Penge and Cator Councillors

We asked the Leader of the council last night to respond to a letter from the Mayor saying that he would require Bromley to increase its supply of affordable housing.    As councillors for this area we are constantly faced with ordinary families living in overcrowded and possibly unhealthy conditions, yet facing a wait of 3 years or more to be re-housed.  

We were disappointed to hear from the council leader that he was hopeful of negotiating a reduction in the target set by the Mayor.   This means that the long wait for decent housing in this borough will stretch for longer than would have been necessary. 

We also asked him if he agreed with recent comments from the Mayor's office that there should not be separate targets for socially rented housing and "intermediate" housing schemes such as shared ownership.  For many people rented housing remains the only serious option.   Unless there is some target for rented housing, those most in need in Bromley could fall further behind. 

The Leader said that Bromley would always meet its statutory requirements.  Unfortunately, that will not be enough to meet the housing requirements of those most in need.

This morning I walked along the path connecting Kent House Lane and the Pool River walkway.   I was delighted to see that council officers had responded to our request that the overgrown foliage on the banks of the brook that runs into the Pool River had been cleared.  It all looked very attractive - a piece of countryside in our urban setting.   We are grateful to the council officers for their prompt response.   Unfortunately there is also some fly tipping in the area which we hope will be removed soon.

Earlier this year, we had a meeting with the Highways Department about a scheme to introduce a 20 mph zone to the Groves area.   As local residents will be aware, previous attempts to introduce traffic calming have not been well received.  We have always believed that the attempts to curb speeding motorists needed further attention. 

After some delay, consultation letters about a proposed scheme are being distributed this week.   I haven't seen the proposal yet but it is important that residents respond.   And if the proposals do not include everything you think is needed, then do write your own suggestions in.  We have to make sure that the council listen to local views.   Please share this information with your neighbours. 

Police

If you are reporting a crime in progress, continue to dial 999.

If you want to report a crime that has already taken place, contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team or just seek advice, the new number (local call charges) is 0300 123 1212.   The mobile number for the Penge Safer neighbourhood team remains as:  07843 065 880. 

Penge Police station front office will now only be open weekdays Mon-Fri between 11am and 7pm (closed for lunch 3 -4pm). 

Bromley Council

The general council switch board is 020 8464 3333

To report a problem with rubbish or recycling collections, noise, pests or street cleaning, fly tipping, graffiti removal (visible from roads) Customer Service Centre: 020 8313 4557

The Nieghbours noise nuisance team is 8313 4830

The Anti-Social Behaviour Unit is 8461 7907

Parks:

For fly-tipping or graffiti or general reports on park services - 020 8313 4471 (09.30 - 5.30)

Parks anti-social behaviour - phone Ward Security 0845 847 6180 (9 am - 10 pm)

I hope many of you will already have heard about the new non-urgent telephone number being introduced across the whole of the Metropolitan Police area. 

If you are reporting a crime in progress, continue to dial 999.

If you want to report a crime that has already taken place, contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team or just seek advice, the new number (local call charges) is 0300 123 1212.   The mobile number for the Penge Safer neighbourhood team remains as:  07843 065 880. 

We are compiling a list of useful contactst numbers and emails that we will put in the right hand column under its own category.   Hope this will be useful.  

Green lungs are very important for us urban dwellers.   A resident has recently asked us what our position is on the protection of Metropolitan Open Land - which has some protection under planning laws.  Crystal Palace Park comes into this category.   

It's a simple question but of course these issues are not necessarily that straight forward.  

Yes, we do believe that Bromley should protect Metropolitan Open Land just as we support protection for the Green Belt.  However, that cannot always be a hard and fast rule covering each and every case.  There are some areas of the Green Belt that were appropriate for designation 60 years ago which do now need reviewing.   I would argue that MOL is even more important as it is often the only green lung for people living in more urban areas.  However, there may be times when a greater gain can be achieved by sacrificing some areas of MOL or areas of MOL can be enhanced by adjustments.   It would plainly be unsustainable to argue that no area of MOL should be touched whatever the circumstances.  

So, while upholding the general principle, I am afraid it's got to be every case on it's merits.   That is the reality of the situation whatever others might tell you.    

It's not only residents in Kings Hall Road that are having to put up with the Environment Portfolio Holder's refusal to listen to local residents when it comes to introducing traffic calming.  Last year, the Portfolio Holder approved a scheme for Hawthorn Grove tht simply consisted of a couple of chicanes at either end of a long straight road.   We warned him that on it's own this would be ineffective.  I have recently received this from a local resident: 

"I am letting you know how things are going in our road since the so called 'traffic calming' measures have now been tried and tested.

I and other residents are fuming !!!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately these chicanes and give ways have now caused a much bigger and more dangerous problem in that people are now playing 'chicken' to see if they can whizz through before the oncoming traffic without having to pull over or give way.

My partner and I monitored it in the rush hour on several days last week and an average of one in twelve people are giving way when they should be - others are just putting their foot down so that they can get through without a head on collision or having to stop.  So now we are having to put up with faster traffic and constant beeping of horns from annoyed drivers !!!

Indeed on Saturday afternoon app 12.40 there was a very bad incident when there was a car crash because of this - police and ambulances were called and casualties were taken to hospital - amazing they were not dead - the car involved can be seen on the pavement at the Oakfield Road of Hawthorn - a red Golf.

The measures have NOT slowed down the traffic - in fact it has turned more drivers into budding Nigel Mansells - and it has NOT reduced the amount of traffic using the road.

How many more crashes are we going to have to see before the council realise that the only solution to make the residents of Hawthorn Grove safe and live a more peaceful existence is to re-close the road at Oakfield Road end of Hawthorn ?

Bollards/Gate with a key for emergency services would suffice - this would have been a much more cost effective and easier way of doing it in the first place !!!! Why should we have to put up with this so that traffic in the surrounding area be slightly lighter."

How about helping to make our local parks and recs more attractive places? The council are providing thousands of daffodil bulbs for local parks etc. We now need volunteers to help plant them. Friends groups have brought together local individuals who want to help make our parks more beautiful places and better used. So, you are invited to join the bulb planting, please try to bring a trowel or bulb planter, commencing this Saturday, 15th November:

Royston Field between 10 and 12

Alexandra Rec 11 - 1.30

Penge Rec will be on Wednesday 3rd December after school so local school children can join in.

Other dates for your diary: Friday 28th November, 4 - 7 pm: Festive celebrations and the switching on of the Penge Christmas lights in Penge High Street. There will be music, carol singing from Royston Primary School and local churches, dance performances from Bright Sparks and the HJA Stage School and a stilt walking Christmas Tree. Plus there will be a mini market on the High Street from 9am-7pm.

Sunday 14th December - Carols in Alexandra Rec with the Crystal Palace Brass Band from 3 pm, followed by mulled wine, soft drinks and mince pies at Holy Trinity Church

I was at the Penge war memorial on Sunday for the Remembrance day service.  Peter Fookes was at Holy Trinity in Lennard Rd.  I was born just after World War II to parents and grand parents who were closely involved in the two world wars and I always find this a moving occasion.  I think there may have been more people at the services this year - possible because of the publicity for the 90^th anniversary of the end of World War 1.  Traffic was excluded from that part of the High Street and the occasion was treated with appropriate respect.  Many thanks to all who organised the events - and to the trumpeter in the High Street who managed to hold the notes of the last post despite the biting cold.