This is the Weekly Digest of Save Lea Marshes - a campaign group of people local to the Lea Valley area, concerned to the keep the marshes and surrounding green spaces open and green.
This week we are mainly concerned with getting rapid response emails to the Planning Inspectorate - PINS, concerning Hackney Council's plans to build two car parks on East and North Marshes. THE CLOSING DATE IS TOMORROW AFTERNOON 12 SEPTEMBER. So if you have a few minutes to spare, please, please go to our website to see the pro-forma letter for you to send and to personalise if you have time. Please RT if you are on Twitter. You can also pledge to help by joining our Facebook event. The next stage of the process will be to go to Hackney Council and we have two separate petitions for people to sign if you haven't already done so - one for Hackney residents to go to the Council and one on Change.org.
LVRPA WORKSHOP - we are pleased to report a more positive meeting on 6 September than the previous two, according to people who attended. More of a chance to raise questions instead of just being lectured at. Hope this continues and gets better. Included in the discussion was the intentions of the LVRPA to take over some more of the Triangle Land on a lease to help protect the SSSI on Walthamstow Marsh. As reported last week, land has been gated off by Network Rail for reasons of rail safety and trespass but SLM would argue that it cuts off too much of the public access. Perhaps it could be nurtured as a more closed off space for nature? Debate will continue.
CHATSWORTH ROAD/ABNEY PARK - whilst the workshop was going on, other SLM members were out and about getting the message about the Hackney Marshes car parks across and getting paper petition's signed. We can report that very few people approached were in favour of the car parks.
NOTICING THE NOTICES - we are expecting to see notices go up about the pavilion and car park - so do look out for them e.g. around Millfields and Cow Bridge. There should be 21 days notice, so we estimate they should have been put up on 8th September ...
EVENTS
Sustainable Hackney "Green Drinks" Tonight (11 September), at the Eastern Curve Garden, Dalston Lane, Dalston E8 7- 11 p.m. for first discusions on Hackney's "Liveable Neighbourhoods Strategy".
Greenpeace are holding an "Artic Sunrise" evening of music, comedy and cakes at Ye Olde Rose & Crown, 53-55 Hoe Street, E17 4SA on Friday 26 September at 7.30 p.m. Tickets cost £7.00 and monies will go to refit the campaign ship.
The Lea Valley Federation is a coalition of community and environmental groups and individuals concerned to protect the character of the Lee Valley Regional Park.
Sunday, 14 September 2014
Raids, Rationing and Riots
To: Adrian.C.Stannard@btinternet.
|
Raids, Rationing and Riots commemorates the impact of the First World War on the people of Chingford, Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone. Find out why there was a tank parked in the High Street and what caused a riot in Leytonstone.Saturday, 6 September 2014
SLM WEEKLY DIGEST 5-9-14
This is the Weekly Digest of Save Lea Marshes - an open group of local people who care about the marshes and green spaces of the Lea Valley area past, present and future. As the pressures for more building development grow, we battle to keep our current precious green space for the health of people, wildlife and the planet. To keep up to date with our work and support us by buying merchandise sold to aid our funds, please visit www.saveleamarshes.org
I'm going to start this week by highlighting the events where SLM will be this Saturday. Our target this week is to get people aware of and signed up to the petitions concerning proposed car parks on the marshes - both the Hackney Pavilion and East Marsh. We will be out with publicity materials and petitions you can sign at the Chatsworth Road Festival from mid-day onwards. Look out for our Heron design T'shirts. We will also be having a stall near Abney Park, Stoke Newington Church Street, with T'shirts and books on sale along with information. SLM representatives will also be at the LVRPA's Walthamstow Site Management Workshop from 1-3 p.m. at the Waterworks Centre, off Lea Bridge Road (buses 48,55,56, stop nearby or you can walk across Hackney Marshes - over the red bridge and follow the signs to the right). Alternatively, you can sign up on line via the www.change.org website and for Hackney residents go to www.hackney.gov.ukand go to petitions. Basically we are asking that the building of a new sports pavilion should be on the existing footprint and not include a larger car park and that East Marsh should be returned as agreed post-Olympics, to green football pitch. There is a letter in this week's "Hackney Gazette" on page 14 headed "So many spaces, too few facilities", by Tim Evans of HMUG (Hackney Marshes Users Group), which echoes our views.
Other news and discussions going on this week include:
THE TRIANGLE - also referred to as "King Alfred's Triangle" - being fenced off by Network Rail. There has been further correspondence with planning officers at Waltham Forest as well as Stella Creasy MP and Waltham Forest Councillors, concerning the reasons given by Network Rail, which include: trespassers, illegal campers, dwellers and risks to cabling .. We hear that the LVRPA are looking in to taking over some of the land on leasing it for public access.
CRANE - as reported last week, a crane used to hoist vessels in and out of the Lee Valley Marina (on a regular basis), ended up in the hedgerow. Gavin Johnson from the LVRPA has contacted SLM and stated that no nesting birds were damaged. He also said that the driver would have had an escort, so this seems to have been a very unusual occurrence. However, we still feel that further investigation needs to be considered.
HORSES ON THE MARSHES - we've received a letter from Natural England, in response to enquiries about horse riders not obeying the rules concerning riding on the SSSI on Walthamstow Marsh. The letter confirms that "during the winter months and in exceptional wet weather, riders should not be using the route along the SSSI and that this is advertised in a number of places. Anyone seeing riders stray should inform the LVRPA rangers".
CANAL AND RIVER TRUST CONSULTATION - details of a survey carried out by CaRT on shared usage of canal paths reveals that 2,148 people responded to the survey and that there were three stakeholder workshops held. There will be a full report on Towpath Code and Policy published later this autumn. The site details information, mostly out of our local area but can be viewed on https://canalrivertrust.org.
EVENTS
Hackney Green Drinks on 11 September at the Eastern Curve Garden, Dalston from 7-11 p.m. will be a chance for a first discussion on proposals for a "liveable neighbourhoods Strategy" for the next 10 years. Sustainable Hackney will then be having a full public meeting on Monday 30 October from 7.30-9.30 at the nearby Arcola Theatre, Dalston.
"What I love about the marshes" - SLM's photo exhibition is now at the Vestry Museum, Walthamstow, as part of its continuing tour.
Hedge Herbs events: LETS Forage, led by Transition, Leytonstone and Urban Harvest is responsible foraging talk and walk. Meet by LVRPA Ice Centre at 2.00 p.m. for a two hour walk ending in a café. Details from Rasheeqa 07784 506494; Permaculture within diverse communities taster day at The Mill on Saturday 25 October, details from Rasheeqa or go -to http://routesofwholeness.org/
Next SLM Meeting will be at 7.00 Monday 8 September at the Prince of Wales pub, Lea Bridge Road. New people always welcome.
I'm going to start this week by highlighting the events where SLM will be this Saturday. Our target this week is to get people aware of and signed up to the petitions concerning proposed car parks on the marshes - both the Hackney Pavilion and East Marsh. We will be out with publicity materials and petitions you can sign at the Chatsworth Road Festival from mid-day onwards. Look out for our Heron design T'shirts. We will also be having a stall near Abney Park, Stoke Newington Church Street, with T'shirts and books on sale along with information. SLM representatives will also be at the LVRPA's Walthamstow Site Management Workshop from 1-3 p.m. at the Waterworks Centre, off Lea Bridge Road (buses 48,55,56, stop nearby or you can walk across Hackney Marshes - over the red bridge and follow the signs to the right). Alternatively, you can sign up on line via the www.change.org website and for Hackney residents go to www.hackney.gov.ukand go to petitions. Basically we are asking that the building of a new sports pavilion should be on the existing footprint and not include a larger car park and that East Marsh should be returned as agreed post-Olympics, to green football pitch. There is a letter in this week's "Hackney Gazette" on page 14 headed "So many spaces, too few facilities", by Tim Evans of HMUG (Hackney Marshes Users Group), which echoes our views.
Other news and discussions going on this week include:
THE TRIANGLE - also referred to as "King Alfred's Triangle" - being fenced off by Network Rail. There has been further correspondence with planning officers at Waltham Forest as well as Stella Creasy MP and Waltham Forest Councillors, concerning the reasons given by Network Rail, which include: trespassers, illegal campers, dwellers and risks to cabling .. We hear that the LVRPA are looking in to taking over some of the land on leasing it for public access.
CRANE - as reported last week, a crane used to hoist vessels in and out of the Lee Valley Marina (on a regular basis), ended up in the hedgerow. Gavin Johnson from the LVRPA has contacted SLM and stated that no nesting birds were damaged. He also said that the driver would have had an escort, so this seems to have been a very unusual occurrence. However, we still feel that further investigation needs to be considered.
HORSES ON THE MARSHES - we've received a letter from Natural England, in response to enquiries about horse riders not obeying the rules concerning riding on the SSSI on Walthamstow Marsh. The letter confirms that "during the winter months and in exceptional wet weather, riders should not be using the route along the SSSI and that this is advertised in a number of places. Anyone seeing riders stray should inform the LVRPA rangers".
CANAL AND RIVER TRUST CONSULTATION - details of a survey carried out by CaRT on shared usage of canal paths reveals that 2,148 people responded to the survey and that there were three stakeholder workshops held. There will be a full report on Towpath Code and Policy published later this autumn. The site details information, mostly out of our local area but can be viewed on https://canalrivertrust.org.
EVENTS
Hackney Green Drinks on 11 September at the Eastern Curve Garden, Dalston from 7-11 p.m. will be a chance for a first discussion on proposals for a "liveable neighbourhoods Strategy" for the next 10 years. Sustainable Hackney will then be having a full public meeting on Monday 30 October from 7.30-9.30 at the nearby Arcola Theatre, Dalston.
"What I love about the marshes" - SLM's photo exhibition is now at the Vestry Museum, Walthamstow, as part of its continuing tour.
Hedge Herbs events: LETS Forage, led by Transition, Leytonstone and Urban Harvest is responsible foraging talk and walk. Meet by LVRPA Ice Centre at 2.00 p.m. for a two hour walk ending in a café. Details from Rasheeqa 07784 506494; Permaculture within diverse communities taster day at The Mill on Saturday 25 October, details from Rasheeqa or go -to http://routesofwholeness.org/
Next SLM Meeting will be at 7.00 Monday 8 September at the Prince of Wales pub, Lea Bridge Road. New people always welcome.
The Triangle
Dear Barry Buitakent
Thank you for your email dated 20 August about an area of land that appears to have been fenced off by Network Rail without notice or consultation. I have been unable to find any reference to the name “King Alfred’s Triangle”, but I believe that you were referring to a triangular-shaped piece of land completely surrounded by railway lines. The area of land shown in the attached jpeg. This is in High Street ward in Waltham Forest.
We have spoken to Network Rail and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority about this but have not yet received an explanation of the new fence or whether it is temporary or permanent. What we have established is that Lee Valley Regional Park is currently in talks with Network Rail about a lease of this area of land to Lee Valley Park with the intention of adding it to the land they currently own or licence in the area. Lee Valley Park plans to allow public access to the land subject to their rangers being happy that health and safety conditions are met. We are continuing to press Network Rail for an explanation of the reasons for the new fence and will write to you again when we have further information.
Regards
Tobias Newland
Transport Planner
Planning Policy and Regeneration
Waltham Forest Town Hall, Sycamore House (Room G08)
Forest Road
Walthamstow E17 4JF,
Walthamstow E17 4JF,
Tel: 020 8496 6780
Thursday, 4 September 2014
Crane Crash
Dear All,
I am writing with an update on the incident last week on Walthamstow Marshes when a crane servicing Springfield Marina went into a ditch.
The crane was used by Lee Valley Marina – Springfield to mobilise vessels in and out of the water and is a fundamental part of the operations at any marina. This type of vehicle is used once every two to three months.
Unfortunately, despite an escort being provided to guide the driver, an accident occurred resulting in the crane in a ditch; part of Walthamstow Marshes. We would like to assure people that the driver was unharmed and the area was cordoned off immediately to ensure the safety of passers-by. The safety of the local community and people working within Lee Valley Regional Park is our priority along with the preservation of the surrounding flora and fauna in the area.
The damaged area was checked for breeding birds - none of which were found – and no pollutants were recorded. We are currently in contact with Natural England and the Environment Agency who are satisfied that the situation is in hand.
To recover the vehicle a minimal amount of the surrounding fencing and shrubbery was necessary to remove; however work to reinstate this will begin immediately. The crane was removed over the weekend, and the new fencing will be in place within two weeks - if not sooner.
We would like to apologise for any inconvenience, which may have been caused and assure the local community that this situation is being dealt with as quickly as possible.
Best wishes
Gavin
Gavin Johnson - South Ranger
Parklands and VenuesDirect line: 020 8988 7565
Parklands and VenuesDirect line: 020 8988 7565
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Myddleton House,Bullscross, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9 HG
Telephone:01992717711 Fax:01992719937
Myddleton House,Bullscross, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9 HG
Telephone:01992717711 Fax:01992719937
Access closed by Network Rail
Dear Masood and Stella,c: Briggs Hannah <Hannah.Briggs@networkrail.co.uk>, Belcher Adrian <Adrian.Belcher@networkrail. co.uk>
Subject: RE: URGENT REQUEST RE LAND ACCESS CLOSURE BY NETWORK RAIL
Dear Stella
Land Access Closure – Walthamstow Marshes
Thank you for your email below in respect of the above.
Our route crime team took the decision to lock the gates a couple of weeks ago on the ground of trespassers who have been trespassing on the land around the marshes.
Unfortunately we have suffered numerous incidents caused by trespassers which had direct implications on the safe running of the lines. Additionally our mobile operations managers have attended the sites on several occasions and found trespassers, illegal
camping, dwelling on the land and also some illegal activities around the land. Land Sheriffs (our security contractors) attended this site as well on frequent occasions, and found the risk of cable theft and illegal activities being too high and recommended
we close the gates.
As such we would not be comfortable unlocking the gates at this stage. I understand this can be a frustration for some of your constituents, however safety is
our number one priority as such the decision was made to lock the gates and restrict access to our land.
Whilst conducting a fence line walk at this location, we noticed that our newly erected signs on the triangle access had been vandalised. The vandalism consists
of graffiti on all signs, all of which being in black permanent marker and one sign had been ripped down (please see below photographs). These have now been replaced by our land sheriff team (final photograph).
I hope you find the above information useful.
Kind Regards
Fed Hussain
Community Relations Executive
Communications
www.networkrail.co.uk
From:
stellacreasy@gmail.com [mailto:stellacreasy@gmail.com]
On Behalf Of stella creasy
Sent: 25 August 2014 22:59
To: Belcher Adrian; Hussain Fadaia;
cllr.masood.ahmad@walthamforest.gov.uk;
cllr.yemi.osho@walthamforest.gov.uk
Subject: Fwd: URGENT REQUEST RE LAND ACCESS CLOSURE BY NETWORK RAIL
Hello Adrian and Fed,
Please see below for further correspondence on the access to the marshes Network Rail provides and a query one of the local councillors has passed to me- I'd appreciate your help getting them a response to this query that they can share
with Claire.
Masood/Yemi- hope this is helpful,
kind regards
Stella
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Cllr Masood Ahmad <Cllr.Masood.Ahmad@walthamforest.gov.uk>
Date: Thu, Aug 21, 2014 at 2:37 PM
Subject: Fwd: URGENT REQUEST RE LAND ACCESS CLOSURE BY NETWORK RAIL
To: Cllr Enquiries <Cllr.Enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk>, Cllr Mohammed Asghar <Cllr.Mohammad.Asghar@ walthamforest.gov.uk>, Cllr Yemi Osho
<Cllr.Yemi.Osho@walthamforest.gov.uk>, Mariam Ifzal <Mariam.Ifzal@walthamforest. gov.uk>
Cc: stella creasy <stella@workingforwalthamstow.org.uk>
Please forward this urgent enquiry to the relevant people for quick response.
Residents need to know what's happening around Marshes. I think enclosed email is quite self explanatory.
Regards
Cllr M Ahmad
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Claire Weiss <claireweiss@hotmail.com>
Date: 20 August 2014 20:02:58 BST
To: cllr masood ahmad <cllr.masood.ahmad@walthamforest.gov.uk>, "cllr.mohammad.asghar@ walthamforest.gov.uk"
<cllr.mohammad.asghar@walthamforest.gov.uk>, "cllr.yemi.osho@walthamforest. gov.uk" <cllr.yemi.osho@walthamforest. gov.uk>
Subject: URGENT REQUEST RE LAND ACCESS CLOSURE BY NETWORK RAIL
Dear Waltham Forest Lea Bridge Councillors
This is an urgent request to ask that Waltham Forest Council through yourselves takes steps to contact Network Rail immediately about the locking of an area of land on the Marshes in contravention of its open access
history and character. See the attached photograph.
A number of people from Waltham Forest and the Hackney side of the River Lea have expressed their extreme concern and I have agreed to approach you. I have copied in to this email Cllr Ian Rathbone from Lea Bridge Ward LB Hackney, and I do recommend that there
is some communication about this and other matters between the Councillors of both sides of the River.
You will be aware that I have already contacted you about TfL proposals re Cross Rail, and you will be aware that there has been talk of a tunnel portal on the Marshes in this connection. I suspect that none of this has been properly referred to Waltham Forest
Council let alone residents. This leads to suspicion as to the intentions of Network Rail in closing the access to this land. None of the current TfL proposals should merit the unilateral and immediate closing off of a part of the Marshes without warning or
consultation.
Please would you urgently ascertain from Network Rail what on earth they are doing, and explain to them the nature of this part of our valuable open space.
I hope to hear from you as soon as possible, and will be circulating any news to those interested.
Many thanks,
Claire Weiss
Many thanks for your actions in obtaining this response from Network Rail about their fencing off and locking of a piece of open-access land. I have already shared the response with others who are interested in protecting the Marshes, and a number of issues have arisen.
Firstly, of course the need to ensure the safety of railway lines is totally recognised by everyone I have been in correspondence with. Network Rail obviously have a responsibility for that. People also recognise that formal camping on the Marshes without permission is not allowed nor is taking up residence there. But many of us have had picnics there and spent time on the Marshes under pop-up shelters without feeling the heavy hand of the Land Sheriffs.
However the Network Rail letter alleges that there have been:
- trespassers who have been trespassing on the land around the Marshes
- numerous incidents caused by trespassers that had implications for the railway
- more trespassers
- illegal camping
- dwelling
- illegal activities
- risk of cable theft and illegal activities
- graffitti on Network Rail signs and removal of one
I am puzzled by a) the vagueness of this and b) the apparent failure of Network Rail to point to their wider environmental responsibilities and duties of care. The Triangle land, while it is owned by Network Rail, is neither a station nor car park: it is an integral part of the Walthamstow Marshes SSSI. It is a protected wild environment that also offers a unique bit of semi-privacy, and its traditional use for informal enjoyment has been recognised locally for decades. With four mentions of trespassing and three mentions of illegal activities in the letter you might think that Network Rail were on to something important. But somehow they never quite say what's going on. Apart from the attaching of four photographs of graffitteed signs, they have provided no other evidence of the trespassing or illegal activities that they allege, nor have they named examples of what they claim to have found. And while they mention their security company there is no mention of any recourse to, or advice from, the British Transport Police.
I am left wondering to what extent their account can be substantiated. Specifically, I would like to know what they mean about:
- "trespassers who have been trespassing around the Marshes". The wording indicates that that Network Rail is not referring to people climbing onto the railway lines. I am not aware that it is possible to be a trespasser on the Marshes and would like to know where, precisely, Network Rail regards a person as a 'trespasser around the Marshes'?
- "numerous incidents". How many, in what period of time, and what kind of incidents? What evidence have they collected? Have they reported any criminal activity to the Police? Have they challenged any alleged perpetrators of incidents face-to-face? What records do they keep about this?
- what precisely are the 'illegal activities' other than camping or dwelling?
Next, I believe there may be some wider social implications of this situation:
1. According to reports from local residents, the fencing off and locking of The Triangle appears to have had the possible knock-on effect of causing people's informal enjoyment of the Marshes (and here I mean people engaging in sexual activity) to be spread wider to more open areas and to become more visible. For some local residents this has become undesirable.
2. At the same time, there have been reports that vulnerable people who may have had to resort to a life in the open air were using The Triangle. Where destruction such as unchecked campfires and the abandoning of rubbish accompanies these situations, of course most people recognise that there needs to be quick action for the sake of the environment. Nevertheless there are agencies with responsibilities for assisting those who sleep rough - and which should have the training and resources to deal with sensitive and harrowing situations. The Network Rail letter gives no indication of awareness of this.
3. According to a report on a social network, some fear has arisen (in the wake of an appalling attack on a woman jogger elsewhere in the Borough) that the Marshes are becoming less safe. This is unfortunate in itself, because nothing breeds fear more than fear itself, but also because I am witnessing an associated growing demonisation of some social groups (for instance homeless people, gay people) that may or may not be involved, and a resort to discriminatory assumptions about what is illegal.
In summary I am afraid that Network Rail, with its rather clumsy approach to the questions, is compounding the issues rather than solving them. Stella and Masood, do you agree that in connection with managing The Triangle land, Network Rail should be encouraged to collaborate with the LVRPA, the Environment Agency, local Councils, not least local residents and Marsh users, and pay more attention to their environmental responsibilities and duties of care, in addition to protecting the safety of the tracks?
Masood, as I have suggested in an earlier email, we desperately need to have a WF Lea Bridge Ward Community Forum - none has been held since December 2013. Could we join up with other Ward Forums that cover Walthamstow Marsh and Leyton Marsh and invite Network Rail to come? You may be aware that there are parallel questions that need to be put to the Council in Leyton Ward - where large areas of natural habitat have been deliberately cut back and destroyed by the Council in the name of clearing rubbish and deterring unauthorised use. The Marshes are under attack from many angles.
Best regards,
Claire
SLM Photo Exhibition at the Vestry House Museum
Vestry House Museum
Hi all
A quick note to let you know that the SLM photo competition is now hanging at the Vestry House Museum in Walthamstow.
Best wishes
Abi
Hi all
A quick note to let you know that the SLM photo competition is now hanging at the Vestry House Museum in Walthamstow.
Best wishes
Abi
Walthamstow Marshes Site Management Workshop
To: "Johnson, Gavin" <GJohnson@leevalleypark.org.uk
Dear All,
The next Walthamstow Marshes Site Management Workshop will be on Saturday 6th September from 1pm to 3pm at the WaterWorks Centre. This workshop will include; a review of water management on Walthamstow Marshes (ponds and ditches); a presentation on site security and a presentation on riding routes.
I look forward to seeing you on 6th.
Best wishes
Gavin
Gavin Johnson - South Ranger
Parklands and VenuesDirect line: 020 8988 7565
Parklands and VenuesDirect line: 020 8988 7565
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Myddleton House,Bullscross, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9 HG
Telephone:01992717711 Fax:01992719937
Myddleton House,Bullscross, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9 HG
Telephone:01992717711 Fax:01992719937
SLM WEEKLY DIGEST -29-8-14
This is the Weekly Digest of Save Lea Marshes a group of local people dedicated to keeping the Lea Valley and other greens spaces as green and development free as possible, so that wildlife and thrive and local people and future generations can enjoy and get the health benefits that access to green space can give. We have a website www.saveleamarshes.org and meet fortnightly. New people are always welcome to add voices and energy to the campaign.
Firstly, apologies for problems with getting access to the links given in the Digest. This is partly due to the occasional typo but also the way I have been in-putting them. Someone is going to give this Luddite, some help with this but we haven't had time to arrange this yet. In the meantime, if anything doesn't work, let us know, we are more than happy to make sure information gets through.
In the mix this week:
LESS-PARKING-ON-THE-MARSH - sounds like a village but in fact its what SLM is trying to convince the London Borough of Hackney to ensure. Following on from last week's story in the "Hackney Gazette", there is a letter published as "letter of the week" on page 10; a story in process for the next issue of the "Hackney Citizen" and two petitions - one is an open one atwww.ourchange.org.petition and another for Hackney residents only through the official Council website under the heading official petition. We will also be at the Chatsworth Road Festival on Saturday 6 September with leaflets and petitions. If we achieve in excess of 750 signatures, then the issue of the sports pavilion and the car parks on Hackney and East Marsh will have to be debated at full Council.
SLM would also like to draw to your attention that there are two surveys that Hackney Council are carrying out which we think are relevant to the car parks on green spaces issues:
1. Have your say on how to improve air quality in Hackney. The Council wants to know local people's views as part of drawing up its Air Quality Action Plan, which sets out how to improve air quality in the next four years. We are sure that you would like to tell them that increasing car access and parking on green spaces (disability access allowing), is one suggestion. To respond visit www.consultation.hackney.gov email Stephen.inch@hackney.gov.uk or call 020 83564673 or post comments to Stephen Inch, Principal Pollution Control Officer (Air), Pollution Control Team, PO Box 70210, E8 9EJ Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday 24 October. Further details can be found on p.25 of "Hackney Today" or in the "Hackney Gazette".
2. LBH are also working on a Draft Transport Strategy 2014-24 covering how to improve the range, flow and sustainability of transport in Hackney. Again, this is an opportunity to make your views known on parking and driving vehicles on open spaces - see
http://consultationhackney.
website.
THE GREAT CRANE SHUBBERY - moving from Hackney to Walthamstow, we got shocking news and pictures of a crane toppling over near the Springfield Marina, which has not only caused visable damage already but more is expected because a further two cranes are required to lift it, requiring cutting back on shrubbery habitat. SLM will question why such cranes are necessary on the Marshes.
TRIANGLE - also on Walthamstow Marsh, an SLM member and Waltham Forest MP Stella Creasy have both received similar replies on why gates have been locked by Network Rail, which limit access to the area known as "The Triangle". Network Rail insist that this has been done because of illegal camping and the risk of damage to the tracks which could cause serious injury. However, some hold the view that the measures could have been taken closer to the tracks and not limited the general public's right of way quite so much.
SYNOGOGUE - there has been a lot of correspondence this week about the site on Lea Bridge Road near the Lea Bridge Roundabout adjoining north Millfields, which used to be occupied by a fine old synagogue building. It was knocked down without much notice a few years ago and has been awaiting development. This has now come in the shape of a proposal to build a 5 storey block of flats. Concerns have been expressed about the scale of the project and its effect on Millfields Park, with possible loss of trees but also about the impact of a food-growing allotment behind the site and the effect on local residents from the Beecholme Estate. Councillors from Hackney's Lea Bridge Ward are on the case ...
EVENTS
The LVRPA are finally holding another Walthamstow Marshes Site Management Workshop on Saturday 6 September from 1.00 to 3.00 p.m. at the Waterworks Centre, Lea Bridge Road. Topics they have set for discussion are: review of water management in Walthamstow Marshes including ponds and ditches; a presentation on site security and a presentation on riding routes. Do come along if you can to make your views known. Previous experience of the LVRPA's "workshops", which were introduced to replace the Forums earlier this year are more "presentational" than " participatory" in style to be described as workshops, but we can but try not to get frustrated..
Also, on Saturday 6 September running from 10.00 a.m. to 9 p.m. is the Chatsworth Road Festival, so as mentioned above, SLM will be going to draw people's attention to the plight of our green spaces.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the London Wildlife Trust (LWT) are working in partnership to try and increase investment in natural heritage by encouraging smaller groups to apply for funding for schemes that can improve local areas and/or help to connect people to local nature. There will be a workshop held at LWT Camley Street Natural Park, 12 Camley Street N1C 4PW on Friday 24 October from 10.30. RSVP to Gillian Goode at HLF by email gilliang@hlf.org.uk before 19 September (indicating whether you are able to attend both morning and/or afternoon sessions). Further information will be sent to delegates later. In the meantime further information can be gained from http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/
www.hlf.org.uk/ourproject/
Next SLM meeting will be on Monday 8 September - 7- 7.30 ish - time and place to be finalised in next week's Digest.
Firstly, apologies for problems with getting access to the links given in the Digest. This is partly due to the occasional typo but also the way I have been in-putting them. Someone is going to give this Luddite, some help with this but we haven't had time to arrange this yet. In the meantime, if anything doesn't work, let us know, we are more than happy to make sure information gets through.
In the mix this week:
LESS-PARKING-ON-THE-MARSH - sounds like a village but in fact its what SLM is trying to convince the London Borough of Hackney to ensure. Following on from last week's story in the "Hackney Gazette", there is a letter published as "letter of the week" on page 10; a story in process for the next issue of the "Hackney Citizen" and two petitions - one is an open one atwww.ourchange.org.petition and another for Hackney residents only through the official Council website under the heading official petition. We will also be at the Chatsworth Road Festival on Saturday 6 September with leaflets and petitions. If we achieve in excess of 750 signatures, then the issue of the sports pavilion and the car parks on Hackney and East Marsh will have to be debated at full Council.
SLM would also like to draw to your attention that there are two surveys that Hackney Council are carrying out which we think are relevant to the car parks on green spaces issues:
1. Have your say on how to improve air quality in Hackney. The Council wants to know local people's views as part of drawing up its Air Quality Action Plan, which sets out how to improve air quality in the next four years. We are sure that you would like to tell them that increasing car access and parking on green spaces (disability access allowing), is one suggestion. To respond visit www.consultation.hackney.gov email Stephen.inch@hackney.gov.uk or call 020 83564673 or post comments to Stephen Inch, Principal Pollution Control Officer (Air), Pollution Control Team, PO Box 70210, E8 9EJ Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday 24 October. Further details can be found on p.25 of "Hackney Today" or in the "Hackney Gazette".
2. LBH are also working on a Draft Transport Strategy 2014-24 covering how to improve the range, flow and sustainability of transport in Hackney. Again, this is an opportunity to make your views known on parking and driving vehicles on open spaces - see
http://consultationhackney.
website.
THE GREAT CRANE SHUBBERY - moving from Hackney to Walthamstow, we got shocking news and pictures of a crane toppling over near the Springfield Marina, which has not only caused visable damage already but more is expected because a further two cranes are required to lift it, requiring cutting back on shrubbery habitat. SLM will question why such cranes are necessary on the Marshes.
TRIANGLE - also on Walthamstow Marsh, an SLM member and Waltham Forest MP Stella Creasy have both received similar replies on why gates have been locked by Network Rail, which limit access to the area known as "The Triangle". Network Rail insist that this has been done because of illegal camping and the risk of damage to the tracks which could cause serious injury. However, some hold the view that the measures could have been taken closer to the tracks and not limited the general public's right of way quite so much.
SYNOGOGUE - there has been a lot of correspondence this week about the site on Lea Bridge Road near the Lea Bridge Roundabout adjoining north Millfields, which used to be occupied by a fine old synagogue building. It was knocked down without much notice a few years ago and has been awaiting development. This has now come in the shape of a proposal to build a 5 storey block of flats. Concerns have been expressed about the scale of the project and its effect on Millfields Park, with possible loss of trees but also about the impact of a food-growing allotment behind the site and the effect on local residents from the Beecholme Estate. Councillors from Hackney's Lea Bridge Ward are on the case ...
EVENTS
The LVRPA are finally holding another Walthamstow Marshes Site Management Workshop on Saturday 6 September from 1.00 to 3.00 p.m. at the Waterworks Centre, Lea Bridge Road. Topics they have set for discussion are: review of water management in Walthamstow Marshes including ponds and ditches; a presentation on site security and a presentation on riding routes. Do come along if you can to make your views known. Previous experience of the LVRPA's "workshops", which were introduced to replace the Forums earlier this year are more "presentational" than " participatory" in style to be described as workshops, but we can but try not to get frustrated..
Also, on Saturday 6 September running from 10.00 a.m. to 9 p.m. is the Chatsworth Road Festival, so as mentioned above, SLM will be going to draw people's attention to the plight of our green spaces.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the London Wildlife Trust (LWT) are working in partnership to try and increase investment in natural heritage by encouraging smaller groups to apply for funding for schemes that can improve local areas and/or help to connect people to local nature. There will be a workshop held at LWT Camley Street Natural Park, 12 Camley Street N1C 4PW on Friday 24 October from 10.30. RSVP to Gillian Goode at HLF by email gilliang@hlf.org.uk before 19 September (indicating whether you are able to attend both morning and/or afternoon sessions). Further information will be sent to delegates later. In the meantime further information can be gained from http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/
www.hlf.org.uk/ourproject/
Next SLM meeting will be on Monday 8 September - 7- 7.30 ish - time and place to be finalised in next week's Digest.
SLM WEEKLY DIGEST - 21-8-14
There are signs in nature that the summer is coming to an end. Our local Swifts migrated at the beginning of August; the spiders have been at "Web Factor 10" for a while and ... planning applications are coming! We are going to need all the strength and solidarity we can muster in the next few weeks....
CAR PARKS - for a Council that prides itself on being a premier cycling borough and not providing car parks in its leisure and entertainment areas - the London Borough of Hackney (LBH) sure wants to put cars on our green spaces. Yes folks, along with the resurgence of "The Generation Game" on TV, the Council wants to play "Double Your Car Parks". Putting through plans, with not just one but two car parks - reinstating the East Marsh Car Park (that wonderful legacy of the Olympics) and not restoring it to green as planned. SLM campaigned to stop them just leaving the car park space be, so now an application is being slipped in with the North Marsh Sports Pavilion and its extended car park. This week's "Hackney Gazette" carries the story by Shekha Vyas on page 2. To view the new combined planning permission application go to http://idox.hackney.gov.uk/
PRIVATE INTEREST - we have found out that LBH are using a private consultancy firm to help them with the above plans called Firstplan. This agency, recently worked on the Mabley Green application and were also involved in the Hackney Sports Centre building (A.K.A. "The Rusty Box"). "Ah, ha!" I hear the more informed of you thinking aloud - this is the building which was supposed to have provided the sports changing facilities to replace the old pavilion. Yes, that's right, except that the architects concentrated on the income earning recreation area, so not enough space left for adequate changing rooms. Also enough space for a car park, which is only ever full at weekends and is only 10 minutes walk from the pavilion site.
I digress - Firstplan's website describes its own key challenges as "Restrictive policy designations, working within a tight timescale to submit applications" and its role as: "Leading pre-application discussions, co-ordination of planning applications including liaising with the professional leaders and reviewing the application documentation in liaison with planning officers and statutory consultees, including the GLA". So now you know.
SECRET CINEMA - there is an interesting letter in this week's "Hackney Gazette" (page 10) echoing the article last week (which, apologies, I forgot to include), concerning Freedom of Information Requests (FOIs). The particular issue here is the use of Hackney Downs for a cinema project on common land, extending further than SLM members believed it should. Some information was denied by LBH on the grounds of "commercial interests". The author of the letter contests this.
STATION TO STATION - Following the dogged work of a local resident in getting her local Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy to ask questions about the Lea Bridge Station and Crossrail 2, Ms Creasy has had replies from Transport for London to the effect that: (a) Crossrail2 and Lea Bridge Station (due to be completed in December 2015), are at this stage being dealt with separately. (b) re. Crossrail 2, the portal tunnel should be south of Tottenham Hale; not affect the SSSI and its siting will be depending on which of the stations in Hackney (Hackney Central or Dalston), gets chosen. The correspondence also suggest that the Upper Lea Valley area will be one of the biggest new sites for housing and jobs with a projected figure of 2m new inhabitants by the 2030s.
LOVE THE LEA/RIVERCITIES EVENT - for those of you who missed the event last Sunday - particularly the Rivercities performance art project, there should be another chance to see a longer performance later this year (we will keep you posted). The event as a whole provided a useful focus on the health and life of the River Lea and some ideas to ponder on as to what people can practically do to help keep the river clean e.g. not flush needless chemicals into the sewage system.
CAMPAIGNS
Our friends over at Belair Park have sent us information that the London Borough of Southwark is considering a new park for its residents in Camberwell. Deadline for support is 24 August. see www.southwark.gov.uk/Greendale and more information can be gained from www.friendsofgreendale.org.uk
Nearer our patch, the residents of London Fields are requesting donations to build a green space on the Morland Estate. The project needs £10k towards revamping, planting, putting in a small orchard and play facilities. The idea is to engage children. Target deadline is October 20 to donate go to www.spacehive.com/
EVENTS
The Mabley Green Users Group will be meeting in the back room of the Adam & Eve pub in Homerton Road at 7.00 p.m. onTuesday 26 August and they will also be running a Free Garden Club (with free refeshments), for adults and children 4-6 p.m. every Thursday. The site is near the A12 Flyover. see Mabley Green's new website www.mableygreen.org if you want to book a gardening session.
SLM will be meeting at 7.00 on Monday 25 August at the Princess of Wales, Lea Bridge Road. The Hackney Marshes car parks are sure to be on the menu.
CAR PARKS - for a Council that prides itself on being a premier cycling borough and not providing car parks in its leisure and entertainment areas - the London Borough of Hackney (LBH) sure wants to put cars on our green spaces. Yes folks, along with the resurgence of "The Generation Game" on TV, the Council wants to play "Double Your Car Parks". Putting through plans, with not just one but two car parks - reinstating the East Marsh Car Park (that wonderful legacy of the Olympics) and not restoring it to green as planned. SLM campaigned to stop them just leaving the car park space be, so now an application is being slipped in with the North Marsh Sports Pavilion and its extended car park. This week's "Hackney Gazette" carries the story by Shekha Vyas on page 2. To view the new combined planning permission application go to http://idox.hackney.gov.uk/
PRIVATE INTEREST - we have found out that LBH are using a private consultancy firm to help them with the above plans called Firstplan. This agency, recently worked on the Mabley Green application and were also involved in the Hackney Sports Centre building (A.K.A. "The Rusty Box"). "Ah, ha!" I hear the more informed of you thinking aloud - this is the building which was supposed to have provided the sports changing facilities to replace the old pavilion. Yes, that's right, except that the architects concentrated on the income earning recreation area, so not enough space left for adequate changing rooms. Also enough space for a car park, which is only ever full at weekends and is only 10 minutes walk from the pavilion site.
I digress - Firstplan's website describes its own key challenges as "Restrictive policy designations, working within a tight timescale to submit applications" and its role as: "Leading pre-application discussions, co-ordination of planning applications including liaising with the professional leaders and reviewing the application documentation in liaison with planning officers and statutory consultees, including the GLA". So now you know.
SECRET CINEMA - there is an interesting letter in this week's "Hackney Gazette" (page 10) echoing the article last week (which, apologies, I forgot to include), concerning Freedom of Information Requests (FOIs). The particular issue here is the use of Hackney Downs for a cinema project on common land, extending further than SLM members believed it should. Some information was denied by LBH on the grounds of "commercial interests". The author of the letter contests this.
STATION TO STATION - Following the dogged work of a local resident in getting her local Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy to ask questions about the Lea Bridge Station and Crossrail 2, Ms Creasy has had replies from Transport for London to the effect that: (a) Crossrail2 and Lea Bridge Station (due to be completed in December 2015), are at this stage being dealt with separately. (b) re. Crossrail 2, the portal tunnel should be south of Tottenham Hale; not affect the SSSI and its siting will be depending on which of the stations in Hackney (Hackney Central or Dalston), gets chosen. The correspondence also suggest that the Upper Lea Valley area will be one of the biggest new sites for housing and jobs with a projected figure of 2m new inhabitants by the 2030s.
LOVE THE LEA/RIVERCITIES EVENT - for those of you who missed the event last Sunday - particularly the Rivercities performance art project, there should be another chance to see a longer performance later this year (we will keep you posted). The event as a whole provided a useful focus on the health and life of the River Lea and some ideas to ponder on as to what people can practically do to help keep the river clean e.g. not flush needless chemicals into the sewage system.
CAMPAIGNS
Our friends over at Belair Park have sent us information that the London Borough of Southwark is considering a new park for its residents in Camberwell. Deadline for support is 24 August. see www.southwark.gov.uk/Greendale and more information can be gained from www.friendsofgreendale.org.uk
Nearer our patch, the residents of London Fields are requesting donations to build a green space on the Morland Estate. The project needs £10k towards revamping, planting, putting in a small orchard and play facilities. The idea is to engage children. Target deadline is October 20 to donate go to www.spacehive.com/
EVENTS
The Mabley Green Users Group will be meeting in the back room of the Adam & Eve pub in Homerton Road at 7.00 p.m. onTuesday 26 August and they will also be running a Free Garden Club (with free refeshments), for adults and children 4-6 p.m. every Thursday. The site is near the A12 Flyover. see Mabley Green's new website www.mableygreen.org if you want to book a gardening session.
SLM will be meeting at 7.00 on Monday 25 August at the Princess of Wales, Lea Bridge Road. The Hackney Marshes car parks are sure to be on the menu.
Walthamstow Mysteries
To: astannard01@gmail.com
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