Sissi81

Why do you think the locals need to be repelled with Harris barriers? - you just need a signed route. People don?t want to go near a funeral in the chapel or active burial zone. My point to you is: are you aware of the route people have currently been diverted to, to the north east of the Rec? As per my previous posts? - I suggest you go and have a look and appraise. I would be keen to know if you think the route is a good idea. Thanks

Hi Renata, As a councillor do you have access to the new cemetery burial figures now and projected, and how this compares with this time last year and the year before? You may not be familiar with the cemetery and how it?s used but the chapel and new burial zones can quite easily be avoided if a walk through detour route was established. The current detour route of taking people into the rec field and then funnel down a very long enclosed very narrow path to the north east is simply dangerous and incompetent (and contradicting the 2m personal space posters up in the cemetery &rec). Even if the brenchley gardens main access is required all day / all week for continuous funerals - then the council should utilise some of the disused and historically locked gate points on the north west boundary to brenchly gardens (near kelvington Rd. turning) allowing the north/ south route from Honor oak park to brenchley to be retained safely. I?m sorry but I still think this has been poorly actioned by Southwark, even in the context of the grim times and obvious use requirements of some areas of the open space.

New cemetery was closed and locked up when I tried to walk through today. I understand there may be increased frequency of funerals but I don?t see why they can?t keep open a direct route through the vast cemetery to allow people to travel between Honor oak park to branchlet garden. With the railway line it means you are really restricting flows people rely on. From what I gather from Southwark?s website the new cemetery is still closed but with opening window on sundays only. Needless to say the place is deserted when I was there today but with activity in and around the chapel ( but like i said a route could be established to stay well clear of all this? ) Anyway not the end of the world but frustrating that the council isn?t trying to keep open as much open space as possible.

I think this is a disgrace. Poorly thought out and reactionary. Locals rely on these spaces and they are identified as valuable open spaces within Southwarks own Open Space strategy. During these tough times safe occasional exercise by residents, utilising all the available open spaces locally is vitally important. Simply because we don?t want everyone crowded into the last remaining parks(!) Even if there will be increased burials this can surely be managed. Currently the new cemetery is being policed by a council worker. Due to there being no signage people are walking into the recreational field adjoining and then finding themselves trapped by heras fencing/ padlocks / rope at all the normal exit points(!) the only northern exit point is via a very narrow long path - which is increasing risk to locals. In summary nonsensical and poorly actioned. Southwark please sort this out - and give the locals their access back. Even in part would be appreciated - perhaps during certain hours at least?