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Speeding in Sparrows Lane (14/02/2010)
I noticed earlier in your letters a reference to
Sparrows lane and speeding vehicles. I have complained on a number of occasions
about this problem, both to Greenwich council and also to Charlton football
club, as appeared a number of these vehicles were entering their training
ground. I urge residents who have concerns to follow my example and complain
about noise etc and if possible provide some evidence. The council does listen
but needs more residents to voice their views.
taxi105 (via email)
Traffic Calming (16/07/2009)
Hi, The roads between Footscray and the A20 /
Southwood Road are frequently used as a cut-through for drivers and I am
regularly shocked by the speed at which some cars pass down these roads. What
are the chances of having traffic-calming measures placed on these roads to
prevent someone from getting injured or killed? The roads I believe to be worst
are Thaxted Rd (on which I live), Gerda Rd, Mervyn Avenue and County Gate.
Thanks, Lindsey
Traffic Calming (30/04/2009)
We live in Green Lane and are most concerned at
the council proposals for traffic calming, centreing on cycle lanes and on-kerb
parking. I'm retired and regularly cycle and drive in the area. My thoughts are
this. We need speed bumps; the presence of a bus route should not be a reason
to preclude them; there are many examples locally. Cycle lanes add nothing to
cyclists' safety on these sort of roads, instilling false security as drivers
find they have to ignore them to negotiate. To instal them with the objective
of slowing traffic is dishonest. The resultant loss of parking spaces proposed
will mean even more gardens are paved over, increasing water run-off, etc.
Additionally, there will be ongoing costs in maintaining or reinforcing kerb
stones to withstand on-kerb parking. Finally, there will be considerable loss
to the aesthetics of our street, with cars parked higgledy piggeldy half on the
pavements. I very much believe speed humps or cameras are the answer. They ar e
cheaper, less intrusive and safety-proven. I would like to think other
residents share my concerns; should you have any opportunity to reflect local
opinion on this matter, you at least have mine. If you are aware of any
meetings at which this will be discussed, I'd like to know.
Many thanks (Name with held)
Sparrows Lane (14/08/2008)
I have lived in Sparrows Lane for the last five years,
and feel the volume and speed of traffic travelling up and down the road is
totally unacceptable and appears to be getting worse. In the summer it is
incredibly difficult to get to sleep and stay asleep with the windows open. The
majority seems to stem from Sparrows Farm centre. I believe a traffic analysis
of Sparrows Lane was carried out this year but no action seems to have been
taken. Is anybody aware if anything is being done to address this issue, not to
mention the very noisy pedestrians who walk to and from Sparrows Farm Centre
late at night.
David B
Bardhill Sports Ground (30/07/2008)
This place is a eye soar and a source of weeds and
rubish, This land has stood idle for years, I tried to get the use of the field
for the archery club I shoot for at least it would have been kept in some sort
of order if we could use it, or or at least let the local schools have use of
it. Can you tell me what are the plans for the future of this piece of land and
or what can be done about it.
David Gosling
Bus Shelter, Green Lane (04/06/2008)
I am one of the residents of Green Lane who was not
fully consulted about the erection of a bus shelter outside my house on Green
Lane. The stop in question is London bound after the bus turns out of Edgebury.
After losing a late fight to stop the shelter being put in i have gotten used
to it as i have no choice. My neighbours agree that the bus stop should be put
around the corner in Edgebury where it would not be outside someones house and
therefore not a direct noise problem but apparently this request was rejected
some time ago. My main issue now however is the amount of rubbish that gets
posted into the flower beds of my front driveway. Can i make a suggestion to
NERA that at least if the shelter you so desired was delivered then you make
the effort to ask the bus company for a bin to accompany it.
Terry Jackson.
Response to Locked in Southwood Park (13/05/2008)
Referring to recent problems of people being locked in
the park. The council have informed me that due to lack of staff they have had
to close the park at irregular times, but now they are back to normal. We have
asked them if they can ring a bell just before they close the park.
Secretary of Friends of Southwood Park.
Table Tennis (17/04/2008)
Unfortunately New Eltham does not appear to have much
in the way of facilities catering for the youger members of our community,
hence the groups on street corners with nothing to do except cause problems out
of bordom. As a New Eltham resident and the Secretary of the Kemnal Table
Tennis club, I would like to ask if you have considered linking your website to
community/sports clubs within the surrounding area. The Kemnal club is a
community based club and is the largest table tennis club in S.E.London It has
15 tables and is open 4 nights per week plus organises competitions at weekends
and caters for all ages and abilities. For more details visit
http://www.kemnalttc.co.uk
Yours sincerely, Len Pilfold, Secretary
Friends of the Parks (17/04/2008)
Just to let you and your web site visitors know that
the SE9 area now has the following Park Friends' groups:
* The Friends of Avery Hill Park
* The Friends of Eltham Park North & Eltham Park
South
* The Friends of Fairy Hill Park
* The Friends of Queen’s Park
(Altash Gardens & Coldharbour Playing Fields)
* The Friends of Southwood Park
* The Friends of The Tarn
* The Friends of Well Hall Pleasaunce.
Other Friends' groups not so far away are:
* The Friends of Horn Park
* The Friends of Kidbrooke Green Park
(Rochester Way Playing Fields)
* The Friends of Sutcliffe Park.
Needing information about what the role of these is?
Would you like to join?
No Friends' group in your local park? Would you like to see one
established?
Do drop me a line and I'll see if I can assist.
Regards
Jonathan Bangs
Parks Outreach Officer
020 8856 0100
jonathan.bangs@greenwich.gov.uk
Locked in Southwood Park (03/04/2008)
Point of observation, my wife was locked in Southwood Park towards the end of
October 2007, she had 2 small grand children and a brightly coloured pram, it
was 1620 hours, they were playing in the recreation area. The police were
called, they tried to contact the council,without success. Between the police,
the library assistance and some chairs they managed to free her, without
calling the Fire Brigade. Perish the thought if one of them had fallen when
assending/desending the gate.
I sent the council a letter and after some time
without a reply I telephoned about a response, I was told they had not received
the letter,although it was addressed to the Town Hall. I sent a copy
of the letter after obtaing a different address. Again I gave a little
time before telephoning about a response regarding my letter and was told
that the computer was down.-------------- its now APRIL----
I have just retired, it was only when you posted a
leaflet through the door a short while ago that I realised how active you were.
The point of my letter is not based on a complaint,
but maybe the council can put some kind of prominent notice or even a notice,at
the park entrance to advise of a closing time or even dusk.
Regards
Gordon Wren (Via email)
New Eltham (rubbish and litter) 15/02/08
Thanks very much for your swift replies.
I am pleased to say that the rubbish was collected
promptly - both recycling and food bins - this Wednesday. However we still have
the black bags in the streets around here and the pavements - which residents
are obviously putting out for collection every week, and thereby
misunderstanding the collection procedure of fortnightly.
It seems to me that it is really too complicated for
many people to understand, particularly the elderly and large families. We have
never had cause for complaint about Greenwich Council's collection policy over
many years until now and this recent change. The system we had already seemed
to work perfectly well and others in other boroughs were impressed with it. It
is farcical to have only a couple of inches of waste foodstuffs in a large bin.
I personally find it very time consuming to keep having to think carefully
about when to wrap food in newspaper etc. Thank you for doing all you can to
persuade councillors to lobby for a return to the perfectly acceptable previous
method and for updating us on progress!
J Jones (via email)
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The Friends of The Tarn 13/02/08
The group is called The Friends of The Tarn. The Tarn
is in Court Road, Eltham, opposite Mottingham Station. We are holding a public
launch meeting at 7.30pm on 19th February at St. Andrews Church Hall in Court
Road, Eltham, SE9. We hope all those who love The Tarn will attend. For the
time being, we can be contacted via Greenwich Council Parks & Opens Spaces
Department. The following will give you some information about The
Tarn and why we are setting up the Group:-
How to describe The Tarn? I would say that The Tarn
consists of nine and a half acres of aged woodlands, shrubberies, lawns, and
flowerbeds surrounding a long established natural lake, previously named
Starbuck's Pond, which has two small islands and a bridge. There is also a
small decorative pond and an 18th century Icewell. It is teaming with wildlife,
including ducks, geese, little grebe, heron, coot, moor hen, woodpecker,
nuthatch, as well as squirrels and foxes. But, what is The Tarn? Some, who
don't know it, call it a park. Those who do know it, call it a nature reserve
or even a conservation area. I have recently heard it called a "secret garden".
Well, I guess its all those things rolled into one. But its more than that. The
Tarn is something special. It's so special that it's "a little gem in the heart
of Eltham" to be treasured. It's a place to take time out and relax from the
cares and worries of this busy world. It's a place of tranquillity; a beautiful
haven - hidden deep in the heart of Eltham. A beautiful place where we can stop
for a brief while and marvel at the natural world around us. There is nothing
better for the soul than half an hour in The Tarn. Unfortunately, over recent
years, with many cut backs in local authority spending, the Council has not
been able to maintain The Tarn to the standard it rightly deserves and those
who know and love The Tarn have become concerned with its gradual decline. In
particular, the lake, small pond, bird sanctuary and wildflower garden are in
need of very urgent attention. So, what can we do? Well, we have decided to
form a Friends of The Tarn group which will work with Greenwich Council to
improve and maintain The Tarn for the benefit of the whole community and
preserve it for the enjoyment of future generations. It would be so sad and a
poor reflection of not only Greenwich Council, but also of us as residents of
Eltham, New Eltham and Mottingham, and of all those who love The Tarn, if we
allowed this decline to continue. Greenwich Council are holding a Public
Meeting to launch the Friends of The Tarn group at 7.30 pm on Tuesday, 19th
February, 2008 at St. Andrews Church Hall, Court Road, Eltham, SE9, where
members of the Committee will be elected and our aims discussed. Most older
residents of Eltham know about The Tarn. They were taken their regularly by
their parents and by their school. They know about Eltham's history and links
to Henry V111, Eltham Palace, The Pleasaunce and Eltham Lodge, but many
youngsters and newcomers to the area, don't now our history, have never heard
of The Tarn, don't even know where it is and have never visited. They don't
know what they are missing. They do not realise what a little gem they have
hidden in the heart of Eltham. We hope all those who know and love The Tarn
will support The Friends of The Tarn group by joining us in promoting the Tarn,
its history and its wildlife, in activities and events to raise funds to
improve and maintain The Tarn not only for our benefit but for future
generations.
We hope you will support us, join us on the 19th
February, and most of all, PLEASE VISIT THE TARN.
June Hurst, Secretary, Working Group / Friends
of The Tarn (via email)
***********************
The following letter appears here by kind permission
of
SEnine Magazine.
New Eltham (rubbish and litter) 08/02/08
SEnine magazine is a great read. We have lived in New
Eltham for 25 years. When we moved here from Welling it was attractive, clean
and tidy, but in the last 5 to 10 years has deteriorated like the rest of the
borough. There is constant rubbish and litter swilling about by the shops with
often the odd mattress or such like outside one shop in particular. And now we
have the off-license looking hideous in bright yellow. The parade of shops is a
sorry sight and hardly enhanced at all by the tree blossom in the spring. Like
everywhere else the new houses are being crammed in every available space
making a huge impact on local traffic. Evidence of weekend vandelism is an
increasingly common sight. We have enjoyed our time here in SE9 using and
contributing to the community, but feel its decline is being unchecked and the
area is much less desirable.
Janet
Eltham
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New Eltham (rubbish and litter)
08/02/08
I saw the letter in SE9 magazing about the new off
licence and couldn't agree more, the colour is just wrong! I think the letter
also mentioned the terrible rubbish left outside a "certain shop" on a
continual basis. I think the shop in question must be general grocery shop on
the corner of Footscray and Blanmerle Road. This is a shame, its a nice shop
with nice staff, but the rubbish left outside really isn't acceptable. I'm not
saying all the rubbish is generated by the shop (I don't think the recent
mattress that sat outside for over a week was) but I believe a lot of it is.
They leave their crates and clear bags of rubbish waiting for collection next
to the tree outside and it just totally ruins the look of the place...no wonder
others come along and dump mattresses and other rubbish. It just makes the
problem even worse. I did e-mail Greenwich Council to complain about this and
encluded the photos that I took on my camera on a particularly bad rubbish day
(a Sunday) but I still haven't received a reply and as it was several weeks ago
it doesn't look like I'm going to!
Louise (Via email)
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