Revised bin collection dates

The Triangle’s next collection is on Wednesday, December 30th and the first one of the New Year is on Tuesday, January 5th. 

Triangle History Team update

Barbara Reid writes: 

It has been a long time since we have been able to meet at the Ash and it’s likely to be some time before we can gather again so I am organising a Zoom meeting on Wednesday 20 January at 7.30. The meeting will last approximately one hour. A link to the meeting will be sent nearer the time. 

I will be giving a short talk on the history of the Roan Schools in Greenwich and Mick Delap will give an update on the Creek. 

Some of our ideas/plans have had to be put on hold but we can discuss where we are at. 

Tunnel update

Work at the Greenwich Pumping Station site has progressed well this past year.

They have successfully launched Tunnel Boring Machine Annie and are now on their way to creating the 4.5km Greenwich connection tunnel, from Greenwich Pumping Station to Chambers Wharf in Bermondsey.  Annie has already successfully tunnelled through 4.5m of ground and built 5 rings, as pictured below.

The site is now closed and will restart on 4 January 2021.

Site security staff and CCTV will remain in operation, as will the 24-hour Tideway Helpdesk, which you can contact to speak to a member of the team, sign up for email updates from the site or find out about community liaison working group meetings. 

In the new year they will continue tunnelling throughout 2021.

What “Tier 4” means

Children’s walks cancelled

Due to the introduction of Tier 4 Covid-19 rules, Greenwich Tour Guides have very regrettably been obliged to cancel their festive celebration themed walks.
Greenwich guides apologise for any disappointment caused.

COVID-19 Vaccine in Greenwich

The first phase of the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme has begun in Greenwich with the first vaccinations provided this week.

 The COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccine is safe and effective and gives the best protection against coronavirus.

The NHS will be in touch when it's your turn to be vaccinated. Please help us by not contacting your GP surgery or other NHS service asking for the vaccination.

 This is a long-term vaccination programme and it will likely take until at least Spring before all high-risk groups have been offered a COVID-19 vaccine. When you are contacted and offered the vaccination, please attend your booked appointment.

In the meantime; remember to continue to follow the recommended guidance including

•  regularly washing your hands,
•  wearing a mask
•  keeping a safe distance.

 Help us control the virus and save lives.

Find out more about the COVID-19 Vaccine at selondonccg.nhs.uk

Car crime in the Triangle

A reminder has come from the local Safer Neighbourhood police officers following a spate of local car break ins. Please ensure that cars are locked and that no valuables are on display (ideally remove them from the vehicle). If anyone has any images of people acting suspiciously over recent nights, please share with the police.

Claire

ATA Security

CANCELLED Hugely popular children's walks in Greenwich return

UPDATE

Due to the introduction of Tier 4 Covid-19 rules, Greenwich Tour Guides have very regrettably been obliged to cancel their festive celebration themed walks.

Greenwich guides apologise for any disappointment caused.

The official Greenwich tour guides children's walks that proved so popular at half-term are back over the Christmas and New Year period. They are running on selected days special walks under the theme Festive Celebrations.

Details of the walks can be found here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/132310049921 on Eventbrite where bookings can be made (up to a max of six people - including free children's places - due to new Covid Tier 3 rules).

Doorstep Charity Collections

A resident has reported callers at his door claiming to be raising money for GOSH for a child’s operation. 

It is difficult for the charity to confirm if he is genuine without knowing further details so we would advise residents if they are unsure then not to donate any money on the doorstep.  If someone does return then you could ask if they are happy to confirm name and postcode so that the charity could check their records for any fundraisers that they are aware of or if they have a fundraising page that is automatically linked to GOSH Charity so that all donations would go straight to the charity.  Residents can also make donations online via charity websites to reassure them that their donation is going to the correct place.

If you do have any concerns that this may be a scam then we would also recommend contacting the local police to register this with them.

Claire 

ATA Security 

Announcing the Greenwich Community Hub

Greenwich Community Hub

During the pandemic, it has become even more important to share and understand information about the virus to protect residents across the borough. The Community Champions initiative, run in partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the NHS, aims to co-ordinate efforts in sharing good advice and correct information so you can protect yourselves and your families. We will be sharing this information with you a few times a week. Please share it amongst your networks, family and friends.

Sara & Lysanne
 

 

If you can’t go out and don’t have any family, friends or neighbours around to talk to or help, then contact the Greenwich Community Hub.

The Community Hub has helped thousands of people during the pandemic and is still here for you. Get support around accessing food, money issues, housing issues, staying warm in winter, healthy mind and body, social activities, volunteering, training and employment, and more.

Call 0800 470 4831 to talk to a friendly advisor today. Open Monday - Saturday, 8am – 6.30pm.

 

Greenwich Community Hub Christmas Opening Hours

The Ash is back!

The Christmas tree is up, the logs are on the fire, they've remodelled the back garden and there's a new outside heater. All service under Tier 2 rules.

Opening times:

Tuesday - Friday 4.30pm - 11pm

Saturday 1pm - 11pm

Sunday 1pm - 10.30pm

Book a table on 020 8355 5141

COVID Lockdown Breaches

Police had to disperse a large scale gathering in Greenwich Town Centre at the weekend which breached COVID regulations.

Greenwich West SNT will continue to patrol the area and will work with licensing and the council.

If you are aware of any further incidents likely to take place or have any views on this incident or other breaches in the town centre please contact the local police via  WestGreenwich.SNT@met.police.uk.

Many thanks, 

Claire, ATA Security

Advent Windows

Each year St Alfege Church in Greenwich organises its Advent Windows, which is now a beloved Christmas tradition and is in its 14th year. This year’s theme is “Near & Far.” Read more about it here. 

Shops, homes, schools and pubs use their imagination and artistry to produce the living Advent Calendar. A newly decorated window will be revealed, or “opened”, on each day of Advent (1st to 24th December) in different parts of Greenwich. A variety of media will be used, including paper art, models, light installations and paintings.

Once all 24 Advent Windows have been opened, seeing all of them usually takes around 3 hours on foot. You can view a programme of the window locations, or read about the window openings after each event on their website here. A summary of the window openings for the current day can be found under “Today’s Window”. 

The windows will stay up until Sunday, 3 January 2021.

Thames Tideway Tunnel update

Tideway are starting up Annie, the Tunnel Boring Machine, next week.  This is a big moment for all the Thames Tideway Tunnel team, but it will mean more lorry traffic to take the muck away – an extra 30 lorries a day to start with.  Related lorry traffic will gradually grow next year,  until it reaches a peak of 80 lorries over summer 2021 – and on into Spring 2022,  which is when they will complete the Greenwich Connection Tunnel.

More details on this work can be found here

Royal Park consultation open

Consultation for the individual Movement Strategy trial projects is now open. To provide feedback on any of the five trial projects, please fill out the Royal Parks' survey.

This formal consultation will gather feedback from park visitors, residents and stakeholders. Through the six-month project period, Royal Parks are also collating park stakeholder feedback, and undertaking an evaluation of the external implications of the trials in partnership with relevant transport authorities (eg. TfL and local boroughs).

At the end of the trial in February 2021 Royal Parks will determine if they should extend, alter, make permanent or revoke the trial.

The Royal Parks' Movement Strategy sets a coherent framework to help shape and inform the policies relating to how park visitors can access, experience and move within the parks.

To give your thoughts please complete the survey by 10 January 2021 or email movement.strategy@royalparks.org.uk.

History Hub update

From Barbara Reid:

It’s a long time since our last History Hub meeting and it’s likely to be some time before we can meet again (one day we will!) at The Ash. Until then I’m hoping that we can meet via Zoom this winter. I’d like the meeting to include a talk and am in touch with a couple of possible speakers. I’ll email again when I have something organised. 

In the meantime you might be interested in catching the next two sessions of Greenwich in 50 objects, developed by professional storyteller Richard Sylvester in partnership with Royal Museums Greenwich. It’s on Tuesday evenings 7.00 - 8.00pm and here’s a link for more information:

https://www.rmg.co.uk/see-do/exhibitions-events/greenwich-50-objects

Richard is working on a wider History of Greenwich in 100 object project (independent of Royal Museums Greenwich) and has set up a website: https://www.hogblog.org

If you are stuck for something to watch I can recommend the Layers of London webinars. They are all available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKSICy8FIDCKV0uVifb0sqw

Parcel delivery thefts

There are reports of a number of parcel robberies in the Triangle. These are occurring quite brazenly at all times of day and appears to be by individual(s) who scope to see if anybody is watching or visible, and take the parcel from the doorstep.
If you are expecting a regular delivery (grocery, flowers etc) please try to collect this from your doorstep quickly. If you are making an online purchase and find that you will not be in for delivery, please think to contact a neighbour to take it in for you. Some companies (e.g. Amazon) also offer drop off hubs, e.g. local shops, who will hold the delivery securely until you collect with ID.
If you notice a neighbour’s delivery outside for an extended period, perhaps think of contacting them or taking it in for safe keeping.
If you do have any CCTV or doorbell footage please send to the security email: ata.secureteam@gmail.com.

Claire, ATA security

Protecting yourself online

As we spend more time at home and on our online devices, over one third (34%) of people say that they’re more concerned about cybercrime than physical crime and a startling 1 in 5 people are a victim of cybercrime!* You could be more at risk than you might think.

If strengthening your passwords is something you keep putting off, or you feel overwhelmed by the sea of online security information, you’re not alone.

As part of the Cyberhood Watch initiative, launched in 2019 in partnership with Avast, they have launched a PROTECT YOUR Pa$$W0Rd campaign that targets both the overwhelmed and complacent, providing everyone with 3 easy steps to be more secure online.

PROTECT YOUR Pa$$W0Rd in 3 easy steps

1. Create a separate password for your email account
2. Use 3 random words
3. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)

To find out more about how to do each step please visit the Password Protection website.

Safer Neighbourhood November update

The Greenwich West Safer Neighbourhoods Panel met by conference call on Tuesday 3rd November. Below is a summary of that meeting: 

Within the Triangle 

• Drug dealing in Plymouth House and Barnstaple House – new locks have been put in which have prevented suspects entering so situation has improved, but area continues to be patrolled. 
• Thefts of parcels from communal areas of flats have been reported. Officer has contacted all delivery companies to remind of responsible delivery. 
• Vehicle crime continues in the Triangle particularly theft from vehicles. Various CCTV has captured individuals prowling the Triangle trying all car doors to gain access, usually between 1-3am. If you do actually see this happening please call 999 immediately. Please continue to ensure that you leave nothing of value your car and ensure that it is locked securely.  

The North Pole 

• There was an incident at North Pole at approx 10pm on the evening before second lockdown (November 4th). The incident is being investigated by CID and the Licensing Team. If you have any CCTV footage or information that you think would be relevant, please send this on to the police. 

Greenwich Town centre 

• Social distancing concerns – please remember distancing rules when in the more congested town centre. Police have been actively reminding residents and visitors. This is particularly relevant during the period of the second lockdown.
• In recent months there has been a large number of bicycle thefts from streets and outhouses, as reported in the last Safer Neighbourhood panel meeting. Three arrests have been made and, since then, the situation has improved. Please however ensure that bicycles are kept in secure locations and use good quality locks.  
• Anti social behaviour (ASB) on The Point has been less of an issue due to wet weather. However, the police continuously patrol and have carried out frequent stop and searches. They will continue to monitor the area.  
• In addition, the theft of vegetable boxes has been reported locally. Please try to move these inside as soon as possible. 

Claire  ATA Security / Police Liaison  

Email: ata.secureteam@gmail.com 

Emergency dial 999  

Non-Emergency dial 101  

Greenwich Safer Neighbourhood Team: 020 8284 5494 (not 24 hour)  

Email: westgreenwich.snt@met.police.uk 

Update on the Thames Tideway project

Mick Delap has written an update for those interested in the ongoing Thames Tideway project. You can read it here.

Have a safe, sustainable and happy Halloween this weekend

From Royal Greenwich Council: 

There's no denying it, this Halloween is going to be very different to Halloweens we've had in the past. But, that doesn't mean we can't still have lots of fun!

Unfortunately trick or treating is not allowed this year - but there's a great alternative way to go on a spooky adventure. Rather than knock on people's doors (which would break social distancing rules), why not go on a pumpkin hunt instead? People in the area are bound to have pumpkins in their windows, so set off with the children you care for in groups of no more than six people in your bubble, and for every pumpkin you spot, you can give the little ones a treat!

Send the Council pictures of your Halloween celebrations, or tag them on social media @royal_greenwich and using the hashtag #GreenwichHalloween.

Find out here how to reuse your pumpkins and household items to make the spookiest night of the year even spookier... 

Gardening this Saturday

Our gardening volunteers will be planting up a small but prominent flower bed in Catherine Grove on Saturday, October 24th, meeting up at 10am. Please come and help if you can. It's unlikely that there will be more than six people, but if there are some can work in other parts of the garden.

Half term fun

The Greenwich Tour Guides are offering 45 minute to 1 hour fun and informative walks from Monday 26th - Thursday 29th October at 10.30am and 2pm.
Hear about a witch who inspired a record-breaking tea clipper, a naval hero who saved Britain from invasion, a notorious king who had two of his six wives executed, and much more.
Ideal for keeping even the grown-ups engaged and entertained.
Walks start from the Cutty Sark bow and end at the National Maritime Museum.
Please book tickets (Adults £12; children 12-16 £6; children under 12 FREE) through Eventbrite  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heroes-and-villains-of-greenwich-tickets-123505272595?ref=eios

Vehicle theft in the Triangle

In the last few days there have been two reported incidents of vehicle crime within the triangle. A white LandRover discovery (67 reg) sport has been reported stolen at some point between Friday night (9 October) and Sunday afternoon (11 October) from the Blackheath Hill end of Egerton Drive. It has been reported to police. If anybody has any CCTV or cameras pointed in this direction please could you check them.
In addition, a motorbike was stolen from Devonshire Drive in the early hours of Saturday morning. The police have been informed and neighbours got images of the thieves.
Please could all residents remain vigilant to vehicle crime and ensure that vehicles are locked and that no items of value are on show. Many thanks to those residents who were able to capture footage of the motorbike incident and who reported this promptly to the police.
Claire, ATA Security

How to give feedback on the traffic management changes in West Greenwich

As most of you will be aware, Greenwich Council are attempting to address the concerns of excessive and dangerous traffic in West Greenwich by reducing through-traffic on our residential streets using modal filters. Although the Triangle roads are not directly affected, the changes to access routes have inevitably provoked much discussion. 

The Council are also implementing new strategic cycle routes in the borough, notably on Trafalgar Road in East Greenwich.

You can give feedback on the trial measures implemented so far on the Council's website here: https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/xfp/form/549 

London COVID-19 update

Please see below a message from the Metropolitan Police in response to the recent changes in COVID-19 regulations.

We’re calling on all Londoners to act responsibly and follow the rules to stop the virus spreading #Covid19

The rise in the spread of the virus should concern us all, and it should be everyone’s priority to drive these numbers down - personal choices will matter in the weeks and months to come.

We are stepping up patrols and we will proactively work with businesses, licensing authorities and local authorities to ensure the rules are being followed.

Anyone who chooses to flout the rules, and are consciously making decisions which put lives at risk should expect to have enforcement action taken against them.

Claire, ATA security

Attempted car thefts in Egerton Drive

Video has been taken of an individual trying door handles in Egerton Drive at approx 3am Thursday morning. Description: tall slim white male with dark hair.
Please ensure your vehicle is locked and that no valuables are on display.
Claire, ATA Security

CCTV and video doorbell register

A new initiative to improve the security and safety of our neighbourhood is being launched. 

The new register will be held on a secure database and will have details of the residents with CCTV or video doorbells. The purpose will be to assist police and council when they are investigating crimes. 

If you have CCTV or a video doorbell, it might be worth considering signing up. Please see the link below.

https://www.neighbourhoodalert.co.uk/da/337226/Would_you_like_to_be_part_of_a_new_CCTV_register_for_Greenwich_.html

Catalytic converter theft

The precious metal in catalytic converters has led to an increase in their theft reported in local areas. To keep yours safe ask your car dealer if they can give you any advice on locks or guards that are approved by the vehicle manufacturer.

Alternatively, try to make sure your vehicle is parked in a garage overnight, or if you have a commercial vehicle park it in a secure compound. If this isn’t possible, park in an area that’s well-lit and overlooked and try to park so that the convertor can’t be easily reached by potential thieves. Vehicles that sit high above the road are particularly vulnerable.

You should also register your converter and mark it with a forensic marker, which will make it harder for thieves to dispose of. Visit Secured by Design for more details.

Remember to report ALL suspicious behaviour to the police via 101, online via www.met.police.uk or via Twitter @metcc between 8am and 10pm and in an emergency to call 999. 

You can also consider using anti-theft products for catalytic converters. 

Gardening this weekend

From our Environment & Gardening team:

It seems like no time since the last gardening session, but the next one is this Sunday. We will be working on the garden at Ada Kennedy Court (top of Ashburnham Grove) from 10am. You should be able to enter using the Trades button, but if not do ring Sara on 07790511557.

Please note that we have had to change the October session to Saturday 24 October at 10am.  

Greenwich Market update

Here’s an update on the market rent increases from Royal Greenwich council leader Danny Thorpe:

‘Following concerns from Greenwich market traders about rent increases, I chaired a public meeting this week, alongside Cllr Denise Scott-McDonald and Cllr Aidan Smith with traders and representatives from Greenwich Hospital, the owners of the market.  

‘I am delighted that Greenwich Hospital has recognised the rent increase was a mistake and they have confirmed affected traders will receive a full refund. At the meeting, we had a constructive conversation about a range of issues and I’m hopeful we have found a way to ensure everyone is working to make Greenwich market thrive moving forward.’

Safer Neighbourhoods September update including new Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs)

The Greenwich West Safer Neighbourhoods Panel met by conference call on Tuesday 1st September. Below is a summary of that meeting:

Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs)

The Council has a key role to play in making Royal Greenwich a safe place to live, visit and work, and tackling anti-social behaviour continues to be a high priority. Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) were introduced under the Anti-social Behaviour and Policing Act 2014, to ensure public spaces are areas that are free from anti-social behaviour.

PSPOs provide the Council with a wide-range of flexible powers to help tackle anti-social behaviour locally. The Royal Borough of Greenwich, supported by the local police, proposes to replace its existing PSPOs with new orders which aim to tackle a wider range of anti-social issues that are impacting local communities.

Some of these new orders include:

• Prohibiting alcohol-related ASB in public spaces.

• Prohibiting ASB, either individually or with others, in any public car park.

• Prohibiting of consumption, inhalation, injection or smoking, any high-inducing substance.

• Prohibiting the discharging or throwing a firework in a public place (with the exemption of Council authorised events).

The proposed changes are explained further in the accompanying documents found https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/pspo

Greenwich Council would really value your feedback and encourage you to have your say on these proposals by close 4th September 2020. The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Please only complete the survey once.

The Council will consider all representations that have been made before deciding whether to make any changes or proceed to confirm the order(s).

Within the Triangle

Police continue to patrol Plymouth House and Barnstaple House to combat the ongoing drug dealing. This is an ongoing investigation and the situation is being closely monitored.

Since the ease of lockdown there have been many complaints regarding antisocial behaviour from patrons of the North Pole. Local residents have been providing valuable evidence of bad behaviour which have all been submitted to Public Health and the Licencing Team. North Pole now has more strict rules on social distancing and the staff are encouraged to ensure patrons leave quietly. At this present time the licensing team are happy with all procedures and are not prepared to carry out a full review. However, the problem of increased traffic, individuals playing loud music, the inhalation of nitrous dioxide from parked cars, littering and drinking in the streets notably at the end of Ashburnham Place / Egerton Drive does still continue. Our local police are fully aware of the ongoing problems residents are having to deal with but convincing Licensing that these individuals are only in the area to visit the North Pole is very hard to prove. Hopefully with the new PSPOs that Greenwich Council are proposing to enforce this type of behaviour can be more controlled. Our safer neighbourhood police will continue to patrol the area on a regular basis but I encourage all residents to continue to record any bad behaviour and submit appropriately - see post dated 13 July.

A loud birthday birthday in Devonshire Drive on Saturday 8th August led to numerous complaints from local residents to both the police and the council noise team. Both the police and council have visited the property and warnings have been issued that this behaviour is not acceptable and cannot be repeated. 

CCTV image of man trying car doors

Vehicle crime continues in the Triangle particularly theft from vehicles. Various CCTV has captured a male prowling the Triangle on a regular basis trying all car doors to gain access, usually between 1-3am. Unfortunately he has been successful on a few occasions. He is described as tall, slim, always wears a flat cap and light beige jacket. If you do actually see this person please call 999 immediately and advise this individual is suspected of numerous thefts from parked vehicles. The police are very keen to interview him.

Outside the Triangle

There has been an increase of groups of youths, typically young teenage boys on bicycles all wearing dark hoodies and masks and have been snatching phones. Last known crime was outside Sainsburys in Greenwich High Road on 24 August. If you have to make a phone call whilst walking please do be aware of your surroundings. This type of crime has significantly increased and is happening in all parts of West Greenwich. The police believe they know some of the youths. Gangs ride in from Deptford and another known group is from North Greenwich Peninsula.

There has been an increase in drug taking and dealing along the Thames River front particular in front of Peter the Great Statue. The police are aware of the problem and carry out regular stop and searches here. They request that if you witness any such activity to continue to report it so this crime can be entered on the Met Police crime map system.

As the number of people start to increase within the Town Centre, unfortunately the amount of robberies is also rising. This includes shoplifting, phone and bag snatching. The theft of bicycles is also continuing to rise. Our Safer Neighbourhood Police Team are working with Cycle Task Force to try and combat this problem.

Begging in the town centre has been a continuing problem. A Community Protection Notice (CPN) was served on the local beggar outside sainsburys due to his aggresive manner and believe he has now moved on.

Anti social behaviour (ASB) has continued on The Point with lots of gatherings, drug taking and dealing. The police continuously patrol the area and carry out frequent stop and searches which has resulted in positive action taken i.e. cannabis warnings and intelligence gathered.

Overall robberies are increasing in Greenwich West Ward with 24 robberies in the last 12 weeks. Robberies involving weapons are also increasing. There have been 23 reported burglaries within Greenwich West with 14 of these reports relating to the theft of bicycles. 5 relate to house burglaries.

Motor vehicle crime, particularly theft from vehicles has increased with particular pockets around Hyde Vale, Point Hill and Greenwich South Street. 

Tina Pugh 

ATA Security / Police Liaison 

Email: ata.secureteam@gmail.com

Emergency dial 999 

Non Emergency dial 101 

Greenwich Safer Neighbourhood Team: 020 8284 5494 (not 24 hour) 

Email: westgreenwich.snt@met.police.uk

Rubbish collection and recycling centre update

Royal Greenwich council has announced that from September 1st you will no longer need to book an appointment to visit the Re-use and Recycling centre in Nathan Way. However, to help maintain the safety of the site, it will close to be sanitised for 30 mins every day from 12 pm to 12.30pm. Do not attend at this time as there will be no access permitted and queuing is not allowed.

Opening hours are:  

Monday to Friday: 8am to 12pm then 12.30pm to 6.30pm  

Saturdays: 8am to 12pm then 12.00pm to 5pm  

Sundays and bank holidays: 9am to 12pm then 12.30pm to 4.30pm  

Access to the site is free for Royal Greenwich residents who show a valid driving license or Council Tax bill on arrival. It costs £10 if you’re a resident but cannot show either a valid driving license or Council Tax bill.

Also, our bin collections in the Triangle next week will be on Tuesday rather than Monday as those invaluable key workers our bin collectors are taking a well-deserved break for the Bank Holiday.

Gardening on Sunday, August 23rd

If you are free to do some gardening this Sunday, please meet at the planter on the Play Street at ten. Please bring a watering can and trowel and secateurs if you can, if not there will be spares.
Future dates are:
Sunday 13 Sept. 10am to work at Ada Kennedy Court
Saturday 17 October 2pm - Catherine Grove
Saturday 21 November - Daffodil planting

Neighbourhood Watch Needs You

Are you passionate about your community? 

Do you want to help improve the standard of living in the area and help devise strategies to address any concerns?

Then this could be the role for you….Ashburnham Triangle are looking for a new Police Liaison / Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator. 

Ashburnham Triangle Neighbourhood Watch aims to help people protect themselves and their properties and to reduce the fear of crime by means of improved home security, greater vigilance, accurate reporting of suspicious incidents and fostering a community spirit as well as tackling new forms of crime such as cybercrime.

You will be the lead point of contact for the Triangle liasing with our Safer Neighbourhood Police and attending bi-monthly meetings with local police, councillors and other neighbourhood watch co-ordinators within Greenwich West.

Interested?  email: ata.secureteam@gmail.com

Hill and Vale road closures to be introduced on August 20th

The Greenwich Council's Hills and Vales traffic scheme will place filters at several junctions to stop all through traffic except bicycles from using back streets around Royal Hill, with a further filter to be placed on Crooms Hill itself.

Filters will be placed on

• Crooms Hill at Stockwell Street/Burney Street
• Maidenstone Hill at Point Hill
• Point Hill at Royal Hill
• Hyde Vale at King George Street
• Royal Place at Royal Hill

In addition, Royal Hill will be made eastbound only between Greenwich South Street and Brand Street. The scheme will be reviewed after six months. (More details of the plans can be found on the Council's site here.)

Greenwich Park closed to traffic

The Royal Parks have officially adopted their Movement Strategy and the 2020-21 Implementation Plan for traffic in the Parks, including Greenwich Park, starting on Saturday, 15 August 2020.
This strategy sets a coherent framework to help shape and inform the policies they develop and decisions they take relating to how park visitors can access, experience, and move within the parks. Within Greenwich Park this means the full-time closure of the Avenue to vehicle traffic.
For a complete list of projects, please see the Implementation Plan and project Fact Sheets on the Parks' website Project Fact Sheets and more
Everyone will have the opportunity to participate in a formal consultation from November – December 2020. The results of the consultation will be published.

Licensing Team Request - North Pole

Since the re-opening of pubs on 4 July, we have received numerous complaints from residents regarding anti-social behaviour and the lack of social distancing being observed at the North Pole in Greenwich High Road. The North Pole have now installed new signage to manage social distancing and are also operating a new system to manage the flow of people leaving by allowing those who have ordered cabs to wait inside which should help to prevent disturbing residents close by.

However, due to the recent evidence submitted by local residents of said anti-social behaviour and the lack of social distancing at the North Pole, the Licensing Team and Commercial Environmental Health Team are leading an investigation. They have asked if you witness any further disturbances from this establishment can you please forward evidence (photo / video footage) and submit it to the following email:

health@royalgreenwich.gov.uk  and quote reference number SR63457. Please also continue to cc any email to Maureen O'Mara who is also overseeing these complaints.

Sunday lunches return to the Ashburnham Arms

Great news - the Ash Sunday lunch is back! As with all restaurants during the current situation please be sure to book a table in advance (020 8355 5141). 

Midsummer at the Thames Tideway Tunnel Greenwich Pumping Station

Midsummer at the Thames Tideway Tunnel Greenwich Pumping Station.

Down on the Thames Tideway Tunnel site off Norman Road, there has been great excitement as the Greenwich section of the Super Sewer project took a major step forward over the past few days. The aim is to drill a sewage overflow tunnel that will prevent the Greenwich Pumping Station having to release large amounts of raw sewage into the Thames whenever excessive rain floods the existing sewers. The overflow tunnel will connect the Greenwich Pumping Station with the massive new Thames Tideway super sewer via a new pumping station just below Tower Bridge. And in the early hours of Wednesday 15th July, the largest piece of the tunnel boring machine, the cutting head, was brought in by road, and prepared for lowering down to the bottom of the 50 metre access shaft TTT have been building here for the past two years. 

As you will see from the picture, the blue drill head is enormous. When it is in place at the bottom of our access shaft, and tipped on its side, it will start to drill its way to Tower Bridge (starting in autumn, or possibly not until the New Year). That means now is the moment for residents and neighbours of Deptford Creek to join Mick Delap in setting out the kind of Greenwich Pumping Station we want TTT to leave us, once the overflow tunnel is completed. The original planning consent with the Royal Borough of Greenwich, RBG, requires TTT to leave a legacy of public realm improvements behind them on the Greenwich Pumping Station site. But the planning agreement is very unclear about what this should mean. RBG have a longstanding commitment to creating a public access pathway along the length of Deptford Creek, both to improve public amenity, and also to showcase the Creek's remarkable 19th century industrial history. The Greenwich Pumping Station, with its Creekside access and its listed 19th century structures, is central to this plan. But so far neither TTT nor the Greenwich planners have consulted with local stakeholders, nor revealed their thinking about the future. TTT will soon need to present their post-tunnelling legacy plans to the Greenwich planners for approval. Opening up the Pumping Station to public access will be complicated. It will require imagination, and great determination, and won't happen without a three way partnership between TTT, RBG, and local stakeholders. This is an opportunity that will only come once. Please tell Mick Delap your views, and support him in the increasingly urgent campaign to save the Creek for the neighbourhood.

Change of meeting place for Saturday gardening

Our Environment and Gardening Hub are looking forward to seeing some of you at 2pm on Saturday, July 18th for gardening. We will meet at Lamley House, the corner of Ashburnham Place and Egerton Drive. There is also grass to be raked on Langdale Rd near to the High Road.

If you can please bring a rake (or two) and a green bin. Do bring some water to drink as it's going to be hot, this may limit how much we can do. Anyway it will be good to get together  at a distance.

Safer Neighbourhoods July update

Last week the Safer Neighbourhoods Panel met via telephone conference to discuss Greenwich West. Here is a summary of that call:

Within the Triangle

As reported on the last update, there have been numerous reports of drug dealing and using within some of the blocks of flats in Devonshire Drive, notably Plymouth House. Police have identified a possible suspect and patrols in this area have increased.

CID are still investigating the incident which occurred on 19th June along Devonshire Drive where a male was taken in his own car against his will - see post dated 21 June.  A full report will be available once CID have completed their investigation.

There have been various reports of two different fraudsters going door to door within the Triangle. Please can you warn any vulnerable neighbours who may not see this report to not open the door and engage with unknown individuals and NEVER hand over money to unknown individuals. Both fraudsters prey on the elderly and women.

Description of individuals:

Male mid-20s
Known as "Johhny"

Male mid-30s

Male, mid-20s, very slim build, white, between 5'7 and 5'9, sandy coloured hair with a London accent and goes by the name of “Johnny”. He concocts various stories and is well known to the police and has actually been previously arrested. I am currently awaiting an update of the whereabouts of this indivdual but please do not engage if you see him.

Male perhaps mid-30s, tall, black with a strong South London accent. Reports received that he was pretending to be a nearby neighbour and needed money for the electric meter.  Again, please do not engage or open your door to him.

A local resident witnessed the theft of a catalytic converter from a parked car in Ashburnham Grove on 3 July. The crime happened extremely quickly but was reported to the police. Other vehicle crime within the Triangle, especially theft from motor vehicles has unfortunately continued to rise especially along Greenwich South Street. Reports of thefts of bicycles from outbuildings has also increased. Please ensure bikes are secured with bike locks even in your own shed/garage.

With lockdown restrictions eased we saw many pubs re-open on Saturday 4th July which unfortunately led to bad behaviour within the Triangle - see post dated 7 July.  As previously reported it is believed patrons who had exited from the North Pole were responsible for the anti-social behaviour and erratic driving along Ashurnham Place at 1.30am on Sunday 5th July.

Last weekend also saw an increase of traffic driving past the bar in Greenwich High Road and once again there have been reports of noise and disturbance. As previously requested, I am looking for residents help to deal with any anti-social behaviour.

If you witness any issues of crime, disorder or anti-social behaviour call 999 for an emergency, i.e., if the issue is currently in progress, otherwise contact 101 and report what you have seen. 

For issues with noise, please contact the Council’s noise team and ask for the noise to be witnessed – 020 8921 8921. Please also take photo’s or video clips — if safe to do so — as this type of evidence is paramount when trying to prove a case and forward any complaint together with evidence to Cllr Maureen O’Mara Maureen.O'Mara@royalgreenwich.gov.uk. 

Just receiving complaints about noise or disturbances will not result in any effective solution, so if safe, please do take photographic or video evidence. But above all, please report everything. 

Outside the Triangle

Police advise there are pockets of car crime within West Greenwich which has significantly increased around Hyde Vale, Point Hill and as already mentioned Greenwich South Street.

There have been 26 reported burglaries within Greenwich West. The burglaries are very sporadic with no specific pattern so are seen as opportunist burglaries with most reports being theft from outbuildings.

Lots of gatherings were reported on Point Hill during lockdown and also numerous reports of drug taking and using. 

Begging within the Town Centre has increased and complaints that beggars are not adhearing to social distancing with the rest of the general public. Particular problem areas are outside NatWest and McDonalds. Police continue to move on these individuals on a regular basis. 

Litter left in Greenwich Park

Greenwich Market have their own security as reports of shop lifting in the vicinity has once again started to rise.

Greenwich Park has been considerably busy during the lockdown and continues to be so with the warmer weather. Large notices in all public green spaces are having to be displayed to encourage park users to not litter.

Tina Pugh 

ATA Security / Police Liaison 

Email: ata.secureteam@gmail.com

Emergency dial 999 

Non Emergency dial 101 

Greenwich Safer Neighbourhood Team: 020 8284 5494 (not 24 hour) 

Email: westgreenwich.snt@met.police.uk

Bad behaviour within the Triangle

With lockdown restrictions eased last weekend we unfortunately had to witness some bad behaviour within the Triangle from non residents visiting the North Pole bar along Greenwich High Road and D’Luxx in Blackheath Road. Complaints were received of large groups inhaling nitrous oxide gas and also arguments which led to a fight. Cars were also driven at speed up and down Ashburnham Place at approx 1.30am on Sunday 5th July. Local residents also witnessed loud music and social distancing generally not being adhered to at the North Pole and D’Luxx bars.
In order to deal with bad behaviour I am looking for residents help.
If you witness any issues of crime, disorder or anti-social behaviour call 999 for an emergency, i.e., if the issue is currently in progress, otherwise contact 101 and report what you have seen.
For issues with noise, please contact the Council’s noise team and ask for the noise to be witnessed – 020 8921 8921. Please also take photo’s or video clips — if safe to do so — as this type of evidence is paramount when trying to prove a case.
Cllr Maureen O’Mara is personally going to oversee any complaints with these establishments and has also asked for any evidence to be forwarded to her at: Maureen.O'Mara@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
We really do need your help on this. Just receiving complaints about noise or disturbances days after the event will not result in any effective solution, so if safe, please do take photographic or video evidence. But above all, please report everything.
With thanks in advance for your help.

Tina Pugh
ATA Security / Police Liaison
Email: ata.secureteam@gmail.com
Emergency dial 999
Non Emergency dial 101
Greenwich Safer Neighbourhood Team: 020 8284 5494 (not 24 hour)
Email: westgreenwich.snt@met.police.uk

Gardening again in the Triangle

The ATA Green Hub is going to go back to its monthly gardening sessions. The next one is on Saturday 18 July at 2pm. They will meet outside Barnstable House on the corner of Egerton and Devonshire Drives. Please bring a rake/s if you can and if you have an empty green bin it would be useful.
It's easy to keep a distance from people when gardening and it's a sociable way to get exercise. New volunteers always welcome.

Devonshire Drive Incident

On Friday 19th June at approx 11pm there was an incident on Devonshire Drive outside Barnstable House.
A 70 year old man was taken in his own car and driven against his will. Three males were demanding money from him and managed to obtain £100. The victim sustained cigarette burns to his arms and other bruises. He managed to escape and a passing motorist called the police.
CID Lewisham are dealing with this crime and our Safer Neighbourhood Team are also assisting with enquiries.
If you were in the area and saw anything unusual please contact our Safer Neighbourhood Team.
Tina Pugh
ATA Security / Police Liaison
Email: ata.secureteam@gmail.com

Emergency dial 999
Non Emergency dial 101
Greenwich Safer Neighbourhood Team: 020 8284 5494 (not 24 hour)
Email: westgreenwich.snt@met.police.uk

Parking in the Triangle

Don't forget that parking enforcement will restart from Monday 15th June, so you or any visitors will be liable to pay a penalty charge notice if parked illegally.
The Council will continue to recognise the London Health Emergency Badge (HEB) temporary permits issued by the NHS to their healthcare and other key workers while that system is in place. Any other temporary permits issued during lockdown are being withdrawn.
Parking enforcement officers will continue to advise motorists as to where they can park. It is not acceptable to abuse council staff and any reports of this kind will be taken very seriously. More information on changes to parking enforcement.

Celebrate your neighbours

Neighbourhood Watch Week,  7th - 13th June 2020 

We’ve seen a surge in neighbourliness as people look out for the vulnerable and talk to those next door more than ever before - a silver lining to the cloud COVID-19 has cast over our daily lives. We think now is a good time to say thank you and celebrate those actions our neighbours have taken no matter how small or big. There are many ways to join in:

Take part in the Big Virtual Lunch. Organised by Eden Project, on the 6th and 7th June, the Big Virtual Lunch have put together ideas of small things you can do to celebrate community connections with your neighbours such as: making your own bunting and hanging it out for all to see, putting together a lunch for someone or a small food parcel and leave it on a doorstep, joining in with The Big Lunch from your doorstep, hosting a Big Virtual Lunch online from the comfort of your own home, or hosting a Big Virtual Lunch over the phone.

Display a poster in your window or gifting a postcard to a neighbour.
Award winning British cartoonist, Tony Husband, has created bespoke cartoons depicting kind neighbourly actions in lockdown. Tony’s cartoons can be downloaded via the ourwatch website for you to display as posters in your window, or postcards to pop through a neighbour’s door. 

Enter our 'Neighbourliness in Lockdown' competition
Why not have a go at creating your very own cartoon depicting kind neighbourly acts and enter it in a competition to be judged by Tony himself. You can download blank posters and blank postcards as a template for your cartoons. Full details of the competition can be found here.

Facebook Live Quiz

Put your general knowledge to the test on 12th June at 7pm for a light-hearted Facebook Live Quiz, to be hosted by Neighbourhood Watch Network's CEO, John Hayward-Cripps.  To take part simply visit Ourwatch Facebook page at 7pm on the 12th June, ready with paper and pen.

Historic England's London History Day this Sunday 31 May

If you have a bit of time this Sunday 31 May you might want to check out or get involved with London History Day hosted by Historic England.
This year, in what are very difficult and challenging times for many, we are celebrating London’s resilience on Sunday 31 May. We will come together, virtually, to celebrate London’s resilience and share stories that remind us of the incredible strength, courage and community spirit Londoners have shown, today and throughout history. It’s a day to reflect, create, connect with each other and have fun.
Here’s the link:
https://historicengland.org.uk/get-involved/visit/london-history-day/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=lhd

The ATA's own Spring Wildlife Census needs more volunteers

We all know the Triangle is green. But how green? Lock Down has made London a quieter, cleaner place. And it's given us time to pay more attention to what this means for the wildlife in our own neighbourhoods. A group of Triangle residents are using this extraordinary opportunity to find out - and they want more help with recording what's moving, and what's growing, all around us.
There's definitely something exciting in it for kids - show them this video of Ashburnham Grove's fox cubs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwaXIbBpLyM
But whatever your interests - birds, blossoms or insects - there's plenty more to see: here are some of Egerton Drive's busy bees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSbkAcT3LeA
Each week those helping with the Spring Census are sending in a short record of what they have seen - in words, or in pictures like these - to Census co-ordinator, Mick Delap. They've been at it since April. And the Census will continue to gather information until the end of June. We already know which birds are most often seen in Triangle gardens (can you guess? Answer below *). But the Census needs more help, to capture everything that's going on this Spring, day, and night. As well as the night time foxes, we know there are bats in the Triangle - but we don't know how common they are, or what species. Help us find out this - and much more.
The target is to have enough data by the end of June to write up a detailed account of the Triangle's wild life. You don't need to be an expert to contribute - everything helps. And there's a new website which provides basic information, and allows you to use your phone to record what you are seeing: www.trianglewildlife.co.uk . You can also get to the website by pointing your phone camera at the image below.

 

Alternatively, Mick Delap has a Spring Census Starter Pack he can send out. Contact him on mick@delap.plus.com to join in, or just to hear each week how the Spring Census is progressing.
It's easy to contribute - and it's fun. Be part of this exciting new project. (* And the commonest Triangle birds are Blue Tits, Great Tits, Blackbirds and Pigeons).