Darryl Chamberlain

Battered Charlton Riverside streets costing Greenwich Council big, report reveals

August 27, 2018June 19, 2023Darryl Chamberlain2 Comments

Flytipping on Charlton Riverside — Flytipping is a big problem in the streets near the Thames Barrier (pic: Neil Clasper)

Greenwich Council has spent £17,000 in the past two years on patching up the battered roads near the Thames Barrier, a report to councillors has revealed.

The poor state of the industrial area at Charlton Riverside has been highlighted by a petition to council leader Danny Thorpe, which complains of fly-tipping, dirt, pavement parking, potholed roads and speeding lorries.

But while the council proposes taking action on bad parking, fly-tipping, abandoned vehicles and road repairs, it is pinning its hopes on the redevelopment of the area to secure long-term improvements.

The report will be discussed at a meeting of the council’s highways committee on Wednesday 5 September.

25 people signed the petition, which was handed to the council in July by Woolwich Riverside councillor John Fahy.

Dumped van, Charlton Riverside — Dumped vehicles are another issue in Charlton Riverside (Photo: Neil Clasper)

“[We are] disgusted with the poor conditions of the roads and pavements on Westmoor Street leading to New Lyndenburg Street and surrounding roads,” it says.

It complains of the pavement on Westmoor Street being blocked by parked and damaged cars, making them “totally unusable”, forcing pedestrians to walk in the road. “Can you imagine if somebody were to get killed because of this and Greenwich Council would be held responsible?”

“Multiple skip and rubble lorries carrying hazardous materials” create a “scary and dangerous environment” and “leave an enormous amount of dirt, rubble and mud”, it continues.

It also complains of poor driving and “multiple potholes”, demanding “sensible speed restrictions with penalties and fines issues for those who break the law”.

25 people signed the petition to the council (Photo: Neil Clasper)

The council report notes “the roads in question are often subject to fly-tipping and other illegal activity and there is a history of complex associated issues in the area. It also adds the streets are inspected every three months and that 79 repairs have been carried out in the past two years, costing £17,000.

It also concedes that parking enforcement “has not been regular in the recent past”, with the situation compounded by some markings having been worn away, making them unenforceable.

But the council will not cut the speed limit to 20mph in the area as it “is industrial, not residential”, adding that enforcement is a matter for the police.

The council says fly-tipping is removed within 48 hours (Photo: Neil Clasper)

The report the council will send a letter to businesses, review parking controls in the area before starting to enforce them, and have a one-off dedicated clean-up of the area as soon as pavement parking is cleared. The council will also target abandoned vehicles for removal, warning businesses they cannot use the pavements, and clear illegal advertisements.

In the long term, there will also be a planning review to ensure the businesses are doing what they say they are doing and have the right licences.

But the report adds: “In the longer term as part of the Charlton Masterplan parcels of land in this area are identified for residential development. Whilst this is a long term plan, gradual improvement as a result of development will be secured.”

Charlton riverside — Much of the area is due to see residential redevelopment in coming years (Photo: Neil Clasper)

Photos in this story taken by Neil Clasper on Sunday morning. See the agenda papers for more details of the petition and review.

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Charlton Athletic crisis: ‘Pay your staff their bonuses’, council leader tells owner Duchâtelet

August 23, 2018June 19, 2023Darryl Chamberlain

Greenwich Council’s leader has stepped into the crisis engulfing Charlton Athletic, writing to the football club’s owner Roland Duchâtelet urging him to pay staff the bonuses they have earned.

Backroom staff at The Valley and at the club’s training ground in Sparrows Lane, Eltham – many of whom are poorly-paid and work long hours on matchdays – have been told by the Belgian electronics magnate that they will not be receiving promised performance bonus payments because the club is in financial trouble.

Staff are considering legal action against Duchâtelet, whose four-year tenure at the club has seen the team relegated to League One amid a backdrop of instability, with a huge drop in income with the loss of TV rights money and fans staying away from The Valley.

Fan group CARD (Coalition Against Roland Duchâtelet) has organised a protest in The Valley’s car park at 2.15pm on Saturday ahead of the match against Fleetwood Town – past protests have resulted in matches being disrupted. In 2016, a match against Coventry City was halted after plastic pigs were thrown onto the pitch.

Danny Thorpe has written to Duchâtelet today to urge him to “do the right thing” and cough up.

I have sent this letter to @CAFCofficial today. What is happening at the club is a real concern for all of us here in @Royal_Greenwich & it isn’t right that low paid staff suffer as a result of poor management decisions. #charlton #cafc @CharltonCSE7 pic.twitter.com/l4yeOTJenU

— Dan Thorpe (@DanLThorpe) August 23, 2018

“There is a huge groundswell of concern over this issue and is is a testament to the strong feelings… that so many fans are set to take part in a protest which could disrupt the match on Saturday,” he said.

He added that the club was “a source of great pride” in Greenwich borough.

A promised takeover of the club has, after many months, still not materialised, and Duchâtelet has instigated a cost-cutting regime, including denying academy players bottled water, cutting the use of electricity and taping up paper dispensers in toilets.

Today’s Evening Standard reports that a staff member was even told to ask permission to eat crisps while at work because Duchâtelet wanted to save money on cleaning costs.

Thorpe’s intervention is the first time the council has got involved in the long-running saga at Charlton, although local MP Matt Pennycook has written to Sports Minister Tracey Crouch and the English Football League about the issue.

Two years ago, Thorpe’s predecessor Denise Hyland refused a request from a fan to talk to Duchâtelet about fans’ worries about the club’s future. The following year she even took part in a photocall with Eltham MP Clive Efford and Duchâtelet’s former chief executive to promote the redevelopment of the club’s training ground.

Fantastic new facilities for sport @CAFCTrust & @FootscrayRugby great to see @CAFCofficial investing in the future for club and community https://t.co/HCacJ0NUUT

— Clive Efford 💙 (@CliveEfford) March 3, 2017

18 months on, work has halted at the training ground.

The council has close relations with the Charlton Athletic Community Trust, a separate body from the football club.

British Oak pub wins national ‘excellence’ award for its cellar

August 23, 2018June 19, 2023Darryl Chamberlain

British Oak, Blackheath — The British Oak is the local pub for many Charlton residents

The British Oak pub on Old Dover Road has won a national award for the way it keeps its beer.

Landlord Peter Clements won the Excellence In Cellar Standards Award from the firm that owns the pub, Ei Group.

The Oak, which is many Charlton residents’ local pub, still has two separate bars as well as a beer garden and regularly hosts live music and other events.

Clements and his staff were praised for how they look after their beer and glasses, with judges noting “they even consider what type of water is available in their local area to determine how much product is used”.

It beat pubs in Coventry and Stafford to scoop the prize.

Charlton Riverside: ‘Respect our masterplan’, MP Pennycook tells developer

August 23, 2018June 19, 2023Darryl Chamberlain3 Comments

Atlas Gardens — Residents in Atlas and Derrick Gardens say the new development would loom over their homes

Greenwich & Woolwich MP Matt Pennycook has told the developers behind controversial plans to build 771 homes off Anchor & Hope Lane that they should respect the masterplan developed for Charlton Riverside – and build more affordable housing.

Pennycook spoke out days after London mayor Sadiq Khan blocked Greenwich Council’s refusal of the scheme by developer Rockwell to build five 10-storey blocks and other buildings on land surrounding Atlas and Derrick Gardens.

The mayor, who has designated Charlton Riverside an “opportunity area” for development, will now decide whether or not the plan goes ahead.

Khan’s decision came with criticism of Greenwich Council for not allowing enough “affordable” housing in recent years – Rockwell’s scheme would have 32.4% “affordable” housing.

Residents in nearby Atlas and Derrick Gardens – built in the early 20th century for workers at the nearby Cory bargeworks – say the Rockwell development will loom over their homes and deny them natural light.

Local businesses have also voiced fears that they will have to move or close, saying the new development’s residents will not want them as neighbours.

Rockwell Charlton Riverside website — Rockwell had already started promoting the scheme when Greenwich rejected it

Pennycook said on his Facebook page that Rockwell needed to be making the blocks smaller and providing more “affordable’ homes.

He wrote: “I fully understand the pressure the Mayor is under to build more homes in London as the market falters, I’m deeply disappointed that City Hall have chosen not to back Greenwich Council and stand behind the local community’s very strong objections to the proposed scheme.

“I will of course look carefully at any modifications that the Mayor is able to secure over the coming weeks/months and I trust that there will be extensive consultation with local residents and community groups as well as with the developer.

“However, City Hall must appreciate that there is a very strong feeling locally that we not compromise on the vision set out in the 2017 Charlton Riverside masterplan.

“That is why it’s crucial that development across the entire Charlton Riverside opportunity area, including any modified proposals from Rockwell, respect the vision of an exemplary urban district set out in that masterplan document.

“For Rockwell’s site that means not only a higher level of affordable housing, and a modified dwelling mix, but also reductions in the proposed height of buildings. If that requires reductions in the total number of units then, in my view, that’s what needs to happen.”

Rockwell Charlton Riverside — Rockwell says its new scheme will look like this

While the Charlton Riverside masterplan does not rule out 10-storey blocks, it says they should be an exception, preferring to see buildings of between three and six storeys.

Rockwell’s plans for 32.4% of the units to be “affordable” housing – were inserted into the scheme at the last minute. Of those, 162 would be for London Affordable Rent – roughly £150/week for a one-bedroom flat – and aimed at those on low incomes, with the remaining available for shared ownership.

Khan’s letter to Greenwich Council announcing he was taking over the planning process said the Rockwell scheme “has potential to make an important contribution to housing and affordable housing supply”.

Pennycook’s intervention was greeted with scepticism by journalist Paul Wellman, who tracks London’s developers for Estates Gazette. “Want more affordable housing? Generally the compromise is more private and greater heights. The below scenario is hugely unachievable,” he tweeted.

Want more affordable housing? Generally the compromise is more private and greater heights. The below scenario is hugely unachievable. https://t.co/m9U40BcKhh

— Paul Wellman (@PaulWellman_) August 21, 2018

An indication of what might happen emerged on Thursday, when Sadiq Khan approved a development in Brentford after blocking a rejection from Hounslow Council.

Hounslow had refused a scheme with 421 homes, including 40% “affordable”, citing the possible effect on nearby Kew Gardens. But Khan approved a revised scheme with 50% “affordable” housing and 441 homes.

Khan said: “This scheme shows how we can unlock the potential of an underused site to build more of the genuinely affordable homes Londoners so urgently need. I’m clear that to fix the capital’s housing crisis Government must play its part, but we can make a difference now by ensuring developments include more genuinely affordable housing.

“I am committed to using the full strength of my planning powers to get London building more affordable homes.

“This is another important step as we work towards my long-term strategic goal for 50 per cent of housing in all new developments across the city to be social rented and other genuinely affordable homes for Londoners.”

Pennycook also spoke out on proposed cuts to the 53 bus route, saying they would “punish my working-class constituents”.

Charlton to lose Lewisham link as TfL switches bus 180 to North Greenwich

August 17, 2018June 19, 2023Darryl Chamberlain

Route 180 bus — All change: The 180 will switch to North Greenwich from December

Transport for London has confirmed plans to sharply cut bus services between Greenwich and Woolwich, through Charlton, by diverting route 180 so it starts at North Greenwich station.

The cut means means only the 177 will run between Greenwich and Woolwich, halving the service from 12 to six buses per hour.

Instead of running from Lewisham, the 180 will run from North Greenwich via the Greenwich Millennium Village, the under-construction Ikea and Bugsby’s Way – a slight change to the original plan which saw it running via Peartree Way and a longer stretch of Woolwich Road.

TfL, which is chaired by London mayor Sadiq Khan, says: “The 177 has sufficient capacity for the level of demand on this corridor. We will continue to keep this under review.”

Route 129, which links Greenwich town centre with North Greenwich, will be extended to start back from Lewisham, but at a reduced peak-time frequency of five buses per hour, compared with the six provided by the 180.

Passengers who want to travel to and from Lewisham will be expected to use another service or change from the 180 to the 129 at Ikea.

Greenwich Council had raised concerns about the diversion of the 180.

The 472 to North Greenwich will also be less frequent – in peak hours it will be cut to eight buses per hour (currently 10), six on Saturdays (currently eight) and five on Sundays (currently six). It will also be rerouted in Thamesmead to run to Abbey Wood.

Crossrail is due to open at Abbey Wood and Woolwich on Sunday 9 December – this date has not been officially confirmed – so the changes should be in place around that time.

More details on other south-east London cuts on 853.

Charlton and Woolwich Free Film Festival 2018: What’s on this year?

August 16, 2018June 19, 2023Darryl Chamberlain1 Comment

Journey's End (photo: Lionsgate Films) — Saul Dibb’s war drama Journey’s End will screen at Charlton House

This year’s Charlton and Woolwich Free Film Festival has revealed its line-up, with World War I drama Journey’s End leading the selection of movies being screened at Charlton House.

2018’s event, to be held between 7 and 15 September, sees a range of films being shown at venues across Charlton, Woolwich, Plumstead and Shooters Hill. There’s no charge – just turn up, and throw some coins in the bucket if you can help with the costs of putting it on.

Director Saul Dibb’s adaptation of RC Sherriff play Journey’s End will be on at Charlton House on Tuesday 11 September (7.30pm, doors 6.30pm). Written by a captain wounded at Passchendaele, it depicts a handful of British soldiers “waiting to be killed” in a trench near the end of World War I. Charlton House was used as a military hospital towards the end of the Great War, and historian Clive Harris will give a talk at 7pm about about the real-life events that inspired the production.

Charlton House also plays host to the festival’s third short film competition on Thursday 13 September (7.30pm, doors 7pm), which this year has the theme Diversity and Future. There’s a £500 prize waiting for the winner.

On Friday 14 September (7pm, doors 6.30pm) comedy The Dish rounds off Charlton House’s contribution to the festival. Set in 1969, Sam Neill plays an Australian sheep farmer who has to steer the satellite dish – and its eccentric crew – to bring the Apollo 11 moon landings to the world’s TV screens.

Woolwich’s big screen in General Gordon Square will open the festival on Friday 7 September with The Greatest Showman. ~~and close it with Sister Act on Saturday 15 September~~ (Update 5 September: Sister Act has been cancelled).

Severndroog Castle on Shooters Hill plays host to Young Frankenstein on Friday 14 September, while nearby Shrewsbury House Community Centre screens both Yellow Submarine and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Other highlights include Silver Linings Playbook at Stir Cafe in Anglesea Road, Woolwich and Do The Right Thing at ArtFix cafe, also in Woolwich.

For more on what’s on – and how to get involved – visit the Charlton and Woolwich Free Film Festival website.

Whitehall no more: TfL plans to cut bus route 53 back to County Hall

August 15, 2018June 19, 2023Darryl Chamberlain1 Comment

Transport for London is planning to cut the 53 bus route back to County Hall as part of a huge swathe of cuts to services in the centre of the capital.

The 53, which runs from Plumstead, Woolwich, Charlton and Blackheath through Deptford, the Old Kent Road and Elephant & Castle to Whitehall would be cut back to County Hall from March 2019 under proposals to “reduce bus flows” across Westminster Bridge and along Whitehall.

The scheme affects routes from across London, and will also mean the 171 from Catford, Brockley and New Cross to Holborn being cut back to Elephant & Castle.

Transport for London’s proposals come as it battles financial worries after a complete cut in day-to-day government funding instituted by Evening Standard editor George Osborne when he was chancellor. It is also having to deal with a four-year fare freeze from mayor Sadiq Khan, and a fall in bus passenger numbers.

It has already planned to cut bus services between Greenwich and Woolwich by re-routing route 180 to North Greenwich station instead of Lewisham. There have also been a series of cuts to bus frequencies, especially on night services.

A consultation on these new proposals will come in mid-September.

The 53 proposal is likely to face stiff opposition. The service – which in its heyday ran as far north as Parliament Hill Fields and Camden Town – is the last remaining bus link to central London from Blackheath, Charlton, Woolwich and Plumstead, and terminating at County Hall will leave passengers needing to switch to another service.

It was last cut back in 2002, from Oxford Circus to Whitehall, with the 453 from Deptford Bridge picking up the slack.

But it has twice in recent years been temporarily cut back to Lambeth North because of roadworks.

A petition from The Charlton Society was launched at the time, followed by a Greenwich Council motion calling on TfL to restore the full route.

TfL is predicting falls in central London bus passengers once Crossrail opens in December – bus in the 53’s case, the Elizabeth Line will still be a bus ride away for many of its passengers.

Some industry insiders have speculated that TfL would like to cut the route even further, to the Elephant & Castle, but can’t do so because of a lack of space for buses to terminate.

(Updated 12.10pm Thursday) Transport for London told The Charlton Champion the proposals were still at an early stage and needed to be discussed with boroughs.

Director of public transport service planning Geoff Hobbs said: “Buses have a crucial role to play in boosting the number of people walking, cycling and using public transport.

“As set out in the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, we’re currently looking at how we can adjust and reorganise the bus network to ensure it reflects a rapidly changing London, including planning for year-on-year increases in bus kilometres in outer London. We need to modernise and simplify the network and ensure that bus capacity is in the right places at the right times.

“We’re currently working closely with London’s boroughs on a potential set of proposals and they are helping shape our plans. These changes will also be subject to full public consultation before they’re put in place so we can hear from customers.”

For full details of the bus service cuts, see the story on 853.

The Charlton Champion

News, events and more in Charlton, London SE7

Author: Darryl Chamberlain