Some further feedback from council officers regarding the EdF/National Grid roadworks in the West End Lane area:
Council officers met with the representatives from EdF are now confined to works in Lymington Road and the junction of Sumatra Road building link boxes.
National Grid were experiencing delays due to the excavation works over the bridge decks and these have resulted in periods where no works were being undertaken. This, when observed, can lead to the perception that the contractors are "sitting around", just not working. In addition, they have found unregulated supplies which needed to be dealt with, which also slowed progress.
Council officers have spoken with the works supervisor and he will be pressing the gang to progress the works as quickly as possible. The works are still expected to be completed around mid September.
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
New post at Hampstead Theatre - Creative Learning Practitioner
As a Camden Council observer on Hampstead Theatre's board, I am passing on details of this job opportunity at Hampstead Theatre:
CREATIVE LEARNING PRACTITIONER
Hampstead Theatre seeks a creative and inspiring Creative Learning Practitioner for a full time position in the Creative Learning Department.
Our Creative Learning programme is a thriving part of Hampstead Theatre's work. We aim to celebrate all aspects of the creative process in ways which support learning and bring the theatre's programme to new people.
We work with a diverse range of participants including young people, community groups, vulnerable adults and at-risk groups.
We’re looking for a dynamic practitioner with substantial experience of leading community or education theatre projects with children and young people.
This is a fixed-term post until 2 April 2011 with the ambition to renew subject to funding.
Please note that because this post will involve working with children and young people, the successful candidate will be required to complete a CRB Enhanced Disclosure.
For further information, please download the application pack from www.hampsteadtheatre.com/jobs or request via email from jobs@hampsteadtheatre.com.
Closing date for applications: 5pm on Monday 13 September 2010
Applications are welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, religion, culture, age or background.
CREATIVE LEARNING PRACTITIONER
Hampstead Theatre seeks a creative and inspiring Creative Learning Practitioner for a full time position in the Creative Learning Department.
Our Creative Learning programme is a thriving part of Hampstead Theatre's work. We aim to celebrate all aspects of the creative process in ways which support learning and bring the theatre's programme to new people.
We work with a diverse range of participants including young people, community groups, vulnerable adults and at-risk groups.
We’re looking for a dynamic practitioner with substantial experience of leading community or education theatre projects with children and young people.
This is a fixed-term post until 2 April 2011 with the ambition to renew subject to funding.
Please note that because this post will involve working with children and young people, the successful candidate will be required to complete a CRB Enhanced Disclosure.
For further information, please download the application pack from www.hampsteadtheatre.com/jobs or request via email from jobs@hampsteadtheatre.com.
Closing date for applications: 5pm on Monday 13 September 2010
Applications are welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, religion, culture, age or background.
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Barrow Hill reservoir site: new housing proposals
A year or so ago a planning application for this site on the edge of Primrose Hill was turned down by Camden planners. Subsequently the developer went bust.
New owners, who have no connection with the previous applicants, are now preparing proposals to redevelop the site, which is one of about 26 sites identified for new housing in Camden's UDP and new Local Development Framework.
The new developers are holding an exhibition to outline the proposals and get feedback from residents, before a planning application is submitted.
The exhibition will take place on 3rd September 4.30pm – 7.30pm and 4th September 10am – 1pm at St Christina’s School, St Edmunds Terrace.
Cllr Don Williams, who is not a member of the Development Control Committee, unlike Cllrs Roger Freeman and Andrew Marshall, will help ensure that residents views are fully represented when this planning application comes forward.
Quite separately, we understand that Thames Water are planning to expand the actual Barrow Hill reservoir to the north of the housing site. This would apparently involve deepening the reservoir so that it was able to play a bigger role in the London ring main. We have asked Thames Water for some information on this in terms of timing, their plans to consult and inform nearby residents etc. When we know more we'll let people know.
New owners, who have no connection with the previous applicants, are now preparing proposals to redevelop the site, which is one of about 26 sites identified for new housing in Camden's UDP and new Local Development Framework.
The new developers are holding an exhibition to outline the proposals and get feedback from residents, before a planning application is submitted.
The exhibition will take place on 3rd September 4.30pm – 7.30pm and 4th September 10am – 1pm at St Christina’s School, St Edmunds Terrace.
Cllr Don Williams, who is not a member of the Development Control Committee, unlike Cllrs Roger Freeman and Andrew Marshall, will help ensure that residents views are fully represented when this planning application comes forward.
Quite separately, we understand that Thames Water are planning to expand the actual Barrow Hill reservoir to the north of the housing site. This would apparently involve deepening the reservoir so that it was able to play a bigger role in the London ring main. We have asked Thames Water for some information on this in terms of timing, their plans to consult and inform nearby residents etc. When we know more we'll let people know.
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
West End Lane update on roadworks, streetscape and Thameslink station upgrade
A couple of people asked me about progress on the various things happening on West End Lane, and council officers have provided the following information. Some delays but things still broadly on track, a sensible Council decision on the Iverson Rd raised platform, and some potential changes to the station upgrade due to costs that are difficult to fully assess:
West Hampstead Thameslink Station Upgrade - As part of Network Rail’s Thameslink project for the upgrading and expansion of the network, there are several initiatives planned at West Hampstead Station. These include platform lengthening to accommodate 12 carriage trains, a new pedestrian bridge with step free access linking to a new station building on Iverson Road and a new public space between West End Lane and the station building. In December 2009, the Council gave Prior Approval (a form of planning permission) to Network Rail for the station building and public space.
Network Rail recently informed the Council that they are reviewing the detailed design of the proposals to examine potential efficiency savings. However, there are no plans to make fundamental changes to the station building size, public realm, access or station functionality. However given the current economic climate Network Rail have told us that they need to demonstrate best value for money across all projects and have identified ways to reduce cost through adapting the design and construction methods to best suit operational requirements. Network Rail is required to resubmit their Prior Approval before these changes are considered by the Council. Our Planning section is expecting a Prior Approval application in the next two weeks. We are anticipating a three week period for the public to comment on the proposals before a decision is made by Camden.
West Hampstead Interchange Streetscape Project - The project led by Camden Council aims to improve the public realm on West End Lane and Iverson Road as well as providing a streetscape design which could be applied to the wider West Hampstead Town Centre if funding is secured.
Following the detailed design of the project, Council transport policy officers have held detailed discussions with the Council’s Highways Management Team about the project currently being undertaken by utilities and the need to coordinate our works to ensure minimum impact of the works on traffic. We have agreed to start our works after the completion of the utility works hence our public realm improvements are due to start in mid September 2010.
As a result of our detailed design, it has been necessary to make a minor change to the Iverson Road raised table pedestrian crossing. This was originally proposed to be laid with granite setts. However, our detailed design showed that constructing the table in granite would have required Iverson Road to be closed for eight weeks (laying granite setts is very time consuming and requires significant time for the mortar to set). We did not feel that it was acceptable to disrupt traffic for this extended period and therefore we looked at various options to reduce the length of construction. As a result, we are now proposing to construct the raised table out of asphalt with granite setts on the ramps. Constructing the raised table out of asphalt would only take four weeks which we feel is a more reasonable time for the road to be closed. There would also be a small reduction in cost which is likely to be used to upgrade some sections of poor footways north of Sumatra Road.
National Grid roadworks - National Grid are still undertaking their replacement works and progress has not been as quick as expected. The works are due for completion in mid September, about two weeks later than originally planned.
Council transport officers have been meeting the supervisor for the recent EdF Energy works tomorrow to establish further realistic timescales, and the reasons behind the slower progress, and will be updating councillors afterwards.
West Hampstead Thameslink Station Upgrade - As part of Network Rail’s Thameslink project for the upgrading and expansion of the network, there are several initiatives planned at West Hampstead Station. These include platform lengthening to accommodate 12 carriage trains, a new pedestrian bridge with step free access linking to a new station building on Iverson Road and a new public space between West End Lane and the station building. In December 2009, the Council gave Prior Approval (a form of planning permission) to Network Rail for the station building and public space.
Network Rail recently informed the Council that they are reviewing the detailed design of the proposals to examine potential efficiency savings. However, there are no plans to make fundamental changes to the station building size, public realm, access or station functionality. However given the current economic climate Network Rail have told us that they need to demonstrate best value for money across all projects and have identified ways to reduce cost through adapting the design and construction methods to best suit operational requirements. Network Rail is required to resubmit their Prior Approval before these changes are considered by the Council. Our Planning section is expecting a Prior Approval application in the next two weeks. We are anticipating a three week period for the public to comment on the proposals before a decision is made by Camden.
West Hampstead Interchange Streetscape Project - The project led by Camden Council aims to improve the public realm on West End Lane and Iverson Road as well as providing a streetscape design which could be applied to the wider West Hampstead Town Centre if funding is secured.
Following the detailed design of the project, Council transport policy officers have held detailed discussions with the Council’s Highways Management Team about the project currently being undertaken by utilities and the need to coordinate our works to ensure minimum impact of the works on traffic. We have agreed to start our works after the completion of the utility works hence our public realm improvements are due to start in mid September 2010.
As a result of our detailed design, it has been necessary to make a minor change to the Iverson Road raised table pedestrian crossing. This was originally proposed to be laid with granite setts. However, our detailed design showed that constructing the table in granite would have required Iverson Road to be closed for eight weeks (laying granite setts is very time consuming and requires significant time for the mortar to set). We did not feel that it was acceptable to disrupt traffic for this extended period and therefore we looked at various options to reduce the length of construction. As a result, we are now proposing to construct the raised table out of asphalt with granite setts on the ramps. Constructing the raised table out of asphalt would only take four weeks which we feel is a more reasonable time for the road to be closed. There would also be a small reduction in cost which is likely to be used to upgrade some sections of poor footways north of Sumatra Road.
National Grid roadworks - National Grid are still undertaking their replacement works and progress has not been as quick as expected. The works are due for completion in mid September, about two weeks later than originally planned.
Council transport officers have been meeting the supervisor for the recent EdF Energy works tomorrow to establish further realistic timescales, and the reasons behind the slower progress, and will be updating councillors afterwards.
Friday, 6 August 2010
Very encouraging news for the UCL Academy
If this Paul Waugh story in the Standard is right and confirmed on Monday, this looks like good news for the UCL Academy getting its funding.
Good decision by DC Committee to give planning permission, the committee did agree extra conditions and what's really important is that the Community Consultation Group being set up is engaged in how all of the conditions are enforced over the long term, not just the pure construction related ones.
Good decision by DC Committee to give planning permission, the committee did agree extra conditions and what's really important is that the Community Consultation Group being set up is engaged in how all of the conditions are enforced over the long term, not just the pure construction related ones.
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