Minutes:
It was noted that the Major Scheme was now in the implementation stage, and Mr Warner provided a verbal update regarding the phasing plan.
The Group was informed that Mr Warner attended on site most days, and that he also met with Mr Oliver once a week. Phase 1 was running according to schedule. The area around Beckenham Junction was due for re-surfacing next week, and the previous box junction would no longer be present. Mr Warner was waiting for details of the planters from FM Conway.
It was noted that at the junction where Albemarle Road met the High Street and Southend Road, there were issues with traffic turning right out of Albemarle Road, causing delays. Mr Warner stated that at the junction it was not intended to use right turn boxes or filter arrows as there should be enough capacity for vehicles to turn right.
Marsha Berg enquired what was happening with the proposed seat that was due to be located outside of the taxi office at Beckenham Junction. Mr Oliver clarified that this had not yet been installed as negotiations were ongoing with Network Rail.
Mr Wood had brought in some colour photographs of the new granite paving that had been laid. The paving looked dirty and in need of cleaning. Mr Warner explained that there would be remnants of cement on the paving, and that the area was still really a ‘building site’. The paving was due to be jet washed the following week. There was a brief discussion concerning whether or not the jet washing would incorporate the use of detergent. Marsha Berg suggested that perhaps businesses could be incentivised to clean the pavements outside of their premises. One way to incentivise could be by way of a small reduction in business rates.
One of the premises highlighted was the kebab shop near the Bridge Bar. The Bridge Bar owner (who owned several shops in the vicinity-including the kebab shop) had been approached concerning the dirty pavement outside of the kebab shop. He stated that the staff working at the kebab shop cleaned up every night.
Mr Goy commented that the additional cleaning budget for Bromley North light yellow paving was in the region of £40-£70k and enquired if the rest of the paving in Beckenham could be laid as dark red brindle bricks as opposed to light grey granite slabs, to reduce cleaning costs and because he felt it would look better. Mr Munnelly stated that this would not be possible as the paving for the scheme had been designated as grey granite. A budget had been incorporated into the scheme for cleaning costs. He was confident that when the work had been completed, and everything had been washed and bedded in, that the quality of the final design would be manifest.
There was some discussion amongst Group members concerning the colour of the granite paving. The paving was supposed to have an element of pink mixed with grey; some Group members expressed the view that there was no sign of the pink colouration. Mr Goy was disappointed with the grey granite paving and expressed the view that the paving was not of a high quality, just looking like common concrete slabs but showing dirt and stains more quickly. Mr Munnelly stated that he would seek confirmation from the contractors that the paving was the correct specification.
The Chairman said that Mr Goy’s suggestion was fair, but the newly-laid granite paving at Beckenham Junction should be assessed after jet-washing on the weekend.
Helen McConnell (FM Conway) advised that the bus stop by the Coppers restaurant needed to be moved to the kerb line, and that TfL would be dealing with this. In the next few weeks, work would be undertaken by the Public Hall, where burnt ochre paving would be laid. Stephen Oliver confirmed the brick colour as ‘burnt ochre’ not ‘brindle’.
The Chairman hoped that licensees would apply for the relevant licences required to provide tables and chairs outside. He hoped that a continental café style culture could be promoted in Beckenham. Mr Munnelly pointed out that such arrangements would need to ensure that they did not infringe on wheelchair mobility and did not adversely affect individuals with visual impairments- a case by case approach was required.
No negative comments had been received concerning the contractors, and several positive comments had been received by the Beckenham Business Association, and passed to Helen McConnell.
RESOLVED that the Major Scheme update be noted.