Archive for July, 2010
Bus Route Extension Plans Hit Delays due to TfL Cross Borough Talks
Jul 31st
Long anticipated plans to extend a single decker bus linking Streatham and Balham shopping districts have run into delays following concerns raised by Wandsworth Council and objections from residents on one road in the area.
Residents will now have to wait even longer while talks with both Lambeth and Wandsworth Council’s are ongoing with Transport for London (TfL) who carried out a consultation throughout both council districts with a large number in favour of the extension of the 255 bus which currently terminates at Streatham Hill Station.
The extension would run along Weir Road and terminate at Balham Station under the plans. Residents on a road in Wandsworth which would also form part of the new route submitted a petition to TFL against the proposals amid safety and loss of parking fears.
TfL are currently in talks with both London Councils to see the find a solution to having the bus route implemented though there is no indication as to when this is likely to be.
In a statement TfL said ‘We are still planning to introduce the service but the scheme has been delayed, however we are working closely with both local authorities to progress the scheme to implementation. Once we can release further information, we will do.’
The new route would run from its current terminus at Streatham along Hydethorpe Road, Radbourne Road, Weir Road and Old Devonshire Road, into Balham High Street and terminate at Balham Station.
WERA Asks…Keith Hardy
Jul 30th
Keith, Can you please tell our readers briefly what your job is?
I am the Major Works Manager for Lambeth Living.
How long have you been doing this job?
I have been doing this job for six years
What are the positives of the role you do?
Delivering Decent Homes improvement works for Lambeth’s tenants and leaseholders to ensure their homes are wind and weathertight, have reasonably modern facilities and are thermally efficient.
If you could choose any other department within Lambeth Living, what one would you choose and why?
Although not strictly Lambeth Living, with my construction and surveying background I feel that I could make a positive contribution to the Children and Young Peoples’ Services Department of Lambeth Council and the Building Schools for the Future Programme.
Three Way Funding Gets Weir Fencing Fixed
Jul 28th
Damaged and buckled railings on Weir Estate, are getting vital repairs and being replaced, following a three way funding agreement between Weir Estate Residents Association, Lambeth Living and the Breyer Group plc.
The works to the value of an estimated eighteen thousand pounds have got under way this week following works to resident’s homes and now the efforts to continue to improve Weir Estate have now focused on the communal area railings. Three sums of Six Thousand Pounds have been committed to the improvement works has been provided by Lambeth Living, the Arms Length Management Organisation responsible for housing in Lambeth, Breyer Group plc the contractor responsible for the major works which are now coming to an end, and Weir Estate Residents Association.
WERA Chair Dave McEvoy is delighted with the deal, saying the railings, which were put up in the mid 1970s, are in desperate need of changing following years of damage caused by careless motor vehicles crashing into them as well as rust caused by the weather “This work is about WERA and Lambeth Living’s commitment to improving the appearance of the estate so residents can take pride in the area in which they live. We have achieved this to residents homes and now we are delighted to be able to improve our communal areas too. We want Weir Estate to be the best looking estate in Lambeth, and for other resident associations to aspire to be like us. We are grateful to Lambeth Living and Breyer Group plc for supporting us in this”
The improvement work is being carried out by a sub contractor R&B overseen by Breyer Group plc. It’s expected to be complete by mid-August, by which time members of the Youth Offending Service will move onto the estate to paint the old railings as part of their community payback. This is expected to start throughout the summer holidays every Tuesday supervised by officers from the Lambeth team. For this, Breyer is also kindly donating the paint and painting materials in order for them to carry out the paint job.
Missing original metal works on the front of the estate will also be reinstated and then be painted.
Dave added “This is a real combined effort by us as the estates Association and our external partners to bring a new better look to our estate.”
Breyer’s Managing Director, Tim Breyer who has authorised the financial support of the works from Breyer has now been invited to visit Weir Estate in order to see the major improvements being made following the works carried out by his staff. Lambeth Living’s Director of Property Services has also backed the projects with their on going investment into improving the estate.
WERA Elects New Vice-Chair
Jul 18th
A new Vice Chair has been elected to the Weir Estate Residents Association’s Executive Committee. Life Long resident, Rohema Khanom was this week elected into the role by a unanimous vote of members at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) last week.
Rohema and her family have lived on Weir Estate for many years in which she has grown up in the area. This week Rohema joined the association to work with and support the current Chair as well bringing new ideas to the take the association forward.
The position of vice chair had been vacant for many years and this is one of the first times, WERA has had a full executive committee who are responsible for managing the association, its finances and decisions.
Current Chair, Dave McEvoy spoke highly of the new appointee to WERA team at the meeting and then recommended that members elected her which was overseen by new Housing Officer, Teodoro De Carvalho.
Rohema has already begun throwing herself into her new role by getting involved in key issues such as the Community Garden, Parking issues and other long term estate projects.
Ofcom Publish Masts Output Report Following Estate Audit
Jul 17th
Telecommunication regulator, Ofcom has published its report following an audit of the Mobile Phone masts on Weir Estate which has now been received by Executive Officers at Weir Estate Residents Association.
The report will form a fundamental part of a enquiry into the future of the masts and base stations situated on two estate blocks and the prospect of any future installations of telecommunications aerials on Weir Estate in the future.
The WERA enquiry is considering all the evidence and facts available in order to make an informed recommendation to residents on whether they should they remain and the level of impact or threat on residents long term health. The report carried out by independent regulator Ofcom, has indicated low levels of radiation output throughout the report will now have to be concluded by another external body, The Health Protection Agency responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the public such as mobile phone masts.
In the report, six areas where covered during the audit in areas identified as being significantly affected by the signal coming from the masts.
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