Westcombe News March 2017 LOCAL NEWS YMCA? Why Not? Nursery Schools Under Threat
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WestcombeNEWS Free to 3800 homes, & in libraries & some shops March 2017 No. 2 A community newspaper commended by the London Forum of Amenity & Civic Societies Inspectors judge the merits of the Tunnel he Westcombe Society has that TfL must show that traffic been crossing the Thames levels will not increase from cur- Tto take part in the Public rent levels, and that air pollution Investigation into the Silvertown levels will improve overall with Tunnel plans. Along with Knight no area worsening. Without that, Dragon (developers on the we cannot support the scheme. Greenwich Peninsula), the Health But such guarantees are hard Members of St George’s congregation took part in a march in central London against the policies of D. and Safety Executive, affected to believe. Objectors, including Trump. A popular slogan: “Build bridges, not walls!” In the words of the outgoing Bishop of London, boroughs, the Port of London the Westcombe Society, have Richard Chartres: “I find it impossible to believe that Jesus Christ would approve of erecting barriers Authority, and many others, we argued that the current queues between people and in any way demeaning sections of the community.” have been representing our views indicate a high level of demand Greenwich too has concerns, new bus routes, and how the Anatomy of a hearing to the Planning Inspectorate team for the crossing, and that it will including pressure on the charges will affect people – who must judge the planning be tough to set the charges at a Woolwich Ferry and the effects of especially those on low incomes. The hearings are illuminating. Held merits of the proposal. level which will control traffic an estimated extra 100 vehicles And they have been very clear mainly at the Excel Centre, they that they want everyone to have a The Silvertown Tunnel is the without seeming unfair. per hour at rush hour through the have concentrated on air quality & voice through the proceedings, Transport for London scheme to Analysis suggests that south- World Heritage Site. Despite noise aspects; traffic modelling; including individuals who might add a new road crossing of the bound traffic will increase, with these concerns, Greenwich still economic impacts; as well as on Thames, running roughly under the bottleneck on the A102 from actively wants the Silvertown feel quite shy, given the array of issues about how the tunnel would the line of the Emirates Airway, the Sun in Sands junction getting Tunnel. It is the only borough professionals at the table. be governed. between the Greenwich Peninsula worse. In recent that supports In relation to Westcombe Park, At the head of the table sit the and Canning Town. TfL argue submissions, TfL ANNE ROBBINS the plans. the Inspectors have taken a strong three Planning Inspectors; down one that the new road would relieve has admitted that interest in the Siebert Road side is the TfL team, with ten or so the pressure on the Blackwall its traffic modelling did not Role of the STIG committee campaign for fencing to lessen staff members and a barrister; local Tunnel, alleviating the queues of include overheight vehicles – the But none of the local authorities the air pollution and noise affect- authority representatives sit across traffic for commuters and longer- very large lorries not currently is happy with TfL’s plans for ing them and their neighbours from the Inspectors; and on the other distance users. able to drive north through the “STIG”– the Silvertown Tunnel down Westcombe Hill and up side are speakers from various They say that it would improve Blackwall Tunnel. They would Implementation Group. This Invicta Road. On a site visit, they statutory bodies along with the air quality along the A102, and be able to use the new Silvertown would be a committee formed were invited into a resident’s objectors. Everything is recorded: that they will add several new bus Tunnel, and TfL say there could from the boroughs, acting for garden to see the effects for you can hear the oral submissions routes which can travel through be up to 400 per day heading around eight years during the themselves, and they continue to on the Inquiry’s website: https:/ /infrastructure. planninginspectorate. the full-sized bores of the new north along the A102. building and the early years of ask TfL for clear indications that gov.uk/projects/london/ tunnel. Users would have to pay running the scheme. TfL say they the fence will be built in the event silvertown-tunnel/ of planning permission for the charges, depending on when they What the boroughs think would consult it about the plans Some of the exchanges that take new Tunnel being granted. use the road. TfL say the charges Newham, on the north side, is for charges and mitigating local place are surprisingly fiery! As Rebecca Moore, of Siebert would control demand for the unhappy about the extra air impacts. But STIG would meet The written submissions are also crossing, pay the construction pollution and noise from at least only annually, and at this point Road, wrote, ‘… we would just available too, and there are a lot. costs, and eventually contribute to 10,000 vehicle movements per there is no obligation for TfL to like a legal guarantee that this You’ll get a sense of that if you click public transport funds. day. All the boroughs are aware follow its advice. will happen before the building of on the button for the Examination The Environment Committee of the dangers of displaced traffic, the Silvertown Tunnel. Ensuring Library. The filter is a fast way to of your Westcombe Society held whether flocking to use a free- The role of the inspectors this is incredibly important to us search for particular documents: two public meetings during the flowing river crossing e.g. It does seem that the Planning as it will mitigate the noise, just type in, say, ‘Greenwich’ and the public consultations to take through Lewisham, or away from Inspectors are asking tough ques- vibration and pollution from the list below will show all of our local soundings from residents. We it to use an uncharged crossing tions. They want TfL to justify construction traffic.’ authority submissions. used them to develop our position like the Rotherhithe Tunnel. its traffic modelling, its claims of (continued on page3) The Westcombe < < Newsbriefs > > Society BREXIT: Don’t hold your breath in beautiful bridges resembling birds in flight. • marrying an EU citizen Daffodil Tea Sat 18th The views of our MP, Matt Pennycook, are well- • naturalisation. Finland is quite easy to join, but Let’s hope he’s more into bridges than walls – known: he voted to remain. But he takes the view you would have to put up with Finnish winters for if his plans include social and affordable dwellings March 2.00 - 4.00 pm that in the interests of democracy MPs should be five years; you would also have to learn Finnish – along with those most of us cannot afford. guided by the results of the referendum, and reputed to be one of the hardest languages in the The Daffodil Tea for Senior accordingly voted in favour of activating Article world to learn..... Friends of Mycenae Gardens Citizens is by invitation; 50. At least he didn’t do a Diane Abbot ... Perhaps after all everyone should just stay with The Friends of Mycenae Gardens will hold their however anyone who doesn’t But Matt insists that the negotiations should the UK... ! 2017 Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 22 have “red lines” including the defence of workers’ March in Greenwich Steiner School SE3 7SE receive an invitation and who would like to come, rights, and access to the European single market. Antique Road Show in Blackheath It is a great opportunity to meet others who share With these red lines we might end up in the EU Any Old Irons? One person’s junk is another’s an interest in the Gardens, and all are welcome. At please ring Caroline on after all ... Optimists hope for a typical European antique! Find out what you’ve got – and what it’s the meeting you can elect your new committee, 020 8853 0948. fudge; those less optimistic think a “Hard Brexit” worth, on Sunday March 5th, when Eric Knowles find out what has been happening in the Gardens will be inescapable following years of tough from the Antiques Roadshow comes to Blackheath and the Woodland Dell over the last year, as well Spring Quiz Sat. 1st April, negotiations with the 27 countries of the EU. Halls. Eric will be giving a talk about his career in as hear about future plans. antiques as well as offering ticket holders the chance Anyone who would like to become a member 7.30pm for 8.00pm start in Tips for a desperate Remainer to bring in their own heirlooms for valuation before of the Friends group can do so by visiting FMGs Mycenae House.£5.00 entry for Do you have an urge to Exit after Brexit? If you and after the show – with the most interesting spoken website.www.mycenaegardens.org.uk members / £6.00 non-members have a parent or a grandparent who is or was an about on stage during the second half of the show. Alternatively you can send an email to: Please ring Caroline on 8853 EU citizen, you could apply for citizenship by [email protected] right of descent – though the situation varies from Peninsula plans 0948 – booking by 24th March. country to country. Ireland would be a good bet. In February, the Times included an interesting Home is where the hut is Fish/Chicken & Chip suppers or If that doesn’t work for you, you could buy feature on developments on the peninsula.