Lewisham Way crossings live to fight another day

Don't cross the people of Brockley. TfL have responded to the public consultation about the fate of traffic crossings on the A20 - the Algernon Road crossing at the foot of Loampit Hill will go but those on Lewisham Way will stay. They say:

Last year we held a consultation on a number of changes to the A20 between New Cross and Lewisham. We had nearly 200 responses.

We wanted to merge and relocate some of the crossings along this stretch of the road, and 63% of responses opposed these proposals. When we analysed the comments, most people expressed a need to keep the crossings by Lewisham Southwark College, Tressillian Road, St John’s station and St John’s Medical Centre. Due to the low use of the crossing by Algernon Road, and the new signalised crossing nearby at Jerrard Street we have decided the Algernon Road crossing can be removed. 

All the other crossings will remain in where they are and they will be upgraded over the next year (2015-16). This means all pedestrian crossings will be a common crossing type, and we will be able to link the signals with SCOOT control to ensure a smoother traffic flow. This will provide some benefits along this road for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike.

Our proposals also included changes to the bus and cycle lanes, and changes to the side road junctions. The majority of people supported these proposals, so we will continue with these.

Thanks to everyone who sent this to me.

Breddos Tacos confirms Lewisham London Union plans

#ModelMarket street foodies Breddos Tacos have revealed that they will be joining Polpo at the new London Union restaurant complex that is coming to Lewisham soon.

In an interview with Big Hospitality, founder Jonathan Downey revealed that Lewisham's Riverdale Hall will be the setting for their first ever permanent restaurant. Called Pocho, it will be "a large Californian/Mexican influenced diner."

For the full interview, click here.

This is going to be awesome! Thanks to LittleJungleMan for the tip off.

Westside corner shop up for sale

Dom writes:

I noticed a sign today showing that the lease is up for renewal on the newsagents (plus a 3 bed flat) on the corner of St Asaph and Finland Road.

It's a shame as I have known that place since I was very young and I have fond memories of buying penny sweets there. However it's a great spot and it would be wonderful to have another local business there.

Indoor market and small cinema planned for Ladywell development

Pop-up development PLACE / Ladywell has an irritating name and would be better as a permanent structure rather than messing around as a temporary building, but by God, the team behind it know how to give the people what they want - and are planning an indoor market and small cinema on site. They say:

We will manage the Ground floor as affordable mixed-use spaces with a focus on making and selling.

We will also be creating opportunities for an indoor market for start up retail, some independent retail units, a community café and maker spaces. A long consultation period uncovered a strong desire within the local community for a cinema / screening space of some sort.

The space will come with a basic fit out to allow for this but it is expected that adaptations may need to be made by the eventual operator of the space. We would like any interested parties to get in contact with us for further discussions on what may be possible within the space available.

There will be around 50 square metres of space allocated from May 2016 – 2019, with possible extension of up to 5 years on the same site. The space may also come partially furnished depending on budget. Lease terms are negotiable. The building will be brand new and tenants will benefit from being able to have early influence in the way the spaces are set up and managed to creative create a strong supportive community of space users.

If you are interested in operating the cinema, click here for details. With thanks to Paul.

The Glowing Sea

A campaign has been launched to persuade Thames Water to reopen Nunhead Reservoir (next to Nunhead Cemetery) to the public after a fence was erected in 2014 to prevent vandalism. The petitioners, who've attracted 6,000 signatures already, say:

Nunhead Reservoir has one of the best views in South London. It has been a much loved picnicking spot, place to relax and hang out with friends for many years, and deserves to be officially opened so that everybody can enjoy it.

Thames Water can use some of the profit they make from their bill payers to supply bins and official entrances. Replant the trees they dug up and take down the ugly fence around the perimeter.

Whenever possible, we need to design and operate London for the benefit of the vast majority of responsible residents not the minority of idiots. A local beauty spot should not be lost for the want of a security guard, so please click here to sign the petition.

Diamond City

While New Cross wrestles with rubbish dumps, Lewisham developers are imagining a future where Emporio Armani sits side by side with Maggie's Cafe. Jessica writes:

I was looking at the hoardings surrounding the Lewisham Gateway building site and I think the designer doing the artist's impression may have confused the people of Lewisham with those of Kensington...a Giorgio Armani shop has been 'visualised' in the retail space underneath the flats.

It made me laugh, and then made me wonder whether the developers actually envisage this type of retail unit in place? Or is it 'aspirational' - why include a name such as that at all (probably to sell it to overseas investors?). 

Given the pace of change in Greater Brockley, nothing is impossible and I am aware of at least one developer operating in South East London who fancies their chances of bringing very high-end fashion brands to their masterplan, but even I can't imagine Armani in SE13.

It does, however, prompt the question: What kind of brands would we like to see attracted to Lewisham when the work is done?

Fallout

Update on Deptford Dump: Landowner now saying can't afford to clear. Cllrs & officers pushing them to do so asap pic.twitter.com/JGp3BXnWJ9

— Joe Dromey (@Joe_Dromey) February 1, 2016

A post-apocalyptic landscape, but messier, the 'Deptford Dump' is a site next to New Cross Gate station that is currently playing host to tonnes of construction industry waste. Door frames and window sills litter the landscape like they've been deposited by a very destructive but very precise twister.

As you can see, the Council is trying to get it cleared.