Trafalgar Rd/Eastney St Bus Stop
I remember when they first created this little area. Presumably it was created with Section 106 regeneration money (correct me if I'm wrong) and for corporate decor, it wasn't bad. A little paving and landscaping, with low walls and simple shrubs, a couple of not-badly-at-all designed benches, which actually managed to combine vandal-proofing with a modicum of comfort and a row of rather odd concrete balls. It was finished off with little blue lights set in the pavement, which made this simple, once-neglected area look a little more loved.
But, just a few years later, it seems to have reverted to type. The benches are still pretty good and nothing's going to happen to a row of concrete balls. But the shrubs are choked with brambles and not one of those pretty blue lights glows any more - in fact if you look at them they seem to be full of condensation.
I don't get why, when money is put aside for these projects, a little isn't earmarked for their upkeep. This happens time and time again - something nice is created, but once the bigwigs have had their pictures taken opening the things, these little features might as well go whistle.
At worst it's millions of wasted cash (a friend of mine was in charge of a young people's music centre - in another borough, admittedly, but while millions was spent of building a state-of-the-art venue and equipping it with grand pianos, studio and recording equipment, not a penny was kept for actually running the place - after it was officially opened, it NEVER properly opened its doors to the public) at best its a few grand - if only they'd set aside a few quid to look after the Rathmore Benches once they were done, we wouldn't have a modern monument at risk - and in the case of this unassuming little area all it would have taken was an hour or so of the borough gardeners' time and a few light bulbs.
Maybe these 106 arrangements need to be amended to set up 'trust funds' to run the projects created - to finish what they start. After all nothing looks more neglected than something that was once a statement...
What do you think, folks?
But, just a few years later, it seems to have reverted to type. The benches are still pretty good and nothing's going to happen to a row of concrete balls. But the shrubs are choked with brambles and not one of those pretty blue lights glows any more - in fact if you look at them they seem to be full of condensation.
I don't get why, when money is put aside for these projects, a little isn't earmarked for their upkeep. This happens time and time again - something nice is created, but once the bigwigs have had their pictures taken opening the things, these little features might as well go whistle.
At worst it's millions of wasted cash (a friend of mine was in charge of a young people's music centre - in another borough, admittedly, but while millions was spent of building a state-of-the-art venue and equipping it with grand pianos, studio and recording equipment, not a penny was kept for actually running the place - after it was officially opened, it NEVER properly opened its doors to the public) at best its a few grand - if only they'd set aside a few quid to look after the Rathmore Benches once they were done, we wouldn't have a modern monument at risk - and in the case of this unassuming little area all it would have taken was an hour or so of the borough gardeners' time and a few light bulbs.
Maybe these 106 arrangements need to be amended to set up 'trust funds' to run the projects created - to finish what they start. After all nothing looks more neglected than something that was once a statement...
What do you think, folks?
Labels: Debates, Places of Interest
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
08:23
5 Comments:
Phantom
This is an age old problem that we in the poorer end of town have been suffering for years. I have been trying to get the council to cut the grass along Tunnel Avenue on a regular basis for ages and they only appear to react when I email cleansweep. Similarly, the Rose Garden at the bottom of Tunnel Avenue and Blackwall approach gets little attention and could (should) be a little oasis amoung all the traffic but gets sadly neglected. Again, it only gets cut when my partner and I send off an email to Cleansweep as regular as clockwork.
I have been asking both councillors and council direct for a rota of works and specification as to how they should cut the grass (sound simply really but have you seen how they cut grass? Straight over all the rubbish causing a thousand more pieces to pick up!) but to no avail. I even resorted to a Freedom of Information Request but this has been roundly ignored and fobbed off. Our local councillor, Mary Mills, reminded me that it was only 'a minor problem in the grand scheme of things' so I lost faith in her too.
Yet another example would be the much hyped Cutty Sark Gardens but now sadly turning into a graffitti notice board (the wooden benches are a disgrace) and inpromtu skate boarders paradise. All good intentions, sadly let down by regular care and attention.
I think Mary Mills is wrong there. It's in the little details that the big problems become reflectd.
An area isn't looked after, for while it's just litter. Then one person leaves, say, a fridge there at the dead of night. That opens the flodgates. Soon people seem to think it's ok to leave old matttresses, sofas, washing machines and the next thing you know it's a become a playground for truants. Then another bunch of delinquents decide they want to hang out there too. The first lot don't care for this, and get the knives out. The second lot bring their guns. Someone gets shot.
The council clears it all up a bit red-faced, then forget about it until the next incident.
Oh yes, the cutty sark gardens is a sore point with me! I wrote to the council after falling over on the wooden flooring for the 3rd day in a row in the winter - now I'm fairly fit and young but what if someone eldery slipped? It's so dangerous and is just not well kept enough. I emailed the council and was told the area is patrolled (maybe so they can pick up fallen people?) and that they have replaced some wood in the flooring recently - surely the wood is the fault though? The area gets SO wet and there is no drainage in that area. Wood, plus water plus a slope plus cold weather surely equally dangerous icey area?
Greenwich council seemed to have little to say... as usual! I completely agree that areas that could be lovely are not well enough maintained.
I agree that it's the little things that make a big difference. Weeds, litter and graffiti lead people to feel worse about where they live. They play a stronger role in how safe people feel in their neighbourhoods than police statistics on violence and robberies. That back way from Vanbrugh Hill to Maze Hill station just feels unsafe, even in the middle of the afternoon. Conversely, the East Greenwich Pleasaunce has been immeasurably improved by the Friends' efforts. A little interest and attention goes a long, long way.
Don't worry, it's not just Greenwich council that's at fault. I can assure you that all these problems and more are rampant in Lewisham too. I find a combination of nagging your local councillor (don't forget there are THREE for each ward so if one of them fobs you off with this kind of crappy excuse, go to the others!) and people power can be successful. The problem is that if you are working alone, it can be quite draining, so it's good to have support from neighbours or partners.
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