Agenda and draft minutes

Cllr Amanda De Ryk, Cllr Kevin Bonavia and Cllr Gareth Siddorn welcomed everyone to the Blackheath Assembly.

Simon Moss told the assembly that Lewisham Station is in the MTS as one of four strategic interchanges in London. It is also key to the south-eastern rail network and all the franchise bidders are looking at Lewisham and have met with the Council.

NR, GLA, TFL are working together on the station.

Lewisham Station is under pressure but trains have kept up with demand, e.g. longer trains.

The Thameslink programme completes this year when the Elizabeth Line opens, that will provide some relief to the Lewisham network.

There will be new DLR trains by 2022 with 23% more capacity. There are also plans (unfunded) to increase frequency to 30 trains per hour – that’s over 6000 additional passengers per hour.

Rail re-franchising provides opportunities but also some uncertainty.

There is potential to possibly unlock train capacity by simplifying the network.

There are Overground proposals for an interchange at Brockley, this will provide a much better link to the Overground network, which will see a 50% increase in capacity.

The main challenge is internal station capacity with more developments, potentially more services stopping at Lewisham, and more interchange with DLR (and BLE).

Lewisham is a priority for Network Rail - they are actively working up proposals for interim station improvements.   We do expect funding to be awarded during CP6 (2019-2024). 

Could vary in scale – as a minimum Network Rail will be looking to increase platform widths. 

Aspiration is to do much more, and to address some of the other flaws of the current interchange.  In particular improving access from the surrounding area. 

Development in Lewisham can only strengthen the case for improving Lewisham Station, as well as helping to provide funding. 

Working with TfL & NR on proposals for the station, both for BLE and in the interim.

Improved station access from the north is essential in the Bakerloo Line scenario but also right now.

Making the case strenuously with SE to re-open the ramp to Platform 4 (the challenge for the operator is revenue protection and changes to internal capacity).

Presented some images from the joint work with TfL and NR looking at more aspirational improvements that could be delivered with BLE.

Fielded questions related to the impact and funding from neighbouring developments; pressure at the exit to platform 3, drop-off and pick-up at the station, the likelihood of the full station improvements being delivered.

Karin Barthel - Senior Joint Commissioning Manager Adult Mental Health, Rebecca Packwood - CEO Age Exchange, and Lucy Formolli -  LBL Cultural Lead for Older People gave two presentations to the assembly. For copies of the presentation contact paul.gale@lewisham.gov.uk.

Cllr De Ryk told the meeting that the Council has recently upgraded the way that it deals with recycling and waste following the government target 50% for recyclable waste by 2020. Lewisham has a partnership with SELCHP with our waste being incinerated into energy. Last October the new food waste system with caddys was rolled out to 80,000 curb-side properties. As a result of this food collection increased by 196% in the first month and then by a further 13% the following month. The aim is get towards recycling 50% of waste. Already we have seen black bin waste decrease as we recycle more, this is very positive with 15% less waste sent to incineration. There have been some issues with the new collections, but things are getting better. If you are aware of any issues please do contact us. We cannot roll out food collections for flats / non curb-side properties as of yet, but we will do once the new system is properly up and running.

Cllr De Ryk and Cllr Bonavia told the assembly that Cllr Siddorn will not be standing in the forthcoming election. The assembly thanked Gareth for all his hard work on behalf of the assembly and wished him all the best for the future.