Planning coup!
By planting trees, shrubs and plants Greenwich Council transformed a piece of land between Hambledon Road, Norfolk Crescent and Arlington Close from what was a haven for the worst forms of anti social behaviour to a wildlife home and a pleasant view for local residents.
Without the knowledge of either Greenwich or local residents a bulldozer and workmen arrived flattening the land. Phone calls to the Greenwich MP’s and Councillors of both Boroughs brought a stop to the demolition. By now much wildlife had departed if not fled. Not one Council had any knowledge of what was happening or of future plans. More phone calls to Greenwich Town Hall revealed (eventually) plans drawn up for seven houses with seven car parking spaces.
All the transport would enter and leave via Arlington Close whose road is a Sidcup responsibility. I suspect this would be more economical than either a through road or by entrance and exit by Hambledon Road (Greenwich). I and others who enquired were told by Senior Employees of Greenwich that it would be designated social housing to re-house people from a problem estate down to be demolished. Each house would have 4 bedrooms hence a total projected number of residents of 42 people, conceivably this could be more or less. It then enlightened Councillors of both Boroughs. A senior employee invited me to “get together” some local residents and then one Friday 11th September he would come and speak to us! No such “meeting” has been arranged, the Councillors were astonished at the request. The change of designation will be for reaching on people, noise, traffic and local services – the wildlife has had no say.
Not one elected representative was aware of the turmoil caused namely beginning week commencing 7th September or of any housing plans. Not one resident was consulted of the decision to demolish ‘green’ land and thereby forever change local residents’ environment and well being are being bulldozed.
Restoration must take place.
John Johnson - Sidcup
• The planning office of the council told the Chronicle; “We have been notified by a local architectural practice that they are instructed to prepare and submit an application for the erection of seven houses on this site which is owned by the London Borough of Greenwich.
The sketch plan shows access from Arlington Close for seven parking spaces and a turning head to serve the seven houses with pedestrian access only from Hambledown Road. We understand that a planning application will be submitted shortly.
As the application straddles the Borough boundary, the application will have to be made to both Boroughs.
We are of course aware of the concern of local residents about the clearance of vegetation which has already taken place. As the land affected lies in Greenwich, Bexley officers were not able to take any action on this.
Once submitted the application will be the subject of our normal consultation procedures and we would expect that it will be reported to our Planning Committee in due course”.
Fares could rise by 11%
Last year Boris Johnson raised our tube and bus fares by an inflation busting 6%. Some travellers even faced a rise of 11%!
Now the Mayor is dithering. It has already been announced that regulated train fares will actually be cut next year. (Yet in London we have no idea what the Mayor is planning for bus, tube and tram fares).
Hard up Londoners need to know how much they will have to pay to travel next year so they can budget for this. It is time Boris Johnson came clean. Given the rate of inflation, he should freeze or reduce fares. If he chooses not to, Londoners will want and deserve an explanation.
Caroline Pidgeon - Transport Spokesperson,
Liberal Democrat London Assembly
City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA
New Life for Avery Hill Winter Gardens
I refer to your article in the Chronicle (October).
I worked in the Winter Garden from 1967 to 1969, under The Greater London Council. Concerning the date palm, the older palm was replaced in the1950’s by another palm of semi mature size. This was obtained from Kew Gardens.
During the late sixties a heavy piece of corroded metal fell from the dome one morning. Because of the concern for public safety, the Winter Garden was closed.
The building became dilapidated and flocks of birds used it as a roosting place.
Therefore in summary this is the third time since World War II that the Winter Garden has been renovated, and the date palm is much younger than stated by your correspondent.
R.Woonough - Dartford
Geoffrey Whitworth theatre
I am lucky to live in Crayford and even luckier to live near to the lovely Geoffrey Whitworth Theatre. It is great to be able to walk there and have a drink at the bar and watch a great play each month. Everyone is very friendly and, as a single person, I am not made to feel awkward going on my own, which is the case in some other places. The prices are so reasonable that I can afford to buy a season ticket and have a monthly treat to look forward to.
Susie Bagenal - Crayford
More road chaos
Thames Water have again caused total traffic chaos by digging up Bexley High Street just by the entrance to the car park about 50 yards from the railway bridge. They have put in three way traffic lights which in effect lets no one through. There has been a leak outside the pub for weeks so it is hardly an emergency! The traffic is backed up all the way down the North Cray Road, up Gravel Hill and is backing up the A2 and that’s at midday what’s it going to be like in the rush hour?
I rang Bexley the statutory Highway authority who have issued a licence for the works (Roger Bickerstaff) and Thames Water. Last time this happened they agreed they would put up warning signs at the start of North Cray Rd and the A2 and Gravel Hill to give adequate notice to allow alternate routes. There are now 100s of cars stuck both sides of these works. I run a business from the area and all my vans are stuck.
Last time the Bexley traffic engineers refused to answer calls and left it to their(very competent ) telephone staff to field the irate calls and they took a lot of abuse.
John Taylor - Old Bexley
VW Scirocco
We enjoyed reading your account of the new VW and agree the styling and technical performance are both excellent.
But why review a car that has no dealer in Bexley? The nearest one is apparently in Dartford, Kent which seems rather a long way to go for minor servicing etc.
Why not concentrate on new cars that have dealers in Bexley. We would rather support a local firm.
John Flanagan - Erith
Parking penalty bonanza
Hundreds of families descended upon Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School this evening to assess its suitability for their sons and daughters who have passed their 11 plus this year.
Parking is at a premium at the school so many had to find an alternative space on Hurst Road and the surrounding residential roads. In order to maintain a smooth flow of traffic on all the roads many chose to park with two or more wheels on the wide grass verge. In some circumstances this was essential to assist the passage of cars on some of the smaller residential roads.
What a prize therefore for two parking enforcement officers who together systematically walked along Hurst Road and all the adjoining residential roads issuing fines in abundance. They must have thought they had won the lottery!
There was absolutely no need for this level of enforcement of the regulations tonight. Most drivers provided sufficient space to allow for
passing traffic and did not obstruct any pavements. The action of these two individuals merely reinforces the preconception that parking enforcement in Bexley is all about revenue collection and that those enforcing the rules deserve the title “Jobsworth”.
The two enforcement officers concerned must have issued over 100 penalty notices between them in the space of 2 hours.
There was universal disgust from all the parents that I spoke to whilst walking back to my car - which yes had received a fine for two wheels on the verge. So I encourage all those who have been similarly blighted by this unnecessary fine to write to their local Councillor and MP as well as challenging the issuing of the penalty charge through the formal channels.
Paul Atkinson - Local Resident
• The Chronicle wonders who told the parking attendants? And can the local police chief explain why he gave permission for them to have a police escort whilst issuing penalty notices? Ed