James Barber

Hi trentk69, I've arranged a meeting with local Police and council officers end of next week. I'd encorage you to experience using a Police speed gun - you've nothing to lose and I suspect you'd find it interesting. Let me know if you're interested. Hi kford, 'tabletops' or 'raised junctions' are incredibly expensive. Typically ?50,000 to ?100,000. The collission rate doesn't justify that level of expenditure compared to other collissions locations. Also Barry Road is a busy bus route and passengers wouldn't welcome many more of these along Barry Road. One suggestion was to slow vehicels on Underill and Upland Roads approaching Barry Road so I'll ask officers about whether this relatively cheaper devices would help. Hi cate, DJKillaQueen, I'd be keen on 20mph. We did have a scheme in flight for the southern end which needs chasing. If it fixes the Etherow/Barry Road junction then perhaps it should be extended northwards.

Good news about the improved timetable for those living in the NW side of East Dulwich. Hi Nero, Network Rail has stated that if a railway station were opened at Camberwell they would close loughborough Junction station as it would be so close. You can imagine how popular that would be. I actually believe extending the Bakerloo Line is much more likely.

Hi Gimme, Filling that ?12,000 shortfall is a problem. We've currently have ?29,000 of installation works for electric pop-up points on Northcross Road for the market. I'm hopeful that will come in under the budget which had quite a lot of contigency. These works will finish during November and we'll then know how much is left over to help towards that ?12,000.

The East Dulwich Police Safe Neighbourhood Team have spent an afternoon earlier this week out with the speed gun. Nearly everyone one was driving within the 30mph limit the 6 cars that weren't were very close to the 30mph and drivers very apologetic. The Police have stated that many people think vehicels are actually travelling much faster than they actually are. Last night at the Dulwich Community Council they made an offer that if any residents would like to try the speed gun alongside estimating vehicles speeds they'd be very welcome. For East Dulwich if you'd like to try this contact me direct to work out numbers and a useful time.

Hi cate, Herne Hill will lose through Thameslink train services when the Thameslink upgrade is finished. The reason we don;'t have more tube lines in London/South London is we're rubbish at doing them cheaply. Network Rail has publicly stated they cos 40% more to maintian the train network than a mainland train company would spend. In Madrid they build new tube lines 18km long in 4 years start to finish at ?30M-?50M/km. As other have pointed out they also charge peanuts to ride on them.

Tomorrow Wednesday 10 November 6.30pm - 7pm Christchurch (263 Barry Road near the Lordship Lane junction)all three local Police teams covering East Dulwich, College and Village wards will be holding surgeries. If you have any concerns or issues about crime and anti social behaviour come and discuss them. If you're an ED resident come along also for free property marking kits, etc.

Wednesday 10 November is the next Dulwich Community Council - where public consultation on the council budget and what to expand and cut. 7pm Christchurch (263 Barry Road near the Lordship Lane junction). Prior to this 6.30pm-7pm all three local Police teams covering East Culwich , College and Village wards will be holding surgeries at this venue. If you have any concerns or issues about crime and anti social behaviour come and discuss them. If you're an ED resident come along also for free property marking kits, etc.

Works started yesterday on installing electric pop up points for the Northcross Road Market stall holders. This work will take 2-3 weeks and should result in the stall holders having electricity and no longer needing to run little generators. Any problems while the works take place let me know.

Hi Pearson, Some of the crashes reported on EDF have not been reported to the Police and as a result don't reach council traffic officers. So trying to synch up non reported with reported crashes has been a problem. Then lining up the relevant people hasn't been easy due to shifts patterns.

Tomorrow filming takes place on Northcross Road - for an advert - from noon to 7pm. A crew of 25 plus. Rain and wind macines, dolly and track, set dressing from 8am (Blue Mountain, Sweetshop, Beauty products shops) and scenery. Any issues or problems with this shoot call Jenni Lewis on 07740 368316.

Hi lousiaia, I can't really say more about the two arrested and charged burglars without being indiscreet. But you can rest relatively easilly. The figures I've quoted are for reported crimes in East Dulwich ward. I believe other burglaries are in South Camebrwell ward and Peckham Rye ward. I don't have the exact definitions as you've requested and suspect a lot is in the Policve officer receiving the reproted crime and how they handle it.

Hi ianr, Those windows weren't in East Dulwich ward. Hi cate, The Lane ward is in Peckham so I'm afraid I don't know those reported crime figures. You could call your Safer Neighbourhood Team. You could ask to join the ward panel to help select priorities for your police team. hi pearson, Most burglars will not burgle at any price. They're looking for east targets. Unlocked doors and windows, etc.

Hi DJKillaQueen, Southwark COuncil's budget per annum roughly ?1,500M not ?3.5M as you've reported. But your point about Southwark not emplying more people is valid. Depends what Labour in Southwark decide to do about Community Wardens.

Hi DJKillaQueen, The Peckham Rye end of Friern Road - apparently some minor tweaks planned outside the Academy. Barry Road/Underhill Road. Nearly have all the ingredients for a meeting between local Police and council officers with ward councillors on site to review what can be done.

East Dulwich ward Police Safer Neighbourhood Team tonight reported that for the last 12 weeks REPORTED crime was: 0 GBH 4 assaults (ranging from a shove to a bloody nose) 10 thefts from motor vehicles 4 motor vehicles damaged 3 bicycles stolen 0 people robbed For burglaries, 5 in the last 2 weeks. Good news 2 burglars caught on Barry Road in the act and charged. The ward priorities were and remain: 1. burglaries 2. thefts from people in licensed premises 3. youth engagement What does this mean on the ground? 1. Burglaries Local ED Police have leafletted all 5,250 homes in the ward highlighting free property marking SelectaDNA kits, free bicycle D locks, free motorbike locks, free panic alarms, free crime prevention advice visits. For vulnerable adults and victims of crime FREE sash windows locks installation and similar. Mainly burglaries in ED from sash windows being forced - sash 'restrictor' locks quickest and easiest way to reduce this risk and cost about ?3 per window from all good DIT stores. Currently 6-10 ED residents a day taking up the above offers. 2. Thefts from people in licensed premises. FREE Chelsea clips (to attach bag handles) offered again to all licensed premises and other promotional material to highlight the risks to customers. Very few takers so far. Letter from the Police sargent responsible for licensing in Southwark asking all East Dulwich licensed premises to attend a meeting this Wednesday morning - if enough attend a Pub Watch scheme can happen. After that meeting I'll tell you which licensed premises took part and want to ensure their customers are not victims of crime. 3. Youth engagement We only have four primary schools in ED. Police visiting these kids. Getting groups of them involved with projects involving older citizens and visiting each others schools.

East Dulwich ward Police Safer Neighbourhood Team tonight reported that for the last 12 weeks REPORTED crime was: 0 GBH 4 assaults (ranging from a shove to a bloody nose) 10 thefts from motor vehicles 4 motor vehicles damaged 3 bicycles stolen 0 people robbed For burglaries, 5 in the last 2 weeks. Good news 2 burglars caught on Barry Road in the act and charged. The ward priorities were and remain: 1. burglaries 2. thefts from people in licensed premises 3. youth engagement What does this mean on the ground? 1. Burglaries Local ED Police have leafletted all 5,250 homes in the ward highlighting free property marking SelectaDNA kits, free bicycle D locks, free motorbike locks, free panic alarms, free crime prevention advice visits. For vulnerable adults and victims of crime FREE sash windows locks installation and similar. Mainly burglaries in ED from sash windows being forced - sash 'restrictor' locks quickest and easiest way to reduce this risk and cost about ?3 per window from all good DIT stores. Currently 6-10 ED residents a day taking up the above offers. 2. Thefts from people in licensed premises. FREE Chelsea clips (to attach bag handles) offered again to all licensed premises and other promotional material to highlight the risks to customers. Very few takers so far. Letter from the Police sargent responsible for licensing in Southwark asking all East Dulwich licensed premises to attend a meeting this Wednesday morning - if enough attend a Pub Watch scheme can happen. After that meeting I'll tell you which licensed premises took part and want to ensure their customers are not victims of crime. 3. Youth engagement We only have four primary schools in ED. Police visiting these kids. Getting groups of them involved with projects involving older citizens and visiting each others schools.

The quickest and easiet has to be by bicycle....

Hi Narnia, I've had a further response from traffic officers about Underhill/Barry road junction - but my interpretation of the response is alarming so I'll speak to them before updating to ensure I've understood correctly. This will take several days due to work, family and councillor commitments.

Hi OutofFocus, This Camberwell Cemetery entrance will be closed for 6 weeks apparently. The new entrance will look fab and become quite a feature when finished but until then the builders were meant ot have placed some temporary route signs for the extended Green Chain walk. They've been reminded. The Green Chain walk people have also been reminded to amend the route on their website until the works are finished. I'm not headed that way this week. Could you please let me know if the signs aren't placed. I've been assured they'll be placed today. Many thanks.

i'm meeting east Dulwich ward Police tonight and will ask what their take on all this is and report back.

Hi DJKillaQueen, One project that will shrink the country and make businesses more receptive to having locations outside of London is high Speed 2. That's certainly been the effect in France. Not a panacea but it will help. Social rents for council housing. The government has given the option for newly rented properties to charge up to 80% of the free market rent. I would be horrified if any Lib Dem used that new power in London. I could see a council in remote parts finding that the market rent was so low that only being able to charge 30 or 40% of it a council rent meant they just could'nt afford to maintain the property. So clearly giving this freedom to local authorities has risks but local voters will have every chance to penalise any silly decisions at the ballot box. Long Term Unemployed. Locally The Shard will create 15,000 jobs. As part of the permission to build it a jobs package was agreed three years ago and the next major tranche of ?4.4M was released by the last planning committee. Clearly this also isn't a panacea but I can't think of many areas in the UK with such opportunities.

Hi Tarot, I have no more access to Foreign Office information about this kidnapping. Last thing I noticed was they are still being held. Sorry I can;t be more helpful.

Hi Hare, A volunteer tree warden was proposed in the scrutiny report I was helped with two years ago chaired by Barrie Hargrove but the idea does not exist in the tree strategy. Trees and insurance claims. It is incredibly worrying to have a house movement problem with cracks etc. Sometimes trees are to blame. Sometimes paved over front gardens and sometimes insufficient foundations to start with. Climate change isn't helping with dry weather shrinking ground and foundation supports. Certainly the cheapest short term solution for insurance companies is to see trees chopped down but often not the best long term solution. It's also not clear whether the replacement rate will be maintained let alone a strategic goal to maximise tree coverage in Southwark. Rumours abound that the new administration is planning to reduce council tree spend by removing mature expensive to maintain trees, not replacing trees, not keeping up with the renewal rate - but these are rumours which without seeing detailed spending plans in the February council budget are purely conjecture.

Hi Nero, The newspaper story was the Peckham Rye ward councillor and Lambeth and Southwark GLA rep. 'launching' a campaign to extend the no.63 bus - an idea they rubbished when proposed by Lib Dem candidates two years ago. So much for cross party unison for such an obviously great idea. All bus routes are subsidised in London - total of ?900M pa last time I looked. So even a well used peak time extension would be tough to finance in the current national crisis. I suspect this something for 4-5 years time when the crisis is over.

Hi Narnia, I'm not sure being clear on the process for road changes is playing politics. What I am clear on is that road improvents should be improved in order of how dangerous they are - they should not be processed in order of who shouts the loudest. In Southwark until 2002 that was the way they were improved. In 2002 it was changed to a statistical basis and road safety took a huge step forward. This change dramatically reduced the opportunities for politicians to be popularist at the expense of road safety. This particular road junction appears to be statistically standing out more OR lots of under reporting of collissions. I've asked to meet officers to test that theory and will report back honestly what I find. This isn't politics it's doing the right decent thing.