Category Archives: Politics

Chambers Wharf: Southwark’s super-sewer challenge rejected by High Court

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Chambers Wharf
Chambers Wharf

Southwark Council has come under fire after its legal challenge to plans to use Chambers Wharf as a construction site for Thames Water’s super-sewer was rejected for being a day too late.

“We are extremely disappointed by this decision and the Government’s decision to not consider alternatives to Chambers Wharf,” said Cllr Peter John, leader of the council.

“We always knew this was going to be a tough battle, but I wanted Government Ministers to have to justify to local residents why they think its acceptable that their lives should be blighted in this way.  I again repeat my challenge to Eric Pickles and Liz Truss.  Come to Bermondsey and speak to people about why they think seven years of 24 hour a day noise next to homes and schools is OK.

“We will now go back and look at our options, take advice from counsel and make a decision on our next steps. Meanwhile we will continue to work with residents to mitigate the harm they will suffer.

This was a complex legal case which was argued for four hours by QCs at court yesterday. Unfortunately the judge disagreed our lawyers’ interpretation of the legislation and court practice rules. This decision emphasises the challenge local communities and councils will face when objecting to major infrastructure projects.”

Liberal Democrat councillor for Riverside ward, Eliza Mann, who attended the High Court hearing, said: “This is a bitter blow for all the residents, local councillors and local MP who have been fighting Thames Water’s plans to build the super sewer at Chambers Wharf.”

Lib Dem leader Cllr Anood Al-Samerai said “We all trusted the council to represent our community in court.  Now the case for a judicial review has been thrown out all because the council couldn’t manage to submit its paperwork on time

“This must rank among one of the council’s worst-ever bungles.  It is totally incompetent and amateur.  The leader of the council must now explain why Southwark has let its residents and our community down so badly.”

Campaign chairman Barney Holbeche said: “Save Your Riverside is very disappointed that Southwark’s legal challenge to the TTT project in respect of impacts at Chambers Wharf has been rejected by the High Court – and on a legal technicality rather than the merits of the case.”

“We will continue to press Thames Water, the Infrastructure Provider, and the contractors to minimise the impacts of this massive construction imposition on the doorsteps of thousands of Southwark residents in the years to come. We thank LB Southwark for all their efforts and will work closely with them on residents’ behalf.”

Theatre making for adults with London Bubble

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London Bubble says that its drama group for adults is fun, friendly and a great way to meet new people and burn off imaginative calories!

“It’s the one time in the week when you can forget you’re an adult and go crazy like a kid, you can scream and shout and laugh so hard your tummy hurts.”

Local residents are invited to try a taster class.

Sessions are every Wednesday from 14 January, 7pm-9pm, at London Bubble, 5 Elephant Lane, SE16 4JD.

To find out more contact Lucy on [email protected] or 020 7237 4434

Buses C10 and 381: New Year reliability improvements promised

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Lib Dem London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon recently asked the Mayor of London Boris Johnson about capacity and reliability concerns on the C10 and 381 bus routes.

He replied:

TfL will be introducing a new schedule to improve reliability on route 381 on 11 January 2015. This will give buses more time to complete the journeys, better reflecting current traffic conditions.

TfL is discussing with the operator a reliability scheme for route C10 and is confident that this will be in place early in the New Year.

Child hit by car in Salter Road

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A child was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg after they were hit by a car in Salter Road.

Police were called by London Ambulance Service just before 6pm on Wednesday evening.

The child was taken to a south London hospital with a suspected broken leg.

Police are continuing to investigate the incident and no-one has been arrested.

£12m rebuild of Albion Primary School + other Albion Street plans approved

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Southwark’s cabinet has endorsed plans for a £12 million redevelopment of Albion Primary School as part of a wider programme of developments in and around Albion Street.

“The regeneration of Albion Street is a priority for this council and we recognise the concern of local residents about the future of this street as a commercial and retail centre,” said Cllr Mark Williams, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transport.

“It is key that neighbouring regeneration schemes, in particular at Canada Water and Surrey Quays, complement and enhance our plans for Albion Street.

“We will re-invigorate Albion Street by looking at several connected areas, including Albion Primary School; the former Library and improving the public realm.”

He added: We will continue to work with members of the local community, local residents and businesses as we now move forward to drawing up detailed plans and designs for each of these schemes. This is an exciting time for this part of Rotherhithe and the schemes set out in this report will better connect Albion Street with both the River Thames and Canada Water.”

Listen to the audio of the cabinet discussion on Albion Street:

Red crane could be turned into artwork

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crane

The leader of Southwark Council has suggested that parts of the red crane at Odessa Street could be turned into a work of public art when the site is redeveloped.

Plans – reported here last week – to extend the Thames Path and build new homes on the site of the derelict nightclub and youth club at Odessa Street – were endorsed by the borough’s cabinet on Tuesday.

Surrey Docks ward councillor David Hubber addressed the meeting and called for affordable housing to be provided on-site as part of the proposed development by Hollybrook Homes.

He described the red crane as ‘nothing more than a perch for pigeons’  but asked for heritage concerns to be taken on board.

Listen to the full audio of the cabinet discussion below:

Simon Hughes’ Rotherhithe ‘Mayflower’ pier plan gains momentum

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Plans for a new riverboat pier in Rotherhithe to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower have received a favourable mention – but no promise of funds – from the Government in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.

The government will also discuss plans for a Growth Zone in Croydon, subject to value for money, and continues to support flourishing culture funded through local channels, including the proposal to construct a new pier in Rotherhithe.

“Our campaign to build a new pier in Rotherhithe is gathering momentum,” said Simon Hughes MP – who first went public with the proposal back in March.

“I was pleased to see the Chancellor of the Exchequer mention it in today’s Autumn Statement. Although we are six years away from the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower from England to America, if we are going to have a significant lasting memorial then it is important that plans are in place soon, so that the pier can be in use by commuters, local residents and visitors.

“The Mayflower sailed from Rotherhithe, and its crew came from the area – so it is absolutely right that Rotherhithe be a central part of the celebrations in 2020 and I will keep working to make this happen.”

Brunel Bridge from SE16 to Canary Wharf ‘worth looking at’ – Government

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The government has called for further investigation into plans for a new bridge across the Thames between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf.

The National Infrastructure Plan – published by the Treasury on Tuesday – contains this sentence:

An interesting proposal made by Sustrans, and worth looking at in more detail, would be a new pedestrian and cycle bridge from Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf – which could be called the Brunel Bridge in tribute to one of the great figures in the history of UK infrastructure.

Southwark Council recently gave its in-principle backing to the proposed bridge, and Mayor of London Boris Johnson has also expressed interest in the scheme.

Simon Hughes MP said: “It is clear to me that a river crossing between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf is long overdue.

“This is a project which I have championed, and which will make a real difference to the lives of a great many local people.

“The government has now made a commitment to take an interest in the proposal for a new cycle and pedestrian bridge, named the Brunel Bridge in tribute to the great father and son pioneers of UK infrastructure.

“This is great progress – and I will keep fighting to deliver the Brunel Bridge for the people of Bermondsey, Rotherhithe and the rest of London.”

Salter statues unveiled on Bermondsey Wall East

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Just over three years since the theft of the statue of Dr Alfred Salter from Bermondsey Wall East, the whole family –  including a new statue of Ada Salter – is now returned to the riverside.

The new statues have been created by the original artist Diane Gorvin.

Sunday afternoon’s unveiling ceremony featured speeches by Southwark’s deputy mayor Cllr Neil Coyle, council leader Cllr Peter John and Rt Hon Simon Hughes MP.

According to the council leader, the new Ada Salter statue is the first statue of a female politician to be erected in London.

In his speech, Simon Hughes MP called for  Southwark Council to name a new school in the borough after Ada Salter to complement the existing Alfred Salter Primary School.

Johanna Crawshaw, Dr Salter’s grandniece, unveiled the replacement statue of the legendary Bermondsey MP.

Ada Salter’s statue was unveiled by Nick Hudson and Janet Kendall, grandnephew and grandniece of Bermondsey’s first woman Mayor.

Dr Ruth Wallis, director of public health for Lambeth and Southwark, removed the cover from the statue of young Joyce Salter which has been in storage since the theft of her father’s statue three years ago.

Maisie Carter and her grandson Archie unveiled the sculpture of the Salter family cat which has been returned to its place on the river wall.

Other guests at the event included peace campaigner Bruce Kent and the deputy lieutenant for Southwark, Jenny Bianco.

An exhibition of photographs of the Salters was displayed after the ceremony in the nearby church of St Peter & the Guardian Angels.

New play about Alfred and Ada Salter

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 three4all theatre will present a reading of Alison Mead’s new play ‘Politic Man’ in Chatham on Monday 24 November.

Set in run down Bermondsey during two world wars, ‘Politic Man’ is the true story of Alfred Salter and his wife Ada, who between them, stood for local, mayoral and parliamentary elections throughout their lives while living and working in one of the most impoverished areas of London: Bermondsey.

Full details here.