Nigello

Foxy, You got a partially good result but only after a lot of faff. You really ought to demand to speak to the practice manager and put it in writing and copy it to Helen Hayes. For added effectiveness, add the URLs to the various EDF threads.

NB - This is the same as a reply I just wrote to the James Barber thread, which featured the Southern situation. I agree it is not acceptable and I hope that heads will be banged together (bosses', politicians' and union chiefs') to get a better timetable. It highlights - again - the lack of appropriate levels of transport provision (at least at rush hours) in SE22/15/5 etc. I wrote to Helen Hayes earlier this year (March, I think). She passed on my queries and concerns (and suggestions, such as more buses or express versions at certain times) to Mike Brown, the London Transport Commissioner who in turn wrote back to me (via Fiona Lampard whose title is Assembly Management Manager, Government and Stakeholder Relations, Group Public Affairs (her capitals). In essence, what I learnt is that Camberwell station could be reopened but it would have a knock-on effect on other train movements and that it is being looked into; that 40s and 176s "are well used during peak periods but....below capacity as passengers can board these buses at these times. There is not sufficient demand to justify the cost of introducing more buses along the routes. The major cause of bus delays is traffic congestion, rather than dwell time at stops. Therefore an express service would not necessarily be quicker than a service that stops more regularly." So, if you want to get in touch with Mike Brown vis-a-vis the extra pressure on bus routes given the Southern debacle, please do so via [email protected] . Why not copy in the Mayor and Helen Hayes too?

I agree it is not acceptable and I hope that heads will be banged together (bosses', politicians' and union chiefs') to get a better timetable. It highlights - again - the lack of appropriate levels of transport provision (at least at rush hours) in SE22/15/5 etc. I wrote to Helen Hayes earlier this year (March, I think). She passed on my queries and concerns (and suggestions, such as more buses or express versions at certain times) to Mike Brown, the London Transport Commissioner who in turn wrote back to me (via Fiona Lampard whose title is Assembly Management Manager, Government and Stakeholder Relations, Group Public Affairs (her capitals). In essence, what I learnt is that Camberwell station could be reopened but it would have a knock-on effect on other train movements and that it is being looked into; that 40s and 176s "are well used during peak periods but....below capacity as passengers can board these buses at these times. There is not sufficient demand to justify the cost of introducing more buses along the routes. The major cause of bus delays is traffic congestion, rather than dwell time at stops. Therefore an express service would not necessarily be quicker than a service that stops more regularly." So, if you want to get in touch with Mike Brown vis-a-vis the extra pressure on bus routes given the Southern debacle, please do so via [email protected] . Why not copy in the Mayor and Helen Hayes too?

THe idea was that the "New Routemaster" would, like its predecessor, have the back door open which would have allowed the movement of air, but that is only the case on a couple of routes in central London.

The 176 is direct but it takes a long time, and it forever stops half way to change drivers (something that rarely happened, if at all, until about three or four years ago). Also, the 176 is jam packed from The Plough to Denmark Hill every morning at rush hour and vice versa in the late afternoon.

It doesn't take that much effort to canvas opinion, monitor it and then ask the offender to take the offensive item down, so the "what aboutery" reasoning doesn't hold water. It's not particularly ugly, it's in good nick and it's promoting a local business but if it's allowed to stay then others may well do it and that would look bad. Still awaiting answers as to whether the steam fairs/circuses are allowed by Southwark to post bills/placards if they take them down afterwards......

I think I read that the capping aspect will not be part of the fares freeze, if I read the piece in the Standard correctly. Mr K is right to freeze (some) fares and bring in the "hopper" free bus transfer scheme but the money has to come from somewhere. I'd happily put up with smaller buses on certain routes during non-peak times, which would also help reduce noxious emissions. I doubt it will happen though, given the inertia over the perfectly sensible and simple idea of extending the 63 to Honor Oak station.

I think it should be taken down. If a firm wants to advertise it should do it properly: social media is free and local publications like SE22, Dulwich Diverter etc won't be that expensive. I agree it is not distasteful or ugly but it is easy to set a precedent. On the subject, are the fairs and circuses allowed by Southwark to put up ad hoardings if they take them down after the event?

I have pointed out to James that the Goodrich/Dunstan's corner would be a good site for a shelter, given that around ten bikes are often chained to the railings there. Message him if you agree.

I agree with RT: Lord Palmerston is a good venue, as is Artusi (if open this early in the week for lunch) and Franklin's. The cafe, more of a restaurant, at the Dulwich Picture Gallery is good too.

At least it is not just a simulacrum of a fountain, as is the case with one near the pond. Way back when, I queried this with the council, which told me it was an artistic suggestion/memorial and was never meant to be a real-life one. http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,40940

If you suspect something is going on that is wrong, then alert the staff or call the police. I agree that there it could look suspicious but it could also well be completely innocent.

DL gives out five sacks per person, which I think is quite a lot, especially given that most people have brown bins. How about a three-per-person limit?

Could have gone to helping improve rail services to SE London and/or putting in a tram or even a trolleybus system from Camberwell (for example) to Aldwych. It is a nice looking project but it ought never to have been a priority.

I get that there will be competition from indoor pools that are nearby at Peckham Pulse and the new(ish) leisure centre on CPR and that there is a lido in Brockwell, but I still think it could be a winner, especially if it can accommodate all the different kinds of swimmers with good lane discipline and early/late opening hours etc. If it were heated, all the better. Things like pesky trees dropping their leaves in the water and general maintenance can be easily managed. If the council is not paying for it - which is what I heard on BBC London radio the other day - then that means other services won't be badly affected.

After a while it is hoped/envisaged (yes, this is politico-speak, so don't hold your breath) that it will be possible to make multiple changes within the hour window, so you would be able to use three buses, for example, for the price of one. The ?6.40 (?) cap on Zone 1 and 2 for all forms of transport is pretty good so the added bonus of a "free" bus ride is welcome. Thing is, though, where will the shortfall be felt? Will the Peckham--Aldwych--King's X tram ever be resurrected? Will people ever learn to not congregate around the doors/pram area/go upstairs? Will the 176 ever become slightly less quiet than a sonic boom?

"it is rare to see children being delivered to local primaries by car." Cars (often large) can be seen a-plenty around Goodrich, St Anthony's and Heber primaries when classes start and end. If parents don't want children to be educated in polluted zones they ought not to help cause the pollution in the first place.

I think it will work but wouldn't be too surprised if the original plans (re size/scope) have to change somewhat. Even if that were the case I think it would be a great addition and I'd support it in spirit and in cash. As for the Coal Line, it managed to get its crowdsourcing funds and is, ahead, now full steam ahead: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/regeneration/funding-opportunities/crowdfunding-pilot-programme/peckham-coal-line-urban

Alcohol is calorific, so cutting out your daily tipple could save you at least 1,000 calories a week.

The Langham (Portland Place)

Boris Johnson/Nigel Farage?

I think it is good practice at the very least, but agree that it is in his interest to keep a potential source of smell and even vermin as clean as possible. I mentioned it because it was good to see and wanted to know of other episodes, if any.

A man from the chippy on East Dulwich Road was rinsing down the rubbish bin right outside the shop earlier, presumably because it is used as a doggy urinal and/or gets dirty from the trash missing the slots. Good on him. Any other examples of civic mindedness witnessed around here?

Potager - the one mentioned in the above post - looks like it should be completely finished soon and is a welcome addition. It is a pity that the cafe near to it doesn't do anything to clean up its vandalised front. I think Renata Hamvas has told the owners about the council's free graffiti removal service, so it is strange that it should be left like that. Wonder what the boarded up ex-dentist's between the two will be?

Not sure Mr Khan has the experience, the personality or the savvy to do a good job. Ken and Boris were personalities with lots and lots of on-the-job background. Khan strikes me as dull, a plodder, uninspired and uninspiring. And, to tell the truth, the mayor's job is really just a glorified transport commissioner so all the histrionics about the mayoralty in general and the rather patronising "working class immigrant's son - who is also a Muslim - becomes mayor" is so much froth. Add to that the fact he has to deal with a Conservative government which will be looking to trip him up at any possibility, I don't see his four years really amounting to much.