Consultation results of the Bakerloo Extension to Beckenham

The consultation report is now available online, see the full report at  www.tfl.gov.uk/bakerloo-extension, and for feedback on  extending the Bakerloo to Beckenham Junction and Hayes see Chapter 9 of the report.

TfL find that a  small majority of 56% support extending the Bakerloo to Beckenham Junction and Hayes and have summarised the feedback as follows:

  • There were 14,022 closed responses to Question 15, where respondents were asked to state their level of support, ranging from strongly support to strongly oppose, for the proposal to terminate the line at Hayes and Beckenham Junction. A total of 56% either support or strongly support the option of terminating the line at Hayes and Beckenham Junction, while 11% either oppose or strongly oppose. Over 30% of respondents neither support nor oppose the proposal.
  • In total 3,453 respondents provided a valid response to Question 16, where respondents were asked to provide further views or comments. This equates to 25% of all Question 15 respondents. Of the 3,453 responses to Question 16, 62% stated that they either support or strongly support the proposal to terminate at Hayes and Beckenham Junction, while 21% either oppose or strongly oppose and 16% of respondents neither support nor oppose.
  • Of the supporting responses, the comment most frequently mentioned is that ‘the further the line goes, the better / better to go beyond Lewisham as it is already well served’ comment, as stated by 16% of respondents. The proposed extension to Hayes and Beckenham Junction is considered ‘much needed, useful and beneficial’ to 8% of respondents, while the lack of London Underground access in southeast London is also stated as a reason for support by 8% of respondents. The role of the extension in regeneration and attracting new business is stated by 8% of supportive respondents.
  • Of the comments opposing the Hayes and Beckenham Junction termini option, 17% do so because they perceive that the Bakerloo line definitely needs to go to Bromley, while 13% oppose the proposal if it means the loss of direct connections to London rail termini. Eight percent of respondents expressed that the line needs to go further than Hayes and Beckenham Junction.  
  • Of the respondents who neither support nor oppose, 9% stated that the line needs to reach Bromley in addition to Hayes, and that failure to do so would be a missed opportunitySee chapter 9 of the report for more information on the survey responses for Beckenham Junction and Hayes.

Baroque Concertos – ‘A taste of Italy’ – Sat 9th May 2015 7.45pm, St George’s Church

St George’s Chamber Orchestra (SGCO) presents Baroque Concertos – ‘A taste of Italy’ – Saturday 09th May 2015 7.45pm

  • Corelli Concerto Grosso Op.6 no.1 in D
  • Alessandro Scarlatti Concerto Grosso no.1 in F minor
  • Vivaldi Concerto for 2 violins ”per eco in lontano” RV 552
  • Albinoni Sinfonia in C Op.2 no.3
  • Locatelli Concerto Grosso in C minor Op.1 no.2
  • Vivaldi Concerto for Violin in Eb ‘La Tempesta di Mare’ RV 253
  • Solo Violin: Patrick Savage
  • Director and Solo Violin: Dominic Moore

Find out more about the SGCO at http://sgco.co.uk/

Book in advance from The Beckenham Bookshop and St. George’s Church Office (Monday to Friday until 3.30pm). Best seats will be reserved for pre-concert sales. Tickets also available on-line athttp://www.stgeorgesbeckenham.co.ukand on the door.

St. George’s Church is on the corner of High Street and Bromley Road Beckenham BR3 1AX.

Friends of Beckenham Place Park events April to June 2015

Spring: April 1st – June 30th 2015

Events. All events are free and open to members and non-members alike. Donations welcome.

  • Sunday 26th April BLUEBELL WALK – Meet at the Mansion steps 2.00 pm in partnership with Creekside Education Trust and led by Nick Bertrand. Will there be bluebells? Wednesday 20th May A WALK TO CHINBROOK MEADOWS Meet at the mansion steps 10.00am. This is a repeat of a walk from a few seasons ago, but this time the route will be different. There are buses and trains from Grove Park, but we intend to walk back to BPP via a different route for anyone keen to do a long walk.
  • SENSORY GARDEN WORKDAYS (sessions last about 2 hours), Dates 2nd Saturday of the month, 11th April, 9th May, 13th June. Meet 10.00am either at the mansion or go straight to the Sensory Garden. There will be work to suit everyone. Planting, weeding, hoeing, path maintenance and no previous skills are necessary. Tools, gloves and guidance provided. In the summer months there is more to do so there are often two sessions a month.

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.

IMG_0441

Beckenham Town Centre Public Realm – Consultation Exercise

The following information has been provided by Bromley Council.

Consultation period

The consultation exercise will run from 2 to 27 March 2015.

Why are we consulting now?

We have reached an important stage in the design development of the Beckenham town centre public realm scheme. Having agreed a set of clear objectives for the scheme, we have developed concept designs to deliver these objectives. This process has involved input from a wide range of stakeholders, including the Beckenham Town Centre Working Group.

We have now refined the concept designs to reflect the ideas and aspirations of people and businesses in Beckenham. We have recently developed a cost plan which shows what is affordable within the existing scheme budget. We have also undertaken a traffic modelling exercise on the proposed improvements to key junctions.

How can you get involved?

There are lots of ways for you get involved during the consultation period. We hope that you will be able to let us have your views at one of the following events or meetings:

  • Public exhibition – we are holding a public exhibition of the concept designs from 11:30 am to 8 pm on Thursday, 12 March 2015. The exhibition will be held at Citygate Church at 22 Rectory Road, Beckenham, BR3 1AA. A location plan is included at the end of this letter. The exhibition will be manned by staff from East Architects and from Bromley Council;
  • Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association AGM – East Architects and Bromley Council staff will be attending the AGM on 18 March 2015. There will be a presentation on the concept designs at 8:15 pm with an opportunity to ask questions afterwards; and

How can you let us have your views? 

 

There will be feedback forms available at the public exhibition on 12 March 2015.

 

If you would like to see the concept plans in advance of the public exhibition, you will be able to view these online at www.bromley.gov.uk/beckenhamimprovements

You can e-mail your views on the proposals to beckenhamimprovements@bromley.gov.uk

Town Centre Improvement Consultation and Copers Cope AGM – 8pm Weds 18 March 2015, Beckenham Public Halls

Our Annual General Meeting is at 8pm Wednesday 18th March 2015, Beckenham Public Hall, Bromley Road, Beckenham.

 East Architects and Bromley Council staff will be attending as part of the official consultation of Beckenham’s Public Realm Improvement Scheme. There will be a presentation on the concept designs at 8:15pm with an opportunity to ask questions afterwards. Local Councillors and our MP are expected to attend. All local people welcome.

CCARA Residents Meeting mar 2015

Special Afternoon Tea for Beckenham Mothers at Nineteen Fourteas

For Mothers’ Day, 15th March, Nineteen Fourteas (at the High Street entrance to Sainsbury’s) is hosting a special Afternoon Tea for the mums of Beckenham. To show their appreciation, every mum that comes will receive a handmade gift.

Seatings: 12 noon – 2pm and 2.30 – 4.30pm, limited spaces so booking required. Pop in or call on 020 8663 3384.

TfL confirm proposals for Sunday Service on 352 and 354 from September 2015

The  Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association and West Beckenham Residents’ Association have been in contact with James Cleverly’s Office (Greater London Authority) for many months lobbying for a Sunday service on the 352 and 354.  Mr Cleverly’s Office has provided us confirmation from Peter Bradley, TfL’s Head of Consultation, that TFL “Have recently awarded new contracts for the operation of routes 352 and 354.  As part of the contract award and subject to the outcome of formal consultation (which will commence in May 2015), we are proposing that both routes will run on Sundays and Public Holidays, with a provisional start date of September 2015”.

This is great news for Beckenham bus users. We will let you know when the consultation is available for local people to comment.

 

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.

 

 

SGCO String Quartet – 7.45pm Sat 7 Mar 2015, St George’s Church

St George’s Chamber Orchestra (SGCO) String Quartet – Saturday 7th March 2015 7.45pm

Beethoven String Quartet Op.18 no.5 in A

Shostakovich Elegy and Polka

Schubert String Quartet No 14 in D Minor, ‘Death and the Maiden’ D 810

Find out more about the SGCO at http://sgco.co.uk/

Book in advance from The Beckenham Bookshop and St. George’s Church Office (Monday to Friday until 3.30pm). Best seats will be reserved for pre-concert sales. Tickets also available on-line at http://www.stgeorgesbeckenham.co.ukand on the door.

St. George’s Church is on the corner of High Street and Bromley Road Beckenham BR3 1AX.

200 year old London Plane Tree on The Avenue to be felled.

In September 2012 the Copers Cope Residents’ Association assisted in getting the beautiful Plane Tree on The Avenue under a Tree Protection Order. Unfortunately Bromley Council gave permission for the tree to be felled on the 5th of February 2015.

The tree is suspected of contributing to subsidence under a nearby house. Local people have fought hard to ensure that there is conclusive evidence that the tree is actually the cause of the subsidence. There have been numerous technical reports by the  house insurer’s consultants over the last few years, none of which have been conclusive. Even the Council’s own independent report does not recommend felling the tree, stating that the findings of the insurer’s consultant reports are inconclusive and incomplete.  It recommended that three courses of action are undertaken before further consideration is given to the removal of the Plane Tree:  1. Shrubbery close to the house is removed;  2. Drains are tested and repaired if found to be defective;  3. Monitoring is continued for one year.

We are gravely disappointed that the Council chose not to follow its own professional consultant’s advice, instead recommending consent to be granted for the removal of this tree based on the insurer’s reports.

Heritage trees are an intrinsic part of the character of many roads in Northern Beckenham.  Because of the detrimental effect the felling of a healthy tree has on the character of the area it should be an action of last resort.

The Council report can be found at the link below.

Consent to remove a London Plane tree on land adjacent to No.76b The Avenue, Beckenham

Beckenham’s Heritage Trees have been under threat in recent years, with a number lost due to development or subsidence claims such as this. Not all our heritage trees are under a Tree Preservation Order, whereby you must apply to the Council to fell or pollard them, and the ones that are not covered by a TPO are more at risk. If you have an old or mature tree in your road why not contact the Council to see if it is covered by a Tree Preservation Order and if not whether it should be.  You can do this online at the link below.

Tree Protection Orders

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

 

Beckenham Public Toilets is listed as an Asset of Community Value

The Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association has been successful in its application to have the Beckenham public toilets listed as an Asset of Community Value.  This means that should the Council decide to sell the building they must offer time for the community to  time to come up with a bid for the building when it is sold.

This is a last resort, we urge the Council to continue to provide a public toilet or to retain the building for community use.

Good news – Sunday service for the 354 Bus Route being evaluated.

The Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association has been working closely with the organisers of the ‘354 on a Sunday Campaign’ as well as lobbying the London Mayor’s Office directly. Boris Johnson has responded positively  to the campaign…  “I fully appreciate there is a strong local desire to see bus route 354 operated seven days a week. Transport for London (TfL) would like to offer a Sunday service on bus route 354. As I am sure you will understand, in order to do this it has to ensure that the extra subsidy needed demonstrated good value for money.”

TfL are currently evaluating the value for money and a decision is expect by the end of February.

Our Association continues to lobby for a Sunday service on the 352 bus route.  Please sign the petition below:

 

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: