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People of Hackbridge steer their new high street

13/06/2013 By Leave a Comment

Last week saw almost 300 Hackbridge residents, businesses and users comment on the detailed designs of the Heart of Hackbridge public realm and shop front proposals. An exhibition at Centrale opened on five days, including Saturday’s fantastic Open Day.

open dayHackbridge Open Day brought the high street to life with a sand pit at Equinox fishbar, Juice bike at the Savoy Cafe, free tasters from Asia Tandoori, a pirate treasure hunt, face painting and much more. £5 vouchers were given to the first 100 families to spend in local shops, boosting the local economy.

Almost half of the consultation visitors left written feedback, including their consultationlikes and dislikes of the scheme, what changes they’ve seen in Hackbridge during the first year of the Heart of Hackbridge project, and what they would like on a Hackbridge town sign.

If you missed the opportunity, please see some of the key exhibition boards here: boards board 1, board 6, board 7, board 10 and board 11.

 

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Sutton MP launches two sustainability campaigns

29/05/2013 By Leave a Comment

Tom Brake MP has launched two local campaigns in the past two weeks with sustainability and One Planet Sutton at their heart. Firstly, a campaign to promote local, independent shops coincided with the opening of a new greengrocer in Carshalton.  cache_7568647

A competition is being run to find the most loved local business in Carshalton and Wallington. Tom is inviting local residents to vote for their favourite business under three categories: the best customer service, the most attractive shop front, and the best overall independent business.

At the launch of the greengrocer, Tom said “independent shops and businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy. This is why I’ve launched a competition to find which one we love the best. One of the best things about Carshalton and Wallington is the variety of independent shops and traders we have. From florists to antique shops, butchers, plumbers and bakeries, independent shops and traders contribute to our vibrant and diverse high streets and make our lives so much easier.”

Vote here to be in with a chance of winning a £50 voucher to spend in local businesses. Voting ends on 31st July 2013.

3201639.pngThe second campaign focuses on travel. Tom has launched a campaign to bring back a night bus, protect train services, extend the Tramlink and improve pedestrian and cyclist facilities. A keen cyclist himself, Tom said “improved transport can make our local area a more convenient and attractive place to live, work, and do business. Whatever your preferred way of travelling and commuting is, as your local MP I want to get Carshalton and Wallington moving and see reliable and accessible transport links for everyone.”

Sign Tom’s transport campaign here and send your message to the mayor that Sutton needs better public transport to enable One Planet Living.

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Sutton’s Weirwolf pledges to grow some veg!

24/05/2013 By Leave a Comment

DSC_0013Last Thursday saw the Sutton Arena renamed the ‘David Weir Arena‘ after Sutton’s paralympic hero. David Weir CBE made Sutton proud by winning six gold medals last summer at London 2012.

Sutton Council Leader Ruth Dombey highlighted the fantastic legacy London 2012 has left in Sutton, including the newly renamed arena which has the only indoor pole vault in the South-East.

DSC_0052Councillor Jill Whitehead (Chair of Environment and Neighbourhoods Committee) highlighted the key link between Sutton’s sporting success and sustainability ambition. We donated a One Planet Pledge board from our One Planet Centre in the athletes village, which contains hundreds of pledges from olympians and paralympians to save energy, water and waste.

Local students gave a great interview with David on stage, asking him about his school days, how it feels to have his local arena named after him and his home on the Roundshaw Estate. His biggest regret from school was not behaving better, and his daughter is excited about using the arena, named after her Dad.

DSC_0039After the formalities, we caught David out on the track where he was starting races. David signed the last pledge on our One Planet board, pledging to “grow some veg”. We were delighted to meet David and have our pictures taken with him. David is a fantastic ambasador for sustainability in Sutton, having  opened the One Planet Experience at BedZED back in October 2011.

You will be able to see the One Planet Pledge board, with David’s ‘veg pledge’ DSC_0054at Westcroft Leisure Centre soon. We should invite him to Sutton Community Farm on one of their permaculture courses!

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New David Weir Arena to build sustainability/sport legacy in Sutton

15/05/2013 By Leave a Comment

The Sutton Arena will be renamed the David Weir Arena tomorrow, in light of his incredible six gold medals at London 2012, and to mark Sutton’s pride in their Paralympic hero.

David Weir opening One Planet ExperienceThe Sutton Arena is a first-class leisure facility in Sutton, offering indoor and outdoor track and field facilities, as well as a gym. It has the only indoor pole vault in the South-East, making it home of London’s Pole Vault Association.

At tomorrow’s event, Cllr Whitehead, Chair of Sutton Council’s Environment and Neighbourhoods Committee will highlight the key link between sport and sustainability.

Sutton Council are committed to helping build a One Planet Sutton, that is a place where people can lead happy, healthy lives within a fair share of the earth’s resources. Leading active, healthy lives is integral to this, including at Sutton’s first-class leisure facilities.

The teamwork, culture and sense of community displayed at London 2012 will also be key. As Sutton aims to be the greenest borough in the UK, London 2012 strived to be the greenest ever games. From no games waste going direct to landfill, to all spectator travelling by public transport, it set a high benchmark for future games.

BioRegional hosted a One Planet Centre in the athletes’ village during the games. The centre aimed to inspire athletes at London 20pledge board12 to become champions for change and help raise awareness across the globe about environmental issues and explain how people from their home country can take simple actions towards a more sustainable future. This centre was twinned with one at BedZED in Hackbridge which David Weir kindly launched in autumn 2011.

The new David Weir Arena will tomorrow become the home of a unique piece of memorabilia from the One Planet Centre – a board containing pledges from London 2012 Olympians and Paralympians (image right). We hope this will inspire visitors and users of the David Weir Arena to make their own pledges towards One Planet Living in Sutton.

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Heart of Hackbridge Spring Clean and Big Fix

12/04/2013 By Leave a Comment

Even though the weather has taken a while to get more spring-like, the Heart of Hackbridge team have been busy giving Hackbridge corner a good spring clean. A team from Sutton Council gave the area a deep clean a few weeks ago, clearing the rubbish from Mile Road, repainting the tired notice board and electricity boxes, scrubbing pavements and kerbs and picking up litter.

Work has started on clearing Mile Road Bridge

Also, Mile Road Bridge is finally being transformed. The path has been in a bad state for many years, but the Hackbridge and Beddington Corner Neighbourhood Development Group have received a community grant to clear the litter, cut back overgrown vegetation, make the pavements wider and plant native flowers and shrubs. Much of the clearing has already started and the project will continue for the next few months.

And it isn’t just looking better on the outside.

Working closely with several local businesses, the Big Fix Team of local handymen lead by Wandle Electrical have been making some much needed improvements to shops in Hackbridge. The back room of the Red Lion has received a complete makeover whilst Hackbridge Convenience Store has had a new floor laid as well as a number of small odd jobs to improve the layout, safety and look of the shop.

These pieces of work are soon due to finish. Hopefully you can already see an improvement!

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The first round of consultation on the Heart of Hackbridge Project is now complete!

11/03/2013 By Leave a Comment

Heart of Hackbridge

Over the past few months the Heart of Hackbridge Project team has presented the initial proposals for the redevelopment of the public realm in Hackbridge to local residents, traders, workers, community groups and councillors. Nearly 250 people came to the public exhibition and around 100 people filled in a survey giving their thoughts. We would like to thank everyone who came and provided their valuable feedback.

We have now examined all the comments, thoughts and suggestions we received and summarised them in a consultation report. The report outlines popular features of the proposals, people’s priorities, and the concerns that arose from the process. It will be a major influence on development of future designs.  If you would like to have a look, it can be found in full here.

 

What you said…

Heart of Hackbridge exhibition

On the whole, people have been very positive about the proposals and believe that investing in Hackbridge is important. Popular aspects of the proposals include introducing street trees, civilising the traffic, prioritising pedestrians, and improving the pedestrian environment and the appearance of the shops. People have said that the changes should help to make Hackbridge Corner a nicer place and make it feel like more of a local centre than a busy junction, which is precisely what we are aiming for!

People did have some key concerns about the proposed scheme however. Many are worried about potential negative effects of the traffic calming scheme, such as congestion and tail backs in Hackbridge and surrounding areas and increased traffic flow in neighbouring residential roads. Others are concerned about whether the new road layout will make it difficult or dangerous for pedestrians to cross, and how adequate parking will be provided. Some feel uneasy about the proposed location of the bus interchange being so close to a school and the junction. We are ­not aiming to create problems and these concerns will be listened to.

 

What is next?

We will carefully consider this feedback and all other comments raised at the next stage of the project. The detailed designs will be developed to address these concerns, ensure the project meets the needs of local people and is the best solution for the area. Once this stage is complete we will hold a second round of extensive consultation where people will be able to comment on the detailed designs. This will happen this summer so make sure you come along to see how the proposals have developed!

 

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Inspiration from the Sutton Community Leadership Awards

04/03/2013 By Leave a Comment

Sutton Community Leadership AwardWhat an inspiring night. Last night, I attended the Sutton Community Leadership Awards with Sam Smith, Sutton Community Farm director, who had been shortlisted in the ‘Building Prosperity’ category we nominated him for.

We were delighted to see the farm recognised for the fantastic work its done in promoting local, healthy food, home cooking, and creating local jobs and apprenticeships. Sam accepted his award on behalf of all the staff, volunteers and supporters down at the farm.

I was truly humbled by every winners story. But one truly remarkable lady stole the night for me. 85 year old Pat Fletcher patrols Sutton’s streets on Friday and Saturday nights, week in week out, to reach out, talk to, and help those in need. Sutton Borough Commander Guy Ferguson thanked her in particular, as many of those she supports would otherwise be calling on their already stretched services. She patrols until 3:30am, way past my bedtime. At the age of 85. Truly remarkable. Well done and thank you Pat.

Games makersBut, somehow, there was something even bigger to celebrate than any individual story. Even Pats’. And that was the collective spirit of community and helping those in need. Nothing captured this better than the army of Sutton gamesmakers who turned out, in their iconic purple uniforms. Cllr Ruth Dombey reminisced on last year’s unforgettable summer, and thanked Sutton’s vast but unknown quantity of gamesmakers, a crucial, inspiring and possibly unique element of both games. She started a conversation of how we can build on last summers’ spirit of volunteerism and community?

If you were inspired by the gamesmakers or any of last night’s winners, why not enter the Sutton Community Challenge with your own community project. Three winners will get free support from BioRegional in getting their project off the ground. Get your thinking caps on and good luck!

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Hackbridge residents are having their say on plans to improve their neighbourhood

30/01/2013 By Leave a Comment

Hackbridge residents and traders are having their say over the next two weeks on proposals aiming to boost the local economy, make the area greener and improve conditions for walking, cycling anHeart of Hackbridged driving.

The exhibition run by BioRegional, Sutton Council and architects Adams and Sutherland features initial designs for London Road and Hackbridge Corner. They also inform residents of plans to reduce the area’s environmental impact and boost the local economy by providing business support and assistance for shops in the town.
All Tile Ceramics
Anthony Probert, Project Manager for the Heart of Hackbridge said, “Having got stuck in to brilliant Heart of Hackbridge events, such as the Christmas Festival, I am really excited to hear what local people think of the plans for improving the town”.

The Heart of Hackbridge project is funded by the Greater London Authority Outer London Fund and SuMoh coffeetton Council. It hopes to create a thriving sustainable centre set in the natural beauty of the Wandle Valley, which will secure local jobs, improve the health of local people and make the streets safer and more pleasant for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users. Local residents and workers are able to discuss the plans with members of the Heart of Hackbridge project team and have their say.

When

  • Wednesday 6th February 4–6pm (6–7pm for local traders)
  • Friday 8th February 8–10am
  • Saturday 9th February 10–12am
  • Thursday 14th February 12.30–2.30pm
  • Saturday 16th February 2–4pm

Where
Centrale Development (180–186 London Road, Hackbridge, SM6 7EA)

Heart of Hackbridge consultation poster

Heart of Hackbridge consultation poster

 

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Sutton celebrates One Planet success and plans for the future

11/01/2013 By Leave a Comment

Key stakeholders from across Sutton’s sectors converged on Tuesday for a lively One Planet Sutton workshop. The workshop aimed to celebrate collective progress towards One Planet Sutton, plan targets to achieve it by 2025, and collaborate on its achievement.One Planet Sutton workshop

Cllr Whitehead, chair of Sutton’s Environment and Neighbourhoods Committee, opened the workshop by sharing key successes under Sutton’s last action plan. These include:

60 attendees including from ASDA, Social Enteprise Sutton, GLA, Police, Job Centre Plus, Sutton Housing Partnership, Age UK and Southern Trains, shared their sustainability successes, including:

  • Croydon, Merton and Sutton Credit Union: Recruited over 200 new members who save together and allow low cost loans to help community
  • EcoLocal - Established a Local Food Network, a programme of local sustainability ambassadors, a Carshalton Community Allotment, a mobile solar power station, an energy roadshow and the Carshalton Frost Fair
  • Carshalton College – Developed accredited training courses in emerging green technologies
  • Living Streets – Produced walking maps to help more people to walk
  • Sutton achieved Fairtrade status as a borough
  • ASDA - launched its Community Life Project, to support community initiatives

Focus then turned to future planning. Breakout groups discussed proposed One Planet targets aimed to deliver One Planet Sutton by 2025, a deadline set by science.  Achieving this exciting vision and reducing our footprint from three planets to one, needs commitment and action by all – businesses, public bodies, community and voluntary groups, and residents. That is why a wide agreement and willingness to share ownership of new One Planet targets is so important.

Please get in touch with your thoughts on what should go into Sutton’s next One Planet Plan. A revised One Planet Sutton Plan will be discussed and agreed at the Environment and Neighbourhoods  Committee in June.

We look forward to continuing to work with you all and to delivering our shared objectives.

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Wanted – winning bright ideas for Sutton’s neighbourhoods

11/01/2013 By Leave a Comment

Tom Brake MP launched the One Planet Sutton Community Challenge at a lively workshop in Wallington on Tuesday. Community challenge launch

This major competition calls for great ideas from local people to improve their neighbourhood or school. It aims to reach hundreds of Sutton’s community groups, schools and local activists, seeking their ideas for projects which boost their surroundings and communities while protecting the planet we share. Three winning projects will get support and coaching to take their projects off the drawing board and into reality.

Speaking at the launch, Carshalton and Wallington MP Tom Brake said: “Sutton’s residents are bristling with ideas  – this is their chance to put them into practice. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get the support and advice needed to implement them.”

The challenge is being run by BioRegional, based at BedZED, with funding from the City Bridge Trust. Stephen Edwards of BioRegional said: “Winning ideas might include a neighbourhood scheme to cut household energy bills, a cycle training and bike maintenance project or a community shop supporting local crafts or local food. But really it’s all up to local people, who we’re sure will think up some really inspiring ideas. And it’s also local people who will decide on the winners.”

Entries need to improve Sutton’s environment and green spaces, help residents reduce their ecological footprint and contribute to at least one of the ten principles of One Planet Living. Together, these principles aim to secure a sustainable future that people find attractive, affordable and achievable within their fair share of the earth’s resources . This grass roots  challenge is part of the borough and BioRegional’s goal for a One Planet Sutton.

The competition will involve a big communications campaign with a roadshow and a dedicated website.  Ten silver award winners will be chosen from the project ideas submitted. These ten will receive free advice to help improve their plans and present them for a public vote. Then in the summer of 2013 three gold award winners will be chosen by public vote. These three finalists will be given extensive, expert advice on project development and fundraising with mentoring support continuing until March 2014.

You can apply either via the One Planet Sutton website or using a print application form from BioRegional. The application deadline is noon on Monday, April 29 2013. Further information can be obtained from Stephen Edwards on 020 8404 4896.

Good luck!

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