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Speed limit to be cut in Greenwich Park

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Plans to cut the speed of driving in Greenwich Park have been announced by Margaret Hodge, the Minister for Culture and Tourism.

The speed limit in the park will be reduced from 30mph to 20mph.  The change came as part of a package of regulation changes throughout the Royal Parks which were subject to a public consultation last year.

The new regulations will also allow Private Hire Vehicles into the park for the first time, and also bring parking charges, which have been frozen since 2004, and penalties for non payment into line with Greenwich Council car parks.

Subject to parliamentary approval, the changes are expected to come into force in Spring 2010.

19th century law will ‘scupper LOCOG’s plans’, says NOGOE

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London 2012 plans to use land at Blackheath as part of their planning application are unlawful and Greenwich Council do not have the power to even “entertain” the proposal, a local pressure group has claimed.

London 2012 submitted their planning application to Greenwich Council in December and it contained proposals to make use of the Circus Field at Blackheath with a fenced compound to house canteens, horse boxes, stables and training areas. But NOGOE (No to Greenwich Olympic Equestrian Events) claim that two laws dating back to the 19th century will make this impossible.

A retired solicitor, Lionel Lewis, and local historial, Neil Rhind, have carried out research into whether use of the land would be permssable, and claim that enclosure of the land is prohibited generally, and those managing the Heath only have the power to install an enclosure for the “shortest period of time for the purpose only of repair of the grasses”.

The two laws they say will ‘scupper LOCOG’s plans’ are the Metropolitan Commons Act 1866 and the Supplemental Act for Blackheath of 1871

The Metropolitan Commons Act 1866 states:

The Commissioners shall not entertain an application for the inclosure of a metropolitan common under the control and management of a London borough council, or any part thereof; . . . and notwithstanding any proceedings taken under any Act other than this Act, or any provisional order of the Commissioners made but not already confirmed by Act of Parliament, proceedings may be taken under this Act in relation to any metropolitan common.”

Blackheath was then designated as a “metropolitan common” in the Supplemental Act for Blackheath of 1871.

NOGOE’s Coordinator, John Hine commented:

“We are most impressed with the careful research that has been carried out by Lionel and Neil. They have developed what seems to be an unarguable case, which we expect the Council to endorse. We always said that Greenwich Park was too small and since LOCOG are unable to use Circus Field, it should do the decent thing and take the events to a venue which does have the space, but not the fantastic heritage that they wish to destroy at Greenwich.”

A spokesperson for LOCOG told Greenwich.co.uk

“We disagree with what NOGOE/Lionel Lewis says about the use of Blackheath. The legal provisions that NOGOE has pointed to have nothing to do with Greenwich Council’s ability to consider our planning
application. Greenwich Council has confirmed that it will be considering our planning application in the normal way

We will of course be seeking any necessary consent for the use of the land in due course.

We have gone into a huge amount of detail about in our planning application about all our proposals, and we would not have submitted this if we believed it was not legally sound

We have confirmed that Greenwich Park will not be closed for more than four weeks at Games time and that we will return Greenwich Park to The Royal Parks in the state in which we received it. The use of Blackheath is nothing to do with the claim that Greenwich Park is too small, it is all about operational use and causing less disruption to the Park itself.”

Reclaim your stolen jewellery at Precious Items Fair

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The Metropolitan Police is holding a Precious Items Fair this Saturday to reunite local victims of robbery with their stolen jewellery.

The jewellery was all stolen from addresses in SE3 in a string of burglaries between January and September 2008.

Police say that the recovered items range from Tiffany necklaces, to broaches, bracelets, earrings, expensive pens and even include a trombone.

The items will be on display at the fair which is being held in the church hall of St Michaels’s and All Angels this coming Saturday (16th) between 1-6pm.

An officer from the Blackheath Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: “We are looking for people who live specifically in the SE3 area and that have been burgled between May and September 2008. Some of the items we have recovered are very unique and we would be delighted to give them back to their original owners.

“We know that some of those are very expensive but we are also aware that some of them might have high sentimental value. We would strongly encourage locals who have been burgled to attend the fair.”

NOGOE to hold public meeting

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NOGOE – the local pressure group against the use of Greenwich Park for the equestrian events of 2012 – are to hold a public meeting this weekend.

The meeting will be an “open discussion” and you are invited to go along and “have you say”. NOGOE say that the meeting will be “the one that LOCOG never held”.

Local councillors and planning officers have been invited to the meeting which will take place at the John Roan School (Maze Hill site) on Sunday (17th) afternoon from 2pm to 4pm.  The phone number for any enquiries about attending is  020 8853 2567.

Greenwich Market under new management

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Greenwich Market

A new management team has been put in charge of running historic Greenwich Market.

Control of the market has been brought in-house by Greenwich Hospital, the naval charity that owns the site and surrounding shops. The market had previously been run by Urban Space Management, who took over the running of it in 1997.

Martin Sands, Director of Greenwich Hospital commented: “We are looking forward to working with all market stall holders to make Greenwich Market an even better place to visit. We are excited about the opportunities that this change in management will bring, and anticipate the stalls and surrounding shops working even more closely together to create a vibrant and genuinely unique retail destination.”

Opening hours will remain unchanged, although the new management team are looking at ideas for using the market space on Mondays and Tuesdays, when market traders aren’t currently operating, to “complement the permanent shops”.

In August last year, Greenwich Hospital’s regeneration proposals were unanimously rejected by the Council’s planning board, although local MP, Nick Raynsford, told Greenwich.co.uk in December that he believed that the development would go ahead, and that Greenwich Hospital had “a very good chance of success” if they chose to appeal.

Travel misery for Greenwich train users

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Greenwich passengers face a nightmare journey home today after Southeastern put together a revised timetable in order to cope with the snowfall and freezing temperatures.

A statement on the company website says:

“Freezing temperatures, snow and ice have been forecast over the next few days. To ensure we’re able to run the best service possible in these weather conditions a revised Metro and Mainline timetable will be in place from Wednesday 6 January 2010.”

Tonight’s final Southeastern service out of Cannon Street to Dartford, calling at Greenwich, Maze Hill, Westcombe Park and Charlton will depart at 19:47.

The news has angered many passengers, especially as the snow on the ground is not yet as bad as has been predicted.

Updated 21.16

Local MP, Nick Raynsford, described the Southeastern’s train services as the “weakest link” in the local transport network and accused railway bosses of failing to learn the lessons of last February’s snow.

In a letter to Charles Horton, the Managing Director of Southeastern Trains, Raynsford writes:

“This morning there were no problems with buses running through Greenwich & Woolwich; the DLR was running without delays and the Jubilee line through North Greenwich was running without incident. I understand from TFL that de-icing trains were run on overground tube lines to lessen the impact of the weather on the underground network.

You will, therefore, understand my dismay at hearing that trains run by Southeastern through the borough on Metro services were at a frequency of two per hour during rush hour despite the relatively light snow fall in South East London on the night of the 5th January. I am also quite taken aback to hear from Mike Gibson at Southeastern that the last train to Greenwich tonight will depart at 19.51.

Given that other forms of transport were running without problems it is unfortunate that overground rail services were the weak link in the network. Following the disruption from the snow last February I would have hoped that appropriate contingency plans would be in place to deal with snowfall to keep the network running. Given that the cold snap is forecast to continue for some time I hope that Southeastern will put a plan into place to keep the network running throughout the winter.”

Greenwich Becomes Royal Borough

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The London Borough of Greenwich will join an elite group of “Royal Boroughs” as part of HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, it has been announced.

The Queen’s gracious decision to bestow this rare honour on Greenwich was announced today by Lord Mandelson in the House of Lords. It will come into effect from 2012 – the year that marks Elizabeth II’s 60th year as Queen.

At present, the only other Royal Boroughs are  Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston, and Windsor and Maidenhead. Royal Borough status is awarded only to boroughs that have a long association with the monarchy.

Greenwich Council leader, Chris Roberts, was at the House of Lords today to hear the announcement and commented afterwards:

“The residents, businesses and the millions of visitors to Greenwich will share in our delight at this wonderful news. Greenwich has always taken tremendous pride in the borough’s long history of royal connections with Greenwich, Woolwich and Eltham dating back almost 600 years and which continue so strongly right up to the present day.

“I would like to thank everyone who has backed the borough to receive this honour over many years – especially our many partners in the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. In particular, I would like to personally thank Lord Sterling, Chairman of Trustees at the National Maritime Museum, who has been instrumental in promoting this honour for Greenwich and in ensuring the borough’s many treasures are promoted and recognised by all.”

Councillor Nigel Fletcher, Opposition Spokesman for Culture on Greenwich Council, responded to the news by saying:

“This is wonderful news, and a huge tribute to our great Borough and the importance of its heritage. As the birthplace of Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I and with so many other Royal links, it is truly appropriate that we should be given this honour by The Queen, who amongst her many titles is also Lady Greenwich.

“We have repeatedly campaigned for our heritage and Royal connections to be more properly celebrated by the Council, and I have often said that Royal Borough status would be fitting. I am delighted that it will now happen in 2012, when the eyes of the world will be on us for the Olympics.”

Greenwich and Woolwich MP, Nick Raynsford commented:

‘This is fantastic news for Greenwich and a well-merited recognition of the Borough’s substantial long-standing royal connections. King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I were both born in Greenwich which was home to the principal Royal palace of the time. The royal connection continued into the Stuart era when Queen Anne of Denmark, the wife of James I, commissioned the Queen’s House, the first true Renaissance building in England, and King Charles II began the construction of what is now the old Royal Naval College, one of Britain’s finest Baroque masterpieces. The Queen’s House has since become part of the National Maritime Museum, which enjoys the patronage of the Duke of Edinburgh along with the Cutty Sark.

HRH Queen Elizabeth II herself opened the new Planetarium and our present monarch has remained a regular visitor to the Borough. I am particularly delighted that Greenwich’s royal title will come into effect in 2012, which coincides with the world-focus on the Borough with its hosting of 2012 Olympic events including the equestrian events and modern pentathlon in Greenwich Park, basketball and gymnastics in the O2, and shooting and paralympic archery at the historic Royal Artillery Barracks’.

Lord Mandelson also announced today that there will be an extra public holiday in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Host homes needed for international volunteers

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The British Council and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) are seeking host homes for international volunteers coming to London this Summer.

24 volunteers (aged 18-25) from Yemen, Morocco, Bosinia, Netherlands, Egypt and the UK will be arriving in Southwark to spend over 6000 hours engaged in voluntary work on local community projects for 10 weeks, and the organisers are looking for people who can accommodate them anywhere within a one hour commuting time.

Hosts are asked to take in a pair of volunteers (either two male or two female), and will be given a weekly food allowance of £100 per pair.The pair (2 male or 2 female) are willing to share a room: 2 beds, 1 double bed, bunk beds or mattresses on the floor are all fine!

For more information, contact the Project Supervisor, Geors Richards, on 07785741395 or by emailing georgina.richards@vso.org.uk

Greenwich Council Meeting 16/12/09: Roadworks, Foot Tunnel, John Roan School & Charlton Lido

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Greenwich Council has said it wants to join a scheme which will enable it to co-ordinate roadworks in the borough, after a year which has seen serious disruption on Greenwich roads.

Works by Southern Gas Networks and Thames Water have caused traffic to grind to a halt through Greenwich town centre, while Charlton and Blackheath have also been seriously affected by a water main replacement programme.

The issue was highlighted by greenwich.co.uk’s Andrew Gilligan in November after it emerged the council had not joined a Transport for London scheme, under which utilities have to get permits from local authorities before they dig up roads.

Deputy leader Peter Brooks told last night’s Greenwich Council meeting he wanted the borough to join the programme.

In a written answer to Liberal Democrat councillor Brian Woodcraft, who asked why Greenwich was not part of the scheme, he said: “I am very keen for Greenwich to participate in this scheme, and I hope the trial will be expanded for us to be able to do so very soon.”

However, he not answer why the council had not joined the scheme, and Cllr Woodcraft did not press him on the issue.

Lewisham and Bromley councils are involved in the TfL programme, which is due to come into force next year.

Greenwich Foot Tunnel

A petition signed by 1,000 users of Greenwich foot tunnel demanding that closures be kept to a minimum when it is refurbished was presented to the council by Liberal Democrat member Paul Webbewood.

The river crossing, together with its sister tunnel at Woolwich, is due to be refurbished by 2012, with regular users fearing lengthy closures.

Council leader Chris Roberts told the meeting a contractor had been appointed to carry out the works.

“We’re discussing what work needs to be done and what the hours will be,” he said.

“Then we can advise residents and businesses on arrangements for both tunnels.”

John Roan School

Greenwich Council confirmed it would respect John Roan School governors’ decision not to move to a new site on Greenwich Peninsula.

Blackheath Westcombe Conservative councillor Alex Wilson asked if a timetable had been set out for works to improve John Roan’s existing sites on Maze Hill and Westcombe Park Road.

But children’s services cabinet member Jackie Smith said the proposals were still in the “developmental stage”.

“It is too early to be definitive about completion dates, but will will want to ensure that the project is progressed as quickly as practicable.”

Charlton Lido

Conservative leader Spencer Drury criticised the council for not giving an update on works at Charlton Lido, which is being converted into a diving centre.

Earlier this year his party colleague, Kidbrooke with Hornfair councillor Graeme Coombes, presented a 222-strong petitioning demanding the reopening of the lido for the summer season.

It had been closed in anticipation of leasing the lido out to private firm Open Waters Investments, which is due to re-open the pool by summer 2012.

But the lease was not signed until 14 August, leaving the lido empty for the summer.

Responding to the petition, the council said it would have taken leisure operator GLL two weeks to mobilise its staff, and that opening hours at another centre would have to be cut to staff Charlton Lido.

Cllr Drury called the reply “disappointing”. “I hoped there would have been an update on whether work has started,” he told the meeting.

But Olympics and culture cabinet member John Fahy said he saw no reason to doubt that the revamped lido would open on time.

New Trees in Greenwich

If you think your street would benefit from having some new trees, then Greenwich Council wants to hear from you.

The council is spending £4.8m on planting 2,012 trees in the borough to mark the Olympics, with planting due to take place next winter.

In response to a public question from the Greenwich Environment Forum’s Anna Townend, Olympics and culture cabinet member John Fahy told the meeting the council was looking for places to put the trees in.

“We’ve been consulting with residents for a number of weeks, particularly at our Great Get-Together events,” he said.

Cllr Fahy added that he did not think that a new woodland would be created with the trees.

Council consults on Greenwich pedestrianisation proposals

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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.