Latest news with #LewishamCouncil
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Terror of living on 'Britain's most dangerous road': Residents say they are fed up of living on 'Mad Max' street where there are crashes every week
Residents living on a road dubbed 'Britain's most dangerous' say they are fed up after years of accidents, traffic and pollution you can 'taste'. Locals on the residential road in southeast London compared their street to being like a scene from 'Mad Max'- with crashes on a weekly basis. Verdant Lane in Catford is surrounded by busy A roads meaning drivers constantly use it as a shortcut, according to residents. A group of neighbours have been working hard to put pressure on Lewisham Council to bring in traffic calming measures but they say nothing has been done. William Bloomfield, 37, who has lived on Verdant Lane for over five years with his wife and toddler, compared it to the action series Mad Max. The series of five dystopian movies are famous for their high-speed chases, brutal vehicular combat and a total disregard for road safety. An FOI request submitted by residents revealed that there were 74 reported crashes on Verdant Lane between 2019-2024, which is over three times that of surrounding roads. Lewisham council have reportedly told locals that responsibility for the junction lies with TfL, who residents claim have done nothing. Mr Bloomfield said: 'We are having at least one crash a week - if not more. It is terrifying. 'You get cars blasting down at 60mph. It often makes Verdant Lane feel more like a scene from Mad Max than a residential road filled with families and young children. 'We are just getting absolutely nowhere with the council. There isn't the support that we need. We have been talking to them for a year now and nothing has happened.' The filmmaker says the traffic is so bad it can take him up to half an hour to drive to the end of his street. The constant flow of cars is also causing a large amount of pollution, which Mr Bloomfield says is leaving black dust all over his home. To counteract this, the Together for Verdant Lane group raised thousands of pounds to plant some trees along the pavements. However, Mr Bloomfield says they were denied permission to plant them on the grounds that cars 'might crash into them.' He added: 'The risk to health and life is quite severe. The pollution is so bad. I have a toddler who is coughing constantly. 'It is a dangerous situation. It is quite scary to live there sometimes.' Gary Nolan, 37, who has lived on the road for over three years, added that there are serious accidents on a 'regular basis' wot it being a 'weekly occurrence to see some sort of incident'. 'It is frustrating that we are not seeing any action,' he said. 'To me it seems like TfL have lost control of the junction and we aren't seeing any proposals from them on how to overcome the problem. 'I am an able-bodied middle-aged man and even I feel vulnerable here. If I was slightly older or had children, I would have to avoid the junction at all costs. 'It is only a matter of time before there is a major incident where someone is significantly injured.' Mr Nolan, who works in a bank, says that the problems are especially frustrating this time of year, as he can't open his window without letting in pollution. He continued: 'When the traffic builds up you can feel the pollution in the air.. If you leave your windows open for a day there will be a layer of black dust. 'If we don't see an improvement then we will have to consider leaving the area.' His partner, Aine Walsh, added: 'You notice the pollution in the house, it leaves a layer of dust on all the surfaces. After a couple of days there is a layer of pollution on our door from the traffic. 'Luckily neither of us have asthma but I think if you did or you had kids you would be very worried about breathing that in.' The 36-year-old pharmacist says that her main worry is trying to cross the road which she claims can take up to six minutes. She said: 'We knew it was a relatively busy road when we bought the house, but it seems that it is getting worse over time. 'The main problem is crossing the road in order to get to the station. It can take five or six minutes to cross as there is no pedestrian crossing. It is really not safe. 'People often get irate waiting in the traffic and break the rules which causes accidents. The pent-up frustration from how busy the road is causes crashes. 'I can only see it getting worse if the council don't do anything. It is dangerous.' Nine-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, who was the first person in the UK to have air pollution recognised as a factor in her death, lived nearby. In 2013 she died following an asthma attack and an inquest later found pollution from the A205 South Circular Road 'made a material contribution' to her death. Anna Reiser, 34, who moved in three years ago with her husband and toddler said that having the young girls grave near her home means she is constantly afraid for her own child. The climate change policy worker said: 'There is so much congestion. I continue to be worried about the health impact that has. 'In the winter my son was quite ill and had a cough and we were worried that we were giving him asthma just by living here. 'At peak times you can taste the pollution in the air. It is not a pleasant experience. 'It wasn't so long ago that the first registered death happened from air pollution at the end of the road. She is buried in the graveyard just opposite our house. 'It is a constant worry. We have had quite serious conversations about moving.' The residents say that their road has often been reported by press as 'the most dangerous road in the UK.' But, the group say despite this coverage there has been very little action to fix the dangers. A TfL spokesperson said: 'Enabling all Londoners to travel on the transport network safely remains our top priority. 'We take people's concerns about road safety seriously and always welcome feedback from local residents. 'There are a combination of factors which can cause congestion issues at the A205 junction with Verdant Lane, including a narrowing of the A205 under the railway bridge and the current works at the junction with Baring Road. 'We have recently reviewed the signal timings at this location and will continue to monitor roads in the area to ensure the road network works for all..' A Lewisham Council spokesperson said: 'We have been working with this group of residents over the past few months, holding regular meetings to discuss the issues they have raised. 'During these meetings, we have also invited representatives from Transport for London (TfL) to hear the concerns first-hand and ensure they are reported for further investigation. 'The junction that has raised the most concern is part of the main road network and therefore falls under TfL's jurisdiction. 'As such, we will continue to work closely with them moving forward. 'We are currently conducting surveys and traffic counts to assess the number of vehicles using Verdant Lane and their average speeds. 'In addition, we are exploring suitable tree-planting options that will not interfere with existing parking arrangements, dropped kerbs, or underground infrastructure. 'Residents will be kept informed of the outcomes of this work. 'The Council remains committed to working with the community to improve safety, reduce pollution, and enhance the local environment.'
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Last chance to have your say on parking issues in Lewisham
Residents and businesses have until next week to share their views on parking and pavement safety issues in a new consultation. The survey is part of phase three of Lewisham Council's Sustainable Streets programme and covers around 60 per cent of the borough. The survey asks people what they think about parking issues in some or all of the following wards: Bellingham, Catford South, Crofton Park, Deptford, Downham, Forest Hill, Grove Park, Hither Green, Ladywell, New Cross Gate, Perry Vale, and Sydenham. Local people have until Monday, June 16 to share their perspective via an online survey. The survey will help shape changes that aim to enhance Lewisham's streets. Controlled parking zones (CPZs) are a key feature of the Sustainable Streets programme. The consultation will take place in two stages. In the first stage, people can identify parking issues in their neighbourhood and propose ideas for improvement. If the feedback indicates significant local parking pressures, the council will develop proposals for Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) and other measures such as cycle storage and parking, electric vehicle charging points, or more street trees, and consult residents on the proposed plans before any final decisions are made. To improve safety and visibility at junctions, double yellow lines and junction protection markings will be introduced. However, if no wider parking concerns are raised, these are likely to be the only changes made. All money generated from parking permits is reinvested back into the local area, funding transport and highways improvements. These improvements include subsidised Freedom Passes for older and disabled people. Residents and businesses in the consultation areas are encouraged to participate in the online survey by June 16, 2024. Depending on the type of vehicle, residential parking permits in the borough will range from £85 to £158 per year. This facelift is aimed at decreasing unnecessary car use and is part of the borough's response to the climate emergency. It also contributes towards improving air quality and quality of life for residents. For the first year after the introduction of new CPZs, a 15 per cent discount will be given to residents and businesses. This means most drivers would pay between £7.08 and £13.17 per month. Lewisham Council, in its bid to promote a more inclusive parking policy, also allows eligible residents to apply for a visitor parking permit or a disabled parking permit. Visitor permits allow guests to park in resident bays within CPZs. Disabled resident permits are free, valid for 12 months, and allow parking in any resident, dual, or triple use bay across the borough. It is noteworthy that housing estate residents get lower parking costs, with a 75 per cent discount in the first year and 50 per cent in subsequent years. Councillor Krupski, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Climate Action emphasised the importance of involving residents in this programme. He said: "It's vital that we work closely with residents and listen to their experiences - whether they're finding it hard to park near their home, are concerned about pavement safety, or want greener, more accessible streets. "This programme is all about listening to local people. "By working together, we can shape changes that really meet the needs of each area. "We're committed to cutting down on car journeys in Lewisham and encouraging more walking, cycling and public transport. "That means better air quality, safer roads and healthier, more welcoming streets for everyone."
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Data reveals the number of available homes in Lewisham
New data has revealed that the number of homes in Lewisham has risen between 2023 and 2024. Data collated from housing supply data from local authorities across England has shown the number of homes in each local authority, along with annual net new builds and affordable housing completions. Lewisham Council recorded a total of 13,584 dwellings in April 2024, 71 per cent of which were private homes, 18 per cent were housing association owned homes and 11 per cent were owned by the local authority. These figures were higher than the national average, as nationally 83 per cent of dwellings are private sector, ten per cent are housing association dwellings and six per cent are local authority dwellings. According to data, the total number of homes in Lewisham rose by 408 in the year to April 1, 2024, considering new builds, conversions, changes of use and demolitions. These figures show an increase in available homes after home supplies went up by 289 in the previous year, when the authority recorded a total of 289 additional homes. See the full figures: Additionally, data has shown that Lewisham's number of new builds per year rose between 2022 – 2023 and 2023 – 2024 by 102 (56 per cent), from 181 to 283. Although figures have shown that the number of new builds in Lewisham has shrunk by 1,515 since 2019 – 2022 when 1,168 new builds were recorded. See the full figures: Last year between 2023 and 2024 the number of homes converted in Lewisham was 73, which was a slight increase from the year before with 69. Between 2023 and 2024, 56 homes were changed in use, which was a decrease from the previous year's total of 60. However, the number of homes demolished has increased, with no homes recorded as demolished between 2022 and 2023 increasing to four between 2023 – 2024. Councillor James-J Walsh, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Regeneration & Planning, said: 'We're getting on and building the homes Lewisham needs, as we believe everyone deserves a safe, secure and affordable home. 'It is a basic human right, not a privilege. 'We are committed to tackling the housing crisis head-on, and we are using every tool available to us as a council. 'We're building council homes ourselves, buying back those lost to Right to Buy, and making sure new developments deliver for all, securing the maximum possible number of social rent and other affordable homes from developers as we do so. 'We're also unlocking new opportunities, innovating, and working with partners who share our commitment to people, not profit, such as Citizen's House, a community land trust with homes permanently linked to the average income of an area. 'Our new Local Plan, which we expect to adopt this summer, lays out a bold vision for housing in Lewisham right through to 2040 – with fairness, sustainability, and affordability at its heart. 'With planning permission already in place for around 14,000 new homes, we're pushing every stalled site to move forward with delivery again. 'Now, with a new government that recognises the scale of Britain's housing crisis they inherited, and the vital role of local authorities in fixing it, we finally have a chance to build at the pace and scale Lewisham needs. 'We look forward to working with government to unlock new powers and new funding, as we work together with fresh determination to get Britain building.'
The Sun
26-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Popular pet store to shut for good as it launches closing down sale
A POPULAR pet store is poised to pull down the shutters for good - but not all is bad news. Pet Supermarket announced a massive sale to clear the shelves after the retailer announced it would close its Gateshead branch for good. 4 4 4 It said the estimated closing date is 17th May. The retailer posted a slew of pictures showing all the current products on sale. This includes toys, dog coats, beds, leads, collars, harnesses, cat posts, fish and reptile accessories and much more, according to the seller. Pet Supermarket wrote in a post: "See anything below you like the look of? Why not pop down and take a look, everything must go!" But it's not all bad news. Pet Supermarket revealed that they are relocating to Middlesbrough, so fans living in the area can shop for their furry animals. It comes after locals were left gutted after their beloved pet store closed down after more than five decades. White's Pet Centre, which has been trading on the high street in Sydenham, was forced to shut its doors amid the cost of living crisis. First opening its doors more than 50 years ago, Whites Pet Centre was a corn merchant selling pet food and quickly became the area's go-to store for animal supplies. A spokesperson from Lewisham Council said: 'We are sad to learn of this business closing in Sydenham, which has provided services to the community. "Our officers and local Councillors visited Whites on Tuesday, August 13 to hear their concerns, and take this feedback on board. While the council has some influence on our high streets, the council does not have direct control on what businesses can open on our high streets. "These are commercial relationships between tenants and landlords. The council has the ability to categorise high street units through UK Planning Law into 'use classes', but these are very broad and permit a wide range of businesses without the need to seek permission from the council. 'The business owner would have received advice from Lewisham Council that using additional space outside the premises could be considered as part of the rateable value assessment and lead to an increase in business rates." Why are retailers closing stores? RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis. High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going. However, additional costs have added further pain to an already struggling sector. The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs from April will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." It comes after almost 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs in 2024. End-of-year figures compiled by the Centre for Retail Research showed the number of job losses spiked amid the collapse of major chains such as Homebase and Ted Baker. It said its latest analysis showed that a total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year to date. This was up 49,990 – an increase of 41.9% – compared with 2023. It is the highest annual reading since more than 200,000 jobs were lost in 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced retailers to shut their stores during lockdowns. The centre said 38 major retailers went into administration in 2024, including household names such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body Shop, Carpetright and Ted Baker. Around a third of all retail job losses in 2024, 33% or 55,914 in total, resulted from administrations. Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes. Professor Bamfield has warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020." Which other retailers have closed shops? Rising costs, a shift to online shopping and a dip in consumer confidence have all impacted retailers, with even established names shuttering sites. Well-known sites Wilko and Paperchase have collapsed in recent years, while Homebase saw many stores close after it was sold out of administration. Health and beauty chain Boots is set to shut 10 stores in the coming weeks as part of wider plans to reduce its UK portfolio by 300 sites. Meanwhile JD Sports has confirmed it will shut down 50 stores next year. Plus, New Look has decided to axe nearly 100 branches as it battles challenges linked to the Autumn Budget tax changes.
Scottish Sun
26-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Popular pet store to shut for good as it launches closing down sale
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR pet store is poised to pull down the shutters for good - but not all is bad news. Pet Supermarket announced a massive sale to clear the shelves after the retailer announced it would close its Gateshead branch for good. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Pet Supermarket in Gateshead is closing down for good Credit: Facebook 4 Pictures from inside the stores show products being lined up for sale Credit: Facebook 4 The store has put up signs saying 'everything must go!' Credit: Facebook 4 The retailer posted a slew of pictures showing all the current products on sale Credit: Facebook It said the estimated closing date is 17th May. The retailer posted a slew of pictures showing all the current products on sale. This includes toys, dog coats, beds, leads, collars, harnesses, cat posts, fish and reptile accessories and much more, according to the seller. Pet Supermarket wrote in a post: "See anything below you like the look of? Why not pop down and take a look, everything must go!" But it's not all bad news. Pet Supermarket revealed that they are relocating to Middlesbrough, so fans living in the area can shop for their furry animals. It comes after locals were left gutted after their beloved pet store closed down after more than five decades. White's Pet Centre, which has been trading on the high street in Sydenham, was forced to shut its doors amid the cost of living crisis. First opening its doors more than 50 years ago, Whites Pet Centre was a corn merchant selling pet food and quickly became the area's go-to store for animal supplies. A spokesperson from Lewisham Council said: 'We are sad to learn of this business closing in Sydenham, which has provided services to the community. "Our officers and local Councillors visited Whites on Tuesday, August 13 to hear their concerns, and take this feedback on board. While the council has some influence on our high streets, the council does not have direct control on what businesses can open on our high streets. "These are commercial relationships between tenants and landlords. The council has the ability to categorise high street units through UK Planning Law into 'use classes', but these are very broad and permit a wide range of businesses without the need to seek permission from the council. 'The business owner would have received advice from Lewisham Council that using additional space outside the premises could be considered as part of the rateable value assessment and lead to an increase in business rates." Why are retailers closing stores? RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis. High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going. However, additional costs have added further pain to an already struggling sector. The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs from April will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." It comes after almost 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs in 2024. End-of-year figures compiled by the Centre for Retail Research showed the number of job losses spiked amid the collapse of major chains such as Homebase and Ted Baker. It said its latest analysis showed that a total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year to date. This was up 49,990 – an increase of 41.9% – compared with 2023. It is the highest annual reading since more than 200,000 jobs were lost in 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced retailers to shut their stores during lockdowns. The centre said 38 major retailers went into administration in 2024, including household names such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body Shop, Carpetright and Ted Baker. Around a third of all retail job losses in 2024, 33% or 55,914 in total, resulted from administrations. Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes. Professor Bamfield has warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020." Which other retailers have closed shops? Rising costs, a shift to online shopping and a dip in consumer confidence have all impacted retailers, with even established names shuttering sites. Well-known sites Wilko and Paperchase have collapsed in recent years, while Homebase saw many stores close after it was sold out of administration. Health and beauty chain Boots is set to shut 10 stores in the coming weeks as part of wider plans to reduce its UK portfolio by 300 sites. Meanwhile JD Sports has confirmed it will shut down 50 stores next year. Plus, New Look has decided to axe nearly 100 branches as it battles challenges linked to the Autumn Budget tax changes.
