What's next at Cobb's Corner?
Many members have been appalled by the roundabout fiasco. So the Sydenham Society has made many representations to Lewisham Council since October 2003. Before the Pedestrian Accident Reduction Scheme began, and throughout the works, we have protested about what we consider to be poor design, lack of proper consultation and general bad management of the contract. The finished roundabout is unacceptable both in design and execution, and is an unwelcoming gateway to all who come into the borough of Lewisham by way of Sydenham Town.
Unsatisfactory responses
We have had totally unsatisfactory responses from those at Lewisham who are responsible for the apologetic industrial-style mess that now sits astride Kirkdale and we have made a formal complaint on behalf of our members to the Local Government Ombudsman. The results of the investigations by the ombudsman will be reported in due course. The Sydenham Society is not alone in making complaints. John Fried, from Woodfalls the opticians, has also taken a complaint to the ombudsman and we know that Jim Dowd MP, and our local councillors have been expressing their anger at all levels within Lewisham Town Hall.
The very least we can expect is that we, the residents, get an apology from those who have so high-handedly thrust this road scheme upon us. But we can also expect that they look again at the entire area around Kirkdale. The pavings, finishes and the general clutter of railings and bollards need to be examined with a professional eye and a view to good urban design. At present pedestrians are herded around this area and the car has been given priority, without any indication that the road layout is any safer than the one that preceded it.
Lack of consultation
The Sydenham Society, which was not consulted on the failed scheme, has a number of ideas, which we believe would help regenerate the whole area from Cobbs Corner to Station Approach. We have given our scheme the generic name Sydenham Gateway and it has been presented to the council. It would not only provide a far more pedestrian-friendly foot flow throughout this area but would also provide public open spaces for residents to enjoy. Key to the scheme are ambitious ideas for a new station and transport interchange, which we think are achievable over the long-term. We will report our ideas fully in the next newsletter.
We would expect that when Lewisham Council revisits its failed Pedestrian Accident Reduction (PAR) scheme, as it surely must, it consults properly with us and incorporates some of our ideas for pedestrian improvements.
Safety nightmare
Finally, as a footnote to the above - the latest nightmare of the council's PAR scheme (a misnomer if there ever was one) is the zebra crossing on the brow of the bridge. Concerns about the safety of this crossing have been voiced over the past couple of months. Are the bridge and the opening wide enough to cope with up to 200 people leaving the station at the height of the evening rush hour? Even before the safety of the crossing was put to the test, it was obvious that there was going to be a problem with sightlines, particularly for traffic coming up the hill from Sydenham. Some drivers, even locals, were halfway across the zebra before they realised it was there. The council has installed extra lighting but this does not resolve the situation, which occurs just as frequently during daylight hours.
Crossing Closed
As we go to press, the crossing has been closed until Lewisham Highways and the Traffic Police at Catford have carried out a Site Safety Audit. It will not be re-opened until a decision has been made on its safety, whether it needs modifications or should even be relocated altogether.
Autumn 2004
Unsatisfactory responses
We have had totally unsatisfactory responses from those at Lewisham who are responsible for the apologetic industrial-style mess that now sits astride Kirkdale and we have made a formal complaint on behalf of our members to the Local Government Ombudsman. The results of the investigations by the ombudsman will be reported in due course. The Sydenham Society is not alone in making complaints. John Fried, from Woodfalls the opticians, has also taken a complaint to the ombudsman and we know that Jim Dowd MP, and our local councillors have been expressing their anger at all levels within Lewisham Town Hall.
The very least we can expect is that we, the residents, get an apology from those who have so high-handedly thrust this road scheme upon us. But we can also expect that they look again at the entire area around Kirkdale. The pavings, finishes and the general clutter of railings and bollards need to be examined with a professional eye and a view to good urban design. At present pedestrians are herded around this area and the car has been given priority, without any indication that the road layout is any safer than the one that preceded it.
Lack of consultation
The Sydenham Society, which was not consulted on the failed scheme, has a number of ideas, which we believe would help regenerate the whole area from Cobbs Corner to Station Approach. We have given our scheme the generic name Sydenham Gateway and it has been presented to the council. It would not only provide a far more pedestrian-friendly foot flow throughout this area but would also provide public open spaces for residents to enjoy. Key to the scheme are ambitious ideas for a new station and transport interchange, which we think are achievable over the long-term. We will report our ideas fully in the next newsletter.
We would expect that when Lewisham Council revisits its failed Pedestrian Accident Reduction (PAR) scheme, as it surely must, it consults properly with us and incorporates some of our ideas for pedestrian improvements.
Safety nightmare
Finally, as a footnote to the above - the latest nightmare of the council's PAR scheme (a misnomer if there ever was one) is the zebra crossing on the brow of the bridge. Concerns about the safety of this crossing have been voiced over the past couple of months. Are the bridge and the opening wide enough to cope with up to 200 people leaving the station at the height of the evening rush hour? Even before the safety of the crossing was put to the test, it was obvious that there was going to be a problem with sightlines, particularly for traffic coming up the hill from Sydenham. Some drivers, even locals, were halfway across the zebra before they realised it was there. The council has installed extra lighting but this does not resolve the situation, which occurs just as frequently during daylight hours.
Crossing Closed
As we go to press, the crossing has been closed until Lewisham Highways and the Traffic Police at Catford have carried out a Site Safety Audit. It will not be re-opened until a decision has been made on its safety, whether it needs modifications or should even be relocated altogether.
Autumn 2004
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