Council consults on Greenwich pedestrianisation proposals

Greenwich Council has initiated a consultation on proposals to part pedestrianise Greenwich town centre.

The pedestrianisation scheme would entail closing College Approach and King William Walk (northern section) to all traffic except for access. Greenwich Church Street north of Creek Road would allow some traffic access.

Cllr Chris Roberts. Leader of Greenwich Council, said, “We are very keen to get the views of everyone who lives in, works in or visits Greenwich, and I hope as many people as possible will take part in the consultation on the Council’s proposals.”

The options currently under proposal are:

Option 1 – two-way traffic on all the non-pedestrianised roads.
Option 2 – create new clockwise traffic gyratory with one-way traffic flows on Norman Road and the affected stretches of Creek Road, Greenwich Church Street and Greenwich High Road.

Those supporting the second option are invited to give comments on three variations:

2a – As Option 2 but with two-way movement permitted on Greenwich High Road southwest of Stockwell Street.
2b – As Option 2 but with a bus contra-flow on Greenwich High Road – Greenwich Church Street – Creek Road.
2c – As Option 2 but with a cycle contra-flow on Greenwich High Road – Greenwich Church Street – Creek Road.

The proposed options can be seen in detail, along with a visual computer model, at an exhibition being held at Devonport House on the 19th/20th/21st December between 10am – 8pm. More information is available from the Council website.

Pub Review: Gipsy Moth

Gipsy Moth
60 Greenwich Church St SE10 9BL

I’ve walked past this Greenwich institution many times but have always overlooked it, probably because from the ‘town’ side, the exterior is rather unpromising. It’s small, dark and has nothing to distinguish it from any other local pub (except perhaps having a name that sounds like more like a progressive folk band than the ship or insect it’s presumably named after). But I urge you to take a look inside because when I did, I liked it.

I imagine this was your average Moby Dick style tavern in its early days and the front bar is, again, small and dark in keeping with that. However, the Gipsy Moth has been extended out to a large seating area, with a much more open feel, that backs onto the twinkly beer garden. The art deco design, including teal stone chandeliers, is perhaps a little pretentious but it works, as the low lighting gives it a dingy edge that rescues it from being too clean cut.

The house specialty is cider and there’s a long list to choose from, including organic cider on tap. They also have Wheat Beer and Peroni on tap, with a few football lagers to cater for all tastes. The menu plays it fairly safe so most things come with chips, but there are a few more daring options such as duck quesadillas and lentil & spinach burgers. I went for the latter and was pleasantly surprised to find that it tasted of lentils and spinach – being vegetarian makes me a somewhat unwilling connoisseur of spinach and you would be surprised how rare this is. The burger was a bit of a beast so having soldiered through it I was too full for the puddings, but I did have a peek at the next table’s and it looked damn good.

Best of all, the bloke serving was very friendly and even indulged us with a bit of table service. It was really busy for a Monday (mostly couples, one arguing, which was very amusing) but the couple of guys on duty took it all in their stride and no one was neglected. The Gipsy Moth strikes the right balance between quality and casual and I would definitely go there again.

Man Stabbed To Death in Greenwich Church Street

A man in his 20s has died after a stabbing in Greenwich Church Street in the early hours of Sunday morning. Police were called to the scene of an incident at just gone 2am where they found a critically injured man. He was taken to hospital but sadly died later from his knife wounds.

A suspect – described as mixed race and about 5ft10 – was seen running down St Alfege Passage towards Roan Street.

Update: The victim of this crime has been named as 25 year old Paul Martin from Blackheath.

Update: Police have arrested two 27 year old men in connection with this incident.

Update 02/04/09: 27 year old Michael Bowden from Bermondsey has been charged with Paul’s murder and put on remand by Greenwich Magistrates.

Daily Photo 31/01/09: Greenwich Church Street

The Greenwich Boutique Launches

Last Wednesday’s Late Night Shopping Event also saw the launch of The Greenwich Boutique in Greenwich Church Street.

This high end ladies’ fashion store is the show case of fashion designer Schola Titus and her label Coco Seamstress. Schola has been backed by the London Youth Support Trust (LYST),  which is a charity dedicated to helping young entrepreneurs.

Coco Seamstress specialises in “beautiful, well made garments” that take their inspiration from fashion icons of the ’50s.  Also in the shop you will find clothes and jewellery from other LYST supported fashion brands such as Fingerprints, Chelline International Fashions and Design 237.

The Greenwich Boutique is open now at 44 Greenwich Church Street.

From Left to Right: Schola Titus, Tabitha Fyffe from Fingerprints, Michelle Nomwa from Chelline Intl Fashions