Updated Proposals for Burgess Park West
The planning application for the Burgess Park West project has been submitted by the Council. The statutory consultation period has begun, and you are welcome to submit comments by the deadline of Wednesday 14 September 2017. FOBP will be reviewing the application.
The application includes plans for a new Quietway for cyclists shared with pedestrians across Burgess Park West. The new route will be lit and will have some changes of surface at key points. (Further details in No. 5 of 24 and No. 9 of 24 of the planning documents).
You can respond by filling in the online form, or via email to planning.enquiries@southwark.gov.uk or via post to Planning Department, Southwark Council, PO Box 64529, London SE1P 5LX. If you comment by email or post please remember to quote the reference number which is 16/AP/3165.
FOBP will be discussing the application at the Tuesday, 6 September meeting at 7.30pm, Sports Centre, Cobourg Road.
Meeting: Wednesday, 11 May, 18:30 to 19:30, Old Library, Wells Way, Burgess Park
Burgess Park West is the new name for the Burgess Park Southern Entrance project. At the meeting Southwark will be presenting feedback from the previous consultation as well as updated plans, and will also outline the next steps for the project.
Plans and a survey will also be available online from 9 May to 5 June at www.southwark.gov.uk/burgesspark
A public exhibition will be held from 9 May to 5 June at the Sports Centre showing the plans and designs . There will be the opportunity to leave feedback.
An additional exhibition will be held at Chumleigh Gardens at weekends and during half term (weather permitting) where Park Ambassadors will be available to show visitors the plans.
Commuter cycling routes through the park
FOBP are very concerned about the Southwark’s plans for new routes through Burgess Park specifically aimed at commuter cyclists.
The park is an amenity in an area of ‘hard-pressed families’ and ‘urban living’ as defined in the Southwark Cycling Demand Study. Local people value the park as a space for play and relaxation and driving designated cycle routes through it is not appropriate. Living Streets, the national charity for pedestrians, discuss this issue in its policy document regarding cycling and walking. “Changes to pedestrian or cycle use of parks should ensure that the primary use of parks is as a recreational space. Our parks must remain a quiet haven for all, rather than cheap ‘easy wins’ for cycle routes.” Pedestrians and cyclists should not be put into conflict with one another.
There is also research which suggests that increased bike use targets people of wealthier incomes who are benefiting at the expense of people who could be walking in the park. Living Streets are concerned that “For more vulnerable pedestrians such as disabled people, older people and children, walking safely and easily is often impossible. Walking rates are in serious decline and whilst this is in part down to change in busy lifestyles it is more symptomatic of the lack of priority given to pedestrians on our streets.” The charity encourages children to walk to school and we should do nothing to discourage children using what should be safe and healthy routes through Burgess Park to get to the numerous schools around the park.
FOBP pointed out to the consultation regarding Quietway 7: “We have experience in Burgess Park of the quiet route which runs along the Surrey Canal Walk. This is now dominated by commuter cyclists. Pedestrians are forced off the path, and a route which should provide a safe and less polluted way for children to get to school has become hazardous for them.
“The Friends of Burgess Park are concerned that all users of the park are considered when new features are designed which will have such a long-lasting impact on the park.”
Coming consultations
FOBP have been informed by Southwark Council that there are more consultations about planned cycle routes through Burgess Park.
“The council intends to make a decision on the entire Quietway 7 route (excluding section in the Burgess Park) once consultation is completed for the entire route. This is likely to be around end of March / April 2016.
Consultation for the detailed design of the Burgess Park section the route is scheduled to commence late February 2016 with a decision made around May 2016.
The routes affecting Burgess Park are currently under review and one update to the maps published will be made in spring next year.
Regarding the specific confirmed routes: The Quietway from Kennington Park to Trafalgar Avenue has a proposed alternative — St. Georges Way and this is currently subject to TfL accepting the cost of the route before any outline design can be looked at. There will be early engagement on this locally in the New Year.
The Southwark Spine route is going to commence with the section south of Burgess Park so that the Master Plan and Aylesbury re-development are further established before officers undertake a review of the ‘level of service’ needed and desired routes north of the park.
There is also going to be a high level study to establish a preferred link from this southern section of the Spine to Quietway 7 which does not involve a route through the park. This will include looking at the use of Wells Way.”