Public Meeting on the RE-OPENING of the CAMBERWELL GROVE RAILWAY BRIDGE
Camberwell Community Council held a special meeting to inform local residents about the Council's proposals for re-opening the Camberwell Grove railway bridge. The meeting was held at the Camberwell Grove Chapel on Thursday 1st November 2007 at 7.00pm.
About 300 members of the local community attended the meeting. First Andrew Downes, transport and infrastructure manager, Southwark Council explained why the bridge was closed. Then a structural engineer with Network Rail explained how the 125-year-old cast iron bridge was repaired in March 2007 and checked in July 2007 as they were using a new technique. Apparently the repair is only strong enough to allow vehicles on the western side of the bridge, the side nearest Grove Lane, Denmark Hill station etc. Andrew Downes then explained the various options open to Southwark Council to manage the traffic over only a single carriageway of the bridge. The option they have decided on is for traffic lights on Camberwell Grove and McNeil Road to control single file traffic over the bridge. Mention was made of the need of children to cross the grove and the lights will be fazed so all the lights will be red simultaneously to allow pedestrians to cross. Representations were also heard from cyclists and they will be catered for with a cycle lane on the eastern side of the bridge and forward stop lines and boxes at all the traffic lights. This is a temporary solution, until Network Rail has the money to replace the bridge completely; apparently a new bridge could be constructed off site and installed over one weekend. The traffic lights wil not be installed before March 2008 so the bridge although it is now safe will not be re-opened until then and it is very likely that there will be traffic queues in every direction because of the traffic lights.
Those present called on the council to
- keep Camberwell Grove open to through traffic
- apply adequate signage at all the approaches to Camberwell Grove to warn drivers about the weak bridge and traffic queues as a result of the traffic lights
- undertake a thorough and complete traffic management survey of the whole area, inculding Denmark Hill and Camberwell Green
- continue to bring pressure to bear on Network Rail to replace the Camberwell Grove rail bridge with one that can take two lanes of traffic
- consult the local community about road and traffic management.
It is worth noting that Denmark Hill station and the lines that travel through it may not be at the top of Network Rails agenda to receive funding for repairs. Currently Network Rail is consulting on the future of rail services in South London (aka the draft South London Rail Utilisation Strategy).
The consultation document states that due to the proposed Thameslink project in a few years time there will be 2 fewer platforms for trains to terminate at London Bridge (they'll be replaced with two more platforms for through trains going on to Blackfriars or Charing Cross).
Network Rail seems to have decided that this means that the South London Line (Victoria to London Bridge via Denmark Hill, Peckham Rye and Queens Road) will no longer be able to go to London Bridge and will have to be diverted - probably to become a Victoria to Lewisham or a Victoria to Catford service.
What would this mean for users of the South London Line?
- No direct trains between Wandsworth Rd, Clapham High St, Denmark Hill and London Bridge (currently 2 per hour)
- Direct trains between Peckham Rye and Queens Rd Peckham to Victoria/London Bridge reduced.
- No direct trains between Queens Road and Victoria (currently 2 per hour).
If you would like to protest about this sign the petition at Go Petition.co.uk
CARAVAGGIO
A new Italian Cafe has opened at 47, Camberwell Church Street. Open 7 days a week from 11am-11pm they offer Italian coffee, cakes and pastries as well as a full menu for lunch or dinner.