Agenda item

CSD 16159

The Group noted the update concerning Bus Stop ‘Countdown Units.’ 

It was noted that the cost of each Countdown Unit including ten years’ maintenance was £8300.00, and because of this TfL were not installing new units. It remained to be seen if LBB would have a budget available for this, and the matter was being investigated. The Group felt strongly that a bus countdown unit should be installed at the new bus stop opposite Fairfield Road. It was the feeling of the Group that this was essential and imperative. Members pointed out that not all people had access to smartphones and some expressed concern of potential safety issues around using smartphones at night.

A member queried if LBB could fund the countdown unit out of the scheme’s contingency fund. Mr Munnelly stated that this was a matter that would need to be looked at again, and treated as a key priority. It was noted that countdown units also had not been fitted at the bus stops outside of Marks and Spencer’s, and Beckenham Green.

The Chairman asked if the Beckenham Business Association had been provided with a map that showed the locations of parking bays and loading bays. The answer to this was ‘no’. It was noted that it was now planned for a loading bay and parking bay to be sited outside of WH Smith’s. Mr Munnelly stated that a map would be sent to the Beckenham Business Association as soon as possible.

A member drew attention to a loading bay near the junction of The Drive and the High Street, facing north with the High Street behind. Immediately adjoining the loading bay was a disabled parking space.

The member requested that the loading bay and disabled parking bay be swapped, so that the loading bay used the space further from the High Street.  This was because when a van or large delivery vehicle was parked in the loading bay, drivers approaching the junction from The Drive had severely reduced visibility of any pedestrians crossing The Drive.  This was hazardous for anyone, but particularly for those with sight impairment, as they could neither see nor be seen.

If the loading bay was located where the disabled parking space currently was, and vice versa, no extra space would be taken up, but visibility would be much better and safety therefore greatly improved. Switching the purposes of the two bays in question would reduce the risk of accidents. Mr Munnelly stated that he would look into the matter and action the switch.

The Group noted the update concerning the feasibility of removing the boundary wall on the war memorial. It was noted that a boundary of some form would be required for protection, and to deter illegal parking. LBB’s Conservation Officer had reported that the low wall was part of the listing and had expressed the view that it was in keeping with the main structure.

Mr Gallagher asked if consideration could be given to moving the war memorial from the roundabout to a new location at Beckenham Green. He felt that a quieter location away from traffic fumes may be more appropriate. He suggested that as part of a consultation process, a wooden replica memorial could be erected on the Green, while the views of local residents were sought.

Mr Goy stated that the Group had debated this at length some time ago and reached a decision not to move the memorial.

The prominent location of the memorial had been chose ‘lest we forget’ those who had died in two World Wars, and that the location decision of townspeople and bereaved relatives should be respected. Its construction meant that attempting to move it would destroy it.; also Beckenham Green subsoil was infilled former bombed basements and was likely to be unstable.

The current siting of the War Memorial also meant that it was less likely to be subject to precious metal theft, graffiti or abuse as had sadly happened elsewhere in Britain. Another member pointed out that the Cenotaph National War Memorial was prominent in the middle of Whitehall.   

The Group did not agree a resolution concerning this matter as views were divided. Some felt that the memorial should stay where it was, but others felt that it would be appropriate to consider the matter and consult with local residents. 

The Chairman made the point that in Orpington the memorial was located on a roundabout, while in Bromley it was located in a park. A member suggested an alternative solution could be to keep the existing memorial where it was, but to have a second memorial in a different location. The Chairman felt that this was a matter for Beckenham residents to decide, and should be retained as an agenda item for the next meeting. Alice Marsh offered to start a discussion concerning the matter on the ‘Beckenham Forum’ website. 

Mr Munnelly referred to the exhibition that was going to be set up to inform local residents of the major scheme details. He suggested that local residents could be asked to provide views on the matter at the Exhibition. 

RESOLVED

(1) that TfL be contacted and requested to install a bus countdown unit at the new bus stop opposite Fairfield Road, and that a check be undertaken to see if the countdown unit could be funded from the contingency fund

(2) that a map showing the location of loading bays and parking bays be sent to the Beckenham Business Association as soon as possible 

(3) that the location of the war memorial be added as an agenda item for the next meeting

(4) that the loading bay and parking bay near The Drive be swapped over