Redesigned Dulwich Square

[Rockets]

I don't have the exact plans just have the artist's impression on the link provided in this thread - do you have the exact plans - if so, do share them?

So do you think the chicane that is currently in place is temporary and will not be in the final design when the works are completed?

Edited October 8, 2024 by Rockets

[malumbu]

It's worth a visit, I do weekly or more, sometimes walking, sometimes cycling, never driving.  It's nice to see people congregating.  Give it a go, you may be pleasantly surprised.

[first mate]

Plenty of lovely places around Dulwich Village to see people congregating, no need for another and a very poor excuse for this huge waste of money. 
 

In response to Rockets: if another poster (March) has access to the plans it would be great if they could share them on here.

[malumbu]

I'll do my own survey of people sitting in Dulwich Square, it will not be scientific and to make it more representative I'd need to ask people walking in the area with a frown on their face.

[first mate]

Well if not scientific, as your chums will tell you, no point. But seriously, we don't need your input anyway, as a local and also a frequent visitor to the Vanity Square area I already know that there are lots of places to socialise and congregate with others. The idea that we need more is laughable.

It is odd that these threads continue to attract you - like a moth to a flame. I am disappointed your call for help on bicycle helmets and cams has received virtually no attention. I may even be tempted to do a little research and give you suggestions. Are you considering a YouTube career, a bit like Barby on a Bike? 

Edited October 8, 2024 by first mate

[Rockets]

  On 08/10/2024 at 14:40, malumbu said:

It's worth a visit,

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It's now one of Time Out's must-see parts of London apparently.......especially with the new really expensive crazy paving!! Apparently Time Out claims that the cost per brick is the most expensive of anywhere in the world - making it London's must-see white elephant with the publication telling readers to "get there quick" before the council changes it all again because the cycle lobby think the new paving is "too bumpy".....;-)

[Hen123]

  On 08/10/2024 at 13:13, Rockets said:

An emergency vehicle will not fit along the path currently created heading up Calton unless it mounts the new pavement

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Look at the plan. The cycle track is easily wide enough to take an emergency vehicle. 

[Rockets]

Never mind what's on the artists impression - have you been down there to have a look - a 25 ft long and 9 ft wide fire engine weighing 13 tonnes could not negotiate through without driving up the kerbs but, as I mentioned before, I am sure I read that emergency vehicles can't use Calton anymore.

[Sue]

  On 08/10/2024 at 13:06, Hen123 said:

Here on the Southwark website. Looks quite nice. 

https://www.southwark.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/improving-our-streets/live-projects/street-improvements/dulwich-streets-for-people

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Dulwich streets for people!

🤣🤣🤣

[alice]

We see how the traffic calming off RyeLane has the same attention to detail and quality materials. Maybe we are fussing over nothing.

[Azalea]

Found this.

[Rockets]

A mile is a long way when it comes to the council's attitude towards spending.....

 

Honestly, were there ever two images that perfectly summed up Southwark Council.....

The council and it's cheerleaders should be ashamed #forthefewnotthemany

[CathFeldenkrais]

I'm not sure if they've done that good a job here - has anyone who has been there noticed how much the paving slopes? If it was like that before why not level it out now? And if it wasn't like that before why is it sloped now? 

Edited October 10, 2024 by CathFeldenkrais

[first mate]

Suspect the slope is deliberate to facilitate water run off. 
 

The new cycle way is cobbled and I understand it may be unpopular with some cyclists as it is not comfortable. Wonder if this was a deliberate design feature to slow cyclists down in this area?

[CathFeldenkrais]

  On 11/10/2024 at 07:49, first mate said:

Suspect the slope is deliberate to facilitate water run off. 
 

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I'm not sure about that, it looks to me like the slope will make rainwater gather in the 'valley' in the middle of the pavement as there's no road/gutter nearby for it to run to. Maybe it's part of the design as a water feature. 

[Rockets]

I stand corrected on the narrow bike chicane as work is now taking place to narrow the pavement on the cottage side of the road to accommodate the new cycle track to, I suspect, smooth the curve.

 

Interestingly, the road is now closed to all vehicles (including cycles) as they do the work closest to Calton Avenue and there is a clearly signposted diversion for bikes around Dekker Road.....that very few bikes are actually respecting...most choosing to cycle along the narrow footpath in front of the bookshop.....

Edited October 11, 2024 by Rockets

[Kathleen Olander]

  On 11/10/2024 at 13:52, Rockets said:

I stand corrected on the narrow bike chicane as work is now taking place to narrow the pavement on the cottage side of the road to accommodate the new cycle track to, I suspect, smooth the curve.

 

Interestingly, the road is now closed to all vehicles (including cycles) as they do the work closest to Calton Avenue and there is a clearly signposted diversion for bikes around Dekker Road.....that very few bikes are actually respecting...most choosing to cycle along the narrow footpath in front of the bookshop.....

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Yes, I had to tell a cargo cyclist from Hugo's Eco Delivery to get off that path yesterday.  He was taking up the whole width of the path whilst pedestrians waited at other end for him, unbelievable.

[ab29]

Millions of pounds have been spent on design, redesign and re-redesign etc. of closed Dulwich Village junction - and yet the bridge in Dulwich Park has been closed for over a year now.

Whatever the initial ptoblem was it has been made ten times worst by doing nothing.

Why there is enough money  to waste on vanity projects like the DV junction and LTN and yet not enough to do something for the community??

Edited Sunday at 11:51 by ab29

[Sue]

  On 22/06/2025 at 11:41, ab29 said:

Millions of pounds have been spent on design, redesign and re-redesign etc. of closed Dulwich Village junction - and yet the bridge in Dulwich Park has been closed for over a year now.

Whatever the initial ptoblem was it has been made ten times worst by doing nothing.

Why there is enough money  to waste on vanity projects like the DV junction and LTN and yet not enough to do something for the community??

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I'm not sure why you have resurrected a thread from November 2024 to post this 

As noted on at least one other more recent thread, the bridge in Dulwich Park is not economical to repair and has to be replaced.

I'm also not sure on what grounds you state that the initial problem "has been made ten times worse by doing nothing". 

What evidence do you have for that?

Certainly there are questions to be asked of  whoever it was who signed off the original spec, as I assume the materials used weren't fit for purpose.

Your post raises a number of other issues.

1. Why do you call the DV junction a "vanity project"? Many people  would consider that it definitely "does something for the community."

2. Why do you call LTNs " vanity projects " ? Again, many people would consider that these definitely "do something for the community".

3. The money to replace the bridge will come out of a completely different "pot" to the  money used for what you described as "vanity projects."

So not having the DV junction or LTNs would not have  released money to replace the bridge.

Edited Sunday at 14:28 by Sue

[ab29]

  On 22/06/2025 at 14:24, Sue said:

I'm not sure why you have resurrected a thread from November 2024 to post this 

As noted on at least one other more recent thread, the bridge in Dulwich Park is not economical to repair and has to be replaced.

I'm also not sure on what grounds you state that the initial problem "has been made ten times worse by doing nothing". 

What evidence do you have for that?

Certainly there are questions to be asked of  whoever it was who signed off the original spec, as I assume the materials used weren't fit for purpose.

Your post raises a number of other issues.

1. Why do you call the DV junction a "vanity project"? Many people  would consider that it definitely "does something for the community."

2. Why do you call LTNs " vanity projects " ? Again, many people would consider that these definitely "do something for the community".

3. The money to replace the bridge will come out of a completely different "pot" to the  money used for what you described as "vanity projects."

So not having the DV junction or LTNs would not have  released money to replace the 

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"As noted on at least one other more recent thread, the bridge in Dulwich Park is not economical to repair and has to be replaced" - a year later, what does this mean?

[Rockets]

  On 22/06/2025 at 14:24, Sue said:

3. The money to replace the bridge will come out of a completely different "pot" to the  money used for what you described as "vanity projects."

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Are you sure? From memory parks is under the same pot that is being funded by the revenue from the CPZs and LTNs.

There are two things that stand out in that area now:

1) the urgent need for a pedestrian crossing at the apex of the chicane to try to abate the speed of some cyclists coming down Calton.

2) How the owner of Rose Cottage has had a street sign made proclaiming Dulwich Village Square and put it on the side of their house. I am sure Knight Frank are sharpening their estate agent thesaurus in eager anticipation of being given a shot at marketing the house being proposed to be built in the garden....in the newly proclaimed Dulwich Village Square! 😉

Edited Sunday at 16:06 by Rockets

[Kathleen Olander]

  On 22/06/2025 at 15:50, Rockets said:

Are you sure? From memory parks is under the same pot that is being funded by the revenue from the CPZs and LTNs.

There are two things that stand out in that area now:

1) the urgent need for a pedestrian crossing at the apex of the chicane to try to abate the speed of some cyclists coming down Calton.

2) How the owner of Rose Cottage has had a street sign made proclaiming Dulwich Village Square and put it on the side of their house. I am sure Knight Frank are sharpening their estate agent thesaurus in eager anticipation of being given a shot at marketing the house being proposed to be built in the garden....in the newly proclaimed Dulwich Village Square! 😉

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It's Ash Cottage not Rose, I was surprised it was allowed on a listed building in a Conservation area.

[Insuflo]

  On 22/06/2025 at 18:02, Kathleen Olander said:

 I was surprised it was allowed on a listed building 

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It’s not a listed building, is it? I can’t find any record of it being listed.

[Kathleen Olander]

  On 22/06/2025 at 18:42, Insuflo said:

It’s not a listed building, is it? I can’t find any record of it being listed.

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It ought to be!

[Rockets]

  On 22/06/2025 at 14:24, Sue said:

3. The money to replace the bridge will come out of a completely different "pot" to the  money used for what you described as "vanity projects."

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Sue, I was correct - Projects in Parks comes from the same pot as CPZ and LTN revenue - the council spent 244,000 on Parks last year from a surplus of £17m....perhaps they could find the money to replace the bridge by using some of that surplus as they spent £2m on LTNs alone......