former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?

[Penguin68]

Hi P68,

People don't function as well with insufficient sleep. That results in them being less safe and less productive.

That may well be true (I believe it is) as regards long-term sleep deprivation, which I acknowledged in my post - but I very much doubt whether deprivation for the short period of the road works would have any measurable economic effect (which was what you were claiming), particularly when you consider (1) how few people would have been impacted in that specific spot (there are not that many residences around it) and (2) the fact that some people are not as effected by extraneous noise as others when it comes to sleeping. Which is not to downplay the (albeit short lived) inconvenience and annoyance of the night works to those impacted.

However (and the point I was making) was that the night works were 'trading off' against long queues of traffic during day time rushes which would have led to higher pollution levels - so I trade your 'broken sleep patterns' against my increased incidence (and exacerbation) of asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, which (as pollution drifts) is more likely to impact more people as regards social and economic impact. And is more likely to have a long term effect continuing after the nightworks had completed. You can catch up on sleep, but damaged lungs are damaged for much longer.

But (in the grand scale of things) either set of impacts, over only the short duration of the works, is actually going to be relatively minimal. I believe (on balance) the greater good was served by the night works, you clearly don't.

[Penguin68]

Oh, James, and by-the-way...

People don't function as well with insufficient sleep. That results in them being less safe and less productive. ...excellent argument against having children - clearly rather than the government paying parents a child allowance, parents should be paying higher taxes to compensate for their chosen reduced productivity and increases in being unsafe for others.

[James Barber]

Hi P68,

I'm puzzled. I think you're suggesting the inconvenience of people being delayed can be calculated for specific journeys, hours, days but that the loss of sleep for local residents for each night could not be calculated.

I don't see why not. When Southwark Council had works to do they made much more effort to minimise nigh time disturbance than TfL have taken.

[Sue]

James Barber Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hi Sue,

> Southwark Council no longer operate a phone line

> to report such issues but want everyone to report

> it via an online reporting here -

> https://forms.southwark.gov.uk/beta/ShowForm.asp?f

> m_fid=1541&np=1

>

> If you get stuck please escalate the issue to me

> by emailing me at [email protected]

>

>

> Sue Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > James, please could you tell me who I should

> > contact re emptying a dog poo bin at the end of

> > Ulverscroft Road, which is overflowing.

> >

> > It isn't exactly encouraging people to pick up

> > after their dog if they can't then put their

> bag

> > in a bin.

Thanks James,will do

[Penguin68]

Hi P68,

I'm puzzled. I think you're suggesting the inconvenience of people being delayed can be calculated for specific journeys, hours, days but that the loss of sleep for local residents for each night could not be calculated.

I don't see why not. When Southwark Council had works to do they made much more effort to minimise nigh time disturbance than TfL have taken.

There are existing algorithms which calculate traffic delay as a function of economic loss - that was the basis of the creation of a congestion charge which was hypothesized would lead, with increased traffic speeds, to improved economic efficiencies. So a simple traffic log of average traffic speeds through the junction would allow an economic value to be placed on increased delays because of road works. There are no algorithms that I know of (and indeed no studies) of very short term (under a week) broken sleep (but only probably of some people, and not many in that particular position with very little residential housing in close proximity) on their economic productivity. My own experience as a parent suggests that the impact of much longer periods of broken sleep had little or no impact on my work productivity.

But my case was actually hypothecated (see earlier posts) on the impact of extended queuing day-time traffic on road pollution (and in particular NOx) - which is typically output by the commercial vehicles which might be expected to be queuing during day-works at that point. Free(er) flowing day traffic seemed to me to be a fair trade off for the broken sleep, over only a very few days, of a relatively small group of residents.

[Abe_froeman]

James what happened to this?

"messageRe: East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?

Posted by James Barber June 06, 11:33AM

Hi esme,

Certainly the Lordship Lane paving. I've walked the lane with officer and they're preparing a schedule of things that need fixing based on our audit. "

[first mate]

James Barber Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hi first mate,

> We have no CGS underspend to reallocate.

> The next round of CGS should open for applications

> in October/November.

James, yes no underspend for allocation because it seems the money has been spent on other things viewed as more important.

I also echo Abe's question.

[edhistory]

I thought Mr Barber's Public Realm Patrols were going to cover these areas as well:

Advertising hoardings fixed to buildings without plaaning persmission and/or business rates assessment.

Estate agent signs that should have been removed.

Shop fascia lettering that was installed after the current legislation came into force, is oversized, and does not have planning permission.

Street furniture that requires a permit but does not have one.

[rch]

edhistory - FYI, these street audits have been regular events over the years - in fact, it used to be that residents were invited to attend these audits, as they have better knowledge of the local area. The council officer attending will have begun the process of implementing the observations agreed in the audit.

In fact, to address Abe's point, I've personally seen that some of the pavement repairs have been performed... but, the problem over the years is that these repairs consist of either cementing a gap or lifting the problematic paving slab and inserting sand underneath, which lasts for maybe a month or so (maybe a year at most).

To keep spending council funds for these temporary repairs, over and over, becomes expensive over the years... there becomes a point where it actually becomes more economically viable to backfill and upgrade an entire footpath, section by section... which is what I have been trying to bid for.

[rch]

Am reposting a previous post that got buried on the last page:-

Hi James... apparently there's going to be an underspend added to the devolved highways budget amount this year, to use up before the ward boundary changes... I suspect that's why everything is delayed for the moment, as calculations take place.

But having an additional CGS top up amount available would help to address various lengths in a sensible manner. For instance, my refused CGS bid for "sections" of Lordship, assessed in tandem with engineers, might have been able to cover the costs of new granite pavements in the section running north from North Cross up to Frogley. The temporary pavement repairs aren't lasting, so it makes sense to work our way up and down Lordship with new paving where possible.

The situation with Chesterfield, Ashbourne, and a section of EDG is more complicated... it's now actually being flagged by the council's algorithm calculations, but they are only going to be done in sections as well because of funding issues.

There's more, but am trying not to post long posts...

[James Barber]

Hi ed history, Abe, etc,

After much chasing we're still waiting the officer listing of public realm issues. We have allocated some of our devolved revenue funding to help make this happen. More chasing to do I'm afraid.

Hi rch,

The calculations you talk about shouldn't take more than a quiet afternoon to complete. The money could have been allocated by ward councillors and the repairs taking place by now. Extremely frustrating for this money to be sitting in the bank earning next to zero interest while we have unrepaired pavements and roads.

It is a lame excuse.

[rch]

Hi James... unfortunately devolved funding is a constitutional nightmare, needing to go through multiple layers of dept manager, officer, and cabinet approval protocols. I've also noticed that the DCC area tends to get allocated less devolved funding than the rest of the borough (for instance, I seem to remember that our CGS is a lesser amount and chunks of our CIL gets diverted).

But this is why I'm driving everyone mad, trying to stay on top of what's happening and putting down markers as to where we need genuine highway/pavement works to be done... as it may be that the highway algorithm calculations will override resident observations/campaigns on where the worst pavement issues are, so the underspend could get allocated according to algorithm and not human being calculations.

All I know for sure at the moment is that one section of Chesterfield is going to be completely backfilled and repaved with upgraded slabs in September (delayed from July)... but Chesterfield should have been done years ago, it fell off the radar.

Also, bear in mind that the officer who wrote the restrictive tree planting policies has now left the council and there are now negotiations on reducing the planting restrictions, which I'm going to try to manoeuvre through into East Dulwich and Village with our CGS planting request lists in the autumn, fingers crossed.

I'll try to start some discussion threads so everyone here can see what's going on and contribute opinions.

[James Barber]

Yesterday evening we had a mediation session for Frogley Road residents bout the extreme anti social waste collections of Lordship Lane businesses and Deliveroo riders making a racket outside homes.

If anyone else is suffering form such anti social noises please get in touch.

[worldwiser]

Hi James, would be nice to hear if any progress on the waste being dumped outside the Foxton flats? I've been quietly waging a war against the Bishop for their hilarious 1am waste pickups. I think I finally won.

Just having read the other thread, my sincere condolences. The above is unimportant.

[James Barber]

Hi worldwiser,

The occupants should have received letter from the council explaining their waste arrangements . Precurosr to fining people ignoring them.

Let me check this took place.

[Pugwash]

Hi James,

I was approached by one of our local residents requesting that the council give some consideration to install a zebra crossing in Barry Road to enable Church attendees at St. Clements to cross safely (by Graham Court). I mentioned the Goodrich crossing and the Underhill lights but was informed that many attendees come by car and have mobility problems and the crossings are too far away to walk to.

I felt that this may not be practical but promised I would contact you anyway.

[worldwiser]

Hi James, thanks for this. I also contacted the environment team on Aug 23. Still no reply other than the automated one and the refuse continues to be left. In high winds it blows down the street and foxes are always tearing into the bags. It is quite awful. I really wonder what motivates the occupants to to spoil the neighbourhood they only just moved into.

[James Barber]

Hi Pugwash,

Let me speak with the church. They have some private parking. Equally Barry road is too fast for less mobile people cross or divert around crossings.

Hi Worldwiser,

I'm also waiting a reply. I'll chase tomorrow.

[Pugwash]

The church has got parking spaces for a few cars so I imagine it is first come first served situation. The bus stops are near Goodrich and Underhill so within a zebra crossing and lights. I got the impression that the lady I spoke with thought that with a zebra crossing outside Graham Court the car speeds would be reduced. Highly unlikely judging the number of times I have been overtaken when driving down at around 20mph.

[eastdulwichhenry]

Hi James

Just wondering if you're aware of the loud noise issue on the Dulwich Hamlet FC astroturf? More details at http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,336529,1670120

It's been going on for a few weeks now, and there's some suggestion that they have a "loud noise" licence from the council. Is there such a thing, and if so can we protest against it? It's really making it difficult to relax on a Sunday afternoon.

Thanks

[James Barber]

Hi eastdulwichhenry,

I had thought it a one time event with a report to me that it went on until 2am on the astroturf. Looking at that thread appears a more regular problem now. I will ask the council noise team what they plan to do about this anti social behaviour.

Hi Pugwash,

I've asked about having average speed cameras on Barry Road - so far without success. That would solve the speeding problem.

[James Barber]

The annual round of Cleaner, Greener, Safer capital funding is still open until 23 October.

http://www.2.southwark.gov.uk/info/200256/cleaner_greener_safer/1554/applications

If you have an idea to make the area better get in touch and I can talk you through applying for funding or even complete the paperwork for you.

I've had an evening of talking to two people proposing projects and helped them. Fun things to help with as a councillor.

[Jacqui5254]

Hi James,

sorry to post twice on the forum today but, frustratingly, have an issue with the set up for Southwark's Bulky Waste Collection.. My main issues being not only the lack of collection on the date promised, but also the fact that there is no way of contacting anyone to chase up the problem.

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,1868028,1868037#msg-1868037

Any help appreciated!

many thanks, Jacqui.

[James Barber]

Hi Jacqui5254,

Yes the bulky waste service the council provides has become truly awful since they introduced a charge for it. The charge has meant a reduction in people using the service so fewer crews employed to provide it. That reduced capacity and peoples rightful expectations being higher for a paid service, combined with the council no longer taking phone call queries has create this appalling service.

My lot given a chance would restore the service as free to residents with the ability to phone and talk to someone empowered to fix problems - enough electioneering for today!

If you email me the specifics of your case I can escalate the problem and get your problem fixed.

[Jacqui5254]

Thanks so much James for your reply and prompt email follow-up to Southwark.

Needless to say, the items are still outside awaiting collection.

kind regards,

Jacqui.