Glemham

edhistory Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Is it being suggested that Foundation Schools' > Coach Service Manager, Leslie Okyne, is not > capable of doing the job? Absolutely not by me edhistory! We were grateful that he found time to explain his role and the constraints he faces to residents. He manages the day to day running of the coach service covering all three Foundation Schools, taking the flak of complaints from drivers, parents living as far afield as Kensington and Canary Wharf and local residents. The responsibility for sorting out the chaos and congestion lies far above his pay grade, and should be acknowledged by Southwark Council, senior management at the coach service, and the Foundation Schools, particularly Alleyn's, getting together to come up with a long term solution.

Yes we did discuss engine-running which Leslie knows is a problem. All drivers are aware of the policy but enforcing it is difficult for the Coaches' small team of three as they cannot regularly be on site outside Alleyn's. He has to rely on people asking the drivers to turn off their engines, and asks that he is made aware of persistent problems: [email protected]. Parents also wait with engines running, so it would help if the Council's banners about polluting the air outside schools could be displayed on Alleyn's railings, as would regular visits by traffic wardens.

A few local residents met with the Foundation Schools' Coach Service Manager, Leslie Okyne. He has only been in post since the summer and is based at Dulwich College. He is very aware of the problems in Townley Road.In the short term he is hoping to stagger the arrival of the coaches for picking up outside Alleyn's. Although the 'coach base' is for 7 coaches, currently 13 are in use. However drivers who arrive later are finding parking spaces already taken by parents and visitors, including other coaches bringing teams for sport. The situation is further exacerbated because when the road was resurfaced in the summer some of the double yellow lines were not replaced so there is more parking space for cars. It's obvious to residents that there needs to be a concerted effort by Southwark Council, Alleyn's,and the Coach Service to find a long term solution for Townley Road. In particular we would ask that 1. the suggestions from last year's Coach Services Study https://consultations.southwark.gov.uk/environment-leisure/quietway for shuttle buses to and from a coach park on the South Circular be given more serious consideration; 2. that Southwark more rigorously enforces traffic and parking violations, puts back double yellow lines, and considers having parking restrictions in the afternoons on weekdays outside Alleyn's say between 3 and 4 pm; 3. Alleyn's does more to control the congestion outside the school for the safety of all who use Townley Road at the end of the school day.

I don't have contact details for the Manager but this link might help: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/parking/report-a-parking-enforcement-issue

Thanks for the prompt intexasatthemoment. The Transport Manager for the coach service has agreed to meet with a group of residents after a meeting he is due to have with Alleyn's. I'm waiting for suggested dates. Please contact me directly if you'd like to be involved in this meeting. I'll post the result on the forum. I have also heard from Helen Hayes MP: "I have contacted both the Council and the Metropolitan Police about the parking taking place on Townley Road. I am sorry to hear that this situation remains on-going, and am concerned by reports that residents have felt they treated inappropriately by the coach drivers." It appears that, surprisingly, the situation isn't a matter for the police. Helen has had this reply from the Parking Services Manager at Southwark Council: "I have organised for additional parking enforcement officers to be deployed to Townley Road at the school end times. There are dedicated police resources in Southwark paid for 90% by TfL who work around school safety. Parking services are engaged with these officers around parking at schools." I hope this information is useful. I and my neighbours will continue to monitor coach and other parking, and will keep in contact with Helen Hayes.

Local residents are only too well aware of this ongoing and completely unacceptable situation with coaches and school parking in Townley Road. We frequently monitor the dangerous parking, ask drivers to turn off their engines, take photos and send them to local councillors and Helen Hayes MP. Last year saw the publication of the Foundation Schools Coach survey: https://consultations.southwark.gov.uk/environment-leisure/quietway which promised much but delivered nothing. Please support us by sending your concerns to local councillors, Helen Hayes MP and the Transport Manager for the Foundation School coaches who is based at Dulwich College: [email protected].

For more detailed information about the campaign to change the proposals for the Quietway 7 scheme please go to dulwichvillageforum.co.uk. The funding for this and other Quietways comes from TfL and is a legacy of Boris Johnson's 'vision'for London.

DadOf4 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hi James > Do you know what Southwarks position is in repsect > to providing residents (with no off street > parking) the facility to charge an electric > vehicle close to their home ? > > I need a new car and REALLY want to go electric. > Without a convenient charging point, that's going > to be difficult > > I see a few years ago Southwark proudly claimed it > was "leading the way" with charging points [1], > but since then has managed a total of 8 places to > charge an electric vehicle across the entire > borough [2] > Hardly leading the way > > I also understand that there is a government grant > scheme, aimed specifically at dealing with this > [3], funded by the office for low emission > vehicles - have Southwark signed up to that ? if > not, why ? > > Apprecite that you cant speak for the whole > council, but as transport seems to be a big issue > for you, I thought you may be interested in this > situation. > > > > [1]http://www.southwark.gov.uk/news/article/887/so > uthwark_council_leads_the_way_on_electric_car_char > ging_points > > [2] > http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/100011/transport_ > and_streets/2055/electric_cars > > [3] > https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/governm > ent-funding-for-residential-on-street-charging-for > -plug-in-vehicles-a-guide-for-members-of-the-publi > c I too would like to buy an electric or hybrid car but I have no off street parking, and as I live on the Dulwich Estate have very little chance of getting permission - although I do like my front garden. I assume running a lead over the pavement is a health and safety issue but would welcome clarification on this from someone with specialist knowledge. I would willingly pay towards a charging point outside my house but such is the parking situation that I can rarely park outside my own home. If Southwark is really serious about leading the way on electric cars why don't they allow those residents who own them to have a dedicated parking space - as for disabled drivers - outside the house? In reality neither Southwark nor the Dulwich Estate show any interest in promoting a 'green' agenda for the area, so I fear my hope for an electric car will not be realised.

DulvilleRes is absolutely right about the over-development on the site. These large houses will be completely out of keeping with this conservation area. As has been pointed out on other posts, the Estate cares only about maximising profits for the Foundation schools. Several of these are now multi-million pound 'industries' with expansion programmes that completely disregard the residential nature of the local area so I'd like to see the Estate justify its pursuit of profit above all else. The site lends itself well to a smaller development of housing suitable for local residents looking to downsize in retirement, thereby freeing up larger houses for families. There is excellent access to public transport and shops, and if needed, a car-sharing project could be incorporated into the development - ticking the boxes for Southwark's policy on reducing car use. There would then be no need for underground garaging, and consequently much less heavy construction traffic. Unlike other local authorities neither the Estate nor the Council currently have any stated policy on the construction of basements - an area of some controversy in other parts of London. If the current proposal is given planning permission neither body will find it easy to deny permission to future developers. Finally it's quite likely that these, in my view, ugly and highly undesirable houses will be bought up by investors seeking somewhere to park their cash and not their families.

So when we're those of us who live near to this busy junction, and are going to be affected by its closure, going to be told about the work starting next week if we never see Southwark News?! Doesn't the Council's budget of ?220,000 run to leafleting the residential roads involved?

This scheme proposing to ban the right turn from Townley Road into East Dulwich Grove has been sprung on local residents. We have been given no information on the predicted impact on our road and the local road network if this scheme were to be adopted. In common with many of my neighbours I believe the displaced traffic will be diverted to other junctions, our and other smaller residential streets, adversely impacting the amenity, air quality and safety of the area. The proposals are weighted heavily in favour of cyclists and make no mention of the congestion caused at this junction at peak times by the traffic ? cars and coaches ? caused by the two schools, JAGS and Alleyns. Both schools have expanded so much that they have little or no space on their land for coach and car parking resulting from so many young people being brought into the area for their education. At 4pm one evening last week there were eleven coaches parked close to the junction at the Alleyns end of Townley Road. Outside of peak times and in the holidays this is not a particularly busy junction. Residents in nearby streets also have to cope with parking from staff and other school cars during term time ? just look at Calton Avenue ? again because there is little or no provision for staff parking at Alleyns. Southwark should carry out a traffic and parking survey in term time and the holiday period in this area to determine the true extent of the problem.