Westcombe News September 2020
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NEWS WFree to 3e800 hsomest, in lcibrarieos and msome shops b e September 2020 No. 6 Pandemonium did not reign; it poured. John Kendrick Bangs CONCURRENT TRAFFIC TRIALS AFFECTING RESIDENTS PROTEST THE WESTCOMBE PARK AREA WN Reporter ! AT POTENTIAL EYESORE Ann Hill he Westcombe Society has recently traffic in West Greenwich. This, known as Mock-up of proposed mast by Emily Norton Tbeen informed about the two traffic tri - ‘Hills and Vales’ will involve the installa - als below which will affect our area. They tion of modal filters which will give access are to be run almost concurrently. to some forms of transport and not others Greenwich Park (eg no cars but cycles allowed,) achieved One of the desired outcomes of the Royal with bollards and plant containers in many Parks Movement Strategy was to reduce cases and width restrictions. the amount of vehicular through traffic This has been implemented under an within our parks. In Greenwich Park this Experimental Traffic Order and began on was to be achieved by the removal of the 20th August. A public consultation will commuter route through the Park. You will happen following the trial period where have seen our response to the Strategy in actual experiences can be shared. Feedback the May issue of the Westcombe News can be provided on the proposals from the where we pointed out that we had concerns 3rd September by completing an online about the impact this would have on survey. ver 100 objections were sent to benefits of the mast would be a much Westcombe Park when drivers sought The Westcombe Society expressed their OGreenwich Council’s Planning faster service for residents and the ability alternative routes, especially when other concerns to Highways about the West Department regarding the proposal to erect to handle more data. traffic-related initiatives were in train Greenwich trial which is likely to increase a 5G telecommunications mast at the inter - The Council has a specific section in its locally. traffic on Maze Hill, Vanbrugh Hill and section of Beaconsfield Road and Hardy Local Plan that relates to telecommunica - Whilst we have appreciated a traffic-free Westcombe Hill when first mooted last Road, just by the entrance to Ingleside tions development (Policy DH(c)). This Park during the current pandemic we had year but we were not invited to respond to Gardens. states that planning applications will only asked the Royal Parks to ensure that the the initial consultation. As with the clo - Looking at the image of the 18m mast be considered where: trial did not start until traffic volumes were sure of the Avenue in Greenwich Park we and cabinets, it is not surprising that neigh - i. regard has been given to locating a site back to normal (they have been much feel that the timing of the trial will not bours are extremely upset at the prospect which causes minimal visual impact sub - reduced). This was to ensure that an accu - reflect the increased traffic as businesses of such a dramatic change in outlook from ject to operational needs; rate assessment of the impact be available re-open. their windows, and the wider community for the ensuing consultation. For further details see: have also expressed their concern and ii . any proposal is sited, designed, coloured However, we now know that the trial in royalgreen wich.gov.uk/westgreenwich resentment at the adverse visual impact the and landscaped so as to minimise visual Greenwich Park started on 15th August mast would have on the Westcombe Park impact on its setting and local environ - FEEDBACK: If you experience serious and will run until February 2021. The con - Conservation Area. ment; traffic issues as a result of the above trials sultation will take place in Four days before the closing date for please complete the online surveys. Your iii. the special character and appearance of November/December which we feel will objections, neighbours staged an impromp - comments should also be copied to the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage be too soon to accurately reflect the impact tu sit-in at the proposed site to prevent ‘[email protected]’ and our local Site, Royal Greenwich's Listed Buildings, of increased traffic on Westcombe Park. contractors excavating a 1x1m hole to see councillors in order that we can understand Conservation Areas and Historic West Greenwich the level of disruption to Westcombe Park. Landscapes are preserved or enhanced; Added to this, the Royal Borough have decided to run a trial of measures to reduce iv. the possibility of sharing facilities, such as site, masts, and erecting antennae on NEW AND EXTENDED CYCLEWAYS existing buildings or other structures has WN Reporter been fully explored and demonstrated; he Council has secured funding for a along this section. v. technologies to camouflage telecommu - Tnumber of Cycle Route initiatives. A diagram of the route is available on the nications apparatus have been fully Those of most interest to our readers/resi - RBG website (although the design is not explored. dents are described below. yet complete). Greenwich Park to Shooters Hill www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/Streetspace. vi . any proposal meets International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation This cycleway is to encourage pupils to Cycleway 4 “Not on our watch” cycle to the various secondary schools The Westcombe Society are pleased to hear Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines for public exposure. along this route and to help create a better that TfL have accelerated the plans for the if there were any utilities underground. The Westcombe Society Environment environment along Old Dover Road. The Cycleway 4 route from Greenwich to The application is from Hutchison 3G Committee was among the objectors and proposed route from Greenwich Park to Woolwich including the changes to the UK Ltd (H3G) which is a British telecom - contended that the application contravenes Shooters Hill would start at Vanbrugh Gate Angerstein roundabout to ensure the safety munications and internet provider based in the Council’s telecommunications policy as and travel along Maze Hill, Vanbrugh of cyclists. They state that enabling work is Maidenhead. It provides 3G and 4G servic - its visual impact will be great and will Terrace, St John's Park, rejoining the east imminent and the main work will start on es through its own infrastructure and is adversely affect the setting and local envi - end of Old Dover Road and onwards to the mile-long extension in early now rolling out 5G services. In 2016, the ronment; it will not preserve or enhance Shooters Hill Road, ending at the junction September. EU blocked its attempt to purchase for the Conservation Area; the possibility of with Baker Road. There will be a new fully-segregated £10.25 billion the UK operations of O2 as sharing facilities has not been fully demon - As the eastern end of Old Dover Road is cycleway through the simplified junction, the takeover would reduce competition strated; it is not camouflaged. quite narrow, the council proposals include with new signals to help people walking within the UK market. H3G states the a bus gate at the bridge across the trunk and cycling navigate the junction safely road to allow only buses and cyclists to and easily. continued New and Extended Cycleways... www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/news/arti - travel east towards Shooters Hill Road. RBG have published a news story on Cycleway 4 in the borough, including cle/1677/tfl_and_greenwich_announce_fast They do not anticipate any access issues their website about TfL’s plans to extend improvements to the Angerstein round - -tracked_plans_for_major_new_cycle - for residents, businesses or street services continued....... about - way_in_southeast_london. THE COMMITTEE of THE WESTCOMBE SOCIETY << Newsbriefs > > invite you to join us for Local Licensing Laws Vanbrugh Pits Black Lives Matter Labour Party, although no political Coffee or Lunch to help raise money The Royal Borough of Greenwich Joe Beale reports that the Friends By happy coincidence, Hester motivation is thought to have been for MACMILLAN is updating its policy setting out of Vanbrugh Pits volunteer conser - Grant, wife of former resident involved. Another victim: the how it regulates businesses that vation days will be back this Thomas Grant, has published her National Trust. These incidents CANCER SUPPORT. sell or supply alcohol, provide autumn. The hope is to start at the book The Good Sharps, about underline the importance of ensur - As part of The Biggest Coffee entertainment or late-night refresh - Pits in early September, with a well-known 18th century family ing that we all keep sensitive data Morning In the World, once again we ments in the borough. Residents later event at Hyde Vale, followed that includes Granville Sharp, who secure. and local businesses can have their by others later in the year. Social played a key role in the abolition shall be holding our annual Coffee say by 25 September 2020 at roy - distancing will be the order of the of the slave trade. Unbelievably, Get a Free Sports Kit Morning at Mycenae algreenwich.gov.uk/licensingpolicy day – and please bring your own the slave trade still exists . Families across Royal Greenwich House Community Centre, Mycenae gloves. Dates and times to be con - have been benefitting from free Road, on Friday, 25th September 2020 Wild about wildlife firmed. Private Lives Matter sports packs to help them get The Greenwich Wildlife Advisory In a significant cyber security inci - active again after lockdown. at 10.00 am – 2.00 pm. Coffee, tea, Get Well Soon Group held an online meeting via dent, Blackbaud, database manager Each pack consists of assorted delicious homemade cakes and sand - The WN sends best wishes to Zoom on August 26th. Those tak - of Age Exchange, along with sports equipment, racquets, balls, Myles Dove, former distribution wiches will be on sale and there will ing part included representatives sundry other charities and universi - bean bags and skipping ropes.