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Greenwich news and information

Cutty Sark Gardens revamp gets go-ahead

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Greenwich councillors have approved plans to give Cutty Sark Gardens a makeover.

The designs from Dutch firm, OKRA, include  6,540  sq m of new stone covering, less steps to make it more pedestrian friendly, and an interactive “wet floor” feature designed to mirror the tide of the River Thames.

Five new green planting area will be established and there will be a clear route for cyclists.

The plans came in for sharp criticism from World Heritage Site Executive. They said the “soft landscaping” was at odds with their preferred “dockside” character and criticised the “flower beds” and “pond” for having no relationship with the river and its industrial setting.

The Planning Board gave their unanimous support to the new designs at a meeting on Thursday night at Woolwich Town Hall.  The project is expected to be completed in time for London 2012 but a programme of archaeological work must take place on the site before the redevelopment can begin.

Darryl from 853 posted photos this week showing latest illustrations of how the restored Cutty Sark will look.

Murray to face Nadal in tennis semi finals

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Andy Murray will  play world number one, Rafael Nadal, at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 arena in North Greenwich this afternoon.

Nadal secured top position in Group A after beating Wimbledon finalist, Tomas Berdych, in an impressive straight sets win yesterday afternoon.

Murray and Nadal have already met three times this year with the Scot winning two of those encounters – notably both times they played on a hard surface.

The second semi final will take place tonight between Group B winner, Roger Federer, and Group A runner-up, Novak Djokovic.

The winners of the semi finals will play on Sunday, when the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals 2010 Champion will be crowned.

Find tickets for ATP World Tour Finals at the O2

Daily Photo: 26/11/2010 – Christmas arrives at Greenwich Market

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Father Christmas was the star guest at Wednesday afternoon’s Christmas “Light’s On” event at Greenwich Market. Kids from local schools took part in a lantern parade followed by Christmas carols in the covered market. Here’s a selection of official photographs from the event.

Something, or someone, seems to have caught Santa’s eye in this. Feel free to volunteer your own captions!

Edward Hill comments on CPS decision to drop prosecution

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The protestor who had charges against him for damaging London 2012 course markers in Greenwich Park abandoned has claimed a “moral victory”.

Prosecutors dropped their case against Edward Hill last Friday. They had previously described him as “anti-Olympics” – a tag he is keen to reject in a written response provided to Greenwich.co.uk.

Mr Hill says his actions were intended to prevent “further damage to Greenwich Park” and he calls for the equestrian events to be moved to Windsor.

Edward Hill’s full response to the CPS’s decision

With regard to the statement of the Crown Prosecution Service that my actions were ‘anti-Olympics’, I wish to make clear that I in fact share the educational and health ideals of the Olympic Charter. My actions were not in any sense generally ‘anti-Olympics’, but were solely aimed at preventing further damage to Greenwich Park from the works that are taking place due to the decision to hold the Olympic Equestrian Event there.

After 35 years living and working locally, and as a previous Artist in Residence for Greenwich Park, I probably know it as well as anyone. I have studied its archaeology and history, enjoyed its landscape and tried professionally to visualize its future.

I certainly see the dropping of the charges against me as a moral victory for common sense, and it may even be a sign of the authorities’ anxiety about the evidence which could have been stirred up by a court case.

Ever since it was first proposed that Greenwich Park should host the Olympics Equestrian Event, very many people have pointed out that Windsor has always been a better choice in every way. Windsor is iconic, it is an established site for equestrian events, it is easier for security, it is accessible, it is a 2012 Olympic Borough and was used in 1948 for an Olympic event which had to be moved, it has plenty of accommodation and other facilities, it is cheaper to build, and a legacy could be left.

Most importantly, the local community in Windsor would welcome the event. This change of venue should now take place, in the same way as when the Montreal Olympic Equestrian Event was moved to another venue at a similar stage of preparations, when it became apparent that it was the right thing to do.


Thanks to Peter Grahame Woolf for sending me this photo showing one of the course markers in Greenwich Park.

Daily Photo: 24/11/2010 – Gridlock

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A lorry accident in the Blackwall Tunnel this morning caused huge queues on the A102 with the gridlock spreading to other roads nearby. Fergal Spelman kindly sent me these photos he took of the traffic at a standstill.

Daily Photo: 23/11/2010 – Tennis at the O2

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ATP World Tour Finals

It was day three of the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 today and I went along to see Andy Murray go up against Roger Federer. Notionally, Andy Murray was the home favourite but I’m pretty sure that it was Roger who got the loudest cheers from the near capacity crowd. Spectators, myself included, who expected a close match following Murray’s defeat of Federer at last month’s Shanghai Masters were left disappointed by a pretty one sided match, with the Swiss Maestro winning 6-4 6-2.

If you haven’t been to see the tennis at the O2 yet, it has a great atmosphere – players entering the arena to the sound of “London Calling” by the Clash and the heart thumping sound effect culminating in a chorus of “ooohs” as ‘Hawkeye’ decisions are revealed on the big screens both add to the excitement.

The tournament ends this Sunday so there’s still time to get yourself a ticket – and even non ticket holders can go and check out the “Fan Zone” at the end of the O2’s Entertainment Avenue which includes the players’ practice courts.

ATP World Tour Finals

“First anti-Olympics case” dropped by CPS

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The Crown Prosecution Service has abandoned its case against a protestor alleged  to have damaged course markers for the London 2012 equestrian events in Greenwich Park.

Edward Hill, 62, was accused of causing criminal damage to the white feather markers in Greenwich Park with a kitchen knife.

He pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Woolwich Magistrates Court last month and opted to be tried by jury at Crown Court. Dave Townsend, for the Prosecution had told magistrates: “This is our first anti-Olympics case.”

Prosecutors have now decided not to go ahead with the trial. A CPS London spokesperson said:

“During the life of a case the Crown Prosecution Service has a duty to keep cases under regular review.

“At a very early stage in the proceedings a review of this case concluded that it was not in the public interest to pursue a prosecution through the court as punishment in the form of a caution would be a suitable alternative.

“As such the case has been discontinued.”

Fire Brigade called to Greenwich High Road blaze

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The Fire Brigade attended a blaze in Greenwich High Road last Thursday (18th) afternoon.

Four fire engines and 20 firefighters from Greenwich, Lee Green, New Cross and Lewisham stations were called out to the fire in a shop unit near to the junction with Blackheath Road.

The London Fire Brigade were alerted to the incident at 4.38pm and had the fire under control an hour later. Part of the building’s first floor was damaged by the blaze.

Darryl from 853 blog was passing and took this picture. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Cllr Matthew Pennycook on last night’s meeting to discuss traffic & pedestrianisation proposals

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The following article was posted by Cllr Matthew Pennycook on the Greenwich West Labour website and he has kindly allowed me to reproduce it here.

Last night West Greenwich residents held a meeting in the Prince of Greenwich public house to discuss traffic-calming measures and the Greenwich Town Centre (GTC) pedestrianisation proposals that will come before the Council’s Cabinet in the New Year. As local Councillors we were invited to come along to speak at the meeting.

Residents raised a variety of questions about traffic-calming measures that could be introduced to deal with the problems that already face residents in the West Greenwich Conservation Area. The potential impact of the GTC pedestrianisation proposals on nearby residential streets was also discussed.

As local representatives we apologised for any confusion that had arisen out of a small meeting Council officers held with key stakeholders and Resident Association representatives on 28th October. Local Councillors could not attend the meeting due to prior commitments. It was designed primarily as an opening discussion of plans to address the serious issues of rat-running which residents have raised with us and officials over many months. However, during the meeting residents were told by Council officers that a firm date and decision-making body for the proposals had been agreed upon. This was incorrect and as local Councillors we have taken firm action through the Council Chief Executive to ensure that a similar situation does not happen again.

During the meeting we made clear that there have been two public consultations on the GTC pedestrianisation proposals (Dec-Jan 2009/10 and July 2010) both of which were advertised in the Council’s freesheet Greenwich Time and on the Council website (a copy of the Council’s advertisement and questionnaire can be found to the right hand side of this page). The Council also held an exhibition in Devonport House where residents could question Council officers on any aspect of the proposed scheme.

In addition we explained how as local Councillors we had fought for an extension of the consultation period after July 2010 in an effort to get further feedback from residents. During this period we personally hand-delivered a non-political leaflet on the proposals to every household in the Ward. This leaflet contained our contact details and a freepost tear off slip so that residents could easily let us know their views or get in touch with further questions. From this additional round of consultation we received 30-40 responses from residents across the Ward including those on Crooms Hill, Prior Street, Circus Street, Gloucester Circus, Royal Hill and many more.

We reiterated that the Council is wholly persuaded of the case to address traffic problems in the West Greenwich Conservation Area and made clear our intention to implement an appropriate scheme in full consultation with local residents irrespective of whether any scheme of pedestrianisation proceeds or not.

Council officers in attendance explained that traffic modelling data made available on the 28th is part of an iterative process and information on the potential impact of the partial pedestrianisation on traffic in nearby residential streets will continue to be utilised as the details of the scheme evolve in our discussions with local residents and businesses. They also informed residents that the Council is continuing to work with Transport for London who have been engaged at each stage in order to ensure the arrangements for bus routes (including stops) are properly assessed.

We were at pains to clarify that no timetable for a decision on the partial pedestrianisation scheme has been set, not least because Council officers continue to work through the traffic implications of such a scheme and to consult with those businesses and residents who would still require some vehicular access to pedestrianised streets under the proposals.

A decision on the pedestrianisation proposals will be taken in due course by the Council’s Cabinet. This will be a public meeting at which members of the public will, subject to appropriate time constraints, be welcome to speak and make representations. We assured residents who attended that full information on the traffic impact of the pedestriansation proposals and changes to bus routes and stops will be made available to the public for informed input into the decision-making process and to Cabinet members to make their decision in due course.

We will ensure that residents know the date and time of this meeting. If you wish to be kept informed please email matthew.pennycook@greenwich.gov.uk