cle

Why obviously? Are beans so outlandish a product? The rest of your post is excellent and observant, now that I think of it I agree a lot. Cedges Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > There never really seems to me that there is any > real difference in price between the large stores > and metro versions, but the little shops offer far > less in the way of the value ranges and even own > brand products so can seem dearer, i.e you spend > 12p on a tin of value beans usually but you spend > 80p on Heinz in the metro cos that's all they > have. Heinz is still 80p in the large store so not > technically dearer but you do still spend 68p > more. I've not been in a mini Morries yet but this > is certainly true of Tesco metros. > > (I obviously have no idea how much beans are fyi, > just an example!) > > Out of all the supermarkets, Morries is easily my > top choice.

Can you also ask TFL about ticketing? It's dismal - and I've seen signs now that weekly travelcards will no longer be on paper, so that's another massive tranche moving to Oyster. And the guy in the booth is a tosser. A free cash machine might be handy too. And what is happening with the original entrance?

Agreed it's horrendous, and agreed James - read the thread. I hate the triple dog leg to get to the front of a London train. Zero expanded capacity. Temporaary tin shack architecture. Shit ticketing options, no cash machines, no waiting space - dreadful. As I've said, why didn't they do similar to the new West Hampstead thameslink station, which is an identical set up (4 tracks in a trench, 1 island and 2 side platforms) - and works great.

No idea (not my area of expertise) - but isn't that more of a 'tip' if people liked it, on top of any payment from the venue?

I agree with this. But Stormbird has great premises - an old pub, big windows which open and a yard people can stand around in. Also Stormbird has a cracking landlady and more interesting beers - especially on draught but also the new hipster craze of 'craft cans' which are popular. The Draft House's selection = Sierra Nevada, bit of Meantime, Camden etc - hardly groundbreaking these days. jrpfinch Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Louisa Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > John variety comes in all shapes and sizes. > > Unfortunately, the demographic homework > obviously > > wasn't done on this occasion. A pub offering > what > > the Draft House offers would do amazingly well > in > > upmarket Richmond-upon-Thames or Chiswick for > > example, but it doesn't appeal to the inner > city > > younger crowds with less disposable income. > > > Stormbird in Camberwell is always full. I'd say > Draft House didn't succeed because ED is too > suburban; not the other way around.

The OP has asked for advice, not value judgements related to the shortage of bumble bees. Plant a lavender as a penance, and get the lot exterminated.

I hear the old hardware store next to CASA is to become a cafe. Otherwise both Anderson and The General Store to take away coffee too. In addition to Cafe Viva, whose I think is better made, and locally roasted beans (Volcano of South London vs Square Mile/Workshop).

Echoing sentiment towards cyclists on pavements. If you don't have a kid on the back, or aren't sub-12 yourself, don't do it. Lady Delilah - you're missing a very obvious third way: don't cycle. If you can't abide by the laws - whether you agree with them or not (the phrase the law is an ass exists for a reason) - then you shouldn't do so. It's illegal and unsafe - and your warped perception of your own personal safety and self-preservation is not legislated for. Not to mention moronic - endanger others to save yourself! Just don't cycle if you can't hack it on the road - although 25 years' experience should surely have readied you. If you ever cycled into me on the pavement and injured me, I'd physically drag you to the police station or 'citizen's' you while I called them.

I always walk down Copleston Road from that area to ED. Totally safe and quicker than via Dog Kennel Estate. That actual area around Ivanhoe Road seems far safer than around East Dulwich station and dare I say, Lordship Lane. Anecdotally from this forum, less crime too which the Met's crime maps support.

I'm not saying spit & sawdust in a perjorative way, but in terms of her impression of it I guess. I'm newish to the area, have never seen it open.

I'd wager that Hoopers' local opposition (even if just one busybody nimby) would be lesser if it was more like the Victoria Inn or Montpellier, rather than a real ale/spit & sawdust boozer the woman would probably never go to. Agreed with the poster above that I have zero sympathy for someone who moves in opposite a pub and then complains. Hopefully it reopens in some shape or form - I'd go lots.

If not, I'd advise a taxi to and from Barons Court daily (or cycle?) and then pre-pay Oyster Piccadilly which is cheap outside of zone 1. Taxis go that route anyway, probably not much longer than 20 mins more and straight to Hatton Cross.

Is Hoopers becoming flats? Such a shame - could be quite the focal point for that part of SE5/SE15 which is a few mins from anything. The Gowlett works and that's a lot more remote. The Montpellier is on a busier stretch, but same principle applies.

Randomly, Google maps sometimes suggests for Heathrow to go via Clapham Junction on the Overground, and then Feltham and a bus. Has anyone ever done this? I'd probably do train to Victoria - District to Hammersmith, Piccadilly line. Cheap, but bring a book! Going up to Paddington may not save too much time.

Coffee place is not there any more, the whole of the old ticket hall is having work done on it. Not sure what. Overall, I'm not a fan. It's good to have two sets of staircases, but that's it. One Oyster machine is intensely annoying. No cash machine, or cafe/kiosk. Exit in the wrong place - if the old one reopens, they're basically the same thing. One further west, and one on the Maudsley side (as there is some activity there) would help spread people out. And lessen the walk for those coming from Champion/DK Hill/C Grove. A short path could easily connect to the deck where the lifts are. Gates always open anyway so hardly being monitored. Screens tiny and if you stop to look at them, you're in everyone's way. Terrible design overall. And it's an increasingly busy/important station - why has it been so shite? The West Hampstead Thameslink rebuild was a huge success and is a similar layout of station. Looks reasonable too. Was this not done as part of the Thameslink project maybe?

So - I got my reply from DfT who seem to think it is Southeastern's responsibility to bring improvements, even though they are the ones specifying the service so lowly. Apparently due to the balls up on the West Coast franchise, the government pushed the Southeastern renewal from 2014 to 2018, so it doesn't look like much innovation or improvement will be coming soon. TfL have also ditched their plans to take on certain Southeastern suburban routes due to Kent County Council intervening (!) - so I doubt we'll see too much change for a while. Here it is - pointless: ---------- Thank you for your email of 02 July 2013 regarding Southeastern services to and from London Victoria; I have been asked to respond. As you are aware, the Franchise Agreement contains a Service Level Commitment, which states the minimum service provision of the train operator. If Southeastern wish to run more services, from and to Victoria than is stated on a commercial basis then that is a decision for the train operator, but they cannot run fewer services than the stated commitment. If the train operator believes that the demand exists for more services than are stipulated by the Service Level Commitment and they have the rolling stock, staff availability and track access, there is nothing to stop them from running more services. The Government believes that operators are far better placed than central Government to react to the demands of their customers in the creation of train services and timetables and has committed to taking a less prescriptive approach to rail franchising. When a new Franchise competition is opened, one of the key elements is a public consultation to help decide the new service requirements of the Franchise ? and, as the Secretary of State said when announcing the new Franchising Programme, ?future competitions will also place passengers in the driving seat by ensuring that their views ?? are taken into account? - so I would ask you to look out for that when the competition for the new Franchise for Southeastern is opened to ensure that your views regarding this issue are included. Yours sincerely, ----------

I imagine those of Nunhead probably like their Victoria link too - especially as they don't have the Overground either, and Blackfriars isn't hugely useful for everywhere. DfT seems to be the entity to focus on - if they up their specification (largely a hangover from Network Southeast/BR days I bet) - then Southeastern trains will comply...

No worries - anybody who fancies voicing an opinion, go here: http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/about-us/contact-us/ I then wrote to DfT to complain about their minimum specification for the line - here: https://www.dft.gov.uk/about/contact/form/ Hardly a big petition, but worth dropping both a note, I think. James - one from you as a councillor would be great.

I emailed Southeastern through their website. I got no reply, and so flagged it to their Twitter update feed. They were very helpful. 20:09 is still quite lame though. I assume there will be a Victoria-bound journey preceding it also. Especially with the news that TfL will not be involved (does that make the Victoria - Bellingham/Bromley train dead in the water?) - it will have to be incremental improvements like this. That Kent side of Victoria is barely ever full of trains either, I'm sure there is plenty of room to expand - perhaps not via Lewisham but via Catford instead.

The motorway isn't the problem - it's the crappy narrow routes through Streatham and Croydon to get to it! How about Overground or cab to Clapham Junction, and then fast train? You can buy quite cheap advance tickets on Southern's website - sometimes ?2-4! Not ideal for the return though, as you have to pick a specific train.

In a letter from Southeastern trains having a good moan about the Victoria - Dartford service, I was told the following: It's a little bit of improvement I suppose - still pathetic: ------------ I understand you can see benefits in a later service running from London Victoria to Dartford in the evenings, and a service on Sundays. When we plan our timetable, the Department for Transport decides what services we must supply, including first and last trains to each station, and how long journeys should take. We then use information to decide which services will best suit passengers needs. Timetables are always a compromise between the various demands of our passengers and what we are practicably able to provide in terms of trains and train crews. Through surveys and monitoring we obtain data used to plan our services and, as far as is possible and practicable, produce a timetable which broadly meets the needs of the majority of our passengers. I have been in touch with our timetable planning department who have advised that we have plans to introduce an additional train from Victoria at 20.09 to Barnehurst from September and then to Dartford from December, however our current franchise does not require us to run a later service or Sunday services on this route. All the same please be assured your comments have been recorded. Thank you for taking the time to contact us. -------------

Why is there no Countdown system at Vauxhall bus station, for the 185 stop (or for any, I couldn't see it anywhere?)

KylaKevin Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > It is our right to have our environment very > clean, safe, smooth and unnoisy but you should try > first to talk with them and let them know about > your peoblems so that they may understand the > condition. Is it? Where does that right exist?

Seconded on the Oyster machines - ridiculous there is only one. Really that bit outside the station and pub could be pedestrianised. And the new exit could have been a bit further west to spread people out and to have quicker access to Camberwell Grove and that way. Hospital people (able ones) would presumably stick to the original exit.

Just moved near there. Love it. Beautiful architecture in the streets mentioned. Doesn't feel like being in 'Camberwell' - reputation-wise. But of course it's not far. Much better transport and cheaper cabs from town. Crooked Well better food than Franklins certainly, best in area. Closer to Camberwell and Bellenden Rd, which are a lot more laidback and indepedent spirited and less 'Northcote Road' than LL. Not as good for parks/grenery though. And yes, it's closer to the dumps. But that's London for you. Do it.