Minutes:
The Town Team update was presented by the Team’s Chairman, Chloe Jane Ross.
The Group heard that £20k had been made available from a London Mayoral Fund to improve the look of various alleys running off Beckenham High Street. The Town Team were in the process of locating a suitable contractor. It was the intention that different types of signs would be used for different alleys, and that these would be heritage themed. Design examples were shown to the Working Group. It was noted that the names of the alleys would not be recognised by Royal Mail unless they became part of delivery addresses.
Ms Ross informed the Group that the Town Team had decided to progress with work on the alleyway behind the Odeon cinema; it was intended that a general tidy up take place, LBB would cut a bush that was overgrown, and a mural would be painted. Some resurfacing may be required, and the Chairman suggested that it may be a good idea to ask the adjacent freeholders to contribute to the cost.
Ms Ross updated the Group and informed them that a community alleyway clean-up day was scheduled for the 10th July 2015, meeting outside Café Nero.
The Group then proceeded to look at the colour documents that had been produced which showed pictures of the various alleys, together with a summary of the proposed improvement work:
The Mews
This was noted as a large alleyway that was too large to be dealt with by the local scheme, and would have to be improved as part of the TfL funded major scheme.
Coach Crier Alley
Members noted that this alley led to dance studios and was locked at night. The Group felt that they did not wish to spend money on this alley.
Church Hill Alley
The Group were appraised that the plan for this alley was to erect a sign with a lych gate icon, together with signage to identify vehicular access. The wall would need painting white, and there was a need for a community clean up activity concerning weeds.
Stable Doors Close
This was going to be developed as part of the major scheme.
Thornton’s Alley
The plan for this alley was to erect a name sign with the Thornton’s emblem on a newspaper icon. Defunct cables needed to be removed, painting was required, as well as a community clean-up of weeds. The Chairman commented that it was important to make improvements to the alley as it looked ugly and people were said to feel slightly threatened. The London Fire Brigade had expressed safety concerns about the cabling. The Group were informed that Cheryl Curr had contacted Building Control about the cabling, with a view to clarifying who was responsible for it. It was the intention to relocate the electricity cupboards and to aim CCTV at the wall in the alley.
Legion Alley
Here it was the intention to erect a new name sign with a British Legion icon, and a sign to identify vehicular access. There was also a requirement for artwork to cover a damaged wall, repair flooring, and fix cabling, together with clean-up of weeds and dirt.
Gordon Alley
The plan for Gordon Alley was to erect a name sign with the Gordon House icon; there was also a requirement to fix cabling and for a community clean up. The Chairman felt that it was important to make this alley attractive and illuminated.
Wood House Alley
The plan for Wood House Alley was to erect a name sign with the Wood House icon, and some low level clean-up work
Leather Alley
Ms Curr informed the Group that the plan for Leather Alley was that a name sign be erected with a leather boot icon, together with signage to identify vehicular access. There was also a requirement for some painting, a community clean up, and the tidying up of cables. There was also a requirement to contact LBB with respect to resurfacing the alley.
Blyton Place
It was noted that works to this alley would be carried out as part of the major scheme. Particular attention was drawn to the need for improved lighting, and for the floor to be made level.
Burton Alley
This alley had a reputation as an escape route from the police. It was noted that the plan was to erect a sign with a tailor’s icon, together with a sign to identify vehicular access. It was also the case that cables needed to be tidied up, and a community clean-up was required. The Group felt that it would be a good idea to request that the freeholder make pedestrian access to Sainsbury’s. There was an additional requirement for Council enforcement action to be undertaken with respect to the dumping of rubbish.
Regal Alley
The Group heard that it was planned to erect a name sign with a stage icon. The Chairman was concerned that the alley was served by a drop kerb; it was felt that this encouraged cars to drive down the alley. The Group were in agreement that the Council be asked to remove the dropped kerb and that this should be incorporated into the main scheme design. There was also a requirement to erect a new fence at the back of the cinema, change the location of a lamppost, install CCTV, and to make up the gravel parts from the alley to the carpark.
Ironmonger’s Passage
The plan for Ironmonger’s Passage was to erect a name sign depicting an anvil and blacksmith.
A member of the Group stated that it would be a good idea if the paving used in the High Street could be extended into the alleyways to some degree, and that it would be good if a generic theme could be used on signs, such as a generic font.
The Group noted that the target date for the completion of the work on the alleyways was March 2016.
Recommendations:
(1) The Freeholders of the alley behind the Odeon cinema be contacted and asked to contribute to the cost of improvement works
(2) That enquiries be made as necessary to determine who is responsible for the potentially dangerous cabling in Thornton’s Alley.
(3) That contact be made with the freeholder of Burton Alley to request pedestrian access to Sainsbury’s; also that the Environmental Protection Team at Bromley be contacted to deal with the dumping of rubbish
(4) That the removal of the drop kerb serving Regal Alley be incorporated into the main scheme design
(5) That as far as possible, the High Street paving be extended into alleyways, and that generic font be used for alley signage