Ladywell Public Realm Improvements begin in earnest



Some photos taken on the afternoon of Thursday 4 April 2013.

Looking north into Algernon Road









Looking south from Algernon Road





 





Deep excavations to sort out the levels





There used to be a road here . . .



Some early paving improvements visible at the bottom of Vicar's Hill



 

 



 

Ladywell Public Realm Improvements - Latest Timetable

The Council will, during the next week, be distributing an update on the Ladywell Public Realm Improvements.  The letter will say "As a result of necessary diversions to utilities plant and changes to road levels, we need to amend the previously-published programme for these works.

To recap on progress to date - from 18 February, work began on surface water drainage in Algernon Road and Gillian Street.  Additionally, BT Openreach have started to divert their plant away from the proposed parking areas.  This work is also being carried out by Virgin Media in Ladywell Roadopposite Chudleigh Road.

The remainder of the works will still be carried out in a number of stages in order to minimise disruption.  However, the programme now looks as follows:

• From 2 April, for a period of at least three weeks, it will be necessary to close Algernon Road to traffic between Gillian St and Ladywell Road, thus allowing the contractor to reconstruct the existing carriageway, install new drainage and construct the new paving for the footway, parking bays and junction works.
• Southern Gas Network will then need to lower their service valves in the mouth of the junction of Ladywell Road and Railway Terrace.
• The intention is to then commence work to reduce the road level in Ladywell Road, between the railway bridge and up to the Pelican crossing, from 15 April. This will be carried out with temporary traffic light control whilst Algernon Road is closed.
• Having completed the work to the carriageway in Algernon Road and Ladywell Road up to the Pelican crossing, the carriageway in Algernon Road will reopen. This will allow for Ladywell Road to be closed between the Pelican crossing and the westbound bus stop from 20 May, to commence the reconstruction of Ladywell Road to the new levels.
• On completion of this section of Ladywell Road, we expect to commence the final reconstruction of Ladywell Road (from the westbound bus stop to Adelaide Avenue) from 29 May. This is expected to last until 7 June.
• Whilst the western section of Ladywell Road carriageway is being reconstructed, work will be carried out to the footways of the section of Ladywell Road carriageway previously completed to minimise disruption to pedestrians.

The expected completion date of the major work is on or around 24 August.

During the closure of Algernon Road, the 484 bus will be rerouted along Ladywell Road, into Adelaide Avenue, Montague Avenue, Hilly fields Crescent, Cliffview Road onto Vicars Hill where it will be back on route.  We are currently finalising the details for the diversion of the other bus routes when Ladywell Road is closed and will provide a further update on the rerouting of the affected buses.

As the work progresses, this initial programme may change due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. However, we will provide updates on the Council website.

As with all construction work, we anticipate there may be some disruption to traffic, but we will try to keep this to a minimum.

Les Senior

Project Engineer
Transport Division
Lewisham Council
(T) 020 8314 2025
(E) les.senior@lewisham.gov.uk"  

It's all happening in Ladywell!

With a new patisserie/creperie opening in a few weeks in the former 'Masons' unit, the streetscape improvements now underway and the eyesore Snack Bar building up for sale at last, 2013 looks like being a very positive year for Ladywell Village.

Robert Sheppard

Masons to reopen as Patisserie

Redecoration carrying on apace today

Local businesses in Ladywell confirm that the former Masons bar/restaurant has new tenants and will open, probably in mid-March, as French patisserie and fresh food store, which will be open every day until 8.00pm.

It seems the new business will not sell booze for consumption on the premises, something that will disappoint those who point out this site is an ideal place for a drink, esp. during the Summer, on the way back from the Station.

Empty business units are a blight on the Ladywell streetscape so LVIG is very pleased that these premises will soon be back in use.

We wish the new venture every success.

Work on Coral flats now underway

The Council has withdrawn its application for an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) in relation to the flats above Coral because works on-site are progressing well.  Had it not done this, the Council's application was likely to have been struck out by the Tribunal.

The Council has indicated that, should the works stall, it is prepared to resubmit the case for hearing - and any failure on Coomes part to progress these works to a satisfactory conclusion will strengthen the Council's hand against them in future.

There is no evidence yet of improvements to the exterior of the building, though these would be considered necessary if the flats are to be fully pigeon-proof and fit for human habitation.

Reports of apparent progress on this case are welcomed.  Any queries should be directed to Nick.Long@lewisham.gov.uk.

Robert Sheppard

Ladywell improvements - Streetworks now imminent



The Council has indicated that the streetscape work will be completed this Spring in five phases, starting at Algernon Road, then progressing into Ladywell Road east by the railway bridge then working west towards the mini-roundabout at the junction of Adelaide Avenue. The provisional schedule (which has yet to be signed-off with the contactor, London Buses and various underground service providers) is as follows - but may change during the course of the works:

1. Works at the Algernon Road (eastern) end of the scheme will start within the next week or so, probably on 11 or 18 February, with drainage works incl. the moving of gullies to new kerb alignment positions.

2. Footpath and kerbing works in Algernon Road will commence from 26 February. All property owners at 251-259 Algernon Road (incl. the Post Office and Barbers) have given permission for their forecourts to be repaved so the whole of this pavement from kerb to buildings will be one neat stretch of paving rather than the current hotch-potch. This is splendid news and will look great when completed!

3. On 1 March there will be road closure on Algernon Road to enable sewer works, and drainage works will continue to 8 March.

4. 8-26 March - lowering of Algernon Road carriageway and construction of speed tables at Gillian Street, Mercy Terrace and Algernon Road

5. 18 March - work on Ladywell Road will commence, with two way lights for the most part, but complete closure for periods of time if necessary.

For a reminder about the project see the item on the Council website.  Should you have any detailed questions/issues you can email les.senior@lewisham.gov.uk

Robert Sheppard

Hunt confirms Hospital downgrade

The Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, confirmed to the Commons today that the A&E Department at Lewisham Hospital will be downgraded as part of cost-cutting measures within the South East London sector of the NHS.  Furthermore the maternity unit at Lewisham is to be replaced with a midwife-led facility.  You can find more on this at www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21269910

Mr. Hunt only parted from the Special Administrator, Matthew Kershaw's recommendations in one respect, by deciding that up to threequarters of those currently attending Lewisham A&E would (he said) continue to attend a new, smaller service at the Hospital, with only patients with more serious conditions taken to other hospitals.  It remains to be seen, of course, what happens in practice!