Rail Matters
You may find that the facts in the enclosed extract dated June 2008 from Live Rail, a rail enthusiasts magazine, would be interest to your readers. Under the Thameslink 2015 programme, it is proposed to rebuild London Bridge and Blackfriars stations between 2009 and 2015. By rebuilding the programme will create two extra platforms at London Bridge and a new viaduct sweeping up to Blackfriars.
Once completed the new works will provide a much-needed boost to the capacity of rail services from Bexley Borough to Central London. Meanwhile it is inevitable that chaos will ensue. The proposed works programme will undoubtedly clash with the 2012 Olympics and make travel from South of the Borough to Stratford even more onerous than it is at present. Cross Thames road links are already saturated, and the congestion will be exacerbated by the Zil lanes planned for the benefit of Olympic big-wigs travelling from their London Council Tax funded Park Lane hotels to the Stratford stadium. There is of course the Woolwich Ferry, but these days it often ceases to run if fog or mist reduce visibility. So even if increases in taxes and the cost of living leave Bexley residents with some disposable income to buy tickets, they will not be able to easily reach the Stadium at Stratford.
Turning to another transport matter, you have doubtless noted the new anti-speed tables on Sidcup Hill. Bus users receive a painful jar to the spine every time a bus crosses one of these innovations. This is hardly likely to entice car drivers to use the bus. If they stick to the car, they can detour around the humps. Also the new tables will deter even more shoppers from patronising the few surviving shops in Sidcup High Street. One can still drive to Ruxley, avoid the humps and buy almost everything in Tescos.
Ron Gee
Sidcup.
Biggin Hill Airfair
Thank you to the Chronicle and Air Displays for the family ticket that we won in the Chronicle. We went on Sunday 8 June on a glorious day weatherwise and although my wife was unable to come (recovering from an operation) my
sister-in-law, her son, my two boys and myself went and we enjoyed our first (and hopefully) not last visit to this airshow.
Many thanks again.
Tim Sayell.
• Ten families won tickets to the show which was promoted by the Chronicle. It was so successful this year that the gates had to be closed to the public during the early afternoon on Sunday. Ed
Spanish Property
I have been contacted by a number of readers facing problems with property bought in Spain. They have told me about how land has been taken away from them and handed to developers or how some owners face unexpected and unfair bills from municipalities, lawyers or developers. I am working alongside MEPs in the European Parliament to put pressure on the Spanish authorities to clean up their act.
It shocks me to think that Londoners are investing their hard earned cash into property that can later be taken with little or no compensation. This is something we must stamp out before anyone else falls foul of it.
Readers who are having problems with a Spanish property can email me at syed.kamall@europarl.europa.eu or write to me at Syed Kamall MEP, Unit 11 Kingsmill Business Park, Chapel Mill Lane, Kingston, KT1 3GZ.
Syed Kamall MEP
Principles
Personally, I have no problem with politicians who have principles. My problem comes when those principles cause a self-imposed and possibly unnecessary bi-election which was estimated at £80,000 to the taxpayer. Would it not be the decent thing for a man of “principle” to put that principle to the ultimate test ie agree to fund the cost of the bi-election which that principle, be it high or low, good or bad, has caused?
Steve Smith
Sidcup
What A Joke - New NHS?
Many months ago, a Mr. Alberti and his compatriots decided what was the best way forward for four Boroughs and produced documents for the residents. Consultations would take place and residents listened to, but despite a march, many written letters, input by David Evennett MP, were we listened to - NO. It was just a glorified joke, because come hell or high water, Mr. Alberti and Co. had no intentions of changing his ideas. He did what he wanted to do. i.e. Polyclinic and Urgent Care Unit. First with regards to the Polyclinic, as a Bexley resident, I have queried several times “how are people expected to attend here, when there is “NO Public Transport”. One cannot wait around for Dial-A-Ride, so cost of a cab is the only answer. Again the elderly and vulnerable people are going to suffer. Secondly, the Urgent Care Unit, it has a very low level of activity, in a once extremely good care and nursing care A & E. Apparently it is not unusual for the Clinic Assessment to be closed. What excuse will the ‘powers to be’ say, “These are just teething problems”!
Personally I say it is the thin edge of the wedge, of either Queen Mary’s closing down or becoming a private hospital by Clinic Care, who many months ago said they would do elective surgery at Queen Mary’s Hospital. Therefore the whole episode is just one BIG SHAM and a Joke by Alberti - Government and N.H.S and enormous amount of money wasted, which could have been put to a better use.
J. Rouse,
Sidcup.
QMH care!
I read with great interest and sadness about the attacks on the staff at Queen Mary’s Hospital. Whilst I do not hold with violence, I can understand the frustration of visitors when they see the ways the patients are treated. I have been in Queen Mary’s three times and although I was unable to get out of bed, the nursing care was Non Existent. I reported a trained
male nurse for spitting in the ward and many other examples I could give. Just what is this borough coming to, the Commissioner for Social Care gave a very poor report on the care given by Bexley Care Trust, and now the survey of Queen Mary’s Hospital is a lot to be desired. But time will tell what will happen to Q.M.H.
J. Rouse,
Sidcup.
Youth Dispersal Zone!
Derek Conway had a house in Harland Avenue, Sidcup. I complained about him to David Cameron (when the latter became conservative leader) saying we needed an MP who was more active on behalf of his constituents, but Mr Cameron was not bothered at that time. What will history make of successive conflicted governments, eg. Beeching destroyed our small town rail networks and Thatcherites broke the remainder up to sell them off later. Or New Labour’s distorted intelligence reports to go to war in Iraq? What about local government across Britain that clamours for more money to pay themselves while cutting back on our health and safety? They want the Thames Gateway flood zone for sub-standard housing - why?
I live in a rat run road parallel to the railway line at Sidcup station. I shop at Somerfields next to the bar where Rob Knox was murdered; where shoppers must pass to reach the car park at the rear. I pass it daily on my way to get the Metro. Queen Mary’s Hospital is a mile away but Rob was taken to Queen Elizabeth hospital in Woolwich - why?
Bexley Council is to blame as much as the police for complacency. They claim to have imposed a youth dispersal zone but easy talk does not translate into preventive or remedial action. The bar was packed the night of the murder and security did not work in favour of the innocent bystanders. For the snakes in suits who rule Brittannia profit comes before public safety. An alcohol-free zone might work better than the youth dispersal zone did.
Rita Grootendorst
Sidcup
Danson Youth Centre
My friend and I recently visited the Danson Youth Centre where the local NHS organisation, Council and Bexley Voluntary Sector held their special Open Day.
I arrived at 2pm and left at 6pm. It was certainly a very interesting and knowledgeable day. All the different aspects of health care and the staff were extremely helpful.
It was good to put a face to a name. I personally have no faith in P.A.L. Again it was interesting to meet said lady and we were able to air our differences and concerns.
The free relaxation therapy, free health checks and information on services provided, I sincerely hope, with all this information given it will encourage people to apply for it. Like others I spoke to I would be pleased if this Open Day could be, hopefully, held twice a year and advertised more. Well done to the staff involved.
J.Rouse - Sidcup
P.S My friend, who is disabled thoroughly enjoyed herself and learnt a lot.
Adult education - concessions
A hurried note about the above heading; 1363 over 60’s will be denied from a total of 1890 participants. Reasons? The Age Discrimination Act 2006. Evidence. Three telephone calls to other London boroughs are continuing with over 60 age concessions. One at 80%!
Any concessions? Yes for twelve categories including 10% off for council employees and the Chief Executive Will Tuckley. Is there any council control? No, they have given the power of scrutiny to the Adult Education people.
N.I.A.C.E. are stating clearly that discrimination to give a sixty one year old a concession whilst denying a 59 year old. Is N.I.A.C.E correct? No it’s an interpretation say others.
Bird College offer concessions. Why not say bus freedom passes passes and any other education i.e. Thames river boat rides - true not education but could be age discrimination. Private Clubs?
Are they just revenue raising? I think so. What will be the effect of higher prices, a falloff of students and less tutors. In many classes ten is the minimum seen as viable. In my class we have eight and two are not joining again.
And what about swimming concessions - free for kids with a loss of £50,000! Strange policy.
Incidentally I have discovered that West Sussex Adult & Community Learning Service are still offering concessions to older students and have no plans to change their policy!
John Johnson - Sidcup