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Newsletter Article Looking Around with the Editor There is no question that Dulwich's transport links have greatly improved and it is now more sensible to take public transport to and from London to Dulwich during the day. The increased regularity of the P4 bus giving access to Brixton and Underground system, the 10 minute rail service to London Bridge from North and East Dulwich and since December the increase for much of the day to four trains an hour to Victoria from Sydenham Hill, West Dulwich and Herne Hill stations have created much better transport options for residents. In the evening the situation is different. The regularity of the service from London Bridge to East and North Dulwich reduces to two trains an hour. This is totally unacceptable in the light of new planning policy to be implemented by Southwark Council and outlined in this issue by Alastair Hanton. The policy enshrines the belief that if no parking places are provide by developers, then this will force people out of their cars and onto public transport. At the same time housing density will increase. The policy may be viable in the northern part of the borough where there are better transport links but it will be very difficult for Dulwich and East Dulwich residents. What is likely to happen, unless public transport links are improved is that residents in new high density developments who do not join a Car Club, (see opposite) might be decide to buy a car and then park it on already congested streets elsewhere. To prevent this from happening then transport facilities in the evening need to be equal to those of daytime. For many City workers the working day now often extends into the evening. Key workers in London hospitals and service industries finish work at off-peak times. Dulwich's theatre and concert goers might also be persuaded to abandon car trips to Town in the evenings as well as the daytime if train frequency improved. It seems ridiculous that there are three times more trains from London Bridge to Dulwich at 2pm than there are at 8pm. The Newsletter A successful team effort has led to the Newsletter receiving a commendation by the London Forum of civic and amenities societies. The Dulwich Society is grateful to both regular and occasional contributors, and to the area and street Newsletter distributors, without whom this publication could not function. The editorial policy of the Newsletter is twofold; to promote the aims of the Dulwich Society - "to foster and safeguard the amenities of Dulwich" but also to reflect and encourage the diverse interests that contribute in making this part of London something special. This edition contains examples of both of these elements. An interesting addition to Kingsdale School, the birth of a Dulwich car club, the current state of play at Crystal Palace Park and good news of Belair Park are important matters for Society members. On the other hand, Michael Rich's account of The Fort is a remarkable success story about a concept many people may be unfamiliar with. Maggie Brown's history of Channel 4, authoritatively reviewed by Greville Havenhand demonstrates that the Newsletter contents are not exclusively parochial and Tony Fletcher's revelation of Dulwich's connection with the early days of film making by Gaumont is perhaps a reminder of a different aspect of Dulwich's heritage. |
