (?) and an extension of the Croydon Tramlink. This would have been devastating for Sidcup. Fortunately Bromley Council rejected the plan. Where was Bexley Council? Not doubt the developers will return.
The other part of the aviation crossroads above Sidcup is an approach to London City Airport (LCA) and it is this that is causing noise; usually from 6am then with aircraft passing over every 3 minutes.
London City Airport’s runway is reversible - it can be used in either way depending on wind direction. It is when aircraft land into the east that the approach (starts at Dartford Heath, then west towards New Eltham, before turning 180 degrees to make an easterly approach)) over Sidcup is used. The number of landings at LCA has increased over the years and it is these flights your readers have now began to notice.
The noise in Thamesmead is appalling - if not illegal; however at LCA where the aircraft land it is not so noisy. Again where is Bexley Council?
Not doubt ‘monitoring the subject’ - whatever that means
T.J.Harlow,
Sidcup
• Perhaps our Listening Council can’t hear the noise residents hear! Ed
Queen Mary’s Hospital
Regarding your comments about Queen Mary’s Hospital I suggest an appeal to the people of the borough for donations, large or small to save the hospital would bring results. All traders should also be included.
R.Simons,
Sidcup
TOC-H is back!
We are a TOH-H Group which is one of the biggest Charities in the Country. TOC-H wants to return to its roots and aims to establish, nationwide, lively, stimulating, friendship and support groups for people over 45+ who are on their own. The intention is to add another dimension to the ordinary run of the mill social club by introducing work-shops.
Social club nights will still be held every other week consisting of quizzes, speakers etc with a full range of social weekend activities. But the new dimension will be the work-shops.
These will be held every alternate week and will consist of Current Affairs, Art, Book Club Yoga, Music Appreciation plus any other subject that appeals to the Group as a whole and feel that they can tackle together.
Such a club has started on the borders of West Wickham and Shirley last Monday evening and the interest was amazing. The room was packed and there was great enthusiasm for the idea of the work-shop..
We are introducing the same format at Chislehurst for Bexley, Eltham, Sidcup, Chislehurst, Petts Wood and Orpington regions. The opening night for this new project will be 9th January from 8pm to 10pm in the Active Age Premises, next door to Sainsbury’s Chislehurst High Street.
Anyone interested will be most welcome.
For further details please contact 0208 777 8619 or 0208 462 5344.
Peter Nazareth, TOC-H
B11’s are a disgrace!
How much longer must passengers put up with the disgraceful B11 bus service which serves the route Bexleyheath, Abbey Wood, and Thamesmead Town Centre ?
Most of the B11 buses serving this route regularly breakdown, all are single deck buses, and most of them have just one passenger door. In the afternoon they are crowded out with school children and shoppers,and passengers have difficulty in boarding the buses in Bexleyheath Market Place, by the clock tower, and because they are so crowded, if one is lucky to get on the bus, also have the added difficulty in trying to get off at their respective bus stops.And to add to the problem,wheelchair bound people are unable to get on these buses because of the space allowed for them are crammed with prams and buggies.
Transport for London (TFL) should get rid of the clapped-out Bll buses, which should be consigned to the Transport Museum in Covent Garden, London, and replace them with new, two-door single-decker buses.
Denis Thompson-Mason
Erith
• One wonders how the B11’s will manage when the emission zone kicks in? Ed.