former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?

[James Barber]

Hi bob,

Those works did take ages. I suggested that the priority for completing road works ion ED had to be the Lordship Lane/Barry Road junction. That might have caused this delay outside the Police station.

[ben]

James,

What is the point of laying a new stretch of tarmac on Lordship lane only for it to be dug up 5 or 6 weeks later? Another batch of tailbacks at Lordship Lane / Goodrich road and no doubt it'll be the usual patch up job once they fill the hole in that will start to break up during the winter.

Why?

[James Barber]

Can you tell me more please.

[ben]

Lordship Lane virtually opposite the church next to Goodrich Road. All day they've been digging up the newly laid tarmac and stopping the traffic with stop and go boards.

Pulling out of Goodrich Road onto Lordship Lane is bad enough at the best of times as cars are parked on the brow of the hill but today it was just dangerous.

Why is the road being dug up so soon after the the resurfacing?

[James Barber]

The Dulwich Pool repopens 6.30am Friday 24 September.

Hooray. This was an election pledge in 2006 by Jonathan Mitchell, Richard Thomas and mysefl. Frustrating its taken quite so long to make happen but chuffed to bits the pool opens in 8 days time and a few months later the gym refurb is finished. ?6.1M investment decided when Southwark wsa led by Liberal Democrats.

[James Barber]

We're finalising where to plant new street trees.

Attached yrellow dots is the feedback from residents so far.

If you have any locations you think we need street please let me know.

After the beautiful cherry blossom trees at the north end of Melbourne Grove last year we'll probably emphasis more cherry blossoms.

[edanna]

James, on the topic of trees, does the council consider which types cause least damage with roots?

[James Barber]

Hi edanna,

Council tree officers consider the street scape and attempt to place bigger trees in areas that are more capable of taking a tree that will ultimately get bigger and vice versa. Hence Cherry blossom trees north end meblourne Grove which tend to be tighter and less impact on roots.

So my understanding is yes they do. BUT if you ever spot something different please let me know ASAP so we can get it resolved. I'm not an expert on trees.

[Snoop]

Hi James

How about a couple of cherry blossoms on Melbourne Grove between Ashbourne and Chesterfield where 2 trees were cut down recently as they had died?

[James Barber]

Hi snoop,

Great suggestions. They've been added to the list and letter consulting people should go out in the next 2-4 weeks. Depending upon replies that's where trees will could be planted......unless anyone has more great ideas to consult on.

Don't be shy.

[EDmummy]

Cllr Barber, is there any truth in the rumour that the STAX music centre in Nunhead will have its funding withdrawn from March 2011?

[James Barber]

Hi EDmummy,

STAX Saturday music centre at St.Thomas the Apostle in Nunhead bit away from my patch!

So I don't know but have asked the officer I believe will know on basis of East Dulwich parents using it and will report back once I have a reply.

[EDmummy]

Sorry, James. Know it is off your patch physically but plenty of your constituents go there. I believe it is a borough wide facility.

[robotcat]

Hi James

I was wondering if you could help direct me to the correct person to help me. I use Rye Lane daily as part of my cycle route and I'm amazed at just how bad the state of the road has got. With the traffic lights now forcing people to cross lanes and the evenings drawing closer the road is a deathtrap. All it takes is one cyclist to misjudge one of the many holes and they will end up damaging themselves - a new front tooth is currently around ?2k! Sorry, I know this is not your department but if you could post contact details of who is best placed to help it would be great.

Thanks

[James Barber]

If you spot pot holes call 020 7525 2000 and report them.

If the pot hole is deeper than 40mm then the council has a duty to ensure it is repaired within 24hours - sually a messy patch but patched is better than unpatched.

You migt want to work with Southwark Cyclists and make a list for this road and submit en masse.

[SteveT]

Why not plant fruit trees, then the neighbourhood would benefit from the produce.

[James Barber]

Hi SteveT,

Fruit trees are lovely where they're over grass or other surfaces that don't go skiddy when the fruit lands and gets pulped under feet. We've had several planted at the southern end of Friern Road on a triangle of grass.

[James Barber]

4 October a pilot change to recycling and rubbish collection starts.

Attached is the only information I've received so far on who and where it will affect.

Basic premise is recycling is still every week but organic matter will be also be collected. All other rubbish will be collected fortnightly. The dreaded fortnightly colelctions - this shouldn't be an issue if the organic waste process and collections work well. One unresolved issue is no disposal contract of the collected organic waste yet...tihs really worries me as the pilot will disintegrate if people find all their collection efforts are in vain.

Until I find out a lot more please feel free to email me with any concerns or issues.

We absolutely increase the recycling rate but this pilot is very rushed without any consultation and has lots of potential to go wrong. So any problems please let me know right away so we can keep it working.

Disappointed that the pilot hasn't included any blocks of flats as they'll be the biggest challenge with most to learn.

[edanna]

James, why haven't we had any info on the new rubbish scheme through the door? Those poor souls who don't read the forum aren't getting a lot of warning!

[James Barber]

Hi edanna,

As I feared.

I've formally sent a letter to the lead officer trying to get precise answers to which properties are included and the rationale, copies of materials/letters/guidance that have been sent to properties, details of the treatment arrangement for the organic materials.

Can you please PM or better email me tellign me your address so I can check whether you are in the scheme or not.

The deadline for requesting green caddies to transfer waste from kitchen to brown bins was last Friday apparently.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I'm pretty sure I'm in the scheme - I have received a letter and my brown bin was left in my path this morning. I have not however received any bags which one is supposed to put food waste into.

I've contacted the Southwark website independently, but if the Council don't deliver the bags, I think the pilot scheme will fail.

[James Barber]

indeed. Also if they don't find somewhere to send the organic waste in time it'll go to landfill which would destroy people's trust in the pilot and more generally.

[hibbs]

Hi James, I received a leaflet 2 weeks ago, stating I would receive further info shortly on the new recycling scheme, but as yet I haven't.

[Mick Mac]

Have you been waiting in?

[Curmudgeon]

Dear James Barber

Please would you do something to sort out the illegal and dangerous overparking of coaches on the double yellow lines, outside the coach bays and on both sides of Townley Road that has reappeared and become significantly worse this academic year.

There no longer appear to be any patrols or traffic regulation enforcements at the key times, specifically from 3.10pm onwards.

Thank you.