No problem for getting word back to MH, he reads the forum when he can I believe. I speak to him regarding my own opinions and issues with work concerning his department.

I dont for one second think that islands are useless, just that people build a false sense of security around them at times. No type of crossing provides a 100% safe passage, nor replaces common sense and awareness of ones surroundings.

With regards to the ignorant drivers who perform such manouvres, they should have their licenses taking away for good for doing blatently stupid things like that. However like the ignorant amongst the pedestrians, there are those amongst the motorists too. Who of course are far more dangerous to others than pedestrians at their worst.

I believe the raised crossing area is indeed budgetted for in the planning. However adding a second crossing point along a section of road of no more than about 40 metres is somewhat excessive.

I have yet to look at the road properly to form a proper opinion of if chicanes are at all possible. Personally I think they would make a safe compromise. Both sides of the crossing area if distance allows. (prob not)

This may or may not be relevant a consultation regarding the Perry Vale controlled parking zone goes before the Mayor on June 25.

what controlled parking zone??
I live in PV, and no-one has consulted with me!

See this link:

http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/...ne2008.PDF

Item 6.

Taymount Rise, David's Road & Devonshire Road.

Taymount Rise, David's Road & Devonshire Road are in Forest Hill Ward. I can't see any mention of roads in Perry Vale Ward in that document.

I live off Taymount Rise and nobody has consulted me.

The report going to the Mayor is seeking approval to go ahead and undertake the consultations listed - so of course no-one's been consulted yet!

Note the huge cost of running the consultation and implementing the CPZ (which seems to be almost a foregone conclusion!) of ?80-90k which they expect to fully recoup with more to spend on highways from the income from permits sold. i.e you will pay for it in the end - you always do!!

Here is a very recent posting on the Sydenham Town Forum which indicates that the subway will closed and the more startling news that Perry Vale refurbishments are to be suspended:


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I provide below an extract from advice given by Lewisham officials to Heidi Alexander, Lewisham's Deputy Mayor, about the Forest Hill Subway and about slippage in the programme of road works in Perry Vale.

That Network Rail are finally taking a positive interest in the Forest Hill subway (they own it) is very much to the credit of the Deputy Mayor who has been concerned over a long period to bring about improvements to the thoroughfare.

"[i]Dear Councillor Alexander

Forest Hill Subway

Thank you for your email dated 20th June 2008.

Network Rail have just informed us that resurfacing and drainage works in the Forest Hill Subway will start this Sunday and will possibly run over two weekends.

In addition, and within the next sixteen weeks, the subway will be closed for a short time, probably for no more than a fortnight, to facilitate repairs to the overhead beams that support the railway tracks. No dates have been published but as soon as these are known I shall advise you further.

A number of problems have been encountered in Perry Vale with the remodelling of the road adjacent to the subway with late changes made to the new private development opposite. Whilst these are not insurmountable, and will be resolved this financial year, completion of the works will not be possible within the original programme. The immediate effect will be the completion of the diversion of various services after which the road will reopen - the planned Highway works will be suspended. Again, I will inform you as soon as the completion programme for the street works can be ascertained ....l"


Bryan Leslie
Sydenham Society

Grr.

Perhaps they can replace the PV end steps with a ramp while they're at it. I know they're nothing compared to the steps at the town end, but every little helps. And it's not a massive drop.

I contacted Mick Hepworth in the Highways department (who replied very promptly - he is fantastic, isn't he?) and he said the work hasn't been suspended. There haven't been any problems with the modelling of the road and Berkeley Homes haven't made any late changes to their development. There are problems with the diversion of the underground services which may hinder work slightly but they are continuing: work to remove the old road surface will start tomorrow.

Yes just noticed they are removing the central island crossing as I passed

Looks like the pedestrian island in PV next to Westbourne Drive is also being removed.
I cant say I've ever used this one, but it must be useful for kids coming down the Drive to get to Forest Hill Boys.

I guess they can walk back up to the table crossing north of the underpass, to cross safely.

Mick Hepworth is undoubtedly fantastic.
As is Jeremy Clarkson, but I dont want him redesigning our crossings either. Sorry.

Perry Vale Crossings Update:
I am honour bound to record that a new pedestrian island by Westbourne Drive has risen from the rubble of the old crossing. This was the island (just south of the blind bend by the cottages), that was repeatedly hit, sometimes sending cars spinning through the fencing into the vacant lot.

So yes it is a good thing that the Perry Vale crossing cull has seemingly paused, but you have to wonder whether this spot is the best place for the crossing.
If the council had the funds to rebuild this crossing, it should have been moved to just the other side of the Westbourne Drive junction. and so a safer distance from the bend. I cant see that inconveniencing many as there is just a long wall on the west side of the road and it would be a better crossing for FH school bound children.

But I suspect this island's main function (in the eyes of the council) is not for pedestrians use at all but rather to shield the north bound traffic from head on collisions with any reckless South bound traffic coming round the corner too fast.
This new crossing island, even with traffic friendly pointed curbs (presumably to help cars mount it), is still going to make for a fairly severe end to the evening for some drivers, but sure, better than a head on collision.

In my opinion there must be safer alternatives like installing a crash barrier or making a mini roundabout with Dacres rd junction.

Well said Perryman . A more sensible crossing would be down by the 356 Bus stop.

As we all know, Perry Vale has been closed to traffic in connection with the building of the new homes.

Or has it?

Perry Vale has not in fact been closed to all traffic, as cyclists regularly travel along Perry Vale, turn themselves into two-wheeled pedestrians, and continue along a stretch of pavement which, thanks to somebody's wisdom in siting a CCTV unit there, is no more than 5 feet wide just south of the subway entrance.

I'm big and ugly enough to brush off close encounters with inconsiderate cyclists, but the many young children who use this stretch of pavement walking to their primary schools in the area may not be so lucky.

How long before someone is seriously injured?

Good point mate, once again cyclists becoming the blight of the roads and pavements.
Sadly they are so rarely monitored or pulled up on these things, its gonna be a matter of waiting til there is an accident.

I walked through the subway this afternoon just as a guy continued his journey from pavement to subway by riding down the stairs!

Yes, the sooner we get rid of those evil cyclists the better. You simply wont believe the amouth of abuse I get from those lycra clad nazis, whilst aimlessly crossing the road, without looking, holding my cup of starbucks, making a text message (yes, I know, how yesterday, but my Blackberry is on order), and listening to my i-pod. Just because they have to do an emergency stop to avoid damaging their precious machines against my body. So what if they tring their bells and shoult for me to watch out. They don't pay for the road, yet they think they own it. Hear hear SE23.

haha lets not go overkill about them
Same as all groups I guess, just a few give the masses a bad name.

But riding up that section of pavement is plain stupid

Exactly.

And, for the record, I have also seen one or two cyclists dismount and push their cycles along the pavement. They aren't all nuts.

But....it only takes one nut to cause an accident....whether that nut is a teenage hoody or a lycra-clad aerodynamic-helmeted bulging-calved Chris Boardman-lookalike, doesn't matter.

Perhaps one of the local constabulary positioned under the subway with a Stinger would be appropriate

Now hold on what about the human rights of our biking friends. They are a persecuted minority. If I cycle down the steps and knock down an old lady , sure the old lady that's what I say