Author: Copers Cope Area Residents' Association (CCARA)

Residents Association covering central and northern Beckenham. Founded in 1939 to protect and promote the interests of residents in matters of local concern

Bakerloo Tube Extension to Beckenham – Public Consultation ends 7 Dec 2014

TfL plan to extend the Bakerloo line to Beckenham and Bromley. It will cost £2-3 billion, work would start in 2023 finishing by 2030 and it will need private funding from developers building residential and commercial developments along the proposed extension. A public consultation is underway and ends on 7 December 2014.  Local people can have their say at:

Bakerloo MapWhat will it mean for us?

This depends on which option TfL implement:
Extend the Bakerloo as far as Lewisham only.
Local residents can change onto the Tube at Lewisham. There will be no change to existing rail services from Beckenham, West Wickham, Bromley and Hayes.
Extend the Bakerloo as far as Hayes and Beckenham Junction
The Tube will run along the Charing Cross to Hayes rail line and the existing overground Southeastern Rail service will be lost. Residents travelling to London Bridge and Cannon Street who previously used South Eastern will need to change from the Bakerloo line to National Rail at Lewisham.  For Beckenham Junction existing National Rail services to Victoria and London Bridge will remain unchanged, the Bakerloo line will be an additional service as it will run along the currently unused track to New Beckenham.   There will be more trains if the Bakerloo line is extended. On the Hayes line there would be 15 Tube trains an hour  compared with 4 at present,  and on the Beckenham Junction line there would be 6 tube trains an hour in addition to the current National Rail trains.
Extend the Bakerloo as far as Bromley
This can only happen if the Bakerloo line is extended along the Hayes National Rail line and will involve a new tunnel being dug. The option to go as far as Bromley is only a possibility at this stage, TfL have no commitments to go this far.

What do local people think?

We are keen for your views, please let us know by emailing bakerloo@coperscope.org.uk

We have been flooded with comments about this proposal from local people. The main points raised are listed below. Please let us know any new points so we can share them.
Advantages:
  • More trains per hour.
  • Increased capacity which will be needed by 2030.
  • Shorter journey times claimed by TfL.
  • More flexibility of being on the Tube network.
  • Will bring commerce and business into the local area.
Concerns:
  • Loss of National Rail services and no direct service to London Bridge and Cannon Street.
  • Replacing National Rail from Hayes will free up platforms at London Bridge, our loss – another area’s gain. Why can’t additional trains be run on the existing National Rail line?
  • If rail line is lost it cannot be considered at part of the CrossRail 3 project from SE London to NW London.
  • Arrival at Charing Cross is less convenient underground than current arrival at street level.
  • Tube journey may take longer, slower trains.
  • Tube trains have 25% less seats per carriage and are only 8 carriages long, commuters will more likely need stand.
  • Its is unlikely TfL will run 15 half empty trains per hour  to Hayes, with many trains will stop short closer to London Beckenham and West Wickham residents will not likley see an increase in train frequency.
  • Service disruption due to TfL strikes and no rail option.
  • Unstaffed stations, current policy is to reduce staffing at Tube stations.
  • Lack of amenity on Tube trains, no toilets, less seating, heat in summer, cannot take cycles on.
  • Overcrowding once past Lewisham.
  • Effort of change to National Rail at Lewisham and likelihood of standing for remaining journey into London.
  • Cost, disruption and timescale of the project
  • Over development which cannot be supported.  The plan is for the Bakerloo line to support local development which means more people, more high density housing, and more pressure on local infrastructure such as schools, GPs etc.
  • Change of character of local area – people choose to live in Bromley as it is relatively low rise with green spaces.
  • Does Beckenham West Wickham and Hayes need a Tube line? Will housing and population grown over the next 15 years warrant the Tube. Should the Tube run to high growth areas like Lewisham and  Bromley Town Centre on independent track and in so doing maintaining the capacity of the National Rail line to Hayes.
  • Are there different, less expensive alternatives to improve transport in the borough?

Let’s make this a balanced debate, all points of view welcome, email bakerloo@coperscope.org.uk

Have your say – Residents’ Forum and Open Meeting – 8pm Weds 15 Oct 2014 Beckenham Public Halls

Our Association is holding a joint Open Meeting with the West Beckenham Residents’ Association. Between our associations we cover the whole of Beckenham and so have invited a panel of councillors from every Ward to take your questions.

Come along and direct your concerns to the panel. Join us from 7.45pm, at the Beckenham Public Halls, Bromley Road, Beckenham.

We look forward to seeing you there.

2014 Beckenham Residents Meeting

 

Bromley Council choose not to register Elmers End Green as a Town Green

Earlier this year the West Beckenham Residents’ Association (WBRA) lodged an application to have Elmers End Green registered as a Town or Village Green. Bromley Council had previously attempted to sell the freehold for the toilet block on the Green (this is now currently being sold by leasehold). This raised concern, and local people wanted to ensure Elmers End Green was a protected green space. At our AGM, Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association members agreed to support WBRA’s application and our Association wrote in support to the Council and our local councillor on the committee. Unfortunately the Council voted against registering Elmers End Green as a Town or Village Green.  An application has been lodged by The Beckenham Society to register Beckenham Green we hope the Council will approve this application.  The Council can choose to register both sites voluntarily. If you think the Council should register these sites voluntarily please complete our poll at the bottom of this blog.

West Beckenham Residents’ Association released the following statement:

WBRA are very disappointed that the Council’s Executive Committee rejected the opportunity to register Elmers End Green as a Town or Village Green. The proposal was based on the special history of Elmers End Green. This triangle of land has been in exactly the same place at the junction of the road between Beckenham and Croydon and that to West Wickham for at least 300 years – undeveloped and open space used by residents of the then small Elmers End hamlet right up to the present day. If this doesn’t qualify as a town green, we don’t know what will. Dozens of local people wrote to the Leader of the Council in support of the proposition, as did eminent local groups such as Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association, Elmers End Free Church, The Beckenham Society and Bromley Local History Society. All councillors for Clock House and Kelsey and Eden Park wards supported our proposal.

The Development Control Committee had, in July, recognised the value of local history in fostering community spirit – at no cost. They felt registration would show the Borough in its best “Clean and Green” form and were enthusiastic for registration. Here was a committee that actually listened to what we were saying! On 10 September, Councillor Alan Collins gave a spirited and eloquent exposition of the case in favour. The Executive Committee however dismissed the Development Control Committee’s recommendation for registration without a shred of empathy for local people. Instead they just dismissed the dozens of emails and letters supporting the proposal and dragged up excuses to do nothing.

WBRA could understand (just a little) if we were asking them to spend thousands on the Green, but registration would cost virtually nothing. It is very depressing when our elected representatives show such little regard for the wishes of the electorate.

 

Consultation: Conservation Area for Beckenham Town Centre

At the Council run Beckenham Town Centre Working Group that the Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association attends with other local community organisations it was agreed to progress the idea of creating a conservation area running the length of the whole Town Centre.  Currently there is a small conservation area at Kelsey Square and a larger one covering St George’s Church, Beckenham Green and Bromley Road School. By extending the conservation area and linking both existing ones Beckenham will be able to preserve and enhance the High Street buildings and ensure that new shop fronts are in keeping.  Our Association is in support of this proposal that will see, over time, our beautiful Art Deco parade restored to its former glory and the design of shop fronts more sympathetic to the age of the buildings through out out the town.

The Council have now prepared the long awaited proposal to create a Beckenham Town Centre Conservation Area. Local people are encouraged to comment on the proposal.  The deadline for feedback is 24 October 2014. If you would like to comment on this proposal, please download the questionnaire, complete and either email it to conservation@bromley.gov.uk or post it to Bromley Council, Room P41, Civic Centre , Stockwell Close BR1 3UH.

Further information about the proposed conservationConservation_area area can be found at the links below:

Beckenham Conservation Area

Beckenham Town Centre Character Assessment

 

Vintage Fun Fair and Entertainment at Market On The Green tomorrow Sat 20 Sept

We are pleased to bring the popular vintage fun fair back to the Green, there will be a traditional carousel, ferris wheel and small train ride.  The line up for the stage has been locked in, it will be a great afternoon of free entertainment:

  • 11:00 Kids Party Entertainment Pirate Style by Brilliant Birthdays
  • 11:45 Pop singer Joel Bullen
  • 12:15 Breeze Yoga demonstration
  • 12:45 Local singer Dan Hyde
  • 13:15 Kerttu songstress from Finland
  • 13:45 Bright Sparks Beckenham dance troupe
  • 14:15 The Popcicals local a cappella quartet
  • 14:30 Dan Hyde – eclectic mix from local singer and acoustic guitarist

Get to the Green for a great local craft and produce market and yummy lunch.  For the kids we have face painting, sand art and a real life pirate to meet in the morning

 

Sep_2014_A6_Postcard.

Beckenham in the running for High Street of the Year Award

Beckenham is set to go up against the country’s best in the Great British High Street Awards after it was nominated for the national award by the Beckenham Business Association (BBA).

The Government-backed competition to find and celebrate the nation’s best high streets is run by the Future High Street Forum and the Association of Town and City Management. Jackie Groundsell, Chair of the Beckenham Business Association said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be in the running for the Great British High Street of the Year Awards. Our application focuses on how we’ve been collaborating with other local groups to improve life and business in Beckenham through better community cohesion.”

The news was welcomed by local businesses, residents and other town centres on Twitter this week, including Chislehurst, who wished Beckenham well.

The winners of the awards, who will be announced in the autumn, will receive a share of £50,000 of prize money and dedicated support and mentoring from industry experts.

People can show their support for Beckenham online by tweeting their photos and endorsements to @TheGBHighSt, using the hashtag #gbhighst.

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2 weeks to go until Market On The Green – 20 Sep 2014, Beckenham Green

For our last Market On The Green in 2014 we have a great line up of free live entertainment from 11am to 3.30pm: Kids dancing with Brilliant Birthdays, Bright Sparks local Beckenham Dance School, Finnish songstress Kerttu, a cappella quartet The Popsicals and local lad Dan Hyde singing an eclectic mix acoustic style.

40 market stalls selling local produce and craft including: handmade sauces, hand painted cards, handmade children’s and adult jewellery, speciality pies, sausage rolls, Scotch eggs, cakes, cupcakes, artisan breads, locally produced fruit vodka, plants and seeds, rare breed lamb & pork, beef, free range poultry, homemade burgers and sausages, children’s toys, hand knitted children’s clothing, fruit liqueurs, organic fruit and veg, Kent berries, Kent Cobnuts, handmade fudge and handmade cushions.

There will be face painting by Tiger Dragon Butterfly, sand art and a children’s fun fair.

Wood fired pizza, hog roast, venison burgers, sweet & savoury galettes, jerk chicken and gourmet coffee available for lunch.

Check out the Market Page for up to date information. The above information correct at time of writing but may be subject to change.