Tag Archives: Lambeth Council

Holland Grove to benefit from Lambeth’s new highway maintenance programme.

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Pedestrians in the Holland Grove, on the edge of the Holland Town estate, are set to walk a little easier thanks to Lambeth Council’s newly-announced highways improvement plans.

The neighbourhood features in a list of projects, which are yet to be prioritised but are likely to go ahead in the near future.

Part of the pavement in Holland Grove shares in the plan, which also covers many areas across the borough. Papers released by the council reveals that the pavement on the west side of the road, from Chryssell Road to Vassall Road will be renewed (shown in green below). Flexible paving will be used to protect tree roots.

The council says it wants to start the work ‘at pace’ to avoid the worst of the Winter weather, although it admits some parts of the long list of sites may have to be delayed. All businesses and residents effected will be notified individually, by letter.

Local Labour councillors Annie Gallop and Paul Gadsby said:

“We are pleased that a particularly delipidated part of Holland Grove has made the cut for the borough’s roadway improvements: we have been lobbying for the past 12 months for these pavements to be refurbished following feedback from local residents. If residents do have other roads they feel need some attention, please get in touch with us!”

Minister urged to act to end blight of abandoned electric hire vehicles in Myatt’s Fields

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Local Labour councillors have written to the Government asking for urgent action to curb the ‘mess’ of e-bikes which are increasingly left strewn across roads, pavements and other public spaces.

Councillors Annie Gallop and Paul Gadsby have contacted Simon Lightfoot MP, Parliamentary under-secretary in the Department of Transport, to tighten regulatory powers in the face of a growing problem from “dockless” e-bikes and scooters.

Local residents have complained about public spaces in the ward being used to abandon the vehicles, creating an eyesore and blocking pavements – a particular nuisance for our neighbours with mobility issues.

In the letter – which can be read in full here – the councillors point out that thousands of people in Lambeth rely on the hire bikes and remind the Minister of the “clean and green” pro-cycling policies of Lambeth Labour’s environmental agenda.

However, they write: “…too many of these dockless cycles are left scattered across pavements and streets, often on their sides, blocking walkways for pedestrians and leaving our street space in a messy and unsightly condition.

“In our experience the companies behind these schemes are often unresponsive and too slow to move these cycles, especially if they are damaged. And the parking areas where these cycles are usually stored can be particularly chaotic.”

The letter points out that London councillors lack the powers to crack down on abuse of the bikes and scooters, and that the previous government ignored the issue. The councillors write:

“We are asking that you look, with fresh eyes, into urgently granting strategic transport authorities the levers and authority to improve the use and operation of dockless bikes.”

Lambeth Council has already installed 240 designated parking bays in the borough, with another 100 planned. Even though the authority negotiated a “memorandum of understanding” with the hire companies – who rent the spaces – the council says enforcement is too difficult. Officers are working with Transport for London, London Councils, and other boroughs to create a consistent, citywide approach and legal agreement with e-bike operators.

However, long term regulatory changes are necessary to deal with the problem, they say.

Myatt’s Fields Park’s play area set for refurbishment

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Long-awaited refurbishment work on the children’s play area in Myatt’s Fields Park is to be carried out following pressure from your Labour team.

Local residents and visitors have highlighted an obvious decline in the much-valued part of the award-winning park, leading Myatt’s Fields councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop to press for urgent remedial action from Lambeth council.

In a public answer to a question submitted by Cllr Gadsby at October’s Lambeth Council meeting, the Council issued a statement saying:

Myatt’s Fields Park play area was last inspected on 11th September, with many small-scale tasks and improvements being commissioned by the council’s maintenance team. These will be undertaken over the next few weeks. Several play items have been removed in the past few weeks … In addition, one set of swings and the zip wire frame now need replacing. Despite the really difficult financial conditions facing local government, we are exploring capital funding to replace all these items and will look to potentially work with Myatt’s Fields Park Project, which manages the park on Lambeth’s behalf, over joint fundraising.

Cllr Paul Gadsby and Cllr Annie Gallop said:

“We want to thank every resident who got in touch about this issue, and we are pleased that immediate works are now planned to the play area. We understand that more work needs to be done, and will continue to press for further investment in this excellent children’s playspace.”

Big boost for Minet library in Lambeth’s new overhaul

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The historic Minet Library in Myatt’s Fields is set to benefit from a major share of new money from Lambeth Council. 

The library, which dates from the late nineteenth century, will enjoy an extensive refurbishment, including improved electrical and heating systems, renewed shelving and other furniture, and upgraded PCs.

Other improvements will include more spaces for hire and enhancements to audio loops, as well as health-check machines and better soundproofing in event rooms. A total of £1.7 million will be spent on Minet and other libraries in the borough, part of the Council’s commitment to ensure libraries are at the heart of Lambeth’s communities.

This significant investment ensures they remain fit for the future, offering not just books and learning resources, but also vital community spaces for events, technology access, and personal development. 

Local councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop welcomed the refurbishment, saying:

“This is a long overdue refurbishment to this much valued local institution. We are pleased the Council has listened to our calls for this funding.”

Consultation on the future of a vacant Myatts Fields school hailed as a “welcome early step forward”.

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Local Labour councillors have welcomed a new consultation on the future of the empty Charles Edward Brook school in Cormont Road.

The building has been empty since 2019 and has fallen into disrepair, prompting local people to launch a ‘Stop the Rot’ campaign to save it from further damage. Now Lambeth Council – which is now responsible for the heritage site – is asking ‘local schools and other interested parties’ for their views on its future.

The consultation, which is limited to proposed possible loss of the long unused playing fields within the site and is required by law, is the first formal step to decide the future of the building.

Local councillors Annie Gallop and Paul Gadsby have been pressing the council to work with the community and take urgent action to prevent the local landmark from degenerating further. They said:

“This is a first step along what is likely to be a long road which might result in the school becoming homes.

“But we continue to press for wider consultation keeping the wishes of local communities at the forefront of the debate”

The beautiful building is in poor repair in part because the Department of Education delayed transferring ownership to the Council for a number of years. It’s estimated that work to simply stop its condition worsening may cost up to £1.9 million, which the Authority claims it cannot fund on its own.

Renovating the vacant Cormont Road School ‘might cost £1.9 million’, councillors told

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Lambeth Council should work with the community to put the vacant Cormont School building in Myatt’s Fields back into use, according to local councillors.

The condition of the beautiful former Charles Edward Brook school has declined considerably since it became vacant in 2019, in part because the Department of Education delayed transferring ownership to the Council for a number of years.

Last year Myatts Field’s councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop received a commitment that the council would begin work to assess the future of the school and involve the community in deciding its future.

In a question to Lambeth’s Full Council meeting last month, Cllr Gadsby asked the Cabinet Member for Housing for an update amid growing community concern:

“The Charles Edward Brook site in Myatt’s Fields has been empty for some time after being handed over in a poor and declining state by the Conservative government. Can I ask the Cabinet Member for an update on the future of this building as local councillors are keen, as is the community, that the building is put back into use as soon as possible?“

In a lengthy response – which can be read here – the Council confirmed that officers were coming up with a strategy to develop the building for residential use. However, the council says there are significant hurdles, including the poor state of repair of the heritage site, and the likely exorbitant cost of simply making the building safe and preventing further damage – estimated at between £1.4 and £1.9 million which the authority says it cannot afford..

Cllrs Gadsby and Gallop said:

“The Charles Edward Brooke School building has been left vacant for far, far too long. The building needs to be both put back into use and restored to its former architectural glory. It is encouraging the council have carried out feasibility studies, including drone surveys, and it has to be acknowledged that there are financial hurdles which are made more difficult by more than a decade of economic chaos by the recently departed, but not missed, Tory government. However, we are calling on Lambeth to pick up the pace and make a call on the future of the building, in partnership with the local community.”

Councillors oppose “unacceptable” proposals to “unpick” noise protections at Lilford Road development

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Local Myatt’s Fields councillors have raised objections to proposals that would allow noise from heavy machinery beyond 11pm at night from a light industrial complex on Lilford Road – despite a promise to respect the local neighbourhood by the private business outfit running operations from the site.

The plans for the redevelopment of the old business centre at 61 Lilford Road, which is currently nearing completion, drew considerable public comment when first announced at the end of 2022. Local councillors, and many residents, believed there were positive aspects to the proposals, including a commitment to bring new jobs to Myatt’s Fields and breath life into a derelict site scarred by decaying buildings and anti-social behaviour.

However, the original plans from AG Bloom, the developer behind the scheme, included 24 hour traffic movements to and from the site, as well as the operation of so-called “dark kitchen” businesses from the site. Both were eventually ruled out by the developer following pressure from Cllr Paul Gadsby and Cllr Annie Gallop, as well as local residents and community groups. An outline of the range of restrictions placed on the development by Lambeth’s Planning Committee in June 2023 can be read here.

However, AG Bloom have now submitted a request to Lambeth’s planning department which would allow mechanical equipment, including heavy machinery, to operate on the site past 11pm at night.

Cllr Paul Gadsby and Cllr Annie Gallop said:

“It is incredibly disappointing that after a huge amount of discussion during the early part of 2023, the developer is attempting to unpick important noise protections placed on the development by Lambeth’s planning committee.

“As we said at the time the original proposals were moving through the planning system, there are positives behind these plans, however, they must respect the fact that the new commercial complex is situated in the middle of a residential area. Residents have a right to enjoy their homes in peace and quiet, especially late at night.

“We are putting in an objection to these proposals and will be asking AG Bloom to withdraw their request that will generate late night noise. We would encourage residents to make their views clear through the consultation currently taking place here.“

Artists impression of the new industrial complex at 61 Lilford Road

Make your voice heard in this year’s general election

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Lambeth Council has announced a key set of dates who everyone wanting to vote in this year’s crucial general election on 4 July.

Important information at the Council’s webhub includes:

  • All residents must be registered to vote by 18 June 2024 – if you are a new resident to Lambeth, or have moved address within the borough, and have not registered to vote yet, you can do so online here.
  • If you are not able to vote on election day and do not have a postal vote, you can apply for a proxy vote, allowing someone to vote on your behalf. You must have registered your proxy vote by 5pm on 19 June 2024 – read more about how to register for a proxy here.
  • The 19 June 2024 is also the same deadline to apply for a postal vote – find out how to get a postal vote here.
  • The borough is also reminding residents that Voter ID is now required to vote in person at polling stations on 4 July: information on what ID is acceptable can be read here.
  • To find out where your polling station will be on election day, take a look at this page.
  • Other important dates in the electoral process can be found here.

Cllr Paul Gadsby and Cllr Annie Gallop said:

“This will be a crucial general election with our country at a cross roads: we would urge all residents to cast their votes on 4 July. It is incredibly important that everyone’s voice is heard at the ballot box”

Residents asked to nominate sites for new “community parklets” in Myatt’s Fields

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Lambeth Council is asking local residents in Myatt’s Fields to nominate locations for new community parklets as part of a programme to improve local streets across the borough.

According to Lambeth:

“Parklets are parking space-sized parks that are installed in the kerbside. They can be customised by the community to best suit their needs from a catalogue of modular items, whether they want a space to grow, socialise or rest is up to them. They are part of our ambition to build neighbourhoods fit for the future, where people can live happier, healthier lives.”

Local councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop are encouraging local residents to put in their suggestions for suitable spots for parklets across Myatt’s Fields: for more information and how to apply visit this webhub.       

Road safety set to be improved around Christ Church School

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Lambeth Council have confirmed that from June, new measures will come into force to protect children from speeding vehicles around Christ Church School in Myatt’s Fields.

Following lobbying from local councillors Cllr Paul Gadsby and Cllr Annie Gallop, the Council confirmed last year that a “safer street” would come into operation near the school: under the updated details for the scheme, Cancell Road, between the junctions with Eythorne Road, Elliott Road, and Russel Grove in its entirety, will close temporarily to motor vehicles between 8.30-9.30am and 2.45-3.45pm, Monday to Friday during term time. These changes will take affect from 17 June 2024.

Residents and Blue Badge holders will still be able to access the road at all times by applying for an exemption. Emergency vehicles will also have access.  Other motor vehicles will be restricted during these times.

If residents have any questions, or wish to enquire about exemptions, they can visit this webpage, email schoolstreets@lambeth.gov.uk or call: 020 7926 9000

Lambeth Council will be collecting feedback on the School Street for six months from 17 June 2024.

Cllr Paul Gadsby and Cllr Annie Gallop, said:

“We are really pleased that the Council has listened to local residents and placed restrictions on motor vehicles from outside the area driving around Christ Church school at peak times for the school. This will really improve safety for local children. We will continue to press for further action to make our roads and streets safer for all residents across Myatt’s Fields.”

30 May 2024 Update: Please note this article has been amended to reflect the new implementation date which will now be on the 17 June (as opposed to the 3 June originally).