Massive Price Increases for Blackheath ’s Rail Passengers

The Labour Government’s massive increase in off-peak train fares has been condemned by East Lewisham Conservatives. This Government’s introduction of a zonal rail fares system has meant a staggering increase of 38.5% for customers travelling from Blackheath station on cheap day returns to central London stations since 2 January. People travelling from Hither Green station have had to pay an extra 28.5% and travellers from Catford and Catford Bridge stations have seen their off-peak fares rise by 33.3%. The Government announced on 19 October that the zonal system would come into force for individual rail tickets from 1st January 2007 and for season tickets from 2nd January 2010. The minister responsible, Tom Harris MP, said: “The fares for the new zonal peak singles and returns (and from 2010 seasons) will remain subject to the limits set by fares regulation. As a result, London commuters will on average pay no more using the new zonal fares than they would have done had current fares continued and been increased as permitted by regulation. Operators will not make net gains from the change in these fares”. 

This statement carefully avoids mentioning that off peak fares are not subject to the same controls and it is mostly on off peak fares that the effect of the change to a zonal system will be felt. The minister did say that, “Passengers who have been paying fares below the London-wide average may find the new fares higher”. 

We have been particularly badly hit because rail fares on South Eastern trains in the past have been kept low by poor performance.

Local Conservative campaigner Simon Nundy said: “It is outrageous that the Labour Government has imposed these massive fare increases on the people of Blacheath and Lewisham. Not only will they hit hard those on low incomes but will also do nothing to encourage people to travel outside of the morning peak period, when trains from Lewisham stations into London are very overcrowded. 

Announcing these increases in a written statement in October which received virtually no publicity has resulted in passengers not realising that they faced such huge fare increases in January”.

Blackheath Tories Campaign For Curbs on Late Licences In Blackheath Village

Blackheath Conservatives, in consultation with Blackheath Conservative Councillors Geoff Brighty and Alex Wilson, have responded to concerns in the Village about rowdyism resulting from late-night drinking by calling for the Village to be made a “cumulative impact area”. Lewisham Council could refuse further licences for the sale of alcohol or licences for premises being open late at night, by declaring that it needed to do so because of the cumulative effect of existing licenses.

As a result of the Government’s 2003 Licensing Act, even adopting this approach could not prevent further licences being granted in Blackheath Village but it would make it more difficult to obtain a licence. Blackheath Conservatives’ spokesman Simon Nundy said: “Thanks to the Government’s Licensing Act, Blackheath has become the entertainment area for thousands of people from all over South London and Kent. Not many people would want a return to responsible drinkers being sent home at 10.30pm but the current situation in the Village is unsustainable.”

“The Council has an opportunity to help to mitigate the problems by declaring the Village to be a ‘cumulative impact area’ and we urge them to do so”.

To see the public question put to Lewisham Council on 22/11/06 by Simon Nundy and the full response go to:

Lewisham Full Council Meeting Agenda & Minutes

Blackheath Tories Take Recycling Campaign

To Deputy Mayor

At a recent meeting with Deputy Mayor Heidi Alexander and top recycling official John Thompson, the Blackheath Conservatives’ Chairman Simon Nundy put forward a range of constructive proposals to increase recycling within the Borough. Lewisham is in the bottom ten councils in the country when it comes to the share of household waste it recycles.

Simon Nundy, former proprietor of Aquarius Recycling, said “We had a very constructive discussion based around a number of practical suggestions and I will be keeping an eye on developments in Blackheath to see if the positive flavour of our meeting is followed by real progress.”

Summary Of Meeting

• Replace all ‘blow away’ plastic boxes with green wheelie bins:

It was agreed that all households should have green wheelie bins and the council plans to make them available throughout the borough. Old grey wheelie bins are to be converted by changing the lid to green in an effort to speed up the process.

• Put large mixed recycling bins outside all flats:

Existing large recycling bins 'should' already be labelled for mixed recycling and available outside all flats. It was agreed that we would notify the Council periodically if that was not the case.
• Issue green recycling sacks with clear pre-printed instructions to flats:

It was agreed that the idea is worth persuing and the possibility of a Council sponsored doorstep collection in large council blocks was mooted for consideration.
• Issue kitchen bin stick-on instructions for individual households:

It was agreed that the idea is worth persuing - watch this space.
• Street litter bins split into separate recyclable and non-recyclable parts :

This idea is under active consideration.