Gas Works down Rye Lane for 60 weeks from January 2019

[PeckhamRose]

Hi all

Since about 2011 there have been 81 gas leaks down Rye Lane. Southwark had typically resisted doing anything about it until finally they were persuaded that the original gas mains from about a hundred years ago (I am sure that's what the gas rep said) should be completely replaced. The whole road will be blocked and the pipe will be replaced in sections at a time. Only pedestrians will be able to use the pavements, and anyone trying to cycle down the pavements, will be stopped by police specially when they make their presence felt at the beginning. The traffic will be diverted to the east of Rye Lane. The gas rep said he himself had used the alternative routes on his bicycle to the west of Rye Lane, and it added about 60 seconds to the time of what it would take just going straight down Rye Lane. Busses will be diverted to the east route, and won't be able to deposit people right outside the Peckham Rye Station, and this will not be good for those who maybe can't walk so easily. I am just imparting information as I remember it from the meeting. It's a big project, and two big gas pipes are to be replaced, and it will be done in sections, as I said, but for 60 weeks Rye Lane shall be closed to traffic. Eileen Conn have I missed/misheard anything?

[intexasatthe moment]

Thanks for reporting this PR - I had seen mention of the closure but was hoping the time scale quoted was an error !

This is going to effect so many people who catch the train and shop (and have to visit the Highshore Rd sorting office ) .

Getting off the bus in Copeland Rd and walking through to Rye Lane adds quite a distance .And I wonder where the stop to catch the south bound bus back to ED will be ?

I'm sure the pipes are at least 100 years old .I know I'll be feeling the same carting shopping back without the direct bus service I've enjoyed for so long .

[dbboy]

Suspect people will shop elsewhere and Rye Lane will suffer.

[PeckhamRose]

The shops will still be opening, don't make them suffer if you can help it.

[PeckhamRose]

Hi all.

I saw big signs warning folks of this closure, appearing now on approaching streets.

At the bus stop someone was overheard by me to say, "Well that's ridiculous. Maybe they made a mistake on the sign! They can't close this road for a whole year!"

They can, they will, and they have to.

[rendelharris]

SGN's website says they will be closing the road in sections: "We'll be working in Rye Lane in six phases from Hanover Park towards Sternhall Lane. Each phase will last between approximately six and nine weeks and we'll need to temporarily close a section of Rye Lane to through traffic around our work area." It certainly doesn't look as though the whole road will be closed for the whole year. Their leaflet might help: https://www.sgn.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Marketing/Pages/Publications/Docs-Roadworks-Leaflets/SGN%20Customer%20Leaflet%20Rye%20Lane%20Peckham%20SE15%20181015.pdf

[Blah Blah]

I can see Bournemouth Road being used to keep buses running either North or South of the lane as the works move about. They might have to temporarily adapt the junction and use lights but it is definitely doable. And there are plenty of alternatives for cyclists to avoid the section of roadworks and stay mostly on the lane, particularly at the South end. The real problem might be for deliveries and rubbish collection along the stretches of the actual works, but I am sure there are plans for dealing with this too. And it is not a through road for cars anyway.

[PeckhamRose]

At the meeting to discuss this, the Gas company manager said to one of the managers of the shops they would always be happy to allow delivery drivers to back down Rye Lane to make deliveries. Yes, the work will be in sections, but all the buses won't be able to get down there.

[intexasatthe moment]

Thanks for updating and clarifying PeckhamRose.

[Renata Hamvas]

I have no crystal ball, but it's highly likely this will cause havoc for everyone who uses Rye Lane. The information given to us about buses, is that they will be diverted along the A2215, ie from the Peckham end, instead of turning into Hannover Park, they will go along Clayton, Consort and Heaton Road and visa versa. This is the same diversion used when there have been previous short-term closures of Rye Lane. Allow extra time for all bus journeys and to get to the train station, and please support the businesses along Rye Lane.

Renata

[PeckhamRose]

Yes Renata, I feel sorry for those unable to walk any distance to the station. From the South some people could get the 484 to Denmark Hill instead. The pavements shall be open for people (NOT cyclists!) but knowing how busy, with the many buggies and double width buggies, people in wheelchairs and people trying to rush, it won't be any kind of fun. As previously mentioned the whole of the road shall not be blocked off; it will be blocked off in sections. That is to say it will always be blocked for the year, but not all of the road shall be totally blocked. I did ask the leader of the project if other utilities companies had been alerted so they could take advantage of the works so they could take advantage of the opportunity to improve their own utilities. And he said he had told everyone. BT TAKE NOTE!

[Renata Hamvas]

Yes I agree PeckhamRose, also the 185,176 or 40 to Denmark Hill. Also, P12 or cycle to Nunhead Station or if you have a car you could drive to Nunhead and park near the station eg in Linden Grove. Everything will take longer than usual!

Renata

[JohnL]

Someone digging up a large portion of the Rye Lane junction with Heaton Road this morning

[PeckhamRose]

They were just testing to see if the spades were working...