We are writing to all our members to bring three matters to your attention: January 2011 • The request by Airport Limited to extend its operations during the Olympic Games in 2012 • Recent developments regarding the repair of the Road bridge between Chislehurst and • Rumours regarding the future of Chislehurst Library You may wish to give Council your views on all or some of these matters Biggin Hill Airport Request to vary the terms of their lease Biggin Hill Airport Limited (BHAL) has a 125 year lease from Bromley Council which restricts the operational hours and the number of flights in and out of Biggin Hill, and prohibits commercial fare-paying passenger services. For some considerable time BHAL has repeatedly tried to get a number of the restrictions removed. It has now applied for temporary changes to operational hours and flight restrictions during the time of the 2012 Olympic Games. The main changes proposed are: i) to concerns on a number of fronts: increase the opening hours, on weekdays from 06.30 to 23.00 (currently to 22.00) and at weekends from 06.30 1. That there has been a lack of openness on the part of to 23.00 (currently 09.00 to 20.00), and ii) a change on Bromley Council regarding the request. It has been the ban on fare-paying passengers for air taxi users. suggested that discussions have taken place with BHAL which have not been made public. The original Impact on Chislehurst. application was lodged just before Christmas with a Chislehurst lies under the flight path (as do Princess deadline of 4 February to object. It was not widely Royal and Queen Mary Hospitals) and together with circulated, and there has been no consultation with other areas of Bromley residents of Chislehurst will be local groups such as ourselves. This goes contrary particularly affected by the increase in aircraft traffic in to undertakings previously given that there would operational hours, and in particular by increase in noise be consultation in the event of any proposal to vary and air pollution. It is vitally important therefore that the lease. Arguing that decisions must be made so residents are properly informed of, and consulted upon, quickly because of the imminence of the Olympics is any proposal that could have a longer term effect. not convicing as BHAL have had several years already to prepare for the Olympics. Following complaints, Precedent for future changes. the consultation period has been extended to 18 The proposal to change the hours may not in itself appear February. too much of a problem for a short period, particularly 2. The leader of Bromley Council, Councillor Carr, for a once-in-a-lifetime event such as the Olympics. has said that any objection to the proposal by an Nevertheless, it will increase traffic and noise levels late organisation such as the Chislehurst Society would at night and early in the morning over Chislehurst. be counted as only one objection, despite our having The proposal to allow fare-paying passengers is in our 4,000 members. This suggests that Bromley Council view a more substantial change, enabling a much wider is trying to reduce the weight of complaints. range of aircraft operations, and likely to result in much 3. We have seen no indication that Bromley Council more traffic and larger aircraft. has taken legal advice on the long term implications of short term variations, particularly in the light If we could be assured that these changes were purely of earlier Court decisions. It is vital that they are temporary, and had no longer term implications, fewer absolutely certain that BHAL could not use this as a people would object. However some people have real means of getting more permanent variations. Many

You can contact the Chislehurst Society by telephone: 020 8467 0900, or email: [email protected] Our website address is www.chislehurst-society.org.uk people with experience of dealing with BHAL believe Chislehurst Road Bridge this is part of the reason for these proposed changes. You will be aware that the bridge over the railway line on Chislehurst Road is weak, and weight restrictions are in How to respond. force. We have received the following information from If you are concerned, you should write as soon as Bromley Council about plans for a new bridge: possible to Cllr. Julian Benington, Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley, BR1 3UH. Cllr. Benington is the Portfolio • Plans to build a new bridge have been developed for Holder for Renewal & Recreation who is dealing with some while and a design for a proposed new bridge BHAL’s request. You have until 18 February to submit has been produced. The new bridge will comprise your views. steel beams, high containment parapets and a GRP enclosure to the supporting beams. A specimen letter is attached below. It is recommended • An exercise has been undertaken to select suitably that you personalize the letter to make it more of your qualified contractors to undertake demolition of the own. If you are aware of other Chislehurst Society existing bridge and rebuilding of the new structure. members in your area or indeed any local resident who • The current programme indicates a start on site would be interested, please pass this note on to them. in October 2011 with completion in April 2013, You should also to copy any letter of objection to your however the start date is subject to receipt of local MP and Councillor. Their details are set out below. confirmation of funding from . The Chislehurst Society Executive Committee discussed • The road will need to be closed to vehicular traffic this matter at its January meeting last week, and we are for the majority of this construction programme, in discussion with other interested groups. We will be however the intention is to maintain pedestrian submitting our own observations before the deadline. access throughout the demolition/reconstruction period with the exception of certain activities where Specimen letter it would be too dangerous to allow pedestrian use. (Make sure to add your name and full address) In particular this would be when heavy loads were being lifted and is likely to be restricted to certain Renewal and Recreation night times only. Airport Consultation • The diversion route will be the same as exists currently Bromley Council for buses and heavier vehicles i.e. using Leesons Hill, Bromley Civic Centre Sevenoaks Road/Cray Avenue and Road. Stockwell Close If you wish to express your views, please contact your Bromley Councillor and MP (details on this page) or contact: BR1 3UH For the attention of Cllr.Julian Benington Lisa Allen,Team Leader - Traffic,Transport and Highways Division, Civic Centre, Bromley BR1 3UH, Email: lisa. ____February 2011 [email protected] Dear Sirs, I would like to register my opposition to the Proposals made by Biggin Hill Airport Ltd. to vary temporarily Chislehurst Library during the Olympic Games in 2012 certain terms of the Following the publication of Bromley Council’s proposed existing arrangements with Bromley Council, including budget changes, it is clear that there is a threat of closure extending opening hours and allowing a change of the of public libraries. We had previously been informally ban on fare paying passenger flights. advised that Chislehurst Library would not be closed, but Yours sincerely there are rumours that this may yet happen. Contact Details We are fully aware of the need for Bromley Council to reduce spending, and that some difficult decisions have MP: been and will need to be made. However, our library is the Rt. Hon. Bob Neill, MP, House of Commons, London a public amenity under the stewardship of the Council, SW1A 0AA or e-mail: [email protected] and we do not believe it is acceptable for decision to be Ward councillors: made on closure without proper consultation with users Eric Bosshard ([email protected]), and local of residents. Katy Boughey ([email protected]), The Society is writing to the Council and our Councillors asking them to confirm that before any decision is taken, Ian Payne ([email protected]), proper consultation will be undertaken, and alternative plans considered. Roger Charsley ([email protected]) and If you feel the same, or wish to express any views on Charles Rideout ([email protected]). this or other local matters, please contact your ward (All at Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley, BR1 3UH) councillor (details on this page).