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Everything posted by James Barber
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P13 bus route - anyone know when it'll be back?
James Barber replied to sleepy-li's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
23 March. On diversion along Lordship Lane while junction of Whateley Road with Lordship Lane has full entry treatment 9 raised to be level with pavements) completed as part of making area safer for children going to the adjacent school. -
Buses & road works - Melbourne Grove (north)
James Barber replied to bels123's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
Hi bels123, Apologies only just seen this. The junction of East Dulwich Grove with Lordship Lane had a large gushing water leak. AS soon as I heard about this I reported this to Thames Water - the resident who alerted me had not been able to get through to them - and also asked that council highways team give the immediate area more salt. Great that hames Water then reacted so quickly to repair the leak but it did mean an emergency closure of the junction and diversion of those bus routes and many others. Sorry. -
former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?
James Barber replied to James Barber's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
Hi nxjen, All street cleaning staff were deployed to snow clearing. Their are no other magic council resources - short of seeking civil assistance form the armed forces which some public bodies needed to d last week in hard hit areas. hi Calsug, The amounts of salt/grit spread were lower than the Winter Plan forecasts - but it is designed for a heavier snow fall. The problem appears to have been salt was spread for the levels of snow forecast at 12 and 20 gramme per square metre on main roads and bus routes. But for full action this requires people and vehicles churning it up. The snow was expected in the middle of the night when no one is around. The common sense approach would APPEAR to spread more. I'm checking if that assumption and logic works with officers. Because if relatively light snow falls can close so many schools and roads then heaven help us when we one day do get a large amount of snow. -
former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?
James Barber replied to James Barber's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
Hi nxgen, It seems clear some roads and pavements should have had more treatment - Dog kennel Hill for example meant the school was shut for a day. Sad to see street cleaning staff out with a wonky wheelbarrow and shovel and not more of the mechanical gritters that would mean they could cover significantly more ground.If you have the staff give them the proper tools to do the job properly. Council officers have been coy where the 80 pavement gritters are. As you say this time we've been fortunate with the weather - it could have been much worse and if we don't cope well now... -
former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?
James Barber replied to James Barber's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
Hi P68, If you mean the old borough of Camberwell that included Dulwich then yes. -
former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?
James Barber replied to James Barber's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
You can see Southwark Councils Winter Plan here - https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwjv8ofq8srZAhXiL8AKHSL4DZYQFggrMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.southwark.gov.uk%2Fassets%2Fattach%2F1570%2FWinter%2520Service%2520Policy%2520and%2520Plan%25202017-18.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3XIiYnQMmdr75n7x_vTrPY It talks about 40g/m2 of salt application but that only applies to heavy snow falls. Apparently we've only have light snow falls warning 12g/m2. Doesn't feel light. It talks about deploying 80 hand propelled mechanical snow gritting machines my lot bought. But I've not seen one on the streets in years. I have seen people with a wonky wheelbarrow and shovels! Hi Pugwash, Council Tax is going up this year because Southwark Labour refused to make the ?4m savings in back office costs my lot proposed. Proposals approved by council senior management as legally sound and deliverable. Hi Siduhe, The free salt service only works because relatively few people take it up. Southwark doesn't have salt barn to preserve the efficacy of the salt by keeping it out of the rain. Hi BranNewGuy, Southwark Council is way too big to be really responsive. 1965 consolidation of several local councils to form Southwark Council wasn't a great idea. It gave the impression of savings by merging centralised functions but creates big departments with big department problems. Other smaller home counties councils run the same services with far fewer people per head of population. -
Hi Calsug, This is the latest Councillors have been briefed on this: " Waste collections Due to hazardous road conditions caused by snowfall and freezing temperatures, there have been no household waste collection services in Southwark today. With further snowfall and freezing temperatures forecast to continue, disruption is likely to continue for a few days resulting in delays to all household waste collection services. The council will be working in partnership with Veolia to monitor the situation and return waste collection services to normal as soon as possible. We will update residents via Twitter and on our website with information about the actions we are taking to return collections to normal. In the meantime we would ask residents to do what they can to manage their waste whilst waste collections are delayed. You can do this for example by flattening cardboard boxes and by squashing plastic bottles and drinks cartons so they take up less space in recycling bins. If you have a brown bin you can use this for food waste if you don?t already do so. Residents should leave waste bins in the usual place for collection as normal until they have been emptied. "
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former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?
James Barber replied to James Barber's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
Hi loubelou, What councillors have been told is salt was spread on main roads and bus routes Monday and Tuesday nights. That as the snow mostly came at night when few vehicles around to churn the snow and salt up that it hasn't had the full impact. This i what councillors have just been told: "Gritting ? We have two gritters with an additional spare available at all times ? We have pre-treated at the following times and dates: ? Monday 26th 20.00 all major routes with a 12gm/m2 spread rate) ? Tuesday 27th 20.00 all major routes (8gm spread rate) ? Wednesday 28th 07.00 all major routes (12gm spread rate) ? Every time we go out on all major routes, we cover 168km (93 miles) ? Tonnage of salt used in last 3 days = 40 tonnes just on road treatments Please note that at these significantly low temperatures the effectiveness of salt is severely retarded. Below -7 degrees it will have little or no effect in preventing ice formation, it just slows the process down. Detailed info and the Winter Service Policy & Plan can be found at the following link: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/street-care/gritting Pavement clearance We have 230 staff working between 06:00 and 18:00 to clear snow from pavements across the borough and grit around schools, transport hubs and shopping areas. We have 331 staff working between 08:00 and 16:00 to carry out pavement clearance on our housing estates. " I've not spotted anyone around East Dulwich with one of the 80 Mechanical Street Salter operated by street cleaners - have you? -
Tragedy! Curry Cabin shut down
James Barber replied to Jim1234's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
Hi 1921, A Costa wouldn't be a shop. The Londis is an A1 shop. I very much doubt the change of use would be agreed. Unless Southwark Council has buckled without a planning fight on this. We have planning rules that 50% of all units must be A1 shop units for the hopefully obvious reason that a high street without shops dies. -
Binmen mystery - recognise this van?
James Barber replied to jenf's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
Is it worth asking shops along there if they have CTV pointing out and whether you take a look. Also bins being stolen is theft and should be reported to the Police. They'll potentially have access to there cameras. -
Trip hazards outside LL post office
James Barber replied to Nigello's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
reported. -
On Saturday Tooley Street SE1 returns to two-way working. From Monday Tfl has advised me London Bridge will be closed to motor traffic. Buses, people cycling and walking will still have access but other motor vehicles will be diverted via Tooley Street to Tower Bridge.
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Hi hammerman, Wouldn't it be nice for residents to still be able to call or email such relatively simple problems directly to Southwark Council. I've had residents call me in tears unable to make such calls - Southwark Council strategy is to become Digital. The council no longer advertises such numbers. If you try calling them you'll be pointedly - sometimes rudely as per some residents - told to go online. If you have no online options you'll be told to ask a family or friend to do it for you - how disabling is it for residents who can make calls NOT being allowed to be full citizens. It infantilises perfectly capable adults. In extremism after I've escalated cases an officers has called a resident. If you can go digital and complete an online form it goes into the council and surprisingly often isn't processed in a timely manner and their is no way to ask what is going on. I get quite a lot of casework for this as well. Ideally residents would be able to call someone. An operator would then nudge whatever the problem is along.
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Hi rich, The gas people were crystal clear all the road works were due to them.
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former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?
James Barber replied to James Barber's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
No I don't. I will pop along and take a look and then try and find out. -
The gas works. Apparently...They?ve dug the holes. They?ve fix everything. They?ll finish filling the holes tomorrow. Then two days - probably this weekend - making good the road ready for reopening for Monday. This morning it struck me that perhaps East Dulwich Grove has the ambience of pre mass motor cars. Quiet and tranquil.
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former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?
James Barber replied to James Barber's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
Hi TreacleRabbit, I don't know but will find out. -
former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?
James Barber replied to James Barber's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
Hi TreacleRabbit, I don't know and will find out. -
former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?
James Barber replied to James Barber's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
Hi alex_b, As per ruffers, I would move the bins. I've also seen rubble bags used to reserve parking on East Dulwich Grove eastern end. Again I would move the rubble bags. The problem comes if the builders take umbrage. If you're concerned about this I could ask the council to remove the bins permanently. -
former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?
James Barber replied to James Barber's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
Hi Baue9999, Not every home can store a green wheelie bin, a blue wheelie bin and for some also a brown wheelie bin or a brown food waste caddy in a front garden/driveway. If someone is partially or totally blocking a drive way then the home owner can call parking enforcement and they'll send someone out. In extreme cases a local surgeon on call the Police had to intervene to help them get out. Registering a driveway so that parking enforcement can just ticket partial or fully blocked dropped kerbs is one way forward. -
former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?
James Barber replied to James Barber's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
Hi Baue9999, Not every home can store a green wheelie bin, a blue wheelie bin and for some also a brown wheelie bin or a brown food waste caddy in a front garden/driveway. If someone is partially or totally blocking a drive way then the home owner can call parking enforcement and they'll send someone out. In extreme cases a local surgeon on call the Police had to intervene to help them get out. Registering a driveway so that parking enforcement can just ticket partial or fully blocked dropped kerbs is one way forward. -
former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?
James Barber replied to James Barber's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
Hi theboycj, I would expect radiator that are not longer than 2m to be collected. Wooden flooring - If you can bag it up and not overly long. Hi Mantra, Some time ago we installed wheelchair roundabout in Dulwich Park. We then had some more accessible play equipment. But I've not kept track of its' current status. If you email me I'll put you in touch with local park managers and you can ask them directly. -
Hi sue, Email me your details and will escalate this.
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former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?
James Barber replied to James Barber's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
Underhill Road. 1st the junction of underhill Road with Dunstan's Road has been re painted and should be much clearer - and hopefully safer. 2nd This is the response I've had about the terrible Whateley Road and Underhill Road condition: " Dear Councillor Barber Further to my earlier email I am pleased to confirm that both Underhill and Whateley Road are on our 2017/18 Capital project carriageway resurfacing programme. Any necessary refreshment of worn road markings will also be picked up as part of these resurfacing schemes, however any worn statutory markings ie give-way lines e.g. at the junction of Underhill Road and Dunstans Road will be treated as priority. Underhill Road was part of this year?s programme however this has now slipped and will be included as part of our 2018/19 programme. Whateley Road was due for resurfacing in the next month but clashes with nearby development works so this scheme has now been pushed to the end of March. Affected residents will be formerly informed of the works prior to any planned start but in the interim we will undertake temporary repairs to potholes or other defects which meet our criteria. I trust this information assures you that the issues raised will be addressed, however if you require further clarification please do not hesitate to contact me. Regards Detail of what is proposed Underhill Road financial Year 18/19 - I'm trying to get the actual months when the works will take place: Streamline Mews - Mellford Road 58M & Friern Road - Henslow Road 74m x 40mm surface replacement St.Aidnas Road - Upland Road 9m & Upland Road - Friern Road 80m x whole road reconstruction " -
Denmark Hill station entrance shambles
James Barber replied to Ginster's topic in General ED Issues / Gossip
Hi goldilocks, I've asked if this could be done. You're totally correct TfL and the train operator need to do something ot make this station safer - your suggestion until a second entrance can be built makes lots of sense to me. One
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