Environment Issues (12/99)

Notices regarding implementation of the traffic calming measures in Westcombe Park Road, Westcombe Hill, Vanbrugh Hill, Mycenae Road, etc. appeared in The Mercury of 27/11/99. There was, however, no apparent reference to the proposed closure of the Beaconsfield Road/Charlton Road junction, nor to the narrowing outside John Roan Lower School to prevent the rat-running of coaches in Maze Hill. The Society has received a letter from the Maze Hill Residents Association asking for support in efforts to ensure that "East Greenwich was considered along with West Greenwich in terms of road closures associated with the current traffic calming measures". They are keen to progress two further plans for Maze Hill itself that were tabled at the last Vanbrugh Traffic Forum meeting, but which do not appear to have surfaced as funded schemes in the published proposals seen to date. These are the closure of the junction of Maze Hill with the A2 on the Heath and the re-siting of the pedestrian crossing near Maze Hill station such that it better serves the needs of those wishing to visit the National Maritime Museum. There is concern that no report of the last Forum meeting had surfaced, despite the fact that additional suggestions had been made at the meeting, and indications offered by Council Officers that these ideas would be considered as there was supposedly money still remaining for further works.

Subsequent to the Environment Committee meeting of 1/12/99, a resident has been in touch complaining about road markings that had appeared outside their home (which is opposite John Roan Lower School) indicating the 'missing' works were to begin. They reported having received no notification from the Council, and would be losing parking places and 'security overview' of their vehicle/s. However, they had failed to note any of the Westcombe News and newspaper articles on this subject nor Council information on the traffic calming measures, despite claming to be interested in such issues. They will be contacting John Bowden/Tim Jackson about their concerns.

Follow up: Following a telephone call to the Council it would appear that the resident has met on site with Officers and come to an agreement over the work. The closure of the Beaconsfield Road/Vanbrugh Park/ Charlton Way junction will also definitely be going ahead as part of the current batch of calming measures, but will be announced as part of a special 'Experimental Traffic Order', apparently the quickest way to get a closure implemented. The Maze Hill pedestrian crossing may get moved if any money remains, but the closure of the junction of Maze Hill with the A2 seems unlikely.

61 Westcombe Park Road

Cllr. Alex Grant has reported in a letter to the Society that there have been some problems with the loss adjusters, but that work was expected to start very soon on the roof of this property. Subsequently, however, it would appear that 61 Westcombe Park has now been sold, with a sign outside on December 2nd 1999. All residents are concerned at further dalliance.

Surprisingly, the other local property which has been subject to similar indignities and problems, and also owned by Moonhill, 4 St John's Park, has apparently also been sold to another developer and work has already started.

North Greenwich Station Bus Services

Signage is now reported to be much better at North Greenwich Station with waiting opportunities inside the station and new signage indicating queuing areas for different routes. The 108 (southbound) and 422 stops serving the Westombe area are now apparently together.

Year 2000 Westcombe ParkTree 'survey'

A letter has been sent to the Council's Tree Officer, Debi Fitzpatrick regarding the survey. The Society has also received a letter and brochure from The Tree Register for the British Isles (a registered charity) expressing interest in the survey. The Society has been trying to involve relevant staff at The John Roan School. The PSEP Co-ordinator at the school has been asked to possibly include the Tree Survey as a 'curriculum theme'.

Peninsula Developments

The Greenwich Environment Forum recently arranged an 'update' session at English Partnerships Office on the Peninsula. The current status of developments were described by Kay Murch from E.P., and representatives from the Environment Agency talked about the new Ecology Park and the river terracing. A Land Rover visit to the Park areas and terracing areas was included. The 'Wardens Hut' is almost complete, and extensive works for the new Greenwich Yacht Club were seen. Notification was given of the Dome Exclusion Zone which will result in instant fines of £80 for any vehicle that attempts to enter the Zone without a permit on more than one occasion.

Greenwich Development Agency (G.D.A.) Projects

The Society has been in contact with David Taylor who is Director of G.D.A.. He is very interested in the Society's scheme for the Maze Hill station area. Connex have apparently proposed improvements to a number of local stations including Charlton, Westcombe Park, Maze Hill and Greenwich, and it may be possible to persuade them to include these suggestions in their own plans.

Amylum UK. 99/1598/A

The above application for laser-projected advertising on the sides of their riverside silos and warehouses was discussed at the Council's 9/11/99 Planning Board.

Permission was granted for both night-time laser adverts and for 'scrim'-based advertising during the day. Amylum had contested the viability of one without the other, and also the Highways Agency contention that the 'scrim' adverts could be seen from either the north- or south-bound A102. However, permission was only granted on the basis of a scaling-down of the size of these 'scrim' ads.

Related News: Permission has been granted for a 3-D advertising sculpture on the main roundabout at the junction of Bugsby's Way, Millennium Way and Blackwall Lane. Recent planting has already been removed.