Perhaps Councillor Moises would have more success if this was a joint campaign with Lambeth Council and the Lambeth Councillors in Camberwell (2 wards at least). It is precisely because Camberwell is within 2 boroughs that it gets overlooked, as any statistics used to support a campaign tend to only be half the story.

You may not be aware but Camberwell Councillors have been trying to persuade the Council to develop a integrated transport plan for Camberwell for the last four years.

Indeed, Labour Cllr John Friary (Camberwell Green Ward) produced a transport needs report in 2003 which echos what you say, and it reflected our sentiments that Camberwell’s transport needs feature low on the the Council’s list of priorities. If transport needs did feature high, then there would be no need to by-pass the Council and present our case direct to the Mayor of London.

Unfortunately our Motion calling Southwark Council to lobby for a Camberwell tube station was scuppered by party political antics at the last Full Council Assembly.

However, history leads us to believe that a community wide campaign cannot be ignored. For instance, when I was elected in 2002 I found it unacceptable that every other area had a fully operational Police station except crime ridden Camberwell. We campaigned with residents from 2001–2005 until the front desk was re-opened.

In addition the community campaign supported by local Councillors to bring street drinking under control has so far been successful. This took from 2003–2006.

This is reflected in our recent Motion requesting the Council to make Camberwell a Street Drinking Control area giving the Police powers to confiscate alcohol off the minority of persistent street drinkers who cause trouble and put people off shopping or visiting our parks. Evidence shows us that those people with alcohol abuse/dependency problems live in temporary accomodation outside Southwark but they come to Camberwell for treatment from our different health services. To avoid displacement, the Police will refer them to services nearest to where they live supported by outreach workers. This will help bring our streets and parks back to public use again without fear of those “hardcore street drinkers” causing a nuisance.

Also, you may have noticed that the ugly blue “Car Wash” advertisement hoarding overshowing camberwell new road that i reported to the Council Officers has now been removed.We continue to press the Council over the illegal hoarding advertisement boards around the Green. I cannot comment to much online because of the legality surrounding the matter.

On issues of concern to Camberwell which you feel the Council can, or ought to deal with, then please email, or write to us at the Town Hall. We are here to help.

Finally, I love your blog. Been reading it ever since you set it up but did not intervene in discussions for obvious reasons. I probably even know you?

alison.moise@southwark.gov.uk
john.friary@{southwark.gov.uk
ian.wingfield@southwark.gov.uk

Labour Councillor Alison Moise
Brunswick Park Ward
LB Southwark

A new Ethiopian restaurant (yum!) has opened up (just off the beaten track) on corner of Wyndham road and Camberwell road. Yet to try this out but always good to have another culinary option in the area.