Albert Square and St Stephen's Association » ASSA

Tracking the Tube

ASSA — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:26:44 +0000

As many residents are all too well aware, we live on top of the Victoria Line, a largely benign subterranean neighbour since its arrival forty years ago. In the last few years, though, the level of noise and vibration has grown to the point where it is a serious problem for some people who live very close to the line of the route. The map below shows the two Victoria Line tunnels coming down from the north (the right edge of the map) and starting to curve as they come in to Albert Square to line up with the Northern Line tunnels (at the bottom left of the map) for the parallel platforms at Stockwell. Click on the map to see a much larger version.

Transport for London came to an ASSA meeting last month to explain what they were doing about the problem, but seemed to be slightly baffled by it. Their normal approach is to grind the rails where excessive noise is being produced. That was done last August – but without resulting in any reduction in noise. They are considering what more they can do but it was pretty clear that they don’t have an specific ideas. We will keep you informed about progress in discussions with TfL, but if you want to know more or if you are directly affected, please email assacan@assa.org.uk or call Chris on 07971 198555.

Planning gains

ASSA — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:03:00 +0000

News in from Neil Sanders:

I’m delighted to say that both the latest application for the former Di Lieto site (173-175 South Lambeth Road) and the application to convert the Royal Albert to residential use have been refused.

The South Lambeth Road application has been comprehensively turned down on the basic of architectural quality, the quality of the accommodation that would be provided, overlooking of neighbours, and concerns about parking and traffic. (The loss of employment is not actually mentioned.)

I’m awaiting a copy of the decision letter on the Royal Albert, but the website says that it has been refused.

Traffic not very calming

ASSA — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:32:11 +0000

Latest dialogue with Lambeth Council – suggestions and questions sent to them in March, responses received today.

ASSA proposal: That the top of Lansdowne Way (between the Clapham Road and the South Lambeth Road) be returned to being a two-way road.

Lambeth response: Unfortunately we are unable to progress this request due to what would be a negative impact on the wider road network.

ASSA proposal: Defensive entry treatment at the junction of South Lambeth Road and Aldebert Terrace, and the junction of the Clapham Road and Albert Square.

Lambeth response: We would support your proposal, however these roads are the responsibility of TfL and as such any such requests should be directed to them.

ASSA proposal: Measurement of the impact of the sinusoidal humps

Lambeth response: This is a good idea. We will arrange to have speed and vehicle volume surveys carried out.

ASSA proposal: A 20mph sign to replace the current 30mph sign at the start of Bolney Street (as you leave Dorset Road)

Lambeth response: Thank you. I will arrange to have this sign replaced.

ASSA proposal: Sinusoidal humps to replace all the speed cushions

Lambeth response: Unfortunately we are unable to replace the speed cushions with sinusoidal humps at this time, however those cushions that are in need of repair will be attended to.

ASSA question: Has any assessment been made of the impact of the priority traffic flow treatment in Fentiman Road?

Lambeth response: An assessment of the effect of the Fentiman Road scheme is yet to be carried out.

ASSA question: Are there any plans for traffic calming in streets that feed our area e.g. Vassall Road, Caldwell Street?

Lambeth response: There are no plans for additional traffic calming on these streets, or any of the others feeding your area at this stage. Any need for traffic calming or additional works is prioritised and considered as funding becomes available.

ASSA AGM – Tuesday 16 June

ASSA — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:05:04 +0000

The annual meeting of the Albert Square and St Stephen’s Association takes place this coming Tuesday at St Stephen’s Church. Tea, coffee and conversation from 7.30 – the meeting proper will start at 8pm. Do come and share your thoughts, ideas and questions for the future of our area and the work of ASSA. If you can’t make it, feel free to put them into comments to this post (click on the comments link underneath the agenda) and we will make sure that they are fed into the discussion.

The agenda for the meeting will be:

1. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting, 24 June 2008

2. Review of the year from Chair

3. Policing report

4. Big Green Challenge

5. Summer fair

6. Planning

7. Treasurer’s Report and presentation of Accounts

8. Election of Officers and Executive Committee for following year

9. Election of Honorary Auditor

10. Any other business.

All the fun of the fair

ASSA — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:15:56 +0000

THE FEAR

There was much checking of the weather forecast before and on the Saturday morning, but in the event, in a week that had swung from much sun and high temperatures to heavy rain and cold, everyone was grateful for the window of no rain that occurred from 3pm on Saturday.

THE STALLS

The Fair was wonderful. Everyone will have had their favourite stall. The most beautiful was certainly the plant stall. So much effort went into the sowing and growing on of fantastic plants, which were then beautifully presented by Aldebert Residents. This nurturing was then complemented by the most incredibly generous donation of stunning bouquets and wonderful plants from Alexander Collier Flowers of 127 St Georges Drive SW1V 4DA. The donation, beauty and generosity of a director who lives in the Square lifted all of our spirits.

The cake stall was well staffed but poorly supported in the provision of donated cakes by the neighbourhood. Many thanks to those who did provide merchandise. The bottle stall was a great success as always. The book stall was staffed wonderfully and with an abundance of great books. The tea area neglected by the organizers caught up belatedly with stalwarts being drafted into help and provide the teas – heating up cold and neglected urns that were sitting under the Garden’s planes. Sorry !

There was a rock shop selling dinosaur teeth and gem stones that some children were entranced by: the most fantastic toy stall and a hook a duck and panning for gold area; the children spent ages looking for “gold” to take home in velvet pouches and getting wet and sandy. The police were truly brilliant at their police stocks. Smiling and chatting away to locals while willing to be soaked by sponges in aid of charity. It just shows you what a wonderful community policing team we have in our locale.

Vauxhall City Farm brought a number of wonderful characters – including Lunch the Duck. Children adore the interaction with the pets and Vauxhall City Farm is a very precious commodity in our urban jungle.

Once again there was a fiendishly problematic local history/ photo competition which attracted a huge buzz and participants determined to win. Queues were developing.

The art competition themed “Happiness” sadly did not attract as many competitors as it did last year. Jennifer Miles a brilliantly creative and award winning children’s book illustrator very kindly judged the event.

ASSACAN had a store and British Gas with their environmental campaign generously supported them and the Fair itself. Further details can be found on this site but for those not yet aware AASACAN are doing a tremendous jobin making people aware of environmental issues and advising on improvements to people’s homes.

FOOD

BBQ The BBQ was again heroically staffed by one family with their three children. To run a smokey stall from 3pm to 10pm without any break at all is truly amazing. A fantastic effort thank you.

Crepes Another family after so many years of community effort should know better. Instead they kindly offered their machine abilities cheerfulness and services and did a terrific job.

GAMES

A wonderful resident ran the kiddies games- all of which were free of charge. The idea was predominatly for parents to relax while their children used up energy. The kids really loved it and after the last game of tug of war they spent a great deal of time running around the Garden Square.