first mate

This particular poster always resorts to provocation when their case runs out of steam. But let's not focus on that. I felt Rockets was simply trying to address the various points raised by Earl, so a bit dodgy to say Rocket's posts are discursive. P68 generally has something useful to say when they do post and others often write at length too, those who don't wish to read are under no obligation to.

Problem is it isn't simple and the many barriers to cycling have already been outlined. Perhaps there is not more that can be done at the moment, it has to be a matter of individual choice. I think Heartblock has the right idea in encouraging more walking- arguably better for overall fitness than cycling (especially e-bikes or scooter use). A combination of walking and public transport is a winning formula and more pragmatic.

Please no!

It'll be interesting to see if a similar conclusion is reached in Nunhead, where there is also no current need for controlled parking and where residents are not keen. I am reminded of the rationale Cllr McAsh gave in support of the imposition of a Nunhead CPZ and it was along the lines of 'why should car owning Nunhead residents enjoy free parking and cleaner air when residents in other areas, closer to the centre, have to pay for parking and have more pollution?' The former does not really make sense if suddenly it is felt somewhere like Dulwich Hill does not need controlled parking, after all?

I am sure we can all agree that walking is an important part of active travel. Having visited Nx road recently I was shocked how bad the pavement is, with lots of the brick pavers sticking up and clearly loose. I would prefer to see more effort on the basics.

Rocket's response to the current situation seems more pragmatic than, as you suggest, emotional. If more cycling were happening locally it would be a good thing but the indications are this is not the case. Are you saying that is completely untrue? Malumbu, you seem to be backsliding and adopting an earlier style of posting where you started stating that you had some sort of inside knowledge of other poster's mental and emotional states. Please stop. It does you no favours and does not advance any counter argument you are attempting to mount.

Locally, I think Southwark have got to snap out of appeasing niche but (disproportionately) influential lobby groups who have meddled and shaped local policy and interventions. Now is not the time to be throwing public money down a black hole. We all have ears and eyes, the masses have not taken to cycling for work or for leisure.

I have little doubt the numbers go up in the hottest and driest months but reckon they plummet in the kind of weather we are having now. Build all the infrastructure you like, the weather conditions and local geography remain a massive problem. Forget the discomfort aspect, it just does not feel safe cycling when there are massive puddles hiding potholes, add in early nights and it is a no brainer.

Having visited the Peckham sorting office recently, it seems morale is rock bottom.

The dog has obviously recently had a medical procedure or escaped from a groomers (hence the collar). One of the local vet practices is likely to know the dog. They can also check his/her microchip.

Spending money on road repairs would be a pragmatic and useful shorter term intervention to increase cycling. Given the shorter days and recent torrential rain where puddles disguise craters in the road surface, I do not feel safe cycling in those conditions at all. I would also like to open up LTNs to buses. Since LTNs were implemented I have seen few examples of children playing in the streets, probably because most LTN properties in ED have large back gardens. It is not my experience that cycling is up locally at all. It also occurs that the large Evans shop closed. Why if cycling is booming?

That pretty much puts to bed the myth that cycling is massively on the up.

But you have just gone on at length about issues between bikes and parked cars, including your personal experience of near misses with cars and how you "love controlling the road". Having vented on cars and bikes you cannot then direct everyone else to stick rigidly to whatever it is you feel the thread should focus on.

I agree, the forum is a real community asset and a means to give issues a wider airing. I like it when Southwark Council listens to the residents it represents. Sadly, this does not happen as often as it should.

So Southwark are just going to stick their fingers in their ears until the inconvenient questions go away.

And again, the fact that people are not giving up their cars in the numbers expected/hoped for, despite this council piling the penalties and pressures high is telling us something. It is not the black and white simple solution you make it out to be.

Malumbu, your last post should be removed and put in the traffic section.

I think for clarity we should refer to the various vested interests on all sides in keeping the area unstable (Netanyahu, Hamas, Iranian leaders, Syrian leaders, just for starters). Civilians on all sides are caught up in and victims to the various agendas. The whole thing is made more scary by routine use of fake news accusations on all sides. I find it worrying to see young supporters of Palestine in the UK seeming to deny the recent horrors perpetrated by Hamas or revel in them. I also know there is a long history of denial of horrors inside Gaza at the hands of the Israeli regime and lack of scrutiny in the media.

I think it is fair enough to ask what Netanyahu and elements of Israeli Intelligence services have to gain by the current situation- as with any leader who sees conflict/ war as an opportunity. There are reports Israeli Intelligence were aware a Hamas attack was being planned. However, and I know the use of the word Israel is shorthand, but we cannot say the general population were aware. That's the problem. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/20/benjamin-netanyahu-hamas-israel-prime-minister

Good you managed to see it. These sessions are quite illuminating.

I actually really do really love and value our local parks and hope they are kept primarily as oases (not private entertainment sites) for all the community to enjoy and connect with nature.

That's a great idea Heartblock, isn't there some sort of community green funding that can be applied for each year?

The level of mismanagement is truly scary as are the apparent attempts to block and bury. It does seem that the only reason any of this has come to light is that one of the residents reps is involved with planning elsewhere and I think he said he had been, or is, a councillor in another borough, so he knows how to work the process. I would urge everyone to try to watch the monthly scrutiny sessions on environment as this is chaired by Cllr Margy Newens and it is where Cabinet Member Cllr McAsh has to report. If you google Southwark YouTube and then click on playlists, the various scrutiny sessions show up.