More roadworks!

These roadworks at the Giffin St junction opposite Castell House started on Monday. Traffic is presently reduced to a single lane on the southbound stretch of the dual carriageway.

What are they for? We asked the foreman. He told us they're putting in a cycle lane, adjusting the position of the present traffic lights, adding a cycling waiting area to the crossing, widening the pavement (?!), taking out part of the central reservation on the south part of the junction and adding another set of traffic lights (so there will be two crossings at this junction).

He showed us his instructions from Greenwich Council which included a plan of the junction improvements and said he expected it would take about 6-7 weeks.

There's no mention of these works, however, on the Greenwich website. Nothing on Lewisham's site either, but a link to Transport for London's list of roadworks across London shows the job with a reference number, plus a start and end date (8th August – only 4 weeks).

Neither Browne, Castell or Cremer House residents have been notified of these works. During the day they'll be affected by sounds of drilling etc, and in both rush hours, a slowing down of traffic outside their homes. There may be an increase of traffic in Creekside due to rat running, which will affect other residents. A quick email to Greenwich Council's highway department was responded to with "we aim to respond to your enquiry within five working days".

The same query to Lewisham, requesting a copy of the plans, was more forthcoming but not particularly helpful: "The work is being done by Greenwich's contractor as it is part of a larger set or works being carried out, but is being paid for by L B Lewisham. I'm afraid I do not have access to the plans, the officer who is dealing with the scheme is recovering from an operation and is unlikely to be back in the office for another month."

But anyway, now you know! The consolation is that the school holidays are starting soon, which usually results in a decrease in rush hour traffic.

Deptford remembers TJ

A massive attendance ensured St Paul's Church was filled to the rafters last Tuesday morning, 24th April, as family, friends, well wishers and distinguished guests (including Dame Joan Ruddock) came to say goodbye to TJ, the young man who died from his injuries after being knocked down by a hit-and-run driver on Deptford Church Street.

TJ's white coffin arrived in a beautiful white horse drawn carriage, and was borne into the church by six of his friends (including Crossfields resident Jordan). TJ's uncle Steve delivered a superbly eloquent eulogy about the boy who he had raised as his own child. TJ would have been celebrating his 18th birthday in early May, and his graduation in a couple of month's time.

Young Jamilia touched everyone's hearts as she sang a note perfect and emotional rendition of I Will Always Love You – there could not be a dry eye in the house. Tributes were paid by many others: young relatives Ololade and Abimbola; teachers and leaders from Addey & Stanhope, Croydon College and Second Wave Youth Arts; and his friends stood up as a group and one by one came forward to speak.

Their words came unrehearsed and from the heart as they talked of their friend's supportiveness, his sunny disposition, his academic achievements and ambitions, and how he was always looking out for them.

Although the service was very High Church (St Paul's is Anglican), Father Paul's no-nonsense shepherding ("mobile phones off please") kept the congregation on terra firma. Since the accident had occurred right next to the church, the rector had observed the daily vigil held by TJ's friends at the crossing on Deptford Church Street now known as 'TJ's place'. Father Paul suggested TJ's real 'place' was next to God, in our heads and hearts. At the end of the service, Second Wave gave mourners a memorial card which had photos of TJ and the words "a good friend, our beloved TJ was respected by everyone. We will never forget his kindness, his gentle smile and his friendship."

As is Deptford tradition concerning very special people, the cars (and coach) followed the horse drawn carriage bearing the coffin all the way down Deptford High Street as the funeral cortege processed to Grove Park cemetery, where the service continued and TJ was buried.

Rest in peace, TJ

See our earlier post in March to read further tributes.

RIP TJ

There are now bouquets and messages of remembrance up on the central railings at the pedestrian crossing on Deptford Church Street by Bronze Street where TJ was knocked off his bike and killed by a hit-and-run driver in an allegedly stolen car yesterday afternoon. 

The local press clearly have better things to do on a Friday afternoon than cover the news and, as yet, I've still not found any local journalist who has bothered to report it.  All I have managed to find is the traffic delay reports (oh the inconvenience!) so all I know about it is just from asking around.  Reports are that he was taken to hospital by air ambulance but died around midnight.

I'm sure Crossfields residents would wish to join me in offering our deepest sympathy to TJ's family and friends.  RIP TJ

EDIT:  According to a posted comment, the air ambulance did not take him, instead he was taken to hospital by road ambulance.

UPDATE (25/03/2012): 

The Newshopper finally got round to publishing its account this morning.  I've copied the article in full:

17-year-old cyclist killed in Deptford hit and run

7:00am Sunday 25th March 2012 in News By Crime Reporter

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a hit and run accident in Deptford which killed a 17-year-old cyclist.
Officers were called at around 5pm on Friday to Deptford Church Street, at the junction with Bronze Street.
A 17-year-old boy, named locally as TJ, had been knocked off of his bicycle by a silver Audi car as he was using the pedestrian crossing.
The car failed to stop and the driver continued south along Deptford Church Street, then turned around at the traffic lights before coming back to the scene.
Eventually, the driver stopped on the opposite carriageway before driving off again, turning left into Coffey Street.
The car, which had not been reported as stolen, was found abandoned in Watergate Street, Deptford, at around 7pm.
The cyclist was taken by London's Air Ambulance to King Collage Hospital with severe injuries and died there at 8.20pm.
Next of kin are aware but formal identification has yet to take place.
Inquiries are underway to trace the driver of the vehicle involved.
Anyone with information can contact the Road Death Investigation Unit at Catford Traffic Garage on 0208 285 1574 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

UPDATE (26/03/2012):
The Met Police say: "A 27-year-old man was arrested at approx 1430hrs on Saturday, 24 March, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failure to stop. He has been bailed to a date in May."

There is an Evening Standard article by a journalist who has actually spoken to TJ's uncle here: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/london/tribute-to-special-guy-killed-in-hitandrun-7585657.html