Minutes:
The Major Scheme update commenced with an appraisal of the current position regarding the designs that had been submitted for the Beckenham Green canopy. Fourteen submissions had been received, and copies of the submissions were tabled for the attention of the Group. The submissions were from young people who were architectural students. The submissions were discussed by the Group and feedback was provided.
Mr Alan Old was pleased with the quality of the entries, and the work and effort that must have gone into producing them. Sylvia Ramos (LBB Project Planner) explained that the judging of the entries would be undertaken by the Town Centre Team (TCT). The TCT would be assisted by the Conservation Officer and by a representative from Idverde, the Green’s landscape contractor. Mr Munnelly mentioned that ongoing maintenance costs would have to be considered and agreed before the successful design was chosen.
It was suggested that consideration be made to receiving feedback from St George’s Church and any relevant stakeholders. A shortlist would be drawn up and the successful entry would win a prize of £500.00. Selection criteria would be produced to assist the TCT panel, and a recommendation would be made. It was agreed that Mr Munnelly would report back to the Working Group.
The Group heard that the deadline for a decision on the winning submission was 5th February. A Project Board would make the final decision. Mr Goy asked if the public could vote on the submissions via the web, or via displays set up in public buildings. The Chairman responded that time would not allow this, as faster movement was required. Alan Old felt that the public should be told about the other designs after the winner had been chosen.
It was noted that the next market on the Green was scheduled for 26th May 2018.
Helen McConnell (FM Conway) commenced by informing the Group that Stage 3 of the 6 stages of the major scheme work would be completed in about three weeks time. Work had also just commenced on Stage 4 in the vicinity of Thornton’s Corner. It was noted that outside Foxtons, there were additional problems with drainage and major ground works.
The Group was pleased to note that the views of local businesses had been taken into consideration and that parking had not been suspended outside of WH Smiths.
Councillor Stephen Wells had emailed the Chairman to say that during the recent Christmas period when two way traffic was restored, all the junctions worked perfectly, including when two buses sought to pass. It was comforting to note that the traffic engineers had been proved right in their assessments.
Mr Goy commented that at Thornton’s Corner the 227 bus had to swing out and was going over the central line. Helen McConnell responded that the traffic scheme had been designed for such manoeuvres TfL had not received any complaints from their drivers. Councillor Alan Collins mentioned an incident where a push bike (apparently belonging to an employee of FM Conway) had been ridden on a pavement.
The Chairman referred to parking issues. Some van drivers (in an apparent attempt to avoid parking on the newly painted primrose lines) had instead been parking fully on pavements. It was confirmed that they could still be issued with a ticket for this, and it was the responsibility of the parking contractor to take the necessary enforcement action. Mr Munnelly assured that work relating to parking bays and loading bays had been completed, and that contraventions were being enforced.
Jackie Groundsell said that she was disappointed with the green bricks built into the flowerbed wall at Beckenham Junction Green. They were difficult to read and not visible at night. Consideration should be given to facing the flowerbed wall with clear signage which could be sparkly or luminous. She was also disappointed with the lights in the trees. The Chairman agreed that the white lights high in the trees at Beckenham Green had failed to impress and a new design solution was needed.
Ms Groundsell requested that during periods when parking bays were removed because of works, could some new parking spaces be created as a gesture of good will. Mr Warner responded that during future works, the Council would consider the use of some extra temporary parking bays if this was feasible, but no definitive guarantees on this were possible. Mr Warner mentioned that in such cases it would be difficult to enforce parking regulations and restrictions.
Chloe-Jane Ross asked if the southbound stretch of the High Street (currently closed off with a diversion in place) between Beckenham Junction and Thornton’s Corner could now be opened. The Chairman had been told that this matter was being controlled by TfL. He asked if the first two phases could now be fully opened to traffic as local people were wondering why the road was still closed. Mr Warner appraised the Group that TfL had taken the view that for the moment the diversions should be kept in place to avoid through traffic congesting narrow side streets.
Mr Goy said that the original benches on the edge of Beckenham Green had end and midway arm rests which prevented people lying or sleeping on them and assisted all in sitting and standing. He felt that arm rests should be in place on the new benches. He expressed the view that they were now just large flat areas. They also lacked comfortable back support.
It was mentioned that street name plates had disappeared from the vicinity of Beckenham Junction. Mr Munnelly advised that the matter of signage was being re-visited in conservation areas.
Marie Pender raised the issue of TfL bus diversion information and hoped that there would be no further changes to bus routes. Mr Warner pointed out that there would be some minor diversions put in place when work would be undertaken in the vicinity of the Odeon Cinema. Ms Pender expressed the view that TfL were not keeping the public informed properly. The Town Centre Team had requested that this matter be formally raised with TfL.
The Chairman asked when the new cycle racks would be installed, and he was informed that they were on order and these would be going in soon.
Janice Pilgrim stated that in the vicinity of the George Pub, the kerb was on two levels and this was a trip hazard to partially sighted persons who might only see the uniform colour as a single kerb. She felt that a modification should be carried out on the front edge. Mr Munnelly responded that the kerb was previously on two levels and it was planned to install a pelican crossing near there.
RESOLVED that an update concerning the Beckenham Green canopy designs be brought back to the next meeting.