Network Rail and Lewisham are planning on refurbishing the underpass. This will involve resurfacing work, cladding some of the walls and ceiling, improved lighting and better drainage and CCTV.
We received plans for the cladding in mid July (see below) and it became apparent that no improvements were to be made to the steps, despite earlier assurances. We are still lobbying Network Rail for handrails to be fitted on both sides of the steps to Dartmouth Road and the existing handrails at both ends to be replaced.
There is still some discussion as to what should happen to the mural. In June we were told
The last item to be carried out will be preparing the wall for the mural. NWR has agreed that the existing graffiti can be painted out, using industrial specification brickwork paint, ready for the mural to be painted by other parties.
After further lobbying from the Forest Hill Society, Lewisham applied for £245,000 for Forest Hill under phase one of the Mayor's Outer London Fund. £10,000 of this was for
Design options for the underpass. Network Rail and LBL are carrying out essential maintenance to the underpass in August 2011. This will fix drainage problems and essentially whitewash the surfaces. [They are actually using vitreous enamel panels which are designed to eliminate graffiti as the spray paints/felt tip pens will not adhere] We propose to carry out a design study to look at how to enhance this area looking at the entrances, walls and lighting. The precedent for these works is the recently completed New Cross underpass
Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful in this bid, gaining the second lowest overall grant of £125,000 (for Catford). We will be working with them on a Phase Two funding application which is for upto £2M per place, but that is a topic for another thread.
In light of the proposed improvements to the section under the tracks, what do you think should happen to the mural? Should it simply be painted over, should a new one commissioned? What would you like to see it replaced by? Please bear in mind that we have to find funds for this work from somewhere as the works already proposed have consumed the section 106 monies from Berkley Homes. We have suggested that the panels had some relevant designs on them (similar to Wapping/Rotherhithe) and that the panels were extended to cover the mural, but were told this was too expensive.
Further lobbying is required...
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