Developments in Thamesmead

Erith & Thamesmead MP, Teresa Pearce recently hosted Trust Thamesmead’s quarterly Community Voice meeting held at The Link Thamesmead which attracted a number of important and influential partners, speakers from Transport for London, Crossrail and the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Community members also attended, giving them the opportunity to hear about future plans and discuss issues that matter to them.

With £85m being spent on regeneration in South Thamesmead, Crossrail extending to the area and talks of a new river crossing, it is clear Thamesmead is a community in a state of transition.

Erith & Thamesmead MP, Teresa Pearce said: “It is essential that they (Thamesmead residents) are at the forefront of shaping change, and that local voices are not lost during this time.”

Trust Thamesmead’s Community Development Officer, Alex Forrester added: “We would like to thank everyone who attended Community Voice; Teresa Pearce MP for hosting, our speakers and residents too. It enabled them to communicate with each other and for residents to hear first-hand about the work, as well as what is being done by organisations to support both residents and local businesses during this time and in the future.”

Richard Storer, Area Communications Officer, Crossrail highlighted key dates:
• October 2014, an interim station will open at Abbey Wood station which will be situated where the derelict car park is
• November 2014, the main station will be demolished and reconstruction commences to be completed in April 2017
• Late 2018 Crossrail services begin

Clive Evennett, Local Bus Operations Area Manager for Transport for London spoke about his role and how Teresa Pearce MP is working with local groups to help secure an extended bus route in North Thamesmead.

Simon Whalley, Head of External Affairs at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry spoke about the need to keep South East London connected to the East and the rest of London post-Olympic period to ensure that South East London is benefitting from the investment that is happening. He also spoke about the ‘Build the Bridge Campaign’ stating there are only two road crossings east of Tower Bridge but 22 to the west and how a bridge connecting Thamesmead to Beckton would benefit the community as it would be open 24/7, 365 days a year unlike the current ferry which closes during bad weather and on Christmas day.

It was stated London Wildlife Trust in partnership with Trust Thamesmead and Gallions Housing Association will be opening Thamesmead’s nature reserve, Tump53 in April after a successful £50k People’s Millions grant which was secured in November. This will give resident’s regular access to local wildlife and local schools an educational resource.

Whilst Business Parter, Murray Smith of Untitled Practice spoke about the Lesnes to Crossness project which is a part of the London Mayor’s Big Green Fund initiative. Plans include improvements to local amenities, play spaces, community food growing and orchards, as well as access to green open spaces and better signage running from Lesnes Abbey through to Crossness Pumping Stations and the River Thames. Consultation for Lesnes to Crossness has already started with works beginning in November 2014 and being completed by March 2015.

Trust Thamesmead would like to hear from Thamesmead residents and businesses regarding topics of interest for future meetings and those who would like to join steering groups in their areas. Interested parties should contact Alex, T: 020 8320 4470 or
E: [email protected]