Grumpy on my part, that is - Becca is never less than diplomatic.
An introduction: in 2008 Lambeth Council steamrollered through a proposal for the resolution of traffic problems at an awkward junction that entailed destruction of over 1000 sq m of one of the most loved and well-used parks in the Borough. The Friends of Brockwell Park resisted it, and I supported them, but all seemed lost. Until I got a message concerning Lambeth's refusal properly to consider an alternative scheme, that not only saved 400 plus sq m of park, but claimed to improve several road safety issues. I got a little heated, and sent the following message, with others. This one, though, was to a Green Party councillor (the only 'green' in the council chamber). I've posted it here because the exchange of emails (each of which is entered as a 'comment' below) broadens out the debate:
Becca,
I was at the planning meeting which considered Lambeth's disastrous scheme to re-configure the road junction at Herne Hill (necessary), by tarmacing a great swathe of Brockwell Park (verging on criminal).
I was at the time utterly disgusted to discover that your party supported this proposal, and embarrassed by their political ineptitude in seeking to put conditions on that support - at a planning committee meeting, on a politically contentious issue, with the heavyweight [later correction: former] leader of the council fully engaged! (this is politics, not a right-on co-op meeting - get real, or do something else)
If you had continued your policy of asking me for comment on design issues before setting this bizarre course of action, perhaps we could have come up with a more measured approach.
You have a chance to redeem your party's image somewhat. Friends of Brockwell Park have at some expense - and with the help of pro-bono work from transport engineers who were appalled at the ugliness, ineptitude and laziness of Lambeth's in-house scheme (I mean, did you even look at the drawings?) - come up with a proposal which satisfies the traffic issue, uses significantly less of Brockwell Park, and will therefore COST LESS!
But of course, Lambeth have taken their usual 'f**k you' approach, and tried to kill the idea by having it reviewed by their in-house team - who surprisingly prefer their own ideas! Well who'd have thought it?
All FoBP are asking is for an independent review, one which takes into account the costs and benefits of the proposals properly, and for Lambeth to wait until that has been completed, before moving in to rip up the Park.
Could you meet with them, and make up your own mind about the relative benefits of the proposals?
I have no illusions about your ability to actually DO anything about this, but you do have a chance to be SEEN to be in the right place at the right time, saying the right things - for instance in the SLP - 'Why I have changed my mind about the Brockwell Park scheme". Or do you want Steve Reed - and many 'green' types - to continue to find the Green Party's ability to be effective political players laughable?
