Gripe of the Month - IT JUST GOT WORSE!

Our last gripe chronicled the four chaotic months it took to remove the old Cobbs Corner roundabout and replace it with a tiled eyesore. Not only was it an eysore - but it made a difficult junction more dangerous and the island was almost demolished by vehicles unable to avoid it.

The drivers' fault said Lewisham. Hmmmm.

Well - because the original work over ran by several months - it all got tangled up with Transco's re-piping of Sydenham gas. Nevertheless Lewisham repaired the roundabout to have it torn apart within a couple of weeks by Transco's diggers - see below with the tiles piled on top - they have now disappeared altogther.

So all our money and four months of disruption to our busiest junction with consequent losses to business and wasted time has been for nought. It is now nine months down the road and the situation is worse than ever. Kirkdale is half closed, Lawrie Park Road is closed*, Sydenham Road and Westwood Hill are one way alternate working through traffic lights and public transport is all over the place.

How long will Transco take to sort their bit? And will Lewisham take another four months to rebuild the tiled roundabout? Or is somebody going to start consulting with the forgotten residents and businesses of Sydenham?

We suffered enough a few years ago when Lewisham took nearly a year to 'improve' the main shopping centre with railings, traffic lights and restrictions. In one stroke it removed the bus/train interchange, lengthened vehicle journeys, made it more difficult to cross the road and dangerous to cycle.

I remember a Lewisham representative declaring it a success. It should be the people of Sydenham who decide that. Please give us your feedback.

Just in case you forgot what was there...

The view from Lawrie Park Road looking towards The Greyhound showing the one way working.
Oh and why do they stop traffic turning left in to Lawrie Park?