Where's my cherry blossom tree

[syd]

Morning all,

Does anyone know if Lewisham is replacing the cherry blossom tree at the corner of Sydenham Rd and Kent House Road. or is it going to be left as a wind swept slab of grey concrete?

When I see the improvements of the rest of the borough I can't help but think that Sydenham is backside of the borough. And why did we need Paddy Power bloated lazy labour council should be ashamed.

[Rachael]

What happened to the tree and when?

[Rachael]

I suggest asking Lewisham directly. They probably have a policy on this. However, bear in mind that trees won't be planted at this time of year. If they are going to replace them, it will be done in the autumn, which is the optimal time for successful planting.

[sparticus]

Local councils have very limited scope to prevent a proliferation of betting shops on high streets. Legislation passed by the last labour government, to its eternal shame, is responsible. Of course, the current lot are unlikely to return powers to local authorities over planning or interfere with their friends in the betting industry in the same way they have caved in to the drinks and tobacco giants.

[sparticus]

Local councils have very limited scope to prevent a proliferation of betting shops on high streets. Legislation passed by the last labour government, to its eternal shame, is responsible. Of course, the current lot are unlikely to return powers to local authorities over planning or interfere with their friends in the betting industry in the same way they have caved in to the drinks and tobacco giants.

[Fairlawner]

Hi,

Yes i to was pretty upset to see the lovely blossom tree felled and am equally concerned about the lack of replacement tree areas in the new concrete wasteland. Please don't get me wrong, I am more then happy to see the pavement upgraded, but the whole area needs to be softened by trees and plants.

I am currently in discussion with John Thompson at Lewisham council about a tree on Fairlawn Park that was removed over a year a go. this is now awaiting replacement, but with the latest weather, has been put back. I will email him regarding the corner and see if there are plans to put trees back here too.

[syd]

Thanks. that corner looks so grim but at least the newsagents have no where to put their rubbish

[Fairlawner]

So, it looks as though we are due three new trees by the holes that have been cut into the concrete. Fingers crossed they survive the local kids.

[marymck]

Do you know what trees they will be? I hope they'll have some blossom. Blossom makes even the grimmest corner look happy. I don't know what flavour the syd road trees are. They weren't doing much when I saw them on Thursday, but I don't think anyone local had a say in what trees we would have. Here's hoping they surprise us with a burst of blousy blossom.

[syd]

Well it seem the lovely council have decided to fill in those tree hole with concrete. I knew it was too good to be true. Windswept concrete is just what that corner needed!

[sarahsyd]

We are in Wiverton Road (part Lewisham, part Bromley Council), and have lost 4 trees in the past 18 months.

I was told by someone at Bromley that, due to budget constraints, the council were not currently replacing trees but may do so in the future.
He mentioned that residents associations could organise the planting of new trees to replace those felled by the council.

[gerispringer]

Time for some guerrilla gardening?

[syd]

I take it all back.Lewsiham has done us proud by planting four trees. If anyone can Identify them I'd be happy to know. Does the council have a team that read this forum?

[admin]

Does the council have a team that read this forum?

I am reliably informed it is the highlight of their day

Admin

[leenewham]

Hello Council,

can we have new bins for Sydenham Road and Kirkdale please rather than the horrible old blue plastic ones that still exist. They should, ideally be bespoke to the the area rather than the borough wide strategy you currently employ. This was promised as part of the high street refurb when I spoke to officers.

Could we also have an updated playground in Home Park. The current one is woeful and a lot of the schools and nurseries use it. We also need to fence in the outdoor gym, benches and make the children's play area bigger without one fence as there is a problem with dogs.Everyone I've spoken to in the park agrees.

Thankyou.

P.S. Thanks for the replaced tree in Fairlawn Park and support for the new public square in front of Sydenham Library.

[marymck]

Just out of interest Lee,why do you think the outdoor gym needs to be fenced in? I like that it's invitational to all. Unlike the play area that only children are allowed in. I loved the fact that anyone can use the gym. I just wish there were swings and other playground stuff in all parks that wasn't age discriminate.

[leenewham]

To be honest Mary, it's not essential. There are a lot of people who walk dogs in Home park and unfortunately just let them do their business wherever without clearing up after them. The gym is used by many people of all ages at different times of the day. In the morning it's generally used by the joggers who go around the park. At other times it's used by parents who exercise and their kids play in the playground. Sometimes it's used by the kids who use the playground.

I think it makes sense to keep it all together to keep the dogs out, make it feel safer, especially for parents who use both. Most of the signs on the equipment are missing as they have been broken and the unofficial path that goes from the Library through to Winchfield road (the shortest, straightest, most direct route) cuts right through the gym.

At the very least it's worth looking into. In the rather excellent playground in Norwood Park (these best around here for kids of all ages, by far) the outdoor gym is fenced in but separate. In the Alexandra Recreation Ground playground (which is also fantastic) the fenced in area which is dog free, is large and the playground and other areas are enjoyed by younger and older kids, some kick a ball around, some play on the equipment. All ages play together, which is nice.

That's the rational. We go to a lot of different playgrounds with our son. He's not that fond of Home Park and Glendales took ages to fix both sets of swings. The rubber impact matting is in poor condition and it's VERY rough and uneven and easy to trip on. If kids fall on it it results in nasty scratches.

But the council have told me that they are open to crowd funding for the playground. So there is hope.

[marymck]

I understand now, Lee. Thanks for the comprehensive explanation.