Category: News

Beckenham Town Centre Improvement Presentation Tomorrow Night Weds 18 Mar 2015

Bromley Council and East Design Consultants will be presenting the scheme for the Beckenham Public Realm Improvements (previously shown at the LBB Working Group), talking through the results of the traffic modelling and explaining the next steps.  This presentation forms part of the official consultation for the project, we encourage local people to attend and take advantage of the Q&A session at the end.

The presentation will start after the Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association AGM.

Hope to see you there at 8pm, Wed 18 March 2015, Beckenham Public Halls.

 

CCARA Residents Meeting mar 2015

Newsagent and Coffee Stall at Beckenham Junction to close

Users of Beckenham Junction station may be saddened to know of the planned closure of  the Newsagent and Coffee Stall at the station. The current owners of both have been there for many years, greeting the passengers. The below letter was posted up by one of the owners.  You can also provide feedback to Southeastern by using their on online enquiry form.

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Beckenham Toilets will close as part of £11.6m cuts – Council Tax to rise 1.2% – local people object at Council meeting on 23 Feb 2015

Despite objections from the Copers Cope Residents’ Association, West Beckenham Residents’ Association, the Beckenham Business Association, The Beckenham Society, 80 direct objections from residents and a petition of over 700 local residents, 7 out of 8 Bromley Council Executives (including one from Beckenham) voted to close the Beckenham public toilets and offer the building for sale or demolish it.

At the same meeting the Council agreed to increase Council Tax by 1.2% (£16 a year for a Band D property). The Council could have increased Council Tax by up to 2% to avoid some of the £11.6 million of cuts planned. Local people have told us they would be happy to pay increased Council Tax to retain basic services, such as public toilets.

Our members have highlighted the following areas affected by budget cuts, no doubt there are many more affecting Borough residents.

The Council also plan to increase parking charges.

London councils are able to increase Council Tax by up to 2% each year. Should Bromley Council be increasing Council Tax at 2% to retain services local people want and are willing to pay for?  If you think so contact your local Councillors. We have checked back and note that the Council applied the following increases to Council  Tax over the last 4 years; 2011/12 =0%, 2012/13 = 0%, 2013/14  1.89%, 2014/15  = 0%.
Services have been cut over this period and many more to come to balance the books.

Bromley Council will vote on the final budget at a full Council Meeting,  7pm February 23 2015, Bromley Civic Centre, Bromley BR1 3UH.  The News Shopper advises local residents will be lobbying the meeting to  protest against the cuts and call for the budget to be rejected. More information can be found below.

 

 

HM Government ePetition to Protect Beckenham Golf Course

Lewisham Council plan to close Beckenham’s 107 year old public 18 hole golf course as part of  £4.9 million improvements to Beckenham Place Park. An ePetition has been created on the HM Government petition site to save the golf course. The petition is open until 30 March 2015.

ePetition to Protect Beckenham Golf Course

Further information about plans for Beckenham Place Park can be found on Lewisham Council’s website via the link below.

Beckenham Place Park

 

Sale or demolition of Beckenham Public Toilet Building – 3 days left to object

The Council have confirmed their intention to close the public toilets and either sell them (presumably with favourable planning permission in the wings) or demolish them.

Despite receiving 44 objections against closing the public toilets and only 1 in favour  the Environment PDS Committee has recommended that the Council Executive agrees to:

  1. The closure of Beckenham, Bromley and West Wickham High Street public toilets from 31st March 2015;
  2. Declare the Beckenham public toilet surplus and offer it to the market, on the basis that if offers are not forthcoming that it should be demolished; and
  3. Authorise the expansion of the Community Toilet Scheme as the alternative provision.

Local residents have been contacting us concerned that the toilets will close as there is a genuine need for public toilets in Beckenham, the Community Toilet Scheme  has proven  inadequate and is unwanted, a  relatively cheap public service will be closed against local people’s wishes even though an increase in Council Tax is inevitable, there is no information on what will replace the toilet block, or whether the Council may include the flower beds in the sale/demolition and a public space will be lost, that closing the toilets is short-sighted given the £3.2 million investment in Beckenham Town Centre.

There are 3 days left to object. Email (until 30 Jan 2015) to express your objections to csc@bromley.gov.uk, you may also wish to copy in your local Councillors and the Council Leadership/Portfolio Holder that make up the Executive.      

 Further information can be found below:

Christmas On The Green tree at Bromley Road School

Bromley Road Christmas Tree donated by Christmas On The GreenKaren Minnis, Head Teacher of Bromley Road Primary School, has passed on many thanks to all at Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association (CCARA) for sharing the Christmas tree so kindly donated to CCARA by Layhams Farm in recognition of the work the Residents’ Association does in organising the regular Market/Christmas On The Green. As clearly seen in the photos, the children loved decorating it!!

Planning is underway for next years events if you have any ideas or would like to get involved please email localmarket@coperscope.org.uk .

Christmas On The Green Beckenham, today Sat 29 November 2014.

Saturday 29 November 2014.
Beckenham celebrates the arrival of the festive season with a day of live entertainment, funfair, the Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association Annual Candlelit Procession, Christmas Lights Switch On and a community sing-a-long. Pass this on to your friends and neighbours, they may like to sign up to the mailing list for events Beckenham Green.

On The High Street 

Get your Christmas shopping done in Beckenham, support local shops and enjoy carol singers, the Salvation Army Band and  the Haverettes All Girls Marching Band. You may even spot Nanny and Father Christmas and get a free mince pie. Shop Local this Christmas.

On The Green 12 noon to 6pm

From midday, a funfair, hot food and mulled cider to keep you warm. Plus a packed afternoon of festive entertainment on the stage.

  • 1.00pm The Strawberries
  • 1.30pm Beckenham Junior Choir
  • 2.00pm Micky Magic
  • 2.20pm Bianca Nichols
  • 2.45pm The Strawberries
  • 3.10pm Kent Stage Academy
  • 3.30pm Rock Choir
  • 4.00pm The Popsicals
  • 4.20pm Fundamentally Gospel Choir

Candlelit Procession 4.30pm

The Copers Cope Annual Candlelit Procession is the biggest yet, those little Residents’ Association elves have been busy making 500 free child-safe lanterns, give them your support by joining up. Meet outside the Post Office on Rectory Road at 4.30pm. At at 4.45pm the Haverettes All Girls Marching Band will lead the procession down the High Street to Beckenham Green. Look out for the Carol Singers from our local churches on the way and a very large Candy Cane.

Christmas Light Switch On 5.30pm

Arrive at Beckenham Green to be welcomed by the ringing bells of St George’s Church, and gather in front of the stage for the Switching On of Beckenham’s Christmas  Lights at 5.30pm. Look out for song sheets being passed round for the festive sing-a-long extravaganza.

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

 

Closure of Beckenham Public Toilets looms, again- Have your say.

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

Controversial Shortlands School Gets Planning Consent

pengeandcatorcouncillors's avatarPenge and Cator Councillors

The Harris organisation have got planning consent for a new two form entry primary school on the site of the former care home for the elderly at Kingswood House in Shortlands.  The site is located at the junction of Kingswood Rd, Mays Hill Rd, Queen Anne Avenue and Valley Rd.   People living near to the site and Shortlands Residents Association were forced to ask freedom of information questions to get details of the planned scheme from Bromley Tories.

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3 weeks to go until Christmas On The Green, Sat 29 Nov 2014

Beckenham celebrates the arrival of the festive season with a day of live entertainment, funfair, hot food and drinks, the Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association Annual Candlelit Procession, Christmas Lights Switch On and a community sing-a-long. Look out for Father Christmas, Nanny Christmas, Mrs & Mrs Becks and a large walking Candy Cane. This year, as well as some amazing entertainment on The Green, we have the Haverettes All Girls Marching Band leading the Procession and performing in the High Street.  See more on the Christmas On The Green page.

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Beckenham’s Remembrance Day Service Sunday 9 November 2014

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.

83 Copers Cope Road Housing Development – Planning Application

A planning application has been submitted by The Oakwood Group for a private development of eight, five-bedroom, detached houses on the light industrial land to the rear of 83 Copers Cope Road, adjacent to the rail line.  The land was, at one time, the site of a dairy but has more recently been occupied by a number of individual businesses.  The existing mixture of one and two-storey buildings, dating from the 19th and 20th centuries, is proposed for demolition.  The new houses are two-storey, plus accommodation in the roof spaces.  The application follows a public consultation meeting that was held in August.

Further details can be found at Bromley Council’s planning website under reference 14/03384/FULL1

Sunday Bus Service on 352 and 354 Routes – Sign the Petition

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.

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