----- Original Message -----
From: Martyn,Cameron
To: Duncan Law
Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2004 11:21 AM
Subject: RE: [homezones] Quiet Lanes and Homezones_Consultation on Regulations and other stuff

London Borough of Lambeth: our disclaimer is at the end of this e-mail.
> ***********************************************************************************
hi Duncan
thank you for your email and the link to the DfT consultation - we have
recently received a hard copy of this.
Apologies if it seems there has not been much information out since the
minutes at the end of July but I have just returned from leave last week and
several other key people have also been away - August is always a slow
month.
The current situation is that works are to begin this week to close
Holmewood Road by way of a TEMPORARY gate and signage. The closure, along
with establishing the Point No Entry (next on the programme) was identified
as a priority at the last residents meeting. These have been bought forward
in order to determine the effect these measures will have on traffic
speed/frequency etc and how the raised tables, bollards and other proposals
will function.
I would like to assure you that no decision has yet been taken on surfacing.
However, I did state to Kristin and at the meeting that, if residents are in
favour, the dark red brick-type block paving (not large concrete paviers)
may now be an option as there looks to be sufficient budget for this. We
have commissioned a specialised construction survey company (not Mouchel
Parkman) to re-survey and check all plans and where necessary provide
accurate construction detailing. The design is to become available late next
week. Once we are totally confident of all design, measurements, levels,
drainage and materials etc we can then get Beach back on-site to complete
works.
It is likely that some remedial works will need to be undertaken to the
raised table already constructed at the junction of Holmewood Rd and
Holmewood Gdns to sort out drainage and incorporate the final surface
treatment.
Most of the above is being dealt with by out Clerks of Works and Engineering
Teams, although I am still very much involved.
The intention now is to monitor the effect of the road closure and hold a
further residents meeting to present the final design in light of what was
discussed on July 15 and any minor changes necessary after the re-surveying
of works. I must stress that the final design as consulted and agreed upon
still stands and there will not be any fundamental changes
- it is more
likely that there could be some re-arrangement of bollard and tree placement
and changes to the shape of Cotherstone and Maplestead Entry points. We also
need to agree the final surface treatment and permanent gate design.
I will make contact again next week to keep you and the group informed of
progress.
kind regards
Cameron Martyn
Projects Officer
Transport Planning and Strategy
Street Management
London Borough of Lambeth
phone: 0207 926 0182
fax: 0207 926 2357

-----Original Message-----
From: Duncan Law [SMTP:duncan@duncanlaw.charitydays.co.uk]
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 12:35
To: Cameron Martyn; Dave White
Cc: Derek Hoare; Kristin Stott
Subject: Fw: [homezones] Quiet Lanes and Homezones_Consultation on
Regulations and other stuff

Dear Carmeron and David,
 
I copy you a recent occurence on the HZ email list in case it's useful.
 
Since the minutes of the public meeting I haven't heard anything other
than Kristin saying the gate would go in this week and that we would be
having block paving.
 
PLEASE COMMUNICATE. We haven't seen a modified design for the gate and you
will understand our worry given standards of previous design. Will the
point no entry happen at the same time or even first otherwise we will
have lots of enterprising rat-runners detouring frustratedly around the
gardens. Has any kind of sign been prepared (even temporary) for the
Christchurch Rd entrance to say 'No through way to Brixton Hill' or
'Rat-run thwarted!'?
 
What kind of block paving are we getting? Are we getting any consultation
or will it be the grey concrete paviers that remind me of Basingstoke or
Leatherhead like a bad dream? If they have to be road grade does that mean
the road surface will be higher in places? I think the worry about
flooding is a little overstated. If the pavement outside the garage
entrance where the water pools now were raised a bit it would flow down
the old pavement like down a gully. If there is any problem borrow a video
camera and a hose pipe and attach it to a hydrant or go out during a bit
of Climate Change like we've had recently. I would love to see something a
bit distinctive in our Home Zone. At the moment the components are out of
the most standard street furniture catalogue.
 
I have a book about green roofs and pavements full of creative
suggestions. Of course I would really like something like beautiful
engineering bricks laid in a lattice with earth in between to act as a
soakaway or a planter or bed across the fall line to catch some of the run
off, with perhaps something to direct water to the roots of the Holm Oak
which will otherwise be in danger of getting thirsty and dying in these
days of Global Warming. I agree the tarmac simply seals the surface, but
it seemed our only option. I saw some very sturdy looking paving which was
moulded to look like 3 bricks set on edge. It was most realistic and very
decorative. I back paviers as practical and repairable and a bit more
textured and even if we're clever porous. But please don't give us
something that looks like the awful Red Route raised gateways. That was
the sort of aesthetic I alway said you would have to buy me under to get
it in. It is ugly and early 90s and does not go well with a Victorian
street. There are good paviers out there that come in a really lovely
mottle of colours. I see them in every borough except Lambeth!
 
If we really are going with paviers how much is all the scraping back
going to cost? Why do we admit defeat with the road repairers and cite
them as a reason not to do anything but the bog standard. Why don't we
think about a new by-law that in Lambeth Home Zones and Conservation Areas
matching repairs must be used. They have to match paviers, even if it
means a temporary tarmac repair and someone coming back later.
 
Please let us know what is planned. We are beginning to despair again.
 
The single 'bosom' in the SE corner is working and controlling speeds. We
badly need the other one and the pedestrian crossing point. Or it will be
the 5th year that we have failed to make ANY difference to the users of
the playground during the summer holidays.
 
Looking forward to hearing a detailed account of state of play which could
also be posted direct on our yahoogroup email group which your are welcome
to join via our website.
 
Speak sometime. Hope the holiday was good.
 
Duncan