Sign the petition to get Babington Road repaved

Following a request from local residents we have launched a petition to get Babington Road repaved.  

It is in a shocking state, and despite requests over the last few years the council have not included it in the Highways Improvement Programme.

Babington Road is used by many residents to get to Streatham Common station, to the youth centre (Streatham Youth and Community Trust) on Conyers Road and to Streatham High Road.  But at present it is a hazard for many older and vulnerable residents as well as very difficult for wheelchair users and those with prams or buggies.

Sign the petition here

Improvements to piazza area next to Streatham Green

Local Green Cllr Scott and Ainslie and I met with officers yesterday at the new piazza area by Streatham Green (next to the Manor Arms and between Babington Road and Mitcham Lane).

We got confirmation that the two trees would be put in to the new tree pits by 18th October.

We also looked at ways of discouraging traffic from driving across the piazza, which is supposed to be a pedestrian area.

It looks as if we will be able to put two more fixed chairs and an extra tree in there, which will as well as preventing cars from driving across will also provide more seating and greenery.

We also looked at the issue of the weeds growing in the tree pits. There is presently no maintenance contract to deal with shrubs/ flowers/ weeds and general maintenance of the area around the trees. We have asked if this job can be added to the contractors who maintain Streatham Green itself.

Something else we are exploring is how we can support local businesses, like the new Village Cafe, to get tables and chairs out onto the piazza area more - particularly when the new market is happening.

New Streatham Green market operator

A new market operator has now been recruited to manage the market at Streatham Green, which will operate around the new Plaza area.

The new operator will be City and Country Farmers Markets Ltd (CCFM) who already do the markets at Herne Hill and Oval, as well as eight other locations around the London area.

It aims to support small producers and get people shopping more locally.

A promotional campaign is expected during the month of July.

The market is scheduled to start trading during the first Saturday in September.

Work begins tomorrow to create new 'plaza' area at Babington Road/ Mitcham Lane by Manor Arms pub

Works to implement the proposals for changes to the area at the top of Babington Road where it meets Mitcham Lane by Streatham Green and the Manor Arms, begin tomorrow. They are scheduled to last until 31 March.

The area is the location for Streatham's Sunday market and the intention is to create a better public space for it, less dominated by traffic, more suited to host the market and other community events, and better connected to Streatham Green. Friends of Streatham Green have been involved in developing the proposals.

A shared surface area will be created for the market area between the junction with Mitcham Lane, and William Dyce Mews, using Yorkshire Paving. Through traffic will no longer be allowed at this point by the Manor Arms although a route out for large vehicles will be maintained. New trees will also be planted and seating introduced.

The consultation on the proposals took place in January and February last year. The work was supposed to begin last year, but was delayed.

The truth about resurfacing

If you have ever wondered about claims made by councillors to have got this or that road resurfaced, then you may be interested to see the following, which are the carriageway scores for roads in St Leonard's Ward.

The 2 roads highlighted in green (Tooting Bec Gardens, Rydal Road) were just resurfaced.

To determine which roads should be resurfaced the Council carries out an assessment of every road to determine its condition. The carriageways not highlighted above currently sit on the authority resurfacing list and are prioritised primarily on their condition score.

Other factors are also considered in prioritising roads for resurfacing, these factors are listed below:

- Link/Traffic sensitivity i.e. TFL Network linkages, A road and B Road linkages etc

- Profile i.e. Schools, place of Worship, Community/leisure Centre, Library’s, cycle route etc

Once the Council has made the above considerations of condition, sensitivity and profile the final score for each road is produced (highlighted above in yellow) and the Council prioritises road resurfacing accordingly.

It's on old political trick for councillors to get hold of resurfacing data in advance, and then claim that they have got a road resurfaced through their lobbying. The truth is that it has a lot more to do with other factors including the number of potholes reported. If you report a lot of potholes, you can make a case and secure the resurfacing the road.

We have reported over 100 potholes in St Leonard's Ward in the last year either using the website www.fixmystreet.com or direct to Lambeth council. If anyone would like to see the potholes we have reported in their street, we would be happy to send a copy of the emails we have sent to the council, pictures we have taken, or records from fixmystreet.com

Hole finally filled in outside 125 Babington Road

It has taken about a year to get it sorted out, with endless calls and emails, but the large hole outside number 125 Babington Road has finally been fixed.

The large hole was first reported to the Council in September 2012. A flimsy cover was then placed over the hole. This was then dislodged, and barriers were put around it. This meant the pavement was partially blocked for months.

Lambeth Council have finally filled the hole a few weeks ago...

Our next job is to get them to remove all the barriers and clutter which still haven't been collected....

Environmental aims of new Babington Road market

Joel Northcott, who runs Streatham's new Babington Road artisans market next to Streatham Green, has produced a list of environmental aims for the market:

-To encourage trips to the market by bike/foot/public transport and change the habits of local movement.

-To cut down on the carbon footprint of Streathamites.

-To have at least 75% of stalls selling produce grown, raised and produced within 100 Miles of the M25.

-To provide regular bike repairs.

-To leave the area (The Green & upper pavement) tidier than when we found it.

-To encourage local groups, food support & local charity groups to have a presence at the market.

-To support local, ethical businesses in the area.

-To allow local food banks to collect any leftover produce from the market.

-To champion local food 'heroes' and encourage and work with other like-minded food events in the area.

If you have suggestions about other aims or comments, do post them below, and we can pass them on to Joel.

The next market is this Sunday 17th Feb.

Loading bay on Fernwood Avenue 'no longer on the agenda'

We have had it confirmed by George Wright at Lambeth Council that the proposed loading bay on Fernwood Avenue is no longer being considered.

Residents in Fernwood Avenue were unhappy with the idea to place a new loading bay at the top of the road where it meets Mitcham Lane. It was originally part of the proposals for changes to the area at the top of Babington Road where it meets Mitcham Lane by Streatham Green and the Manor Arms.

The area is the location for Streatham's new fortnightly street market and the intention is to create a better public space for it, less dominated by traffic, more suited to host the market and other community events, and better connected to Streatham Green.

We have also heard that the deadline for consultation has been extended for a week at the request of local residents in Dr Johnson House and William Dyce Mews who apparently did not receive information about the consultation.

The aim is to undertake construction on site is late June-September to minimise disruption to the market.

Parking tickets 'out of the blue' on Babington Road

We were contacted today by local residents on Babington Road who said they had suddenly received parking tickets yesterday morning (Sunday) imposing £110 fines.

It seems that Lambeth Council have decided to impose a parking restriction on the day of the Babington Road market in the section between Mitcham Lane and Ambleside Avenue, without adequately informing residents.

Closer inspection did reveal a small notice on one lamp post. The notice has apparently been there since September, but could be easily missed. (Even Richard who runs the Manor Arms hadn't seen it). Apparently it had not been enforced until yesterday.

But no other signs had been put up. No cones were put out. No notes had been put through residents doors.

This is completely unacceptable. Having chatted to local people, and now heard from Angelina The Town Centre Manager, it also seems that the parking restriction is completely unnecessary as traders have plenty of room to park.

The timing also couldn't be worse for the plans to develop the market area, which needs the support of local residents.

We are pushing for the parking tickets to be cancelled and/or refunded. We are also asking for the parking restriction to be permanently lifted and for assurances that residents won't need to move their cars twice a month for the market to take place. We will post an update as soon as we get one.

[Update 5/2/13: We have just been told by Lambeth Council that the penalty charge notices that were issued on Sunday have been cancelled]

New ramps on Conyer's Road at junctions with Fairmile Avenue, Babington Road and Gleneagle Road

Last year, I wrote about an older man I met on Conyer's Road who used a mobility scooter but had to take a huge detour every day because he couldn't access the junctions from the pavement.

We contacted the council and asked if ramp access could be put in at several points on Conyer's Road at the junctions with Babington Road, Fairmile Avenue, and Gleneagle Road.

We are pleased to say that this work has now begun. Several of the ramps have been put in and the work should be finished soon.

This is part of Accessible Streatham Campaign - in which we are working to make the local area more accessible for older people, those with mobility impairments as well as those with buggies and prams.

For other examples of where we have done this see these links here:

End of Riggindale Road

Outside Wellfield Road Community Centre

Thirlmere Road ramp access

Ramps on Tooting Bec Gardens

Pavement widening at the bottom of Tooting Bec Gardens/ Garrad's Road

Or more on our accessible Streatham campaign here.

A few days left to comment on the proposals for changes to Babington Road

There are just a few days left to comment on the proposals for changes to the area at the top of Babington Road where it meets Mitcham Lane by Streatham Green and the Manor Arms.

The area is the location for Streatham's new fortnightly street market and the intention is to create a better public space for it, less dominated by traffic, more suited to host the market and other community events, and better connected to Streatham Green.

The proposals are that:

- The top of Babington Road will become a shared space and through traffic will no longer be allowed between Mitcham Lane and Babington Road, although a route out for large lorries will be maintained.

- Two new piazza areas will be created that can host the market and other events.

- The southern piazza could also host an outside seating area for The Manor Arms (subject to licencing approval).

- New trees will be planted and seating introduced.

- A new loading bay will be introduced on Fernwood Avenue to service businesses on the western side of Mitcham Lane.

- A pedestrian crossing may be introduced on Mitcham Lane.

We are sending out 500 letters to local people in the area encouraging them to comment before the deadline on 11th February.

Generally the response we had had from local people has been positive. The major concern however has been from people in Fernwood Avenue, who do not want the proposed loading bay put on their road given the likely increase in heavy vehicle traffic which would be ill suited to such a small road.

An email we received from George Wright, who is overseeing the project, contained a lot of positive feedback that he had already received from the proposals.

The intention is to "finesse" the concept design during February and then develop the detailed construction designs. The aim is to construct on site late June-September to minimise disruption to the market.

[Update: 8/2/13 We have had it confirmed that the loading bay on Fernwood Avenue is no longer being considered]

Friends of Streatham Green meeting tonight - Monday 14th January

25 people signed up to be kept updated with what the Friends of Streatham Green are doing at the first Artisan's Market on the 16th December, so it may be a busy meeting!

All are welcome tonight (Monday January 14th) for the Friends of Streatham Green meeting at The Manor Arms, 13 Mitcham Lane, beginning at 7pm.

The agenda will include the progress of the Streatham Green Artisans’ Market, the maintenance of the Green, future events on Green and an update on progress with the money that has been given to Streatham from the Mayors Outer London Fund. There will also, no doubt, be discussion about the proposed works to develop the end of Babington Road.

If you would like to join the Friends of Streatham Green, get in touch and we'll pass on your details.

Streatham Green market

The market that local people in Streatham have been waiting for is finally to be launched in December.

The new street market - officially Streatham Green Artisans' Market - will take place next to Streatham Green on the corner of Babington Road and Mitcham Lane by the Manor Arms. It will launch with a ‘Christmas market’ on Sunday 16th December, 10am – 3pm.

The artisan market looks as if it will be a kind of farmers market meets crafts market, featuring farm produce, fine foods and local crafts, based on Abbeville Farmer's market in Clapham, but with a more 'Streatham' feel.

The timing couldn't be better with the forced closure of Streatham Vale Farmer's market due to the Greyhound Lane Bridge closure.

A website is apparently in the process of being constructed. There will also be a twitter feed: @StreathamArty and a Facebook page: www.facebook.com/StreathamGreenMarket (NB These have not been set up at the time of writing!)

More information is available by emailing Joel Northcott: abbevillefarmers (at) yahoo.co.uk

[Update 28/11/12: Website now here. ]

St Leonard's Safer Neighbourhood events in July

St Leonard's Ward Safer Neighbourhood Team have four events in July:

5 July 2012 - Drop-in surgery

An indoor one-to-one consultation session

Start: Thu 05 July 2012, 12:00 PM
End: Thu 05 July 2012, 13:00 PM

Location:Common Cafe, Greyhound Lane SW16


14 July 2012 - Street briefing

An outdoor meeting that any member of the public can attend held outdoors.

Start: Sat 14 July 2012, 11:00 AM
End: Sat 14 July 2012, 11:30 AM

Location: Babington Road o/s Babington Court


18 July 2012 - Street briefing

An outdoor meeting that any member of the public can attend held outdoors.

Start: Wed 18 July 2012, 19:00 PM

End: Wed 18 July 2012, 19:30 PM

Location:Mount Ephraim Lane j/w Woodfield Grove


25 July 2012 - Drop-in surgery

An indoor one-to-one consultation session.

Start: Wed 25 July 2012, 10:00 AM
End: Wed 25 July 2012, 11:00 AM

Location: Wimpy, Streatham High Road SW16