Welcome to the latest online edition of the TRA newsletter. As you can see from the leading article, it appears that at last Lewisham Council are willing to address the issue of traffic in the estate. As the council is proposing to consult the residents before introducing a scheme, it is very important that if you have views on the subject, you share them. A discussion of traffic calming will be at the top of the agenda at the forthcoming AGM which is on Weds 9th Feb 2011, 8.00pm at the Golden Lion, Sydenham Road. I would urge as many of you as possible to attend.
Ian Davenport, TRA Chairman.
Monday, January 24, 2011
A 20mph Zone for the Thorpes?
On the 17 November, Lewisham’s Mayor & Cabinet confirmed a £70,000 road scheme for the Thorpes to be implemented in 2012-13. The idea would be to consult residents on a 20mph zone for the Thorpes and at the same time look at methods of dealing with the east-west “rat-run” that includes Bishopsthorpe Road. If approved the 20mph zone would be implemented and the speed of traffic monitored to gauge the success of the scheme.
The Thorpes Resident’s Association committee warmly welcome this initiative as they have long campaigned for schemes to reduce rat-running through the neighbourhood as well as methods of reducing the speed of traffic through the estate. Over the last 10 years residents have complained about the speed and trajectory of vehicles entering the neighbourhood – in particular drivers who, often without signalling, turn off Mayow Road into the Thorpes, cutting the corner at speed. Hopefully, a well designed road scheme can ensure that the neighbourhood is a great deal safer and more comfortable to live in.
The new road improvement scheme for Sydenham Road will involve a number of changes to the local road layout which will affect the Thorpes. For example, the junction of Queensthorpe Road and Sydenham Road will be closed to road vehicles and there will be two lanes running from Mayow Road into Sydenham Road rather than a single carriageway. The committee believe that we have to see how the new traffic flow adjusts to these changes before we design a scheme for the Thorpes.
A 20mph zone for the Thorpes is an exciting and welcome proposal. Please come along to the AGM and share your views on this vital issue.
The Thorpes Resident’s Association committee warmly welcome this initiative as they have long campaigned for schemes to reduce rat-running through the neighbourhood as well as methods of reducing the speed of traffic through the estate. Over the last 10 years residents have complained about the speed and trajectory of vehicles entering the neighbourhood – in particular drivers who, often without signalling, turn off Mayow Road into the Thorpes, cutting the corner at speed. Hopefully, a well designed road scheme can ensure that the neighbourhood is a great deal safer and more comfortable to live in.
The new road improvement scheme for Sydenham Road will involve a number of changes to the local road layout which will affect the Thorpes. For example, the junction of Queensthorpe Road and Sydenham Road will be closed to road vehicles and there will be two lanes running from Mayow Road into Sydenham Road rather than a single carriageway. The committee believe that we have to see how the new traffic flow adjusts to these changes before we design a scheme for the Thorpes.
A 20mph zone for the Thorpes is an exciting and welcome proposal. Please come along to the AGM and share your views on this vital issue.
East London Line Extension to Open Late February
The East London Line extension from Dalston Junction to Highbury & Islington looks likely to open on February 28 – almost three months ahead of schedule.
The 2.1km extension to the northern end of the ELL will allow passengers to access the Victoria Line and North London Line at Highbury & Islington. Destinations such as King’s Cross/St Pancras can then be easily reached without having to travel through London Bridge or use the overcrowded Northern Line. And when the extension opens, even a Sunday afternoon walk on Hampstead Heath could be a real possibility for Sydenham dwellers!
The East London Line has enjoyed a huge surge in users since it opened. Passenger counts taken in October 2010 show that the number of journeys undertaken per weekday on the route had risen to 70,000, compared with 40,000 in the first full month of operation.
December’s new rail timetables also brought good news for local people with two additional evening rush trains from London Bridge and extra late night trains on both the East London Line and from London Bridge. The timetable to and from London Bridge is slowly returning to the one we enjoyed before the East London Line opened – apart, of course, from our direct services to and from Charing Cross.
The 2.1km extension to the northern end of the ELL will allow passengers to access the Victoria Line and North London Line at Highbury & Islington. Destinations such as King’s Cross/St Pancras can then be easily reached without having to travel through London Bridge or use the overcrowded Northern Line. And when the extension opens, even a Sunday afternoon walk on Hampstead Heath could be a real possibility for Sydenham dwellers!
The East London Line has enjoyed a huge surge in users since it opened. Passenger counts taken in October 2010 show that the number of journeys undertaken per weekday on the route had risen to 70,000, compared with 40,000 in the first full month of operation.
December’s new rail timetables also brought good news for local people with two additional evening rush trains from London Bridge and extra late night trains on both the East London Line and from London Bridge. The timetable to and from London Bridge is slowly returning to the one we enjoyed before the East London Line opened – apart, of course, from our direct services to and from Charing Cross.
Money Shop application refused!
Lewisham’s planning officers have refused permission to turn 59 Sydenham Road – the former House of Curtains premises at the corner of Sydenham and Queensthorpe Roads – into a Money Shop.
The application has been refused on the following grounds: “The proposed change of use to Financial and Professional Services (Use Class A2) would result in the loss of retail floorspace within a designated core shopping frontage, detracting from the range of retail services available within the defined district centre, which would have an adverse impact upon the vitality and viability of the area, contrary to Policy STC 4 Major and District Centres - Core Shopping Areas in the adopted Unitary Development Plan (July 2004).”
The Money Shop is a cheque cashing and payday loan company with 350 stores across the UK.
The application has been refused on the following grounds: “The proposed change of use to Financial and Professional Services (Use Class A2) would result in the loss of retail floorspace within a designated core shopping frontage, detracting from the range of retail services available within the defined district centre, which would have an adverse impact upon the vitality and viability of the area, contrary to Policy STC 4 Major and District Centres - Core Shopping Areas in the adopted Unitary Development Plan (July 2004).”
The Money Shop is a cheque cashing and payday loan company with 350 stores across the UK.
Mayow Park Update
At the recent AGM of the Friends of Mayow Park (FOMP) Bishopsthorpe Hilary Jarrett stepped down as Chair. I know that Hilary will remain an active member in her role as Treasurer and I would like to thank her for her tireless work. In November FOMP held their annual tree-dressing event, decorating an oak tree using only natural materials. Thank you to all who contributed on that cold day!
The Grow Mayow Community Garden and plant nursery is managed as an independent venture within the park by two dedicated volunteers, Suriya and Iris, and the site is leased from Lewisham Council. The project is proving to be a great attraction.
The long-awaited young people’s play space now looks as though it will go ahead after some uncertainty over funding. FOMP have requested that illustrations of the new designs prepared by Groundwork for the space should be made available for the Mayow Park noticeboard. All being well and weather permitting, work should start in the next few weeks, with Glendale undertaking the installation and Groundwork managing the project.
Many of you will know that Emma, our former blog mistress, has now moved to Devon. She provided regular updates and we are very grateful for the work she undertook. We have had to develop a new blog and email, although the original ones will be available for some time yet. The new blog is “a work in progress” and all offers to help improve the site will be considered. Visit us on http://friendsofmayowpark@blogspot.com or email us at friendsofmayowpark@ymail.com
Alona Sheridan, Chair of FOMP.
020-8244 4259
The Grow Mayow Community Garden and plant nursery is managed as an independent venture within the park by two dedicated volunteers, Suriya and Iris, and the site is leased from Lewisham Council. The project is proving to be a great attraction.
The long-awaited young people’s play space now looks as though it will go ahead after some uncertainty over funding. FOMP have requested that illustrations of the new designs prepared by Groundwork for the space should be made available for the Mayow Park noticeboard. All being well and weather permitting, work should start in the next few weeks, with Glendale undertaking the installation and Groundwork managing the project.
Many of you will know that Emma, our former blog mistress, has now moved to Devon. She provided regular updates and we are very grateful for the work she undertook. We have had to develop a new blog and email, although the original ones will be available for some time yet. The new blog is “a work in progress” and all offers to help improve the site will be considered. Visit us on http://friendsofmayowpark@blogspot.com or email us at friendsofmayowpark@ymail.com
Alona Sheridan, Chair of FOMP.
020-8244 4259
Events at Mayow Park Community Garden
The community garden between the pavilion in Mayow Park and Mayow Road is running a number of events for adults and children who want to learn about gardening and nature:
Kids Nature Watch Club
Every 1st Sunday of the Month
Starts Sun 6th Feb 2011
Theme: make winter bird feeders 10am-12pm
Sessions cost £1 each
Kids ages 3-12
Parents and grandparents free.
Children’s Permaculture Club Every Last Sunday of the month
Starts Sunday 27th February
Time 11 -1pm
£3 per child/£2 concessions
children ages 8-12
Get Your Hands Dirty
Volunteer workdays 9-3pm
Tuesdays & Thursdays
For more information email:
Growmayow@gmail.co.uk
or go to: http://growmayow.blogspot.com/p/news.html
Kids Nature Watch Club
Every 1st Sunday of the Month
Starts Sun 6th Feb 2011
Theme: make winter bird feeders 10am-12pm
Sessions cost £1 each
Kids ages 3-12
Parents and grandparents free.
Children’s Permaculture Club Every Last Sunday of the month
Starts Sunday 27th February
Time 11 -1pm
£3 per child/£2 concessions
children ages 8-12
Get Your Hands Dirty
Volunteer workdays 9-3pm
Tuesdays & Thursdays
For more information email:
Growmayow@gmail.co.uk
or go to: http://growmayow.blogspot.com/p/news.html
The Sydenham Mosaic Project – a work in progress!
The Sydenham Mosaic is an exciting piece of public art by the mosaicist Oliver Budd, designed to enhance the front of the Naborhood Centre (next to the post office in Sydenham Road). The project was conceived by Bishopsthorpe residents Valerie Kelly and Robert Side in 2009 and is supported by the Sydenham Assembly and many local residents.
By the end of the summer 2010 a design for the mosaic had been agreed. A series of spherical roundels will feature characters and scenes from Sydenham’s history – the image here shows the artist Pissaro, whose painting of Lawrie Park Avenue hangs in the National Gallery.
All that remains now is to continue with the fund-raising, and many neighbours have played a significant part in fund-raising activities. The Thorpes attic sale and Ritz tea in September was great fun and raised nearly £2,000. And for the second year running carol singing around the Thorpes took place during a blizzard! A gallant band of singers and collectors continued until they were not only soaked and frozen but their carol sheets were reduced to papier-mâché. However, thanks to the generosity of neighbours, £408.17 was raised.
Other fund-raising suggestions include the offer of dinner at 15 Bishopsthorpe Road. The first “15 Bishopsthorpe” dinner was held just before Christmas. The idea is to provide a three-course meal for a group of 10-12 people who bring their own wine. The first, a local reading group, celebrated Christmas and two 60th birthdays. It was a bit of a challenge as one diner was vegetarian, one was a coeliac and another had a dairy intolerance! However, the group reassured us that it was a great success and the Mosaic Project made £225. If any Thorpe residents are interested having a group dinner at 15 Bishopsthorpe do let us know. Meanwhile another resident has suggested a series of “Come dine with me” events for four couples, an idea we are now exploring.
We are also delighted to announce that two of the roundels have now been sponsored. The one of Pissarro is sponsored by John Fried of Woodfalls Opticians and that of Sir Ernest Shackleton (currently in production) by the Shackleton Society.
Valerie Kelly
valeriekelly@btinternet.com
020-8778 4775
By the end of the summer 2010 a design for the mosaic had been agreed. A series of spherical roundels will feature characters and scenes from Sydenham’s history – the image here shows the artist Pissaro, whose painting of Lawrie Park Avenue hangs in the National Gallery.
All that remains now is to continue with the fund-raising, and many neighbours have played a significant part in fund-raising activities. The Thorpes attic sale and Ritz tea in September was great fun and raised nearly £2,000. And for the second year running carol singing around the Thorpes took place during a blizzard! A gallant band of singers and collectors continued until they were not only soaked and frozen but their carol sheets were reduced to papier-mâché. However, thanks to the generosity of neighbours, £408.17 was raised.
Other fund-raising suggestions include the offer of dinner at 15 Bishopsthorpe Road. The first “15 Bishopsthorpe” dinner was held just before Christmas. The idea is to provide a three-course meal for a group of 10-12 people who bring their own wine. The first, a local reading group, celebrated Christmas and two 60th birthdays. It was a bit of a challenge as one diner was vegetarian, one was a coeliac and another had a dairy intolerance! However, the group reassured us that it was a great success and the Mosaic Project made £225. If any Thorpe residents are interested having a group dinner at 15 Bishopsthorpe do let us know. Meanwhile another resident has suggested a series of “Come dine with me” events for four couples, an idea we are now exploring.
We are also delighted to announce that two of the roundels have now been sponsored. The one of Pissarro is sponsored by John Fried of Woodfalls Opticians and that of Sir Ernest Shackleton (currently in production) by the Shackleton Society.
Valerie Kelly
valeriekelly@btinternet.com
020-8778 4775
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)