former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?

[James Barber]

Hi elln, Nigello,

Not sure why we'd want to speed up these pointless, 7.5m from every corner apex, double yellow lines. They're being placed at junctions with no recorded crashes. I could understand 2-3 metres but not 7.5m.

When I challenged the officers about the lack of problem they're fixing they said they wanted all the boroughs junctions to be consistent - another way of saying box ticking.

[Nigello]

I think at Goodrich, Friern and Dunstan's they are useful: parents who drive their children to school (not great in the first place) have a tendency to park in places they ought not to - even on double yellows. Hundreds of children, parents (and pets) use these footpaths daily at least 2/3 of the year, so I am happy for them to be there, at least. I am just puzzled as to why they could not have been done properly in the first place, by warning drivers that painting was due to take place.

[elln]

I guess pointless is really not the right adjective for the double yellow lines. I would rather use it for something else, but let's skip the details. You clearly don't know the situation in this area, very close to Lordship Lane and main shops and restaurants. Well, I live here and I see it everyday. From buggies and weelchairs that can't cross the street, to the MANY lorries stopping by for deliveries and many cars parking on footpath everyday. BUT that's not the point.

THE ROAD JUNCTION SAFETY WAS EFFECTIVE IN FEBRUARY AND THE CONTRACTOR HASN'T FINISHED THE WORKS. Different problem.

Thanks

[James Barber]

Hi ell,

I'm totally supportive of people being able to cross the road. I'm a paid up member of Living Streets and fully support their plans and have created two projects they're now running with in East Dulwich - Play Streets signage and funding Walk to School programmes at our local schools.

The dropped kerbs are often, if even present, not on the walking desire line and need to be moved. They take people away form being visible at junctions in many cases. But the yellow lines placed at 7.5m from the apex of corners go far beyond making it easy to cross. And the corners with the added double yellow lines have no recorded crash data - so it seems hard to make them safer!

Any car of lorry parking on pavements should be ticketed- but that's a different topic as you point put.

[James Barber]

It has taken a while but I received the requested information about Dog Kennel Hill being kept free for vehicles and people walking during the last snow event a fortnight or so ago just last night.

It seems clear one side pavement wasn't salted. I've asked what changes will occur this time.

"

Dear Councillor Barber

Thank you for your email for which xxxxxxxxx has asked that I could respond. I have previously provided a response to the query on quiet tarmac.

With respect to the actions to deal with snow and ice on Dog Kennel Hill on Tuesday/Wednesday 28th/29th February, I would provide the following information:

Carriageway salting:

As regards carriageways, the following was undertaken:

Tuesday 27th 20.00 all major routes (8gm spread rate)

Wednesday 28th 07.00 all major routes (12gm spread rate)

Wednesday 28th 15.00 all major routes (20gm spread rate)

The above have all been confirmed and we have received corroborative data from our contractor for Dog Kennel Hill.

Footway salting:

Prior to the snow fall, the Cleansing teams sprayed a de-icing agent on to the pavements on Dog Kennel Hill. This agent helped once the snow fell as it prevented the ice forming under the snow. One side of the pavement to Dog Kennel Hill was fully gritted on the Wednesday before midday. However, the teams ran low on salt and the other side was completed on Thursday.

Please don?t hesitate to contact me if you should require any further information.

"

[elln]

I am really sorry, but I am not sure why do you keep saying that 7.5 is useless.. It has been implemented (enforced, whatever) in February.

I didn't ask for an opinion but, I wanted to know if you can help since the contractor is not finishing the works.

The results, it's wild parking (which means cars parked on the apex).

In my opinion, the "no crash" record it's really a poor point to raise. Do you need accidents to happen to convince people that something is wrong?

I believe it is so much better to prevent them instead...

These are tiny streets and the more space we get at junctions, the better, so you can see who is coming from around the corner and make sure none get stuck. Also and again, big lorries (big problem) have more space to turn etc.

If you still want to stick to the no crash record, I can tell you that probably there is no records of accidents because the majority of them are "silent" - in the last 6 months I found my car with 3 dents and I have seen at least 2 lorries scratching cars parked and leaving quickly..

I don't know in other areas, but here 7.5 it is definitely needed and i was so happy that was implemented!

Going back to my first request: do you know how to chase the contractors?

Thanks!

[James Barber]

Hi elln,

Sorry, I have reported back some pages ago that officers are gradually completing the double yellow lines.

If no crashes have occurred in 13 years of publicly available crash data they're unlikely to occur. The highway code states 10m from the apex required but that's for any speed of road up to 60mph. on 20mph roads much less would logically be required. The officer argument is to ensure good nightlines. The evidence suggest good nightlines lead to speeding as car drivers don't have uncertainty.

Evidentially 7.5m would seem at best unwise.

[James Barber]

Hi Nigello,

A study to Barry Road speeding is taking place. I've asked when the draft of the public consultation will be ready so we can ensure this is also considered. As soon as I know Ill share here.

Nigello Wrote:

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

> I saw lots of young people/children scurrying over

> Barry Road from near Sylvester Road adn think a

> zebra or other type of crossing is needed. They

> were going to events at the church just off Barry,

> which hsa to be more than a weekly event.

[Penguin68]

PLEASE READ MY MESSAGE ABOUT YOUR CPZ SURVEY ON THE RELEVANT THREAD. I AM SHOUTING FOR A REASON

[siousxiesue]

Hi James

I'm wondering if this is your remit even, but if not maybe others have an opinion?

Rye Caf? was recently taken over by Colicci, as they have done in Dulwich park also. The Rye building seems to be malfunctioning regularly! The shutters are stuck down on half the building and the access is only from the back door now so wheelchairs would struggle.

I know they won the contract but I think they're highly overrated, prices went up and it's turned from a caff where you could get a great sausage sandwich etc to a place that time restricts breakfast! Service of a weekend can be glacial.

What do others think?

[James Barber]

Hi siousxiesue,

Let me ask council officers about the building problems.

I'm afraid the council will have sub contracted this to presumably the highest bidder. Fortunately Caf? G isn't so far away and they don't seem glacial even at the weekend.

[Sue]

If you want an absolutely fantastic cafe with great food and friendly service, attached to a park, go to the one at The Rookery in Streatham!

It has improved out of all recognition in the last year or so!

[Sally Eva]

siousxiesue Wrote:

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

> Hi James

>

> I'm wondering if this is your remit even, but if

> not maybe others have an opinion?

>

> Rye Caf? was recently taken over by Colicci, as

> they have done in Dulwich park also. The Rye

> building seems to be malfunctioning regularly! The

> shutters are stuck down on half the building and

> the access is only from the back door now so

> wheelchairs would struggle.

>

> I know they won the contract but I think they're

> highly overrated, prices went up and it's turned

> from a caff where you could get a great sausage

> sandwich etc to a place that time restricts

> breakfast! Service of a weekend can be glacial.

>

> What do others think?

I think the coffee is awful

[siousxiesue]

James Barber Wrote:

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

> Hi siousxiesue,

> Let me ask council officers about the building

> problems.

>

> I'm afraid the council will have sub contracted

> this to presumably the highest bidder. Fortunately

> Caf? G isn't so far away and they don't seem

> glacial even at the weekend.

I get that the bid was won by Colicci but don't these come with at east some conditions attached or standard expectations to be met? And yes Cafe G is fab but sometimes there is 15 in our group so space is a problem ;-)

[flocker spotter]

How can you help?

Take Q8 out of your survey or make it clear that people do not need to answer it.

[James Barber]

Hi flocker spotter,

But you don't have to answers question 8.

Why is it offending you when you clearly understand it is optional and the survey is clear which questions are optional?

[terrig]

Hi James, can you find out/do you know the reason for the major works on Piermont Green - seems to be installation of kerb edging on the road that runs across the green that is access to 4 houses? There didn?t seem to be much wrong with that road given the traffic levels yet there are major potholes and wonky pavements that are not being addressed across East Dulwich. What is the reason for this spending and priority? Thanks.

[James Barber]

Hi terrie,

I'm afraid I don't.

Let me ask and come back to you.

[James Barber]

Hi terrie,

This is the response I;'ve had back a few moments ago...

"

Southwark Council - Member enquiry

Our reference - 907663

Subject - Piermont Green

Dear Councillor Barber

Thank you for your enquiry dated28th March 2018, in which you requested information regarding the following:

Can you please tell me what changes are being made to the Piermont Green area please - I've had several residents contact me incensed about public money being spent in whatever way it is being spent!

Something about new kerbs?

I can now provide you with a full response to your enquiry.

The pathways across Peirmont Green were significantly damaged and required reconstructing. The weight of vehicles using the path had caused the edges to erode away. To stop the same thing happening again a kerb edge is being installed as part of the construction. This will ensure the road can continue to accept waste collections and residents at the end of it can safely access their properties.

The kerb stones were initially installed at the wrong height. The contractor is reinstalling them in a lower position.

The concrete posts that lined the road will be reinstalled once the work is completed. We expect this to be completed by the end of next week.

If you have any questions about this response please do not hesitate to contact me "

[terrig]

Thanks James. I wish a proportionate amount of money, time and effort would go into mending the potholes on large stretches of Underhill Road between Friern Road and as far as Harris primary on Lordship Lane. A major traffic route for cars, cyclists and the P13 bus, and it?s like driving down a farm track in parts, and really dangerous cycling as there are so many holes to try and avoid.

[alex_b]

James - Do you know what the rules are for builders using the road for building materials? On Adys Road we've had two parking spaces used since Wednesday by building materials covered by a tarpaulin and held down with paving slabs, this is in addition to a skip that's been sat full to overflowing for over a week. I reported it to Southwark via the online form but I guess they haven't classed it as fly tipping (or didn't get to it before the Easter weekend).

I don't mind if someone's actively unloading material but to leave it taking up the road for the best part of a week seems to be taking the p**s.

[James Barber]

Hi terrie,

Plans are in place to renew Underhill Road in the coming financial year if memory serves me right and mention n on this thread a couple of months ago.

Hi alex_b,

Skips are licensed and meant to be temporary an ereoved when full.

The highway can be closed for periods time if a Traffic Management Order and thorough requirement proven. What you've described doesn't fit that bill.

Can you email me a picture and I'll I'll take it up for you and your neighbours.

[Alan Medic]

Hi James,

their is a water leak underneath the footpath on Grove Vale near the junction with Melbourne Grove. It's been there well over a week. It's a shame for so much water to be wasted. Would you please check out if this is going to be dealt with?

Secondly,I watched a report on TV recently of what Chelmsford Council have been doing with their recycling. They have been exporting it to Hong Kong and Poland. In both cases the recycling was left too long to be of any use and would end up in landfill. What do Southwark Council do with our recycling?

[intexasatthe moment]

Alan ,having looked at Thames water's website it looks as tho this is in hand .https://www.thameswater.co.uk/Help-and-Advice/Report-a-problem/Report-a-problem?type=leak

"Reported Leak with potential traffic disruption

SE22: Grove Vale

Reference number: 31051623

Status : Planning

We've completed our investigation on the leak on Grove Vale and raised the repair needed. We're continuning to work with the local council to plan the repair as quickly and safely as possible with minimal impact to local properties and public.

Thanks for checking if we're aware of the leak.

Find out more about the process of repairing a leak

Traffic disruption

Temporary traffic lights are in use at this location.

We are very sorry for any disruption this may cause and ask motorists to bear with us while we carry out this essential work.

Repairing road surfaces

Any repairs to the road surface may take longer as we will need to liaise with the relevant local authority".

I think traffic control may delay things .

[James Barber]

Hi Alan Medic,

I spotted it last weekend and reported it to Thames water. It appears be getting worse but ITATM has kindly reported it is in hand now.

General point -

The new 18-22 Grove Vale block to get it's gas connected will apparently need to connect the other side of Grove Vale. Or was it water. Eitherway some serious traffic management issues to make this happen before June when the first residents move in.