Local residents successfully campaigned  against the Council’s proposed closure of Beckenham’s public toilets in 2010. Unfortunately the closure is back on the agenda again and the future of Beckenham’s public convenience will be discussed at the Environmental Services Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee next year (Tuesday 20th Jan 2015).

The Council has already closed most conveniences elsewhere in the borough. Only Beckenham, West Wickham, Bromley Town and Penge remain. Penge is currently being considered by the Council for closure, with a final decision expected next week.

In place of public conveniences the Council are running the “Community Toilets” scheme, where local businesses  are paid to allow members of the public to use their facilities  ordinarily reserved for patrons.  Bromley Council have already introduced the “Community Toilets” scheme in Beckenham and have been paying for this alongside the public toilets for a number of years.  We have over the years received a number of complaints about the “Community Toilets”  not being up to scratch or not being accessible. The public toilets have been well maintained and well used.

If you value having public conveniences in the town centre let the Chair of the Environmental Services Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee, the Portfolio Holder  and our local councillors know. You can write to them at Bromley Civic Centre, BR1 3UH or email as per the details below.

• Cllr William Huntington-Thresher (Chair of the Environment PDS Committee) – email: william@ocat.co.uk
• Cllr Colin Smith (Executive Portfolio-Holder for the Environment) – email: colin.smith@bromley.gov.uk
• Copers Cope Ward Councillors – emails: michael.tickner@bromley.gov.uk, russell.mellor@bromley.gov.uk, stephen.wells@bromley.gov.uk

Get a peek of the works at the Kent County Cricket Ground on Worsley Bridge Road.

Kent Cricket CEO Jamie Clifford takes a tour of the new facilities at The County Ground, see YouTube link below.

County Ground, Beckenham development update

Beckenham’s Annual Remembrance Day Service will be held at Beckenham War Memorial on Sunday 9th November 2014 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 return to St George’s 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.

The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal needs volunteers to collect in Beckenham.  If you have any spare time and can assist  with collecting along the High Street or at the supermarkets on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 November, or at the stations 7am to 9am during the week of 3 to 7 November please get in contact with Peter on 020 8650 4460.

In the 21st century in London there are bus routes that do not operate on Sunday or Public Holidays.

The 352 bus runs from Bell Green Sainsbury’s in Sydenham to Bromley North Station, via Beckenham High Street. It travels between 3 retail destinations through the quieter residential roads of Northern Beckenham, Eden Park and West Wickham that are not served by any other means.  The 354  bus runs from Bromley North, Ravensbourne, Beckenham High Street, Copers Cope, Clock House, Birbeck, Anerley, Penge West through some quiter residential roads.

The contracts for both bus services will be up for renewal in the next 12 months, sign the  following petitions to request TfL provide a modern bus service for Beckenham.

• 352 Bus Sunday Service Petition
• 354 Bus Sunday Service Petition