Greenwich Waterfront Transit Scheme Cancelled

Boriswatch reports that the Greenwich Waterfront Transit Scheme has been canned by the Mayor:

However, lower projections for future fare revenue caused by the deterioration in the wider economy and the drain on TfL’s resources caused by the collapse of Metronet means that some work planned for 2009/10 must be cancelled or deferred until a later date.

This means deferral of works at some Tube stations including the project to install step free access to the Circle and Metropolitan lines at Baker Street.

In addition, the Greenwich Waterfront Transit Scheme will be cancelled given the Mayor’s earlier decision not to proceed with the Thames Gateway Bridge.

When we lived in Charlton we were consulted on the scheme and though it was an undeniably poor substitute for a new DLR link, it would have cut journey times to connect with the O2 and the Jubilee Line and added 40% capacity to existing bus services in a poorly-served area of London.

This is another reason to rue the cancellation of the Thames Gateway Bridge.

Poor old Thamesmead.

The Brockley Housing Market Redux

"Check out Brockley Central for a test case in how a group of committed local people can start to catalyse change and deal with corruption at street-level, not on a “us versus them” level which sanctifies professional journalists at the expense of narratives that actually matter to people."
- Lloyd Shepherd, Head of Future Media Solutions, Channel 4

It's very kind of Lloyd to say so, and we hope we do make a useful contribution to local issues, but there is a time for rigorous analysis of local government policy and there is a time to talk indulge BC readers' other favourite hobby; talking about house prices.

BC regular Headhunter's been stoking the flames on the Suggest a Topic topic thread, but given how long that has become, we have decided to create a new one, to give those who wish to discuss housing market theories the opportunity here. This is what everyone's favourite Dutch-impressionist had to say:

"One of my neighbours on Manor Avenue sold his flat within 40 hours of it going on the market! There was an article on the ES website yesterday saying that th property market is picking up slightly with historically low interest rates."

Crofton Park Spring

Reader Anna sent us some photos she'd taken from her flat to celebrate the first day of spring in Brockley. Here's one.

Now Brockley Central doesn't need any excuse to publish a picture of blossom, but there are a couple of other things to be said about this photo. Note how the pavement is smooth and flat, how the tree helps to break up the monotony of the streetscape and how handsome the bench is. Note also how uncluttered this scene is by signs, paint markings or other assorted civic bumf. The businesses don't block their windows with security shutters and the cars don't hump the pavement.

It is no coincidence that Crofton Park is the most successful stretch of Brockley Road - it is a great environment for people and for businesses which depend on people wanting to spend time there.

One day, all of Brockley will have public spaces like this. Then spring will truly have sprung.

With thanks to Anna.

Royal Teas, Brockley Road [UPDATED]

BC reader "The Oracle" has been tormenting the good citizens of Brockley with conundrums worthy of the Riddler. On this thread, they wrote:

Riddle me this:

Royal but not Windsor,
Tea,
Green but not 'witch',
Coming soon,
Under the Moonbow,
Jake

The answer, as Beecroft Alex was first to guess, is that Royal Teas of Greenwich are taking over the greatly-missed Moonbow Jakes. Royal Teas is an extremely popular Greenwich institution and it's great to see that entrepreneurs from other south east London hotspots are alert to Brockley's potential. That stretch of Brockley has been a sorrier place in Moonbow's absence, so this sounds like good news.

The proprietor Ray responded to our enquiries with this email:

It is true. We are presently trying to get all the paperwork done so we can complete and move into Brockley. We are very excited about this opportunity. We understand that Moonbows was a much loved place and we hope that our presence will not be a disappointment to the people of Brockley.

We hope to integrate into the local community just as Moonbow Jakes did. We would be very interested to hear your readers thoughts on what they would like to see us provide at Moonbows. Opinions on all aspects are most welcome - food / seating / price / garden / decor / drinks / opening times / events ....

As soon as the paperwork is finished I will then have a better idea of our opening date. I will keep you posted.

Thanks and good luck to Ray. And of course, thanks to our mysterious friend 'The Oracle'.

UPDATE:

We've heard from The Greenwich Phantom (the friendly ghost) who confirms that this news represents the best of both worlds - Royal Teas will stay put in Greenwich and expand to Brockley.

Man vs Machine

Geoffrey Road is being dug up and resurfaced today. We mention this for two reasons, one particular to the street, the other a more general point.

Geoffrey Road is officially designated a minor residential road. However, by virtue of the fact that you can shave a few seconds off your journey to Lewisham or Ladywell if you drive up it, it is a major rat run, often clogged with traffic in the morning and evening rush hours. Local residents and the Brockley Cross Action Group have long campaigned for the road layout to be remodelled to reduce stress on this road and the other affected roads in the conservation area. The Council, while sympathetic to the problem, has pleaded poverty.

So while Geoffrey Road is in undeniably poor shape and we do need roads, we do wonder why improving this particular road - thus encouraging drivers - should be a priority at this time, when there are so many other deserving candidates. Why not wait until you have the money to do a proper traffic impact study and give local residents the remodelled system they've been asking for for so long?

The wider point is that, while the road surface is bad on Geoffrey Road, the pavement is many times worse. It is in dreadful condition, sunken in places, covered in broken tarmac in others and with tripping hazards every few feet. It is not one of the pavements targeted for resurfacing by the Council for the foreseeable future.

Geoffrey Road is not exceptional - many of Brockley's pavements are in very poor condition. Rather than relaying roads that we are trying to discourage drivers from using, why can't we spend the money relaying pavements that we do want people to use?

The shameless middle class food thread

BC reader Swifty was inspired by a thread in the Guardian to say:

Nick we need to have a thread like this on Brockley Central and it's best to deal with the discomfort head on and entitle it. "The shameless middle class food thread".

Now, we have never seen any comment from a BC reader that's remotely comparable to overheard comments like "the children are getting upset. Quick, where are the grissini?" or "they only have a middling Chardonnay in the mini-bar."

However, we understand that some people do regard anyone who wants more from their food than to be able to transport it in a greasy card box with a picture of a chicken on it as an insufferable tosser and an endless source of amusement. So, for those people, who are unable to distinguish between food sense and middle-class sensibility, we are happy to oblige.

Dirty windows, rotten scoundrels

Nish sent us this scam alert:

On March 25th, I was the victim of a window cleaning scam on Tyrwhitt Road. We were caught off-guard and persuaded to part with £10 to a man on the doorstep who said he represented a company who usually does all the buildings on the road.

Stupidly we paid upfront and of course realise now it was a complete scam. We wanted to share this with other Brockley residents as we would hate to think an elderly or more vulnerable person could be conned in this way. The man is very convincing.