The Government’s COVID rules which allowed Councils to conduct decision-making meetings online recently came to an end. Councils must now return to the Council chambers for in-person committee meetings. However, the rules do not stop Council’s continuing to live stream meetings. The Council are considering whether to do this at a meeting tonight. Our Association strongly supports live streaming as it gives local people more access to local decision making – read our letter here.

Our Association (Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association) and sister Association (West Beckenham Residents’ Association ) has written to our MP Bob Stewart regarding the Governments proposed planning law changes. We were joined by both the Shortlands and West Wickham residents associations in relaying our concerns that the proposed changes, which require local authorties to zone all land to streamline development, will take away the current rights of local people in the planning process. You can read our letter here (and the Oct 2020 letter here).

In his reply, Bob Stewart said he agreed with our concerns “about planning proposals and the “zoning” of local authority areas as well as the removal of rights of residents to participate in planning decisions on a case by case basis.” He also suggested that the Government may be having a re-think.

Great news that our lovely local cinema has reopened. We are lucky to have a cinema on our doorstep – let’s give it our support, you can book here.

We have been advised by other Bromley Residents’ Association’s that Biggin Hill Airport have requested requested a variation to their lease with Bromley Council to allow “private flying including by accepting individual farepaying passengers”. Concerns have been raised that this change may increase air traffic, and in turn passenger traffic to the airport, and also that the current restictions on air movements of 50,000 a year set in 2016 was only for 5 years. Associated pollution and noise concerns have also been raised. The Council Executive are due to make a decision at a meeting on 26 May 2021. The formal proposal can be seen here and the meeting agenda here.

Residents who wish to comment are encouraged to email the Leader of the Council Colin.smith@bromley.gov.uk and their local councillors (see contact info here).

Bromley Council is running at Street Cleaner of the year awards. You can nominate your local high street /parade street cleaner online at the link here. In Beckenham Town Centre our cleaners are Mike and Paul.

As we reported in our last newsletter, the Express Review, Bromley Council have agreed to put an addendum plaque on the memorials in Beckenham and West Wickham to correct the spelling of the name of Private Alfred M Fullex. Private Fullex, a World War I soldier has had his name spelled incorrectly on both the Beckenham and West Wickham war memorials for over 100 years and when this came to light following contact from a relative of Private Fullex.

The council is inviting Bromley residents to come forward if they are aware of other misspellings on any war memorials in the borough so that the council can look into making any further amendments that may be required.

Interested parties should email suggestions to towncentres@bromley.gov.uk by 17 May 2021.

Homeowners can apply for a Green Homes Grant towards the cost of installing energy efficiency improvements to their homes. Trading Standards has been made aware that salespeople claiming to be from Bromley Council are calling to make appointments for Green Homes Grants. They are not from Bromley Council.

Only TrustMark Registered Businesses can carry out installation work under the Green Homes Grant scheme.

Further information about the Green Homes Grant scheme including How to Apply, can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-green-homesgrant-scheme

Bromley Trading Standards advises, as with any cold-call, whether phone or doorstep, not to deal with any traders who approach you this way.
Always select a trader having made checks & enquiries and ideally obtain 3 quotes. Guidance from Citizens Advice can be found here
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/find-a-trader-andcheck-you-can-trust-them/

REPORT
Protect others by reporting incidents. If you or anyone you know have been affected by fraud or any scam
report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or www.actionfraud.police.uk
If you have given out your bank details, contact your bank as soon as possible.
If you need advice contact Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133
You can also visit www.Bromley.gov.uk/scams

The temporary scheme on Albemarle Rd is being reviewed by the Council (it will be 6 months from implementation in May). Many local residents have provided feedback on the scheme and the Council’s Highways Team have taken onboard some of the comments received and are proposing significant changes. The Council are undertaking a subsequent consultation on 2 options:

OPTION 1 – alter  the scheme by installing traffic lights on Westgate Bridge, make part of Albemarle Rd two way, and keep the trial going

Westgate Road Bridge – 2 way with traffic lights

Our Association raised with the Council that the new cycleway and the closure of Westgate Rd Bridge to road users northbound did not link up with the long-proposed TfL cycle way at Lower Sydenham planned to go along Worsley Bridge Rd. It appeared that the Council had not considered the linkages between the 2 schemes in designing Albemarle Rd.   Cyclists travelling from Bromley from Albemarle Rd to Lower Sydenham would either have to dismount and push their bike over Westgate Rd Bridge where the pavement is not wide enough to do this safely or traverse the hazardous Beckenham Junction which does not have any cycle boxes.

If cycle schemes are to be effective it is essential they are connected to other cycle ways. We are pleased the Council took this on board and have secured funding from TfL put traffic lights on Westgate Rd Bridge so that a more interlinked cycling Quietway can be created from Albemarle Road to Lower Sydenham without cyclists having to negotiate the busy crossroads at  Beckenham Junction.

Our Association understands from the Council that the traffic lights installed at Westgate Road bridge will be ‘smart’,monitoring the traffic and adjusting to avoid unnecessary traffic queues.

This is excellent news for all road users, there are very few places to cross the railway line in Beckenham, and having Westgate Bridge back two-way will alleviate congestion at peak time, whilst encouraging cycle use travelling south to north.

It is important to note that TfL will only fund the traffic lights on the bridge as part of a cycle route – if the Albemarle Rd cycle scheme is scrapped the traffic lights will not be provided.

The exact route of the quiet way from Westgate Road Bridge to Lower Sydenham has not yet been finalised and we anticipate there will be opportunity for residents to give their views.  Our Association will also be engaging with the Council on this.  Please let us know your views at hello@coperscope.org.uk

Albemarle Road to Westgate Road reverts to two-way traffic again

The Council propose to make Albemarle Road two-way between Beckenham Junction and Westgate Road.  This will mean the sharp turn in the road that was installed to direct Bromley Bound traffic off Albemarle Rd and down St George’s Road, past the Harris Beckenham Green School, will be removed and the junction returned to its original configuration. 

This is good news for pedestrians who found it difficult to cross over St George’s Road at this point, with cars having right of way. This will also benefit the school, as rush-hour traffic will no longer be funnelled down St George’s Road

Albemarle Road partially reverting  back to two-way traffic, and two-way access over  Westgate Road Bridge, will have a significant effect on traffic flows in this part of Beckenham at peak time.

The Council has confirmed that the cycle lane wands on Albemarle Rd will be retained in the section of road that reverts back to two-way. We are following up about the road cleaning around the wands as debris is already building up around them.

The trial will be extended to assess the changes

The Council has confirmed the trial will be extended to assess the changes above. In a few months time residents will have the opportunity to give their views again on the amended scheme. 

OPTION 2 – scrap the whole scheme

As the Albemarle Road Scheme is temporary it can be removed in its entirety.  However this will mean that TfL will not fund the traffic lights for Westgate Road bridge. We understand that Bromley Council do not have funding to do this independently.

Many readers will be aware of the £700k scheme in Kensington and Chelsea that was removed. In response TfL are reported to have said it would be unlikely to fund any schemes in the borough in the near future.  In Beckenham alone there are so many important highways schemes that need funding, a pedestrian phase at the lights by Corner Ways Surgery / Beckenham Theatre, crossings by schools, a crossing by Beckenham Place Park to name a few – none of these are likely to be funded directly by the Council, and without TfL funds may never be realised.

COMPLETE THE SURVEY BY 3 MARCH

• Read the proposal and new road layout maps here
• Complete the survey here
• Let us know your views by email to hello@coperscope.org.uk

Buried in the detail of Bromley Council’s Open Space Strategy there are some initiatives that may be of concern/interest to local people. These include:

Page 5 has an infographic with small writing that refers to a “10% increase in income (complimentary and sustainable commercial activities)”;  a “1% reduction in grounds maintenance costs” and unfortunately only a “10% increase in Open Space Portfolio land managed for the benefit of biodiversity and ecology”  (hopefully not achieved by reducing the overall portfolio).

Page 12 refers to the “Need to increase residential provision through development and balance this with open space provision”.

Page 24 has a landscape table with an action column that refers to the  possible sale of open spaces: “Identify open spaces that require alteration, investment reassignment(including development or disposal)”.  It also lists “Identify optimal portfolio” model as an action suggesting that the existing open space portfolio is not optimal and subject to change.

Bromley Council are consulting on how its parks and open spaces are looked after in future years.  Local people are invited to feed into the Councils Open Space Strategy by 7 January 2021.  We encourage local people to read the draft strategy in detail before completing the simple feedback survey.

Our Association and our Beckenham Green Friends group will be responding to the consultation and we are interested in your views, please email us at hello@coperscope.org.uk Please see links below for further information.

• Consultation Notification
• Draft Strategy – read the full document here
• Survey – complete by 7 Jan 2021

Bromley Council are consulting on how its parks and open spaces are looked after in future years.  Local people are invited to feed into the Councils Open Space Strategy by 7 January 2021.

The Open Space strategy scope is broad and covers; parks, open spaces, allotments, amenities within open spaces (such as buildings, cafe’s, childcare clubs, exercise equipment, lighting, play areas and equipment, seating, sports facilities etc), Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), bridleways, paths, Rights of Way and cemeteries.

Our Association and our Beckenham Green Friends group will be responding to the consultation and we are interested in your views, please email us at hello@coperscope.org.uk . We would also like encourage local people to respond to the consultation directly. Please see links below for further information.

• Consultation Notification
• Draft Strategy
• Survey – complete by 7 Jan 2021

Questions

Answers

The NHS South East London CCG working in Bromley, which is responsible for commissioning the health services inclduing  ommunity, hospital and mental health service is looking for local people to join its patient network. Some of the members have been involved in decision making about new services in Bromley.

If you would like to get involved please contact Teresa (details below).

• Teresa Rodriguez
• teresa.rodriguez@nhs.net
• 07824 503760

If you are a member of our Association it would be great if you could report back to us so we can keep members updated (email hello@coperscope.org.uk).

Health care and community services in Bromley are working together to improve care for all patients, in particular those who are frail or who may be living with long-term conditions.

They are working to develop a truly integrated frailty service and would like to hear from people who have had a recent admission to the Princess Royal University Hospital (in the last year or so).

Your feedback will help to develop services and learn from your experience. If you wish to share your thoughts and comments, please complete this short survey by clicking here before 11 December.

Scotts Lane will be closed for up to one week from Monday 23rd November for gas works. SGN will close the road at its junction with Bromley Rd. Traffic diversions will be in place.