Tag Archives: school

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

Posted on by

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.

Road safety set to be improved around Christ Church School

Posted on by

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).

Myatt’s Fields councillors welcome Sadiq Khan’s free school meal pledge

Posted on by

A pledge by London Mayor Sadiq Khan to continue providing funding for free school meals for all primary school children should he be re-elected for a third term at this May’s election has been welcomed by local Myatt’s Fields councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop.

The programme funds 1.4 million free school meals every week in London. The councillors said:

“This scheme is a lifeline to many children in Myatt’s Fields, especially as many families are continuing to struggle from rising bills. At a recent roving surgery on Vassall Road, residents were delighted at Sadiq’s vow.”

Sadiq Khan said:

“Delivering free school meals has been one of my proudest moments as mayor as I have seen the difference it has made to the children receiving them and to their families.

“I know from personal experience what a difference these meals can make and it’s been fantastic to hear from teachers how much better children are performing and also how much parents and their children have benefited, with parents not having to worry about how to provide their children with a healthy, nutritious meal during the school day.”

You can find out more information about the pledge here.

This year’s Mayoral election will take place on Thursday 2 May: don’t forget to register to vote here.

Vauxhall MP Flo Eshalomi with local councillor Paul Gadsby and some of the Myatt’s Fields campaign team out and about listening to residents in our communities.

New move to ensure childrens’ road safety close to a Myatt’s Fields school

Posted on by

Local children will be protected from speeding vehicles near a local school under plans tabled by Lambeth Council.

The “school street” initiative for Christ Church school is part of a borough wide programme that has been in operation for a number of years. Your local Labour team has been pressing for the inclusion of the school following representations from parents and residents.

Under the scheme, some nearby streets are temporarily closed at times when pupils are arriving or leaving schools — the beginning and the end of the academic day. The details are to be confirmed, but the council has set a likely starting date for Christ Church of May next year, probably briefly shutting Cancell Road between Elliot Road and Eythorne Road.

Myatt’s Fields councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop said:

“This is a good step by Lambeth Council which we do welcome: residents have been pressing for sometime for the area around Christ Church to be made safer for children during peak times for the school. We would like to thank everyone who has been in touch with us about this issue.”

Councillor Rezina Choudhary, Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, commented:

“Cllr Paul Gadsby and Cllr Annie Gallop have made it very clear to the council that more needs to be done to tackle the traffic problems around Christ Church School which have been a cause of real concern for local parents.

“We have listened to their lobbying, and believe a school street will be a significant step towards protecting local children and reducing traffic around the school at peak times. We do realise there is a lot still to be done across Myatt’s Fields, including addressing the congestion issues on Loughborough Road and dangerous driving around Myatt’s Park, the Myatts North and South estates. We’ll continue to work with councillors and residents on all of these challenges, especially as the borough has announced a substantial package of funding for the area.”