Author: thurlowparklabour

Thurlow Park's Labour councillors sharing news and ways to get involved in the local area - including West Norwood, Herne Hill, Tulse Hill and West Dulwich.

Support refugees at our comedy and curry evening

Join us this Friday at All Saints Church 7.30-late for an evening of stand up comedy and good food to raise funds for Safe Passage UK.

The recent rise in refugees coming to Europe has left many children alone and searching for asylum. Through a combination of operational delivery, litigation, and political advocacy, Safe Passage UK is helping these unaccompanied children, as well as vulnerable adults, access safe legal routes to the UK. We believe that no one who has a legitimate claim to asylum in the UK should risk their lives trying to get here.

Anna, one of your Thurlow Park councillors, and local residents made a couple of trips earlier this Autumn to take your donations to the refugee camp in Calais and volunteer at the warehouse. Now the French Government have demolished the camp, we are looking to continue helping refugees – we hope you can join us on Friday.

Lambeth have been very proactive in pushing Government to support unaccompanied children refugees and has so far welcomed four of the 20 families that the council has agreed to accommodate – making it the borough that has agreed to do most to help Syrian refugees.

Streetworks update

Below is an update recently communicated to residents about the Streetworks consultation and programme of works. The results as set out below came out the series of co-production workshops that looked at the proposed changes to Norwood Road.

The full results and comments can be downloaded here http://www.streetworks.london/documents

Widen foot ways from Chestnut Road to Leigham Vale, resurface pavements, raised crossings: 82% either agreed or strongly agreed
Works have begun and will continue we have also looked to provide a footway that is more acceptable to cyclists following further discussions with cycling groups. Taking businesses into consideration we have included a loading bay. We are also identified a number of areas where extra bays could be located due to the removal of those on Norwood Road which are currently undergoing a road safety audit.

Diagonal Crossing junction Norwood Road/Lancaster Avenue/York Hill: 86% either agreed or strongly agreed
After analysing the crossing it has been confirmed that this improvement would not strongly affect vehicle capacity at the junction but that there would be a significant improvement for pedestrians.  

Station Rise future works: 88% either agreed or strongly agreed
Works will be taken forwards

Potential Market in Station Rise: 90% agreed it they would like to see and ongoing market
Whilst this may be out of scope for the project itself, we will look to see how we can support a market in the future

Harpenden Road Zebra Crossing: 82% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with this idea
The majority of those who responded to these questions preferred a zebra crossing in this location rather than traffic signals. Whilst there was strong support for the zebra as originally proposed, we have revisited the design of the zebra crossing in order to improve safety and to address specific issues raised by residents. The zebra crossing is now proposed to be moved closer to the Harpenden Road junction and Harpenden Road made exit only onto Norwood Road and for left turns only. As this new proposal impacts the traffic arrangements for those living in Harpenden Road, Ullswater Road, Ulverston Road  and Penrith Place we are seeking views locally on the revised arrangements.  We are aiming to provide a link for cyclists so they can still turn and exit and enter the Harpenden Road junction as at present.

We went out on 27th October 2016 to speak to residents and door knocked on Harpenden Road and adjacent streets and the general feedback was positive regarding the designs.

Harpenden Road Zebra Crossing:
82% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with this idea.

The majority of those who responded to these questions preferred a zebra crossing in this location rather than traffic signals.  Whilst there was strong support for the zebra as originally proposed, we have revisited the design of the zebra crossing in order to improve safety and to address specific issues raised by residents.  The zebra crossing is now proposed to be moved closer to the Harpenden Road junction and Harpenden Road made exit only onto Norwood Road and for left turns only. As this new proposal impacts the traffic arrangements for those living in Harpenden Road, Ullswater Road, Ulverston Road  and Penrith Place we are seeking views locally on the revised arrangements.  We are aiming to provide a link for cyclists so they can still turn and exit and enter the Harpenden Road junction as at present.

Cllr Birley and Streetworks colleagues went out on 27th October 2016 to speak to residents and door knocked on Harpenden Road and adjacent streets and the general feedback was positive regarding the designs.

In order to install a zebra crossing, the junction of Harpenden Road and Norwood Road would need to be changed to make enough space for the crossing to be safe. It was originally proposed that Harpenden Road would become entry only from Norwood Road. However, after considering comments from residents and the road safety audit, this proposal has changed. It is now proposed that Harpenden become exit only, left hand turn only. Harpenden Road would remain two way – only the junction would have no entry for vehicles but the ability to exit Harpenden Road by turning left only. One tree would still need to be removed in Norwood Road, however other planting is being considered. See the design drawing overleaf (subject to further change following statutory consultation and road safety audit).

We are working on the designs so that cyclists will continue to have access into and out of Harpenden Road. There may also be a slight alteration to parking provision near Penrith Place to allow access but this will result in no net parking loss in this area.

Timeline going forwards:
DEC 16 – Leigham Vale to opp Elmcourt Road AND Waylett Place footways

JAN 17- West Side of Norwood Road York Hill to opposite Chatsworth Way (Approx 1 month construction)

FEB 17- West side of Norwood Road from Opposite Chatsworth Way to Lansdowne Hill (including Waylett Raised Tables at Road entrances) (Approx 3-4 weeks construction)

MAR 17- West side of Norwood Road from York Hill to Harpenden including Ullswater Road raised table at Road entrances. (Approx 3 -4 weeks construction)

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) came into force in April 2010 and allows local authorities in England and Wales to raise funds from developers undertaking new building projects in their area. A portion of this levy can be used to support a Co-operative Local Investment Plan (CLIP) where the community can help to decide the projects and priorities.

Norwood is one of seven CLIP areas in Lambeth and 25% of our CIL will be used on neighbourhood projects to be determined by Norwood residents. In November Lambeth sent out postcards, completed street stalls and launching on-line surveys to better understand what your priorities are for Norwood.

Once established a CLIP can also help the local community leverage other streams of funding to help develop the area. This can include things as diverse as a public piece of artwork or a training programme to help young people. The most important thing about a CLIP is that it is up to the community to direct where these resources are targeted. It also focuses resources outside the town centre brining development to new areas. As local cllrs we are working closely with the Norwood Planning Assembly and other community groups to develop the Norwood area CLIP. 

END

Self service – reporting problems in your street this winter

As the weather becomes truly autumnal, we thought we would remind people how to report any pavement defects and trip hazards to the council.

You can use www.fixmystreet.com to report any issues directly to the council. If there is an out of hours emergency, the Council’s out-of-hours emergency helpline (020 7926 1000) number can be used outside of the working day to report urgent defects. They will dispatch a contractor to visit the site and make safe if necessary. If the cover belongs to a utility company the council will notify the relevant utility company and they will become responsible for effecting a permanent repair.

Going forward, the reducing number of staff employed by the Council as a result of significant cuts to our budget @ by the Tory Government makes it important for residents to self-serve reporting any highway defects whenever possible either on our helpline or at www.fixmystreet.com.

Rosendale Playing Fields fence update

Having met in July, in September and more recently last week the steering group have been discussing a wide range of issues surrounding a possible new fence, including; the type of fencing to be used, the height of the fence, gates for vehicles and gates for pedestrian access, amongst a range of others issues. 

Throughout Lambeth have also been liaising with the land owner, Dulwich Estate, to obtain guidance and direction as to the possible proposal for the field. 

The steering group discussions will hopefully enable Lambeth Council to be better placed to engage and communicate with local residents effectively before moving forward to possible planning permission and commissioning. 

This will ultimately allow Lambeth Council to protect our open green spaces and provide a great way to empower, involve and engage the community.

Below is copy of the speech Cllr Max Deckers Dowber gave in light of the appalling service provided by Southern Railway. 

Thank you Madame Mayor for the opportunity to speak and for allowing the debate to happen. My 4 year old son is going to be thrilled that I’m talking about trains.

As we’ve heard people in Lambeth and from further away have been suffering from the appalling service provided by Southern Railway. The failure to plan adequately for the major works at London Bridge, combined with staff shortages and a failure to maintain good industrial relations led to the introduction of an emergency timetable, while at the same time announcing a 27% increase in their profits.

It all seems made up. But its not. The impact on work and family life is very clear and completely unacceptable.

And, again who suffers? The normal every day Lambeth resident who just wants to go somewhere – to see a friend – to take their family away for a day and of course to and from work.

Passengers do not want the stress of being late, the frustration of being squeezed into carriages or to hear that dreaded announcement that the train has been cancelled.

Our residents should not have to put up with this travel misery. Passengers using Southern feel completely ignored and there is clearly an accountability deficit that exists between tickets prices and the actual Southern service.

I welcome this debate and of the campaigning work led by Lambeth cllrs, of Helen Hayes MP and Chuka Umuna MP and of the London Mayor, but I’d echo colleagues statements this evening that residents should not have to wait for the current franchise to end for change to happen – that’s 5 years.

No more excuses. Passengers cannot, and should not, have to wait.

And while we must continue to campaign for the Southern franchise to be brought back to TfL sooner rather than later what happens next?

Do TfL have the necessary resource to manage such a big franchise like Southern and if another franchise were to take it over might we see the same problems again?

The franchise model does not seem to be working, and in my view the Government needs to change track in order to look at ways to open up the rail market so those that pay for it and work for it, have a real stake in how our railways are run.

Could we look at user and employee involvement in the franchise procurement process?

Could we see actual passenger representation on franchise boards so they can provide a passenger viewpoint?

And, what about having real employee representation on the franchise boards to help build better industrial relations? Something that First Group already do I believe.

Residents have been let down by Southern and I look forward to working with members on behalf of our hard working residents to deliver a service that works.

Councillor Max Deckers-Dowber to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Councillor Jane Edbrooke

Supplementary Question

Councillor Deckers-Dowber asked what communities could do in order to work with the Council as there was likely to be a £20m government funding shortfall this year, and therefore co-operative management of green spaces was essential.

Supplementary Answer

Councillor Edbrooke responded that the Council was still committed to co-operative values. The Council was looking at losing £55m in funding and would therefore need to work with residents to ensure services were delivered. Rosendale Playing fields, for example, was looking to set up a community interest company in order to take over the lease and raise money to ensure future investment.

Customer Care Centre changes

Lambeth council intends to consolidate its customer centre operations, due to significant changes in customer demand and an increase in residents’ use of our digital services. Following a review of our customer services at Brixton Customer Centre, West Norwood Health Leisure Centre and Gracefield Gardens sites, the following changes are proposed.

From Monday 31 October 2016, Lambeth will no longer be offering a counter service at West Norwood Leisure Centre (WNHLC) for benefits, council tax, housing and parking permits or Gracefield Gardens for document submission.  We also intend to amend our opening hours at Brixton to 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, the current arrangement whereby Brixton Customer Centre closes at 7pm on Thursdays will change to 5pm.

The reasons for the change are that demand at WNHLC and Gracefield has remained at very low levels since opening, and the vast majority of services are available online.  Resident demand for our late night opening at Brixton is also very low, with only 12 visits per week, with all services requested face to face, available online.  The proposed changes will not only improve the customer experience at Brixton by consolidating our resources into our most popular location but it will also enable the council to reduce operational costs.

At both WNHLC and Gracefield Gardens access to self-service terminals and telephones will remain in place.

Lambeth will be putting up posters with these details in the fortnight prior to the change in service in respective buildings. These will also include information about how residents can contact Lambeth to raise any concerns