Our Streets – the Neighbourhood Enhancement Programme

Phase 3 of the Our Streets programme is planned for implementation in the wards of Streatham Hill, Thurlow Park, Gipsy Hill and Knight’s Hill. 

This Phase of the Neighbourhood Enhancement Programme (NEP), is a continuation of previous Our Streets projects that have been delivered in central Lambeth and are currently being delivered in the south of the borough.

As part of future consultation Lambeth are asking residents to share their ideas by completing a survey. This should be happening in early 2018. 

For more information please see – https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/housing-and-regeneration/regeneration/our-streets-the-neighbourhood-enhancement-programme

KIBA site – West Norwood update

Key Industrial and Business Areas (KIBAs) are Lambeth’s ‘Locally Significant Industrial Sites’ (LSIS) as defined in the London Plan and represent the borough’s strategic reservoir of land for industrial and business use. 

The key aspects for our neighbourhood KIBA is that no changes are proposed south of West Norwood Station. If you’d like to look at the review document please see the below link; 

https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Summary_of_KIBA_Changes.pdf

Have you spotted the new poem adorning West Norwood yet?

Thanks to the amazing people behind PoetrySlabs, London’s first catalytic poem is up at the Bzz Garage. “A Rare Bee” by poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy has been put up on the bus garage wall (corner of Ernest Avenue/Knight’s Hill SE27).

Coated in magical nano-titania spray, the poetic banner silently converts noxious exhaust fumes into water that gently waters the bee friendly garden below. An innovative solution to London’s air quality crisis!

Lambeth Council’s ‘healthy routes’ consultation went live on Friday 20 October 2017. Running alongside the Local Plan Review and Transport Strategy Issues consultations, the healthy routes consultation is seeking feedback on current and potential routes for walking and cycling in the borough. 

This is intended to help focus our investment in improving conditions on strategic routes / locations for walking and cycling – something that will be key in the Transport Strategy which we will be developing further next year.

The consultation runs until December.

https://lambethhealthyroutes.commonplace.is/

Brockwell Park fireworks – vehicle restrictions

In preparation for the forthcoming Lambeth fireworks display in Brockwell Park a temporary vehicle restrictions notice has been put in place. 

(a)​ ban vehicles from:

(i)​ entering the slip road that links Norwood Road to Dulwich Road (by the Herne Hill entrance to Brockwell Park) from 7 am on Thursday 02 November 2017 until 11pm on Sunday 05 November 2017 (the banned left turn from the main carriageway of Norwood Road into the main carriageway of Dulwich Road would be suspended so as to provide an alternative route for affected vehicles)

(ii)​ entering or waiting (including for loading/unloading purposes) in that length of Railton Road, which lies between Rymer Street and the junction of Dulwich Road/Norwood Road/Half Moon Lane from 2pm until 11pm on Saturday 04 November 2017

(iii)​ entering or waiting (including for loading/unloading purposes) in that length of Brockwell Park Gardens which lies between Norwood Road and the party wall of Nos. 42 and 43 Brockwell Park Gardens from 6am until 11pm on Saturday 4th November 2017 (an alternative route would be available via Norwood Road and Trinity Rise)

(iv)​ entering or waiting in the lengths of roads specified in Schedule 1 to this Notice from 6.30pm until 9.30pm on Saturday 04 November 2017 (alternative routes would be available via adjacent roads as indicated by traffic signs)

(v) ​waiting (except for loading/unloading purposes) in the lengths of roads specified in Schedule 2 to this Notice and waiting (including for loading/unloading purposes) in the lengths of roads specified in Schedule 3 to this Notice, from 7am until 11pm on 04 November 2017

(b)​ suspend the banned right turn from Carver Road into Herne Hill.

2. The restrictions are necessary to enable safe access for vehicles connected with the event and because of the likelihood of danger to the public caused by an increase in traffic and parking related to a fireworks display in Brockwell Park and would only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.

Progress made in our campaign for a safer South Circular

Following the tragic death of Dr. Jasjot Singhota at
the zebra crossing on Thurlow Park Road, by Birkbeck Hill, in February, we have
been working to tackle speeding and improve safety on the South Circular.

In March, we organised a walkabout with TfL
officers, local residents, friends of Jas, the local Labour London Assembly
Member Flo Eshalomi, and the local Labour MP Helen Hayes. We discussed a number
of issues with the speed of traffic, the visibility of crossings and the lack
of enforcement when drivers are disregarding road safety.

We have been working with TfL to follow up on these
actions behind the scenes, and while the police inquiry into the tragic
accident is still ongoing, we are able to provide an update on this work from
TfL officers.

We asked TfL to commission a speed survey at the
crossing to give us the evidence we need to push for improvements. This took
place between 18 April and 24 April and the results are here:

Clearly, far too many drivers are exceeding the speed limit – and we are committed to continuing to work with residents to campaign for measures to tackle this. 

We also asked for a collision study, so that we
could gain a better understanding of the dangers of this crossing.

TfL officers say: 

“We have completed a collision study, which revealed at this location
there were five collisions in the 36 months up to 31st October 2016 (which is
the latest Police recorded data available, so it does not include the collision
involving Dr Singhota). Two collisions occurred on the zebra crossing involving
pedestrian’s being struck by a vehicle, whilst crossing the road. One of these
collisions resulted in a serious injury, with the other resulting in slight
injury. Three of the collisions involved vehicle shunt incidents on the
approach to the zebra crossing. Two of these three collisions involved vehicles
travelling westbound, with the other collision involving vehicles travelling
eastbound. All three shunt incidents were attributed to inappropriate speeds
and the driver failing to look properly. Two of these collisions involved cars
only, with the other involving a car and a motorcycle.”

While the ongoing police inquiry has advised that
the highway layout was not being seen as a contributory factor to the fatal
accident in February, TfL have agreed to review the layout to begin to address
our concerns. These are all things which they are able to include in the
ongoing maintenance programme so the required works can be delivered fairly
promptly.

In summary, these works include:

  • The belisha beacon (the pole with an orange ball on top by the zebra crossings) post on the north-eastern side of A205 Thurlow Park Road is solid black, and will be made black and white striped to be consistent with other crossings of this type. This should make is more visible for oncoming traffic.
  • The belisha beacons on either side of Thurlow Park Road will be re-orientated to improve their visibility.
  • Two replacement keep left bollards will be installed on the pedestrian refuge area (island) in the middle of the road.

In addition, TfL have agreed to get in touch with
the police to set up some community-led speed checks under the Community
Roadwatch scheme, which will complement the surveys that TfL have undertaken.
This scheme gives residents the opportunity to work with local police teams,
and use speed detection equipment to deter speeding on their roads. 

Dates are
yet to be finalised for this event – if you would like to be part of this
please sign up here.

TfL are also considering other interventions that
could be made in the longer term and progressed as part of their programme with
the aim of reducing speeds and improving safety along this section of Thurlow
Park Road. They say, “We intend to work with all stakeholders
to ensure that all our roads are safe for all road users.”

Friday 13th October 2017 proved unlucky for some speeding motorists on Lancaster Avenue as LARA ran its first Community Roadwatch event with the Lambeth Safer Transport Team led on the day by Police Community Support Officer Bruce Hay accompanied by two of his colleagues and ably assisted by residents from the Avenue.  

Using a speed gun supplied by the Lambeth police team and expertly handled by one of the residents the Roadwatch team captured 78 vehicles travelling at 25mph or more in just 75 minutes between 4pm and 5:25pm. Of those 78 vehicles, 20 were captured travelling at over 27 mph and the  worst offender was clocked at a staggering 42 mph. 

The registration numbers of all vehicles registering 25mph or more on the laser gun were recorded and have been reported to TfL by the police team. Drivers who are subsequently caught  speeding a second time will receive warnings, which for the worst offenders may involve a knock at the door from Bruce and his team, and further infringements will incur stiffer penalties.

Bearing in mind the presence of a nursery, two care homes and an infant school on our road and the long-standing nature of the 20mph speed limit the speeds some motorists were travelling at really does beggar belief.

PCSO Hay declared the event “very busy by any standard” and plans to return, this time with 2 speed guns, for a further event in the November. He assures us that the need to return so quickly is driven by the evident problem which affects our road and not by the excellent cups of tea and good company supplied to him and his team.

Speeders watch out!

Thurlow Park leaf clearance schedule

As we enter the autumn months a leaf clearing schedule began earlier this month. Below is a break down of when each street will be cleared. If you have any questions please get in touch. 

On Tuesday’s the following will be swept:

Croxted Road
South Croxted Road
Rosendale Road
Lovelace Road
Deronda Road
Deerbrook Road
Berwyn Road
Romola Road
Lancaster Avenue
Chatsworth Way
Ardlui Road
Idmiston Road
Chancelore Grove.

On Wednesday’s:

Avenue Park Road
Maley Avenue
Elmcourt Road
Thurlow Park Road

On Friday’s:
Brockwell Park Road and Trinity Rise will be swept.  

Lambeth Local Plan Review: Your chance to shape Lambeth’s future

Lambeth is a great place to live, work and invest because of its location, its people, its character and assets. The existing Lambeth Local Plan, adopted in 2015, contains a strong vision for the development of the borough to improve opportunities for local people.

However, we need to partially update it and this updated Lambeth Local Plan, together with the Mayor of London’s London Plan and neighbourhood plans, will set out the vision and robust planning policies needed to direct and guide development in the borough over the next 15 years to meet our future needs.

As a part of updating Lambeth’s Local Plan we are consulting with residents and stakeholders – we want you to have your say. We are at the beginning of the process and this consultation is your chance to tell us what issues you think need to be reviewed in the Plan. 

Follow this link to the survey – https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/consultations/lambeth-local-plan-review-2017?utm_source=Sign-Up.to&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=17118-407546-Lambeth%20Local%20Plan%20Review%20generic-Preview

Temporaray traffic restrictions on Norwood Road and Ullswater Road

Thames Water are to carry out water main connection works which will lead to a temporarily ban vehicles from entering or exiting Ullswater Road at its junction with Norwood Road.

Alternative routes will be available for affected vehicles via (a) Norwood Road, Harpenden Road and Ulverstone Road and vice versa; (b) Norwood Road, York Hill and Harpenden Road and vice versa.

This will come into force on 23rd October 2017 and will continue for a maximum duration of 2 months (allowing for contingencies) or until the works have been completed whichever is the sooner.