former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?

[pebs]

James - I have asked this many times before but no answer. What is the latesst with the Southwark Spine cycle route. It has gone very quiet. thanks.

[James Barber]

Hi pets,

Sorry I don't recall being asked this. I've looked at all your posts and couldn't see a question on my thread.

either way, this week I have seen a notification about a decision being due on the quiet way. Let me dig it out for you> It was something I was going to look at this coming week but let me do this now.

[James Barber]

Hi pets,

I received this email Friday 11.45pm - it means that the cabinet member is due to take a decision. I'll be emailed when they do:

From: Constitutional Team

Sent: Friday, October 07, 2016 11:45 PM

To: Barber, James

Subject: New Items of Interest from Southwark Council

Dear Councillor James Barber,

The following new published items may be of interest to you

If you wish to change the types of item that you are interested in, please click the Intranet-only link below and log on as JBarber:

Change your subscription

Friday 7 October 2016, 4.08 pm - Published plan item: Cycling Quietway 7 - Elephant and Castle to Crystal Palace.

This item matches your subscribed Ward "College", and Ward "Village"

View this item on the intranet web site

View this item on the public web site

Friday 7 October 2016, 4.07 pm - Published issue: Cycling Quietway 7 - Elephant and Castle to Crystal Palace, .

This item matches your subscribed Ward "College", and Ward "Village"

View this item on the intranet web site

View this item on the public web site

[pebs]

many thanks for your quick response James.

[Lazero]

Hi James, pebs,

The Southwark Spine is, I believe, something different from Quietways:

http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200123/cycling/447/cycle_improvements

http://www.southwark.gov.uk/downloads/download/4240/southwark_spine

This was circulated quite a long time ago. The routes already exist, but I think the point was to make improvements at key points along the route (e.g. segregating cyclists from traffic on commercial way, improve access to Burgess park, improve Lyndhurst way/ Peckham road junction for cyclists).

Do you know if these improvements are still planned?

[pebs]

Yes, you are correct Lazero and I was specifically asking about the spine. thanks for pointing this out.

[BrandNewGuy]

Another hardy perennial, I'm afraid, James ? any news of the stalled development next to ED station?

[Penguin68]

Mr Barber

Development work (or at least more site clearance) appears to be starting again on the old Garden Centre site by ED Station. Can you discover from the planning department whether the last 'agreed' plan (for I think a retail space, Library and flats) is being adhered to? Some suggestions on other threads would suggest possibly something different. (The putative retailer coming onto the site is irrelevant, unless it is a change of use to e.g. a pub, as has been suggested).

[James Barber]

Hi BNG, P68,

Their hoarding licence end Feb'17.

I understand they've been seeking some minor amendments to make the building cheaper to construct - to compensate for construction inflation. And my understanding still new library is party of the scheme with a couple less flats and same retail.

[Penguin68]

Thank you

[TheArtfulDogger]

James

Any idea on when the development of the old police station at crystal palace road / upland road will complete

It started in Feb 2015 and still has hoarding blocking the pavement on upland road causing issues for the shops and residents on upland road.

Got to say it has been the slowest development I have ever seen and hopefully if / when the east Dulwich hotel site is granted lessons will be learnt by the council concerning the management of a site like this (although Bob hope and no come to mind)

[kibris]

Hi James

Please can you let me know if southwark council is still giving away free bike (cycle) anchors for outside my home

[RobMiller]

Just a note to echo the Artful post above.

James -- the Old Police Station development has been going on for quite long enough. Is there anything you can do to get our footpath back?

[James Barber]

Hi Artful/RobMiller,

I'm .........annyed. I was promised that hoarding would be removed many months ago. So I took some photos yesterday and will chase the officers who made the promises tonight after work.

[RobMiller]

Thanks James, much appreciated. They've gone well beyond any reasonable timescale for the level of disruption they're causing...

[RobMiller]

Update from the Old Police Station developers following my email to them over the weekend:

----

As soon as the Utility companies have completed all the necessary works, which will hopefully be within the next three to four weeks, we will then endeavour to reinstate the footpath.

The overall target completion date for this project is December.

As always we would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused.

----

*makes diary note to chase in three weeks' time...*

[James Barber]

Thanks RM. Saved me a job this evening.

And yes I have objected to the Dulwich Hotel development unless it includes a Construction Management Plan.

The old Police Station site is actually in Peckham Rye ward - and to be honest I assumed those councillors would handle it. I now check neighbouring wards planning applications for - Peckham Rye ward, South Camberwell Ward, Village ward and College ward so I don't get caught out like this again.

[RobMiller]

Thanks James. To be honest though, I'd have thought that the planning officers should be insisting on construction and traffic management plans as standard for developments like this. I really struggle to see how they ever thought it would be acceptable (or maybe they just didn't ask?). It's good to have Councillors looking out for the local impact, but this should be taken care of as part of the normal process...

[James Barber]

Hi Rob,

Council planning department are not coping with demand. So not asking for a Construction Management Plan avoids extra work for them. They've stated in writing to me they wouldn't normally think to ask for this for such a sized scheme. But then we see narrow roads have a pavement lost to the general public for two years and for around 20 months one of only two lanes of traffic. Heart rending the stories of how local businesses have lost trade as a result.

[Abe_froeman]

Does the developer not need a licence to close the pavement and road though? If so presumably there was a time limit attached and they would have had to provide a reasonable explanation for their tardiness each time they wanted it extended?

[Nigello]

Re pavemnens, please see emails and photos of bad ponding in and around Lordship Lane after the rain.

[James Barber]

Hi Abe_froeman,

Yes they do but once closed hard to make them reopen it if the pavement is kept dug up. Personally I think the council should give ultimatum either the developer reopens it with pavement made good or the council will do it and bill them putting a charge against new property. But that takes real effort on the part the council which they would argue they don't have the resource for - but you do it once or twice and developers would soon be more reasonable saving much more effort long-term.

Hi Nigella,

I made a point of going out at the weekend and reporting lots of ponding issues. Thanks for the prod though and sure it won't all be fixed quickly.

[Abe_froeman]

James perhaps the coucil could just charge them a fee each time they apply to extend the time limit, to encourage them to get on with it?

[TheArtfulDogger]

James

Thanks for chasing up on the old police station, on a related issue I have a few days off and I have noticed an increased amount of construction turning into upland road and traversing down to north cross road and then back again later (I assume it's the same vehicle)

They seem to be sivyer bulk hardcore lorries and my origional thought was it is related to the crystal palace road site but I don't think they have a need for multiple deliveries or removals at this stage.

Obviously side roads are not suitable for heavy construction traffic like this, any chance you can find out where they are going to / from and also put pressure on the company to use main roads and not side roads where possible ?

[James Barber]

hi Abe_froeman,

Hoarding licences are charged for -http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200444/highway_licensing/2806/scaffolding_and_hoarding_licences

But for a developer the charges are relatively peanuts. 10-50m ?320pcm. But I suspect this encourages officers to allow them.