Many thanks to regular reader and occasional contributor. John for the photo above. Click on it to see a larger version. John tells me that the photo was taken recently in the Abbey Ruins in Abbey Wood. Forest hire bikes are not legally able to operate within the London Borough of Bexley. The photograph underlines the issue that I have written about extensively in the recent past. Both conventional pedal cycles and electric bikes from various hire companies are regularly being stolen and dumped locally. This is a problem not just for the hire companies, but also for Bexley Council, and also local pedestrians when the bikes are dumped on the pavement, as is a common practice. Parents with small children in buggies, wheelchair, users, and people with reduced visual ability particularly find this irresponsible behaviour to be extremely problematic. It can force vulnerable people off the pavement and into the traffic flow on the road, with the associated dangers this brings. It can also mean people with visual problems trip over the dumped bikes, potentially causing injury. Part of the problem appears to be that the councils that do permit the use of rental bikes seem to have very different rules and regulations regarding their use. In my opinion, the whole of the UK needs to have a firm set of properly enforced laws regarding the use of such transportation. It would protect both the bike hire companies, and also the general public, as well as keeping the situation clear for the bike riders using the various services. At present with each local authority setting their own rules, and some also prohibiting the use of hire bikes, the current situation is in my opinion a confusing mess. Comments to me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
Almost exactly a year ago, I wrote an article on the proposed redevelopment of Erith Post Office into a new block of flats. To refresh readers memories, I repeat my comments here:- "There have been rumours circulating locally for the best part of the last decade about the future of the site of Erith post office. Various plans have been discussed, and options put forward but it is only now that a fully specified development proposal has been published. BexleyCo Homes wants to build a development, which will include 33 homes which would include 31 flats and two townhouses at the site at 89 Erith High Street. As many readers will be aware, much of Erith High Street is a conservation area and several of the buildings located there are additionally locally listed. Adjacent to the post office site is a closed small industrial unit which used to be used by a company which made signs for use in both corporate and leisure activities, but when they left the building that side of the structure has been left empty. From what is currently being published, 3/4 of the homes would have two bedrooms. Eight flats would have three bedrooms and the remaining flats would be one bedroom. None of these would be for affordable rent. What is currently unclear is whether the post office would remain on the ground floor or be removed during the redevelopment. I think it is important this is clarified soon. Erith post office is very heavily used, and one of the most popular locations within the town centre. There are many people who have small independent businesses selling goods online on websites such as eBay and they can be found taking items to post to customers usually early in the afternoon each weekday, which is one of the reasons it's probably best to avoid the post office during this period, and to visit it in the morning wherever possible, as it tends to be a lot quieter then. It would be a great loss to the community if the post office was to close, as it is heavily used and I'm fully aware that there are people who come from places like Upper Belvedere to use Erith post office rather than their own local one, as they find the service in Erith to be far superior. In addition to this, the town has no banks now after Barclays closed in the town centre a few years ago, and the post office is one of the only places where you can pay in cash and there are a number of traders in and around Erith who primarily deal with cash and would not want to travel to Bexleyheath with the risk of being mugged during that journey. I understand that the facade of the post office building is to be retained as it is locally listed, but it is unclear whether the internals and the post office service will be kept. Personally, I am uncomfortable with the proposed block of flats, as it greatly dominates the most historic part of the town, and would overlook Erith Playhouse and the Cross Keys Centre. The planning proposal says that if they get to build the block it would be six stories higher. But as we know from experience the block of flats built pn the former Police Station site in Upper Belvedere on the corner of Nuxley Road and Woolwich Road was proposed and exhibited during public consultations at one height and mysteriously, when it was built they had added an additional floor. I am concerned that the developers might try a similar trick on the post office site". Since I originally wrote that piece, there have been developments. Firstly, it was originally decided at that the post office would temporarily relocate operations to the unit previously used by Bexley Council on the ground floor of Erith Riverside Shopping Centre, adjacent to the pedestrian air bridge that connects the two sections of the shopping centre. The unit had previously been used for several purposes, none of which seemed to last, I suspect this was because very few people knew where it was, and the location was quite out of the way and did not attract much in the way of passing trade. Originally I was informed that the existing post office ground floor building was to be maintained whilst the block of flats was built above it. Once the construction was complete, the post office staff would be able to move back into their original building. As you can see from the architects illustration of the proposed new construction in the image above, the historic post office building was to be retained. Unfortunately, the latest reports seem to indicate that the entire original locally listed structure could possibly be demolished and replaced just by flats. This is not confirmed, and some confusion still exists regarding the exact project plan. I would hope that the existing facade is indeed retained. It is now suggested that the post office will permanently be relocated to a site which might well be adjacent to the Energie fitness gym located at 98 Erith High Street. I believe that this is subject to successful negotiation. Thus, even if the original post office red brick facade is kept, the building will no longer actually house the post office, it will just be for show. This is not definitive, and would appear to be still subject to possible further change.
After five years, the site of the former Great Harry pub in Parsonage Manorway, Upper Belvedere has finally been sold, and will be redeveloped as residential apartments. Local residents have noticed that a number of signs have been erected on the hoarding that surrounds the derelict building, the large car park and former beer garden. The signs warned that the structure is to be demolished as can be seen in the photo above - click on it to see a larger version. The area of land involved is extremely large, and was advertised for sale for £2.5 million. How much it actually sold for is currently unclear, but it must have been for a considerable amount of money. I am always disturbed and annoyed when historic pubs such as the former Leather Bottle in Lower Belvedere get demolished - in the case of that pub, To my understanding, it was done completely illegally and the person responsible was prosecuted, although they are still acting in a very dubious manner, as any person who reads the Bexley is Bonkers Blog will understand. However, in the case of the Great Harry, I do not believe that many people will be upset by its loss. I have spoken to several readers who had visited the pub in the past, as had I some years ago. In all of our opinions, the pub had little character, and almost no atmosphere. It was a typical 1950's built flat roofed pub with very little to recommend it, and no real architectural merit. It was a classic case that the land it was standing on was worth far more than the building. I do feel sorry for the residents of nearby roads, who will have to put up with increased noise, dust and other air pollution and disruption caused by construction machinery and lorries taking away rubble and spoil as the current building is demolished. There will then be a period following this where the new block of flats are constructed. I think it will mean inconvenience for locals for at least 18 months and maybe longer. On the positive side, once the flats are occupied, local businesses on the opposite side of Parsonage Manorway will benefit from an increase in trade as a result. You can see more details of the old pub and the current site prior to demolition by clicking here. *Update* - I have subsequently been informed by resident living nearby, that demolition of the Great Harry pub started last Thursday morning.
As I have written several times in the past, I do rely heavily on suggestions and input from my readers regarding stories that may be of interest to a wider audience. This has proved to be true last week. Again, as regular readers will be fully aware, I have written extensively about the serious problems facing supermarket chain Morrisons, and how they have been struggling in the market, losing customers and increasing their level of financial debt. Several readers contacted me last week to say that they had read a story that Morrisons had been in talks with retail giant Sainsbury's about a possible merger. I had predicted something of this kind in the past, but was of the opinion. It was more likely to be either Aldi or Lidl. The PR team at Morrisons couched the statement that they were looking for a corporate partner as if it would be a potential merger of equals, when in fact any such arrangement would probably be a takeover, not a merger, with Morrisons being absorbed into the larger chain. It has since come to light that the the potential arrangement with Sainsbury's did not go ahead for reasons that are currently unclear. I have since discovered thanks to several readers that discussions are now underway with rival supermarket chain Asda, again this would most likely be a takeover. Again, I think this is unlikely to take place for a number of reasons. Morrisons are owned by the giant American Private equity company Clayton, Dubilier and Rice, who have in my opinion essentially run it into the ground since they purchased Morrisons. Asda is also owned by a private equity company called TDR Capital, and is also already heavily in debt. In my opinion, the only reason that Asda would purchase Morrisons would be to further asset strip it, selling off many retail locations and thus depriving communities of their local supermarket, and many employees of their jobs. I think that the Competition and Markets Authority would look quite dimly at any arrangement like this, and possibly block it. Whatever arrangements happen in the future, the one thing I think is now inevitable is the future demise of Morrisons as an independent supermarket chain. I share the view of many people in that Morrison's has been going downhill steadily since it was sold into private equity and was no longer a family-run business, as it had been for around 100 years.
The following event has been publicised in the Talk of Thamesmead publication - which I thought might be of interest to some readers. The announcement reads:- "Steampunk Spooktacular - Location: Crossness Pumping Station, Bazalgette Way, SE2 9AQ. Date: Saturday 17 October and Sunday 18 October. Time: 10am-4pm. Price: From £20.37 for adults, from £27.26 for family tickets, free for under-5s. Info: crossness.org.uk Crossness Pumping Station’s regular steaming days return with a Halloween twist this month. Hop on a vintage Routemaster bus at Abbey Wood Station, then ride the narrow-gauge railway at Crossness to the Grade I-listed ‘cathedral of sewage’. The historic Prince Consort steam engine will be in action on both days, along with three other Victorian beam engines. Enjoy a children’s scavenger hunt, steampunk costumes and characters, plus craft and curiosity stalls. Family activities include competitive biscuit-eating and cuddly toy-slinging contests".
The 9th to the 15th of October is National Baby Loss Awareness Week. Coincidentally I was sent the photo above - click on it to see a larger view - a few days ago. It shows a shop that recently opened in The Mall (formerly the Broadway Shopping Centre) in Bexleyheath. "Handmade with Love" is a charity shop with a difference. The small chain of shops are operated by a registered charity called Making Miracles, which supports parents who have lost babies or toddlers. The shops are unusual compared with most high street charity outlets, in that "Handmade with Love" only sell brand new items - usually clothing or accessories for babies and small children, that are actually made by volunteers within the charity. They do not sell donated used items as is commonplace in most charity shops. They support a very worthwhile cause, and I am glad to see them operating locally, as they also highlight a tragic event that can happen to many families. My only concern about the shop in Bexleyheath is that The Mall is known for charging very high shop rentals, and I do wonder how much the charity is having to pay to occupy their new outlet. I sincerely hope that the operators of the mall have charged a concessionary fee, and not the full commercial rental rate.
The end video this week covers a historic local subject that I have previously written at some length about. The short lived and controversial Dartford Tunnel bus service for cyclists, that operated between the opening of the tunnel in 1963, and the middle of 1965. The video offers some footage previously thought to have been lost, and explains the very unusual configuration of the small fleet of custom coach built double decker vehicles that operated the service, until they were decommissioned and sold for scrap in late 1965, losing the operators a large amount of money in the process. Please send comments and feedback as always to me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
