Public meeting tomorrow night – Bromley Trading Standards Talk and Town Centre Improvement Update – 8pm Weds 29 March 2017, Beckenham Public Halls

Review of a Premises Licence Notice – 210 High Street, Beckenham

The premise opened last December as ’Two-Ten’ opened last December at 210 High Street is described as a restaurant and ‘hookah lounge’. We have been made aware of complaints from residents and businesses nearby regarding excessive noise late at night and have been in contact with our Councillors. The Council are currently reviewing the license.

Some residents are frustrated by what appears to be a lack of action by the Council as this issue has been going on for many months. However the Council have assured that they are actively dealing with the issue and that enforcement and legal action can take time as evidence has to be gathered.

As part of the review an unannounced visit was made to 210 High St Beckenham by uniformed police officers and a number of council officers. The purpose was to ascertain if the business was complying with the licence conditions, noise abatement notice and smoking related requirements. A number of issues were identified;

A breach of the noise abatement notice.
Offences relating to smoking legislation.
Breaches of the licence conditions were found.

These breaches will form part of the licence review due to be heard on 26 April 2017.

Local people can comment on this review in writing/email (Steve.phillips@bromley.gov.uk) no later than 3rd April 2017. Further information can be found online at:

www.bromley.gov.uk/downloads/file/2840/review_of_licence__two_ten_ltd_210_high_street_beckenham_br3_1en

Conway’s Update on Beckenham Improvement Works – 26 Mar 2017

The Beckenham Improvements Works first week concluded . The first week of an initiative to improve Beckenham High Street has successfully been completed. The scheme is designed to make the town more attractive to visitors and shoppers by day and night. A major objective is to support existing businesses and encourage new businesses to invest in the town centre.

The High Street investment improvements will create a more attractive and safer pedestrian environment. Improvements will include:

New paving and road surfacing
Improved and attractive lighting
Improved road crossings and bus waiting facilities
Better facilities for cyclists
Improved amenity spaces including Beckenham Green

Much planning and consultation has been carried out since the scheme was proposed in 2012. The cooperation and input of the Beckenham Business Association, Copers Cope Resident Association and West Beckenham Residents Association is gratefully acknowledged, with their input key in shaping the nature of the scheme.

Businesses and interested residents who want to follow the progress of the work over the next 18 months can sign up for the regular updates that will be sent. Visit here to do this.

Beckenham is most definitely open for business and the Council’s contractor, Conway, will be liaising directly with local businesses when work is being carried out directly outside a retail business so that the exact nature of the work is understood. At all times, Conway will seek to minimise disruption with traffic arrangements throughout the work specifically designed to ensure that the town can continue to be accessed and visited.

First week update report

Work has proceeded in line with expectations, with work continuing to be finished at the Beckenham Junction and the traffic management measures installed and working reasonably well.

The Council has been monitoring traffic conditions to make sure that vehicles can access the town centre and as part of this, traffic engineers are currently examining whether further measures can be taken to minimise congestion and potential ‘rat running’. Specifically, reports about HGVs using The Drive are being investigated and the potential to rephase the traffic lights at Beckenham Junction are being examined following some reports of traffic queuing, affecting bus journeys and other motorists.

Work for the week ahead

Work on the raised footway between Coppers Restaurant and Spa will be completed by Monday of this week and the steps will be opened up. Excavation work will then take place at the corner of Bromley Rd with High Street by Nat West. Customers requiring the ATM will have to access this via the steps on the lower section of the High Street. .Additional work will be taking place at the junction of Albemarle Rd on the forecourt to Kinleigh estate agents.

Work on the Thai Restaurant Corner and around into Rectory Rd will be completed towards the end of the week, with all barriers then removed, bringing the approach to the traffic lights back to two lane traffic.

Work on the Church Green side of the High Street continues with kerbing being laid and some paving and therefore barriers will remain in place.

Traffic Diversions and Bus Diversions are now in place

Inevitably, traffic management will alter slightly as the scheme progresses, with the objective to minimise inconvenience. Current arrangements are outlined on the Council’s website including information about bus routes and a link to TfL’s website.

Thank you for your understanding and support

This is an exciting time for the town as work gets underway and although every effort will be made to minimise disruption, some disruption at times will be inevitable and your understanding and support is appreciated in advance. If further specific information is needed or it appears that there is an unforeseen problem when the work is underway, Conway’s Helen McConnell can be contacted, for help and advice. Helen, the Liaison Officer is the scheme contact for businesses and residents. Helen can be contacted on Mobile Tel 07917 518 529 or email Beckenham@fmconway.co.uk if needed.

Bromley Council Tax 2017-18 increase

Bromley Council have set their budget for 2017-18 and this includes Council Tax increases of 1.99% as well as a two per cent hike in the adult social care precept. However the Council have said that there will be no further cuts to services.

Bromley Times reports that Council leader Cllr Stephen Carr said: “There have been no new cuts in services this year due to our careful handling of the budgets over the past few years, coupled with our robust approach to ensuring services are delivered effectively and efficiently by those best placed to provide them.

“We have, however, had to increase council tax to help balance the budget. In addition a government precept of two per cent is included to help mitigate the impact of the growth in demand for adult social care as our population ages – a particular issue in Bromley which has a larger than average older population.”

The attached document was given to Residents Associations at a Council Meeting late last year and provides further information about the 2017-18 Budget Strategy including graphs which show how little funding Bromley receives from Central Government in comparison to other boroughs.

2017-18 Bromley Budget

Beckenham Junction Works Update and upcoming Bus Diversions

Works at Beckenham Junction are due to finish tomorrow Sunday 12 March 2017. Work will then start on Phases’ 1 and 2 of the Town Centre Improvement Project. This will run from Beckenham Green to Thornton’s Corner, Phase 1 (13 March to 4 June) on the Beckenham Green side of the road and Phase 2 (5 June to 25 August) on the Marks and Spencer side of the road.

During this time the following diversions will be in place travelling South/West bound.

Route 54 towards Elmers End – from Southend Road’s junction with Rectory Road, turning right onto Rectory Road, then back to its normal line of route from the War Memorial.
Route 162 towards Eltham – from Rectory Road’s junction with Southend Road via Albemarle Road, St George’s Road and Bromley Road back to line of route.
Route 227 towards Crystal Palace – from Bromley Road’s Junction with Manor Road, travelling ahead on Manor Road, ahead again on High Street before joining its usual line of route.
Route 354 towards Penge – from Southend Road’s junction with Rectory Road, turning right onto Rectory Road, joining its normal line of route at the War Memorial.
Route 367 towards West Croydon Bus Station – from Bromley Road’s junction with Manor Road, ahead on Manor Road, ahead again on High Street then back to normal line of route.
Route N3.: towards Oxford Circus from Wickham Road’s junction with Manor Road, left onto Manor Road, ahead onto High Street then back to normal line of route.

Routes 194, 358 352 are unaffected.

Two temporary bus stops have been installed:

Rectory Road (opposite the tram stop), diverted buses will also use existing bus stop W near Vicarage Drive (used by route 352).
St George’s Road (stop Z, near Bromley Road) between March and mid-August 2017 for route 162 towards Eltham only.

Further information can be found on the TfL website, www.tfl.gov.uk/BusChanges

Bromley Trading Standards Talk, Town Centre Improvement Update and Copers Cope AGM – 8pm Weds 29 March 2017, Beckenham Public Halls

Our AGM and Public Meeting is at 8pm Wednesday 29^th March 2017, Beckenham Public Hall, Bromley Road, Beckenham and al open to all local people.

Our guest speaker is Robert Vale from the Bromley Trading Standards who will be presenting and taking questions on scams and doorstep crimes affecting the residents of Bromley Borough.

Update on the public realm improvement scheme for Beckenham.

SGCO Symphonic Greats– 7.45pm Sat 11 Mar 2017, St George’s Church

Mini Roundabout Work Copers Cope Rd due to start Mon 6 March 2017

Works are due to start at the Junction of Copers Cope and Bridge Roads to install a new mini roundabout, pedestrian refuges and associated signage and surfacing. Weather permitting the contractors will commence resurfacing this Monday 6^th March.

The work will necessitate the closing of Bridge Rd. for approximately 2 days and redirecting traffic.

Given the current road works at Beckenham Junction this will have a major impact on local traffic, particularly causing congestion in Southend Rd, Blakeney Rd and at Beckenham Junction.

Bromley Council confirm that traffic engineers will make sure that all necessary signage is in place and attempt to keep disruption to a minimum.

Beckenham Improvement Scheme – Open Day 20-21Jan 2016 – Speak to Bromley Council about the Scheme

SCAM Alert – Council call regarding overweight dustbins

Bromley Neighbourhood Watch advise residents be on guard against telephone calls claiming to come from the Council requesting payment of £25 for overweight dustbins. So far there have been no reports of this occurring in Bromley, however it has been happening in neighbour Borough Bexley.

Save Thameslink rail services from Beckenham Junction (and succeeding Kent House, Penge East, Sydenham Hill, West Dulwich stations)

Letter from the Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association to save Thameslink rail services from Beckenham Junction, Kent House, Penge and beyond.

To: Bob Stewart MP, Gareth Bacon (GLA Bexley and Bromley)

CC: Jim Dowd MP, Helen Hayes MP, Forence Eshalmo (GLA Lambeth and Southwark), Stephen Carr (Leader Bromley Council), local ward Councillors.

Dear Bob Stewart MP and Gareth Bacon (GLA)

You may be aware of the current consultation by Govia on its proposed changes to its timetable that will be operated by GTR in 2018 following the completion of the Thameslink Programme (see http://www.thameslinkrailway.com/your-journey/timetable-consultation).

The proposals cut out existing services from Beckenham Junction to St Pancras and beyond via the Thameslink Core (the 2 way track between Blackfriars and City Thameslink). This affects services from Beckenham Junction, Kent House, Penge East, Sydenham Hill and West Dulwich in the London Boroughs of Bromley and Southwark.

We are seeking your help in challenging these proposals to retain these very important rail services for Beckenham. I refer you to a petition of nearly 800 local people campaigning to ‘Save train services from Beckenham Junction/Kent House/Penge East to St Pancras and beyond’ (see: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-train-service-from-beckenham-junction-to-st). I expect this petition will grow significantly in the coming weeks as more commuters become aware their train service will cease.

As there is now a new Minister for Transport, new London Mayor and plans to bring some London metro rail services into TfL there is an opportunity to review rail services in the South East and the decision to remove Thameslink services from Beckenham.

Currently there are 6 services that run from Beckenham Junction through the Thameslink Core daily Monday to Friday:

· 4 morning services (leaving Beckenham at 07:14 7:44, 8:02, 08:41)

· 2 evening services (returning to Beckenham at 17:18 and 18:19)

The removal of these services is not part of this current consultation by Govia on their timetable. But please be aware that there is significant local opposition and many commuters have not yet been informed that their services are going to be removed by May 2018. These 6 weekday services are essential for local people and are relied upon. This is evident by how well they are used – almost all the seating taken when the train leaves Beckenham Junction in the morning.

Background

· Our Association first became aware of the proposed cessation of Thameslink services from Beckenham in May 2014 when the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) was franchise announced.

· Previously in the summer of 2012 the government held a consultation called “Consultation on the combined Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise”. As part of this seemingly franchise/contract related consultation the routes from South London through the Thameslink Core were discussed. Local rail users of this route were not proactively consulted and so they were not aware that only some of the services among those from Sutton, Wimbledon, Ashford via Maidstone East, Rochester, Sevenoaks, Orpington, Beckenham Junction and Kent House would proceed through the Thameslink Core to St Pancras and beyond. In other words, many were not aware this consultation would axe some services. It is documented in the proposal that Network Rail recommended rail services from Wimbledon Loop should terminate at Blackfriars and not go through the Core.

· Despite this recommendation by Network Rail a decision was made that trains from Wimbledon will go through the Core at the expense of those from Beckenham Junction, Kent House, Penge East, Sydenham Hill and West Dulwich. We understand that local government in Wimbledon were successful in lobbying for their services to go through the Core – Beckenham residents lost out.

· In Aug 2014 Govia confirmed that “The specification for the new Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise, drawn up by the Department for Transport following a public consultation, required us to operate Wimbledon Loop services through the Thameslink Core. This, combined with other destinations required to be served by Thameslink trains, meant it was not possible to plan for trains from Beckenham Junction to operate through the Thameslink Core post 2018.”

The Department of Transport is stopping Govia or any other train operator (like Southeastern) running trains from Beckenham Junction to St Pancras and beyond. Further there are no guarantees that services will be retained from Beckenham Junction terminating at Blackfriars (the station before the Thameslink Core).

It does not seem reasonable that Wimbledon is given all the Thameslink services whilst a critical rail service is completely removed from Beckenham Junction, Kent House, Penge East, Sydenham Hill and West Dulwich. Surely there is capacity for these stations to retain their 6 daily services Thameslink services?

I trust we can be assured your support in reaching out to the relevant decision makers (London Mayor, DfT, TfL, Govia, Network Rail, Southeastern etc). I have also forwarded this email to MP’s, GLA Member and Councillors that cover the other stations affected and hope they too will offer their support.

Festival of Lights – Beckenham Place Park – 1pm to 4.30 Sun 4 Dec 2016

Come and celebrate Beckenham Place Park at Christmas on the 4th December, with snow fall every 20 minutes (really!), family lantern making, a swing bands, free mince pies, and the switching on of the Mansion House Christmas Tree and lights! Everyone welcome.
13:00-16:00 Music from 12 Drummers Drumming and The Denmark Street Big Band starring Jo Harrop. Snowfall starts every 20 minutes.

14:00-16:00 Lantern making workshop.

16:15 Switching on of the lights and Christmas Tree.

Christmas Trail tomorrow Sat 3rd Dec 2016

As part of the Beckenham Christmas celebrations we bring you our Christmas trail. Fun for all the family, complete the trail to win some coins (while stocks last, between midday and 4pm). To take part download the free Huntzz app to your smart phone (App store or Android) and look for the trail called Christmas in Beckenham.

The trail will finish on Beckenham Green where Christmas On The Green will be taking place.

Christmas On The Green

Make sure you head to Beckenham Green (next to St George’s Church) this Saturday for Christmas On The Green and Light Switch On. This is a community event organised by your local Copers Cope Area Resident’s Association with lot’s of free fun for the whole family. Plus our local produce and craft market and a fun fair including a Ferris Wheel (we love a Ferris Wheel on The Green).

Come along to enjoy live entertainment, funfair, local produce and craft market, Treasure Hunt, Christmas Lights Switch On and a community sing-a-long. Plus special guests Olaf (look-a-like) and of course Santa.

Kids Carrot Treasure Hunt – 1.15pm

Help Olaf find lost carrots on Beckenham Green and win some chocolate gold coins. Keep an eye out for golden carrots for a special prize.

Christmas Light Switch On and Sing-A-Long – 4.30 pm to 5pm

The tree lights on The Green and Christmas lights throughout the town will be switched on to festive fanfare. Look out for song sheets being passed round for the festive sing-a-long extravaganza. Santa is due to make an appearance on Beckenham Green.

Live Entertainment – Midday to 5pm

12.00 – Salvation Army Band
13.0o – Olaf Christmas Dance Party from Brilliant Birthdays
14.00 – West End Singers from Cantando Entertainment.
14.30 – Churchfields Primary and Worsley Bridge School Choirs go head to head.
15.00 – Beckenham Youth Choir
15: 30 – Josef Pitura-Riley – Singer/Songwriter from South East London
16:00 – Churchfields Community Choir
16.30 – FiL Straughan, a musical tour de force, powerful vocalist & versatile entertainer leads the community sing-a-long and lights switch on.

Local Produce and Craft Market – Midday to 5pm

35 stalls of local produce and craft, hot food, mulled wine and beer. A perfect chance to purchase some gifts, pick up some essentials and enjoy some lunch. See our market page for the complete list of stallholders.

Above details were correct at time of writing but may be subject to change.

Christmas On The Green and Light Switch On – This Saturday 3rd Dec 2016

Come along to enjoy live entertainment, funfair, local produce and craft market, Treasure Hunt, Christmas Trail, Christmas Lights Switch On and a community sing-a-long. Plus special guests Olaf (look-a-like) and of course Santa.

Kids Carrot Treasure Hunt – 1.15pm

Help Olaf find lost carrots on Beckenham Green and win some chocolate gold coins. Keep an eye out for golden carrots for a special prize.

Christmas Trail – Midday to 4pm

Complete the Christmas Trail using your smart phone and win some gold coins (while stocks last). The trail is fun for the whole family and you’ll find a few interesting local facts along the way. You will need to download the Huntzz app to your phone (it’s free). A link to the trail will be provided on Friday 2nd Dec on our website and Twitter.

Christmas Light Switch On and Sing-A-Long – 4.30 pm to 5pm

Live Entertainment – Midday to 5pm

12.00 – Salvation Army Band
13.0o – Olaf Christmas Dance Party from Brilliant Birthdays
14.00 – West End Singers from Cantando Entertainment.
14.30 – Churchfields Primary and Worsley Bridge School Choirs go head to head.
15.00 – Beckenham Youth Choir
15: 30 – Josef Pitura-Riley – Singer/Songwriter from South East London
16:00 – Churchfields Community Choir
16.30 – FiL Straughan, a musical tour de force, powerful vocalist & versatile entertainer leads the community sing-a-long and lights switch on.

Local Produce and Craft Market – Midday to 5pm

Above details were correct at time of writing but may be subject to change.

Crime Alert – Mobile Phone Thefts in Beckenham

Message from Copers Cope Police

There have been several mobile phone thefts in the Beckenham area. These offences have taken place in the bars and clubs in the High Street mainly over the weekend. If you know anyone who visits any bars in the area please make them aware.

Crime Alert

There have been several thefts of mobile phones in bars and pubs in Beckenham Please remain vigilant and keep your belongings with you.

Email coperscope.snt@met.police.uk
Phone 0208 721 2772
http://www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods

In an emergency always dial 999.

Bromley Safer Neighbourhood Board – Beckenham Meeting 17 November 2016.

The Bromley Safer Neighbourhood Board will be holding their next meeting in the Beckenham area. They welcome as many residents, businesses and community groups to come along as possible. The Police Borough Commander, local Police and Fire representatives will give up to date information on crime in the Beckenham area as well as answer questions. Full details are in the attached Flyer.

Copers Cope Police Newsletter – November 2016

Please find the latest edition of the Copers Cope Police Newsletter at the link below.

Copers Cope Police Newsletter Nov 2016

Update on Southend Road closure/works

Bromley Council advise that Thames Water are making good progress and if they come across no problems are hoping to have the road re-opened by Thursday evening (03/11/2016). Thames Water did find two further sewer faults last week and fixed these within the closure which has prevented them needing to come back on another occasion to fix.

This week the Council have installed temporary three way lights at the junction with Copers Cope Road and Bridge Road to manage the congestion and also allow pedestrians to cross. They continue to monitor the diversion route.

Beckenham Annual Remembrance Service – Sunday 13th November 2016

The Beckenham Annual Remembrance Service and Parade will be held at Beckenham War Memorial on Sunday 13^th November 2016 at 10.50 am

The Parade will form up at 10.15 am in St George’s Road (adjacent to St George’s Church), to move off at 10.25 am to the War Memorial via Albermarle Road and Beckenham High Street to form up on the road around the Beckenham War Memorial roundabout.

Following the Service, the Parade will re-form and march off to proceed to St Georges Road via the High Street, The Drive, and Church Avenue, for the march past in Bromley Road outside St George’s Church and dispersal by the Mayoral Representative in St George’s Road Beckenham.