A strange day in Southwark politics. 

Firstly one of our councillors has left the Lib Dems to go independent. Although he says he wants to join the Labour party they clearly have not yet decided whether to take him. No reason of policy has been offerred at all. Indeed he emailed me a few hours ago to say that he will continue to fight for the manifesto on which he was elected! Never mind that he only elected as  a Liberal Democrat six months ago…..

Just hours later, the leader of the Labour opposition asked me to help him with a problem in his ward.  That wouldn’t normally be strange but we haven’t spoken since I accused him in the election of positioning his party ’somewhere to the right of Norman Tebbit’ - and now  it’s all ‘Dear Richard’  and ‘Many thanks, P.’!

And then, I get an email from Nigel Farage, the Leader of UKIP, saying he
“would welcome a conversation with anyone that might consider working with us or joining us.  It is time to stand up and be counted. 
We give you an absolute assurance that you can contact us on a completely confidential basis.”

Weird. But it has reaffirmed one thing in my mind - that whilst the tribalism of party politics can be damaging it is no where near as  damaging as the cynicism that results from politicians thinking that it is acceptable to ‘cross the floor’, ignoring the results of  elections.    

But I have replied to Nigel Farage suggesting that our wayward councillor might well want to join them. Having already left Labour and now the Liberal Democrats,  it may  be an attractive option for him!

Since the Government let down on the new school, the Council has been looking into how we might take things forward.  It is clear that there is no appetite in Government or in

Harris
Academies to reconsider the ‘risk assessment’ that claim the Bredinghurst site is too dangerous to be used as a site for the school.  No amount of protestation on the part of the council that we could manage these risks is going to change the Government’s mind.  It is clear that the 2007 opening promised is not going to happen. Although the school is still  scheduled to open in September 2009 on its permanent site. 

But I do not accept that this doe not mean that a 2008 opening is not possible.  

The Lib Dem Leader of Southwark Council, has called on all parties involved in the plans for the new

Harris
Boys
Academy in
East Dulwich to make sure that the new school opens its doors in September 2008.

In a letter to Schools Minister Lord Adonis, Nick Stanton said:

“I suggest we agree to disagree over the merits of the Bredinghurst risk assessment and concentrate on finding a way of opening the School as quickly as possible. We have reviewed the area to see if there are any other sites that Southwark can proffer but I’m afraid that there are no further realistic options. Unless, therefore, we can revisit Bredinghurst I suggest we concentrate instead on trying to get the School to open on its permanent site with 3 forms of entry in September 2008.”

The idea of siting the temporary school on a part of the permanent site whilst the new buildings were in construction  was considered but rejected as it would be too large in its planned form. However, now that we have lost a year, we need to find space for only 90 pupils in a temporary school rather than 180 and so we are confident that the permanent site can accommodate them.

The most important consideration is the best interests of the pupils of the new school. Getting the school open as quickly as possible is absolutely vital. We are disappointed that we have lost a year, but are determined to move ahead with a temporary school in 2008.

For at least the last four years, Southwark Council has been bidding to Transport for London for funds to carry out traffic calming in East Dulwich  between Peckham Rye, Lordship Lane, Barry road and Woodvale. 

I wrote to Transport for London particularly supporting this proposal and I am pleased to say that 160k has been allocated for work in the next financial year (which starts in April 2007).  

The area includes Underhill Rd and the junction with Melford Rd where there have been consistent problems with traffic speed.   The area covered is pretty large and Southwarkhad hoped for  more money to be allocated  but I hope that we will now be will be able to address the problems at this junction as well as reduce traffic speeds across the area.

The crossroads of Adys Rd, Crystal Palace Rd and East Dulwich Rd has been a concern to local people for some time, particularly parents.   The junction serves a primary school, open space, playground and swimming pool so there are always loads of people wanting  to cross the road. The green man phase is only 5secs long with another 5 seconds ‘of flashing green man.

This just about gives time to get across one road but if want to cross to the corner diagonally opposite you , then have to take your life in your hands.

The alternative is to cross one road,  and wait until the green man phase comes round the second time.

I would like the junction to have a longer green  man time so that pedestrians can cross in which ever direction they want in one go.

Although this is a Southwark Council controlled road, it is  the Mayor’s Transport for London that controls junction timings.  I asked Council officers to approach TfL many months ago to see about extending the crossing time but we were told that pedestrians are only meant to cross one arm of the crossing at a time so the timings are  apparently acceptable.

I have therefore written again to Transport for London again asking them to reconsider this matter.     Putting in a diagional crossing is surely the answer.