R&A

Steady Eddy - they sounds like really good ideas. How did you coordinate it all? should we pick an MP, a date and draft a rough letter and get it posted up on here you think?

MPs were few and far between because of the labour party conference clash, i think. There's a thread in the general section where steady eddy outlines some ideas on how we can help with the campaign As minnows, the best we can do is keep talking about it and telling our friends/neighbours about the facts and hope that enough people care, make a fuss and perhaps attend the question time with boris on November 9th. Hopefully this will make TFL/Boris make a U-turn on the decision. fingers xed

Evans1971 - thanks for your points as these were exactly the ones that TFL and Network Rail highlighted at the meeting last week. They said that due to logistical issues (rebuilding London Bridge) and financial constraints (the transfer of funds to the East London Line extension) keeping the SLL would not be possible. Now we can address them here on the forum .....Evans1971 are u actually TFL in disguise? ;) I'm going to give my personal point of view, perhaps others would like to add their thoughts too, as i'm speaking as a lay person who just lives in the area. i know there are better informed people on this site. The SLL is a core part of our transport service and frankly the east london line would NOT be Everyone was really excited to hear about the new ELL extension especially after hearing that the Tram had been axed. However, learning that we would have to sacrifice a better service to TWO central london line stations changes things somewhat. I would much rather have the SLL over the ELL extension as would many (xref the recent survey supporting this fact and just a logical, rational understanding of transport links into a capital city) It's like a government telling the whole of South London that they will fund a new, state-of-the-art liver disease unit for the local hospital BUT at the expense of the A&E department. Great news until you hear what the caveat is..... which makes no sense at all. Forgive the crude analogy .. but you get the point... POINT ONE: FUNDING & SPACE My answer to this is 'FIND the funding FIND the space - work it out - this is a core part of South London's public transport network' POINT TWO: THERE ARE STILL TRAINS GOING TO LV AND LB There wont be ANY to LB from Denmark hill and in two year's you've reduced Peckham Rye from a 'Tube-like' train station, where you can just turn up and expect a train into CENTRAL london, to a typical, basic 'train-station' where you have to ring up and find out when the trains are. This is going backwards not forwards and importantly doesn't take into account the lack of space on these trains at rush hour. But rest assured, if we lose the SLL, fewer people will choose to live in this area and perhaps it wont be so crowded after all... a depressing but realistic thought

Hi Laurie thanks for your mail - i'll pop on your website now do you have any thoughts as to steady eddy's point about the media? i'm not involved in your line of work and have no idea as to how this can be taken up by the media etc... perhaps you can help? i know that the south london press ran a story on it - how can we get this onto London Tonight or equivalent considering how dramatic these cuts are?

Guys - why are people supporting / sticking up for this decision? Losing the South London Line will be a major loss to the community - London Victoria and London Bridge do not compare to Canada Water.. i'm sorry they just don't. We all need to stick together and fight to stop this happening, surely? We are zone 2 Londoners. TFL stands for TRANSPORT FOR LONDON, not the home counties which are prioritised due to the higher fares that they pay. There are masses of stations in North London that get trains every 5 mins and are much further out of london Why is their service so good and ours just so poor and getting worse... We deserve a better service than four trains to canada water. I'm really confused as to why people are not livid that this is even a proposal.... sorry if i'm sounding emotional, i'm just heart broken that we're losing this service as i think it will directly impact areas like peckham for the worse... and peckham was finally getting better. Its all really sad i think

Yes - four trains going to canada water an hour - i'm not sure about off peak times There will be people who benefit from the gained access to canada water (although good luck at getting on teh jubilee line at Canada Water during peak times...). Moreover there will be people who benefit from access to Clapham Junction (i.e. those people who commute OUT of london to work for e.g. my partner does this and would benefit himself). But as the TravelWatch survey found the MAJORITY of people benefit from the DIRECT and QUICK(10mins) access to TWO central london line stations i.e. Victoria and London Bridge (importantly some of whom are patients & medical staff coming in from outside london) The campaign highlights the reduction/loss of not one but TWO central stations and gaining just one station (Canada Water off to the east on London with no main line train station???) is just not a feasible and rational thing. but you are lucky that you will benefit, yes.

I have been following the threads regarding the significant cuts to train services in Central South London, i.e. Zone 2. Following from this i went to a public meeting to discuss the matter, held last night. The facts are shocking; summary below. Read the details of the cuts below, they are pretty shocking ? PECKHAM RYE: Trains cut from 8 last year down to 4 per hour by 2012 to London Bridge. Trains to Victoria will be cut from 4 to 2 and 0 in the evening. The BLACKFRIARS service will be up for review in 2011/2012 ? QUEENS ROAD PECKHAM & SOUTH BERMONDSEY: Trains cut from 8 to london bridge last year, down to 4 by 2012 There are currently 2 trains going to victoria. By 2012 there will be 0 trains going to victoria. ? DENMARK HILL: 2 Trains to London Bridge & 4 to Victoria - you will have NO trains going to london bridge by 2012 and just the two trains to Victoria in Day Times only. ? CLAPHAM HIGH STREET & WANDSWORTH: 2 Trains currently go to London Bridge & Victria - this will be cut to 0 by 2012. So even more crowds at Clapham North Tube station... ? NUNHEAD: The plans for an evening train service have been axed ? EAST DULWICH: Trains cut from 6 per hour to 4 per hour (in last 12 months) to London Bridge Is it just me or is this a massive massive event for everyone that lives in the local area? i don't even use the train to get to work but i understand how VITAL it is in order to keep South London part of central london and not go backwards again. Infrastructure is surely CORE to an area? South London's transport service does not compare to North London's and instead of improving it's getting worse! The meeting last night was predominantly middle aged, white people. Where were the students? Where were the young 20-30s people? Is this because no one has heard of this scandal or is it just pure apathy? I can't understand why everyone isn't incensed by this news and will impact everyone.... rant over

I went along to the meeting last night and i still can't believe the plans Boris and TFL have to cut back our vital south london line. I also don't think people are aware about the impact this will have on the whole of South London, not just those stations directly linked to the south london line. It would be a disaster for the area. EILEEN - Could you possibly post that very helpful underground map you have on this forum for us to see? As i think pictures speak louder than words. Moreover, my boss is friends with Boris personally so i may stick it up on my wall at work too. thanks again Eileen for all your efforts Hopefully lots of people will be at the next event on November 9th to question BORIS as to why these cuts are even being considered You can apply for tickets to attend this meeting if you email: peoplesquestions@london.gov.uk being held in Brixton Oh - also i found the factsheet VERY informative For those who did not attend last night here's a little summary: EAST DULWICH: Trains cut from 6 per hour to 4 per hour (in last 12 months) to London Bridge PECKHAM RYE: Trains cut from 8 last year down to 4 per hour by 2012 to London Bridge. Trains to Victoria will be cut from 4 to 2 and 0 in the evening. The BLACKFRIARS service will be up for review in 2011/2012 QUEENS ROAD PECKHAM & SOUTH BERMONDSEY: Trains cut from 8 to london bridge last year, down to 4 by 2012 There are currently 2 trains going to victoria. By 2012 there will be 0 trains going to victoria. DENMARK HILL: 2 Trains to London Bridge & 4 to Victoria - you will have NO trains going to london bridge by 2012 and just the two trains to Victoria in Day Times only. CLAPHAM HIGH STREET & WANDSWORTH COMMON: 2 Trains currently go to London Bridge & Victria - this will be cut to 0 by 2012. So even more crowds at Clapham North Tube station... NUNHEAD: The plans for an evening train service have been axed Instead the area will get the EAST LONDON LINE extension which will mean we have to go to Canada water (?) and change OR go to Clapham junction(?) A nice addition for those wanting access to east london but NOT a replacement for two direct links to two central stations. When you consider the infrastructure offered for Zone 2 NORTH londoners it makes you wonder what on earth are tfl thinking... Let's hope Boris does the right thing when he makes the final decision on this

i think i disagree with most comments on this thread, but then again i only skim read them I thought debt was GOOD in a high inflationary environment. Your debt effectively diminishes over time as the asset (house) increases in value. But you only benefit if you fix the rate you're paying over the long term. it's all guess work but personally i'm assuming low IR for 12+ months So in approx 6 months time i'm going to fix my debt for 10 years, hopefully at less than 6% Any debt less than 6% is a fair price in my opinion, especially in light of what's been going on. i also have a variable debt loan which i'm paying down as quickly as possible but as someone said 'cheap debt is great - grab it while you can' anyway - i'm no expert but this plan makes sense to me.

i drove past earlier and saw what looked to be a red jag car crashed into the wall, to the right of tesco's car park. Tesco was still open but the police had shut the road going west (toward ED). i'm not sure if anyone was hurt. The car must hvae been going really fast to be able to crash through the wall like that.

I have contact details of peckham historian called john beasley. Email if you haven't already spoken with him.

? ?

I've seen him play live a few times, when he was a dj about 10 years ago, at festivals and london night clubs He was considered 'good' then by me and my friends and we owned some of his records He used to play mainstream jungle/drum and bass. He was one of the more famous jungle djs and quite 'commercial' which is probably why we never thought he was better than 'good'.... cos we were trying to be cool no doubt He can't read music but due to mixing drum and bass records for probably 10 years or so?, he understands about rhythm and therefore it's this knowledge that i assume he's applying to whatever he's doing now (not seen his the program you're on about) You probably know all this, sorry if so....

I heard that it's because fewer families are choosing to leave london these days (possibly for fear of losing job and not getting another one? or perhaps not wanting to sell their home in a depressed housing market?) and therefore london schools are becoming overcrowded. Is this right?

'oh well never mind the shooting just the inconvenience to commuters' i wasn't trying to down play the seriousness of a shooting. Sorry if it came across like that last time i mentioned travel disruption in the 'general' forum because of a fire in a camberwell estate (in which people died) the msg got 'lounged'. So to keep on topic (i.e. transport) i didn't want emphasise the shooting bit.... I also agree you can walk - but i thought it would be useful to those who maybe can't walk or could easily take an alternative route.. it was just meant to be a helpful post for those travelling home yesterday.

I think the Cut has been shut and blackfriars Road becuase of a shooting outside Waterloo station. I assume waterloo road also messed up. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/8186087.stm

Yes - i just used one today. It cost ?40 per chimney and the guy was called Mr. Pearce. You can contact him on 07930 345 245 i haven't been home yet to see what he's done. Saying that i'm not sure what swept chimneys even look like...! As you can tell, I'm new to this too but I gather that you can have open fires as long as you use smokeless fuel? there's someone on here that knows a lot more about this than me, i guess he'll pm you as he did me (he was very helpful).

I'm about to become a first time mum and i work full time in the city as an investment manager. I am the main bread winner by some margin, and this 'covers the mortgage' but not much else. why is it that the men don't step up and help? Or do they and the woman don't let them help? I just don't get it. I don't understand why these woman seem to end up doing EVERYTHING At 5 months pregnant i'm very scared and losing sleep over this very issue I feel like i have chosen this path of career-self distruction and sometimes feel stupid for doing it 'too early' at 31yrs... My sister (a pathologist) is at breaking point after her third child. for her 2008 christmas present from her husband (who is incredibly very hands on) she asked that he 'take care of all the house bills'... As her christmas present???

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jul/25/restaurant-review-franks-cafe-campari-bar Article in guardian about Frank's cafe

wow! can you post the photo?

I got a similar letter but my driver received a strike for throwing out a young lady, in black tie dress, in the middle of the night. Also the hotel's concierge complained too, which prevented the driver using the ol' 'she was p1ssed' trick. If we all keep reporting when this happens - it should hopefully stop

A3202 [Westminster Bridge Road] Waterloo eastbound between Dodson Street and A301, Waterloo Road, London restriction A3202 London - Intermittent lane closures on Westminster Bridge Road eastbound due to roadworks between Dodson Street and A301 Waterloo Road, in Waterloo Last updated: 6th July 2009 at 12:13, started: 29th November 2007, ending: 29th November 2009 it doesn't say anything about the roadworks btw dodson st and waterloo road but i guess it's this that's causing all the trouble how depressing that it's going on for two years.. (!) useful website though - thanks Tolly

KalamityKel it's been bad for a while but i think it's been made worse by the complete closure of 'The Cut' this morning it's not too bad if you get to e&c by 8am - any later and you're done for I think i will try the train tm thnx

Anyone know how long these road works are due to go on for? There's no yellow sign saying 'for x no. of weeks' I had enjoyed walking the remainder of my journey into work in recent weeks, until it started raining... Should i switch to the crowded ED trains instead?

I once came out of a work event at 3am (sober) from the Grosvernor House Hotel in west london. I was in a black tie dress and high heeled shoes. One of the porters waved me a cab and i got in. The black cab driver drove for approximately 3 mins away from the hotel, pulled up and said 'get out, i'm not going south of the river'. i had to get out and walk back to the hotel and ask for a further cab from the same porter. i had his details (no. plate, driver ID (found on back of his chair) and a description of him. Being able to get all his details was one advantage of being sober. The porter was very angry too and told me to report him. As this experience was not a one off for me, i wrote to Harriet Harman, Ken Livingston and the public carriage office, noting their 'DO YOU KONW WHAT YOU'RE GETTING INTO CAMPAIGN' which at the time targetted young woman getting into mini cabs. Harriet was the only one to write back and the driver was given 'one strike'. A second strike would cause him to lose his license. She said if anythign like this happens again I should definitely report it to the public carriage office. Black cab drivers hvae a monopoloy in london; they are effectively a SERVICE They HAVE to drive you if they have a light on and it's within 12 miles (i think) of where you're picked up. If they refuse or abuse you, take their ID and call up the next day i personally just use private hire firms now after the nightmares i've had with black cabs... grrrrr makes me really angry