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.

Resurfacing of Conyers Road, Potters Lane, Fairmile Avenue and Stanthorpe Road

Residents of Conyer's Road, Potters Lane, Fairmile Avenue and Stanthorpe Road, should have received notification from Lambeth Council about the resurfacing due to take place over the next few weeks.

The planned dates for the resurfacing are as follows:

8-13th October Conyers Road

14th October Potters Lane

15-17th October Stanthorpe Road

20-21st October Fairmile Avenue

If residents have any questions about the resurfacing or experience problems please do get in touch with Cllr Scott Ainslie: streathamgreenparty (at) gmail.com

Streatham Hill Bridge works update - 9th Oct reopening

For those wanting an update about the Streatham Bridge works, we have been told that the "top deck" works are now expected to finish on Drewstead Road a day early - on 9th October, with the road re-opening. The works (that don't involve road closure) at platform level will then be carried out until  15th December (estimated)

This what we have been told:

Works carried out to date:

Top deck works are nearing completion with the following carried out:

·         Removal of the existing waterproofing with associated concrete deck repairs
·         New spray applied waterproofing system to Bridge deck
·         New footway and Carriageway surfacing
·         New Ducts for cathodic protection system for deck mounted control cabinets
·         New buried bridge joints
      Most likely top deck works will be completed on Thursday  09^th October and open carriageway for vehicles and footway for pedestrians ( 1 day ahead of schedule)

Future Works ( No Road Closure)
Works will be carried out on Streatham Hill Station platform level

The next phase of works is concrete repairs and cathodic protection to structure below bridge deck level(within rail environment) .The planned works take place within hoarded green Zone areas within platform limits and comprise:

• Removal of all chemically and mechanically defective concrete using hydro demolition

• Replacement of any defective reinforcement

• Installation of impressed current cathodic protection anodes and cabling

• Reinstatement of concrete to maintain original structure geometry

• Final connection of CP system to top deck mounted cabinet

• Commissioning of cathodic protection system

Estimated completion date 15^th December

Streatham Hill and Streatham High Road resurfacing begins this weekend

Transport for London (TfL) (via contractors CVU Colas, VolkerHighways and URS) are to carry out carriageway resurfacing works on the A23 Streatham Hill and Streatham High Road between the junctions of Christchurch Road and Pendennis Road.

The scheme has been arranged into phases to try to reduce the amount of disruption caused, and maintain traffic flow.

The works will be carried out between Sunday 5 October 2014 and Wednesday 12 November 2014, Sunday to Thursday nights only, weather permitting, or until the work is completed. The working hours will be between 21:00 and 06:00.  They say that 'every effort' will be made to ensure that noisy operations are completed before midnight but that "vehicle reversing warning beepers are essential safety devices to protect operatives."

TfL say that any vehicles parked during the suspended hours, will be moved to a nearby road. 

Pedestrian crossings will be closed during certain phases of the works to enable safe working.  

Traffic management will be put in place to along A23 Streatham Hill and Streatham High Road to allow work to progress. Directional closures will be used and there will be associated side road closures.

New 'emergency' changes to parking following Streatham Hill bridge closure

Councillors have today (52 minutes ago) been emailed the following notice regarding new temporary parking restrictions, following on from the congestion to do with the bridge closure between Drewstead Road and Sternhold Avenue behind Streatham Hill station. The restrictions came into force yesterday.

TEMPORARY PARKING, WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS IN BLAKEMORE ROAD, BRANCASTER ROAD, DE MONTFORT ROAD AND MOUNT EPHRAIM ROAD

1.    The Council of the London Borough of Lambeth hereby gives notice that from Wednesday 24^th September 2014 for a period of up to 21 days vehicles will be banned from parking and waiting (including waiting for loading or unloading purposes) at any time in:-

         (i) Mount Ephraim Road:

              (a) the north side, between the eastern boundary of No. 6 Mount Ephraim Road and De Montfort Road;

       (b) the south side, (i) between a point 7 metres east of Blakemore Road and a point 6.5 metres west of Blakemore Road; and (ii) between a point 7.5 metres east of

            Brancaster Road and a point 11 metres west of Brancaster Road;

 (ii) Blakemore Road, (a) the east side between Mount Ephraim Road and a point 16 metres south of Mount Ephraim Road; and (b) the west side, between Mount Ephraim Road and a point 16.8 metres south of Mount Ephraim Road;

(iii) Brancaster Road, (a) the east side, between Mount Ephraim Road and the southern boundary wall of No. 29 Mount Ephraim Road; and (b) the west side, between Mount Ephraim Lane and the party wall of Nos. 2 and 4 Brancaster Road;

(iv) De Montfort Road, the east side, between Mount Ephraim Road and the common

      boundary of No. 24 Mount Ephraim Road and No. 25 De Montfort Road.

2.     It is necessary for the above parking/waiting restrictions to come into force without delay to enable the safe flow of traffic on diversion because of the temporary closure of the bridge over Streatham Hill train station (the un-named road linking Drewstead Road and Sternhold Avenue) while structural works to that bridge are being carried out and will only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.

3.    While this notice has effect, the provisions of the Lambeth (Waiting and Loading Restriction) Order 1997 shall have effect as though (a) the length of road specified in paragraph 1 above is a restricted street specified in Schedules 1 and 2 to that Order; and (b) the prescribed hours and restricted hours relating to that length of road are at any time.

4.    The bans will continue by virtue of this notice for 21 days or until the works have been completed, whichever is the sooner.  If this is not possible within the period of 21 days, the Council may issue another notice or they may make a temporary order under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, so as to continue the closure for a further period of time.

Dated 23^rd September 2014

Abu Barkatoolah

Head of Transportation

Cycling improvements and countdown crossing at Ambleside Avenue/ Mitcham Lane Junction

We have continued to ask Transport for London to address the ongoing safety issues following repeated collisions (and fatalities) at the junction of Mitcham Lane and Ambleside Avenue.  This included a campaign which began in 2012.

This resulted in a review of the junction and proposals for changes and we have now received the following email from TfL (via Green London Assembly Member Darren Johnson's office):

Our proposals for this junction are currently at the preliminary design stage. The anticipated completion date for this early design work is  November 2014. The principal objectives of the scheme include the provision of:

·      Cycling improvements on all arms of the junction, including the installation of Advanced Stop Lines

·        Installation of Pedestrian Countdown

Furthermore, we are investigating light levels at the junction to ascertain whether any upgrade in this area is required, and we are also looking at the possible provision of a red light camera.

We will be consulting on our proposals with our stakeholders, and expect delivery of the scheme to take place July – September 2015.

Streatham Youth and Community Trust needs your vote!

Streatham Youth and Community Trust has been shortlisted for the Lloyds Bank Community Fund 2014 in Streatham.

By encouraging the public to vote Streatham Youth and Community Trust has the chance to be awarded a grant of up to £3,000 from Lloyds Bank to enable it to continue to work with children, young people and their families.  

Voting runs 2 Sept – 10 Oct 2014.  This grant would go towards its adult support group.

The Trust has asked for the local community to get behind their bid -  through Twitter, website, e-zines etc and also of course voting for them!

The vote is now open and runs until 10 October 2014.  To voteTweet  #COMMFUND TMF or visit this page: https://lly-cf.co.uk/TMF   

A bit more about Streatham Youth and Community Trust...

In addition to  work with children and young people, it also runs an adult support group called Just Like Us. The group provides a place of respite for people with heavy responsibilities.  Many have caring duties which means it is difficult to get out of the house or take part in social activities leaving hem isolated and without friendship networks.  They are financially disadvantaged because caring can leave them unable to work or can disrupt career plans.  They can express feelings of depression, poor health, despair and worry about finance.  They feel unable to cope with life's issues because of poor mental health.  

The group meets for three hours once a week to take part in a planned programme of activities.  These include pottery, cooking, exercise, sewing and outings.  We also provide advice and referrals to other support agencies. It is one of the few respite drop-in groups in the area.  Members have described the group as a refuge or oasis.  It is a space where they can have time for themselves.