Rotherhithe New Road trees to be felled

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Three mature plane trees on Rotherhithe New Road are likely to be felled, says Southwark Council.

The trees, which the council says are encroaching on the pedestrian space on the public highway, could be felled after adjacent landowners refused to sell the council a small plot of land to enable the pavement to be widened.

“I am extremely disappointed that the only course of action available to the council is to remove these trees from the local community,” said Cllr Peter John, leader of the council.

“Not only are they great for the environment but they add a unique vibrancy.  We would not normally fell healthy trees of this age but in this case we have no option. Sadly the landowners have refused to cooperate in helping us to resolve the situation so our hands are tied.”

Whilst the council has pointed the finger at the Residential Management Group, the firm has responded on Twitter:

Three replacement new trees will be planted in a nearby location.

Lib Dem councillor Graham Neale said: “I have suggested that the pavement is built out into the road to make room for the trees rather than removing the wall, which could save the trees from the chop and improve the road at the same time.

“The pavement opposite is more than wide enough to provide a ‘chicane’ traffic calming system. This is a chance to start managing roads in a way that puts pedestrians and cyclists at the front of road management in our borough.

“Instead of listening to alternatives, Labour have decided to chainsaw the trees which date back to Dr Salter. After all the warm words and phoney consultation we’re back to Plan A, which is to take the easy option and get rid of the trees. How many times must we listen to hollow promises?

“Residents and campaigners have spent a lot of time and effort trying to save these trees. It’s a waste of our time, and a waste of a great opportunity, but I’m afraid that’s the way Labour are running Southwark.”

 

Council opens ‘My Southwark’ office at the Blue

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The new ‘My Southwark’ office has opened in the Market Place at the Blue, replacing the former Bermondsey One Stop Shop in Spa Road.

“It is our mission statement as a council to treat every resident as if they were a member of our own family, and that starts with the council’s customer service, which has needed improving,” said council leader Cllr Peter John.

“The new customer service point at The Blue is great because it is right in the heart of Bermondsey and provides a focal point for local residents to come and carry out a whole range of services – from paying council tax to dealing with rent account queries.

“It will give people the freedom to choose when they access a particular service and will let them choose between talking to an advisor and accessing their own online account.

“I want this to be the blue print for the delivery of much improved customer services from the council across the whole of Southwark.”

For further information visit: www.southwark.gov.uk/servicepoints

Simon Hughes writes to Boris about slow SE16 broadband

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Simon Hughes MP has written to the Mayor of London to raise residents’ concerns about slow broadband speeds in Rotherhithe and Surrey Docks.

The Mayor of London is responsible for distributing the government’s £25 million Urban Broadband Fund.

Following several complaints from residents in Rotherhithe and Surrey Docks, earlier this year Simon Hughes MP raised the issue with BT, internet service providers and the culture secretary Maria Miller MP.

Despite Ofcom’s recent report that the average broadband speed in the UK is 9Mbps, with some internet service providers advertising considerably higher speeds, Rotherhithe residents have reported speeds which struggle to reach 2Mbps.

“I am very concerned that people in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe are experiencing unacceptably low broadband speeds,” said Simon Hughes.

“Not only is this incredibly frustrating for people using internet in their homes, it is also harmful for businesses in the area. It is unbelievable that people living and working in between the major hubs of London Bridge and Docklands have such poor download speeds.

“Unfortunately, there seems to be a lot of passing the buck on this issue between BT, internet service providers and the government. I am urging the Mayor of London to use the extra government funding to improve broadband connections for residents and businesses in Rotherhithe and I will continue to do all I can to make sure my constituents enjoy broadband speeds which you would expect from a global city in the 21st century.”

However, according to a recent written answer to Lib Dem London Assembly member Stephen Knight, there is little hope of the £25 million allocated by the Mayor being used to help SE16 residents and businesses.

Boris Johnson says that the cash will be spent on four projects including fibre broadband in ‘Tech City’, wireless provision along the Docklands Light Railway, gigabit internet for the Royal Docks area and ultrafast broadband for high-density social housing estates.

Canada Water Library photo competition launched by council

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Cllr Veronica Ward cuts a cake to celebrate the first anniversary of Canada Water Library

To celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of Canada Water Library, Southwark Council has launched a photographic competition.

The council is looking for the most unusual and creative images of the Piers Gough-designed building (inside and out).

The winner will be given the opportunity to feature in an exhibition in the New Year. The deadline for entries is 1 Februrary 2013. Entry forms are available at the library reception desk and further details can be found at www.southwark.gov.uk/cwlphotography

Nearly half a million visits have been made to the library in its first year of operation.

“The resounding success of Canada Water Library as proven by our visitor numbers shows that libraries are as important to local communities as they have ever been,” said Cllr Veronica Ward, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport.

“This past year has been amazing: we’ve worked with hundreds of young people as part of the Summer Reading Challenge, welcomed the Sketchbook Project exhibition over from the USA in its only UK tour stop and the library won a RIBA Regional Award.

“Not to mention the international acclaim we’ve received from various librarians, media houses and architects around the world.

We’ve also brought our residents closer to some of their favourite authors with our regular literature evenings with top authors such as Ben Fogle, Pauline Black and Deborah Moggach to name a few.”

Riverside Children’s Choir releases Christmas charity single on iTunes and Amazon.co.uk

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Riverside Christmas SongRiverside Primary School in Bermondsey has released a Christmas single to raise money for the charity Music as Therapy International.
The song – Let the Light Shine Down by Sarah Ellen Hughes – has been recorded by the school choir and is available on iTunes and Amazon.
The choir hopes to sell 3,000 copies this week in order to break into the UK top 40 chart.

Sustrans bridge lowered into place at Rotherhithe New Road

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Picture by Jody Kingzett

A new pedestrian and cycle bridge was lowered into place over Rotherhithe New Road near South Bermondsey station on Saturday.

The new bridge was installed on Sunday as part of the Lottery-funded Sustrans Connect 2 project. It replaces a disused Victorian railway bridge which was removed in September and cut up for scrap.

The 4 metre wide modern bridge made of steel will carry pedestrians and cyclists over Rotherhithe New Road to South Bermondsey Station and beyond.

“It is fantastic to see the old rusty bridge gone and a purpose built crossing put in its place,” said Cllr Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport.

“The good news is that despite the forecast bad weather, we finished ahead of schedule and the bridge is now in place.

“This has been another hugely successful and efficient operation led by Southwark council and its contractors.

“There was minimal disruption and the footpath was only closed for 30 minutes whilst the bridge was put in place.”

“We are looking forward to this modern replacement bridge being officially opened to the public from January 2013.

“It is going to make a significant difference to everyone, pedestrians and cyclists alike, who needs direct access to and from South Bermondsey station.”

Bryn Lockwood from Sustrans said: “It’s great to see this new dedicated walking and cycling bridge go in after all the effort of local people and thanks to their vision and perseverance in making this project happen.

“The bridge looks great and will really make a difference to people’s lives on a daily basis. People will now be able to start the day with a quiet stroll rather than dodging the trucks and traffic on the Rotherhithe New Road and it’ll encourage many more people to make their everyday journeys on foot or by bike.”

“Up to 20,000” at Scandinavian Christmas Market, claims council

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Southwark Council says that up to 20,000 shoppers enjoyed the Scandinavian Christmas Market outside the Finnish and Norwegian Churches in Albion Street this past weekend..

Around 40 traders from overseas and closer to home offered a range of goods and present ideas, decorations and hearty Scandinavian food.

Visitors also had the chance to be photographed with husky dogs and even meet the Ice Queen and Father Christmas.

The event was organised by Southwark Council in partnership with The Norwegian Church in London, The Finnish Church in London, the Albion Street Community Group and Scan Events.

“The Scandinavian Market has proven to be a great way to kick off the festive season, and was a wonderful opportunity for another of Southwark’s international communities to introduce us to something new,” said Cllr Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for environment, transport and recycling.

Irwell Garden Space

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The Mayor of Southwark Cllr Althea Smith and cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling Cllr Barrie Hargrove have officially opened the new Irwell Garden Space.

Located on the corner of Albion Street and Neptune Street, the project was awarded Cleaner Greener Safer funding by the former Rotherhithe Community Council in September 2011.

The space was redesigned in consultation with the Irwell Estate Community, local businesses and Albion Street Steering Group to create a more open, safer area with clearer views through to the playground and over Albion Street and St Olav’s Church.

The transformation included new paving with a nautical centrepiece design, four new single seats and four newly planted trees with further shrub and grasses.

Cllr Barrie Hargrove said: “This sort of project is exactly what the Cleaner Greener Safer funding was designed for. We hope users of the garden space will now enjoy this pleasant and calming area for years to come.”