Friends of Burgess Park
Response to the Southwark Council consultation on the Camberwell supplementary planning document April 2013
Burgess Park sits outside but adjacent to the Camberwell SPD proposed boundary. The southern-most edge of the park along New Church Road forms part of the boundary.
The Friends of Burgess Park hope that the close proximity of Burgess Park to Camberwell will be seen as an asset and help to contribute to a wider green vision for the Camberwell area. There are substantial opportunities for Burgess Park to contribute towards the public realm and transport themes of the SPD.
Which public spaces need improving?
How can the experience and identify of Camberwell be improved?
Are there particular routes which need improvement?
Burgess Park is a substantial green open space and at the southern corner offers opportunities for walking and cycling connecting Camberwell to Walworth, East Street and into central London. Potentially there are a number of streets which can link Burgess Park directly to Camberwell Green, eg Lomond Grove, using the “green fingers” idea as already established to the north of the park through the Aylesbury up to the Elephant and Castle.
The area of the park facing onto the New Church Road/Rust Square currently does not provide an inviting entrance way – nor does it adequately signal the size and scale of the park beyond; so close to Camberwell. The Friends believe there is a massive opportunity to improve this entrance way and green up and improve some of the current landscaping along the New Church Road. Even bringing the “green finger” design along new Church Road as far as Walworth Road.
The Friends would like to see additional guidance in the SDP on improved linkage – walking and cycling routes - between Burgess Park and Camberwell Green.
The Friends would like to see the TfL Barclay’s cycle hire bikes located at each end of the park east and west to facilitate journeys in and around the park and to other destinations.
From
Susan Crisp, Chair, Friends of Burgess Park
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