Tea party: could it be on Saturday instead? I can't do Sunday. Should also be encouraging people to buy from the coffee shops (all 4 of them!). Is there a temporary barracade down the middle of the road though? There is near the juntion but I don't know how far up it goes.

P4: don't know the situation now but on Saturday the bus stops on both sides of Honor Oak Road (London Road end) had 'bus stop not in use signs on', as did the bus stop across the road from the Horniman. I ended up walking all the way to Dulwich.

Forest Hill being reclaimed by the residents from the selfish motorists.
How lovely no traffic, must be great for those living on London Road.
Please do not hurry repairs.
Afterthought.
When completed may be the council could make the area from Dartmouth Rd to Honor Oak Rd pedestrian except for buses.
If visit then gardens could be introduced and Cafe's move way out.

Blushing snail
Saturday equally good.

There are no barricades to the west of the works i.e. between Lemon Grove and Teapot, only thing in the way is a load of parked cars making use of the lack of red route enforcement

Does it need a separate thread to publicise?

I don't think I'll be able to make it on Saturday but if the party is still going on Sunday perhaps I could join then.

Seems like Sunday is the most popular with people I have been speaking to (sorry blushing snail) although two parties would be fab!

Does it sound like a plan?

I have just heard reports that the works on the South Circ could continue till late September... So more tea parties!?

Do street parties next to burst sewer pipes work??

Yes, BBC travel page shows work ended on 24th September now!!!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/local/london.shtml

I have heard a rumour that the reason for the original problem was a recently installed new sewer which wasn't buried deep enough, which was consequently weakened by the winter frosts and which then burst when subjected to recent heavy rainfall. Does anyone know whether that is true, or at any rate plausible?

Hoppy,
There is no smell from the pipes so parties and picnics are not hampered.

If the extended time scale is accurate, getting around will be even more interesting in early September, when the portion of the South Circular between Co-op and the Telegraph is scheduled to close for gas mains replacement. Traffic is to be diverted through 'old' Stanstead Road.

Actually, the wording of the closure is a bit vague - I am not sure if it is that whole portion or just Waldram Crescent...

It would make sense to start the gas mains work now while the traffic is so light.

A sort of 'joined up' system of working, you mean?
A dream I think!

Maybe frost damage robin, but surely the most likely reason is the increased volume and weight of traffic is destroying our Victorian infrastructure?

From the Forest Hill Society:

Forest Hill Promenade
You've probably noticed that the London
Rd stretch of the south circular has been closed since the weekend
after drains collapsed?! It's caused big problems for traffic and for
the businesses along there.
...
We could moan.
We could fret.
OR we could organise a PARTY!
London Road is quiet and (virtually) car free for perhaps the only time we'll ever get to experience it. So join us at 1pm, this Sunday 22nd August for a coffee and stroll along the NEW Forest Hill Promenade.

We'll keep it very informal. Just turn up, grab a coffee from the
Lemon Grove or the Teapot or Wetherspoons, and meander. Perhaps you'll
bring a deckchair, perhaps you'll show off your breakdancing skills,
perhaps you'll turn up in fancy dress, perhaps a gentle game of boules
will arise spontaneously. Who knows?

So, transform a major inconvenience into a social event and join us on Sunday.

Anybody have any contacts in the meejah - if so it would look good on the News - reclaiming the streets in a peaceful way. Just don't tell Clarkson![/u]

I've tweeted them!

This is a great idea. Has the council been consulted - or do they need to be?
A bit of live music would be the best way of giving the event some focus - is this possible?
How about some outdoor tables and chairs...

Elephant Talk are on at the Horniman Bandstand this Sunday.....they have played there a couple of times before, once with Eddie Reader, and are fantastic. Maybe they can be coaxed onto out onto the street ?