*My 7-point Sort Out Brixton plan!

[Bob]

Update? & a bump

Interested to hear from Mike whether things are still quite so bad outside his flats now as they were when this thread was new last summer.

Thought I'd contribute a little story about sorting out a junky related problem in my flats this week. About a week ago a couple of junkies broke into and started squatting the electricity cupboard at the bottom of my staircase (about 10 foot long and 4 wide concrete box so not the classiest squat) - causing all sorts of problems. My neighbour's son (aged 10ish) was too scared to go down the stairs of the flats past these guys - which is bad in itself and worse since his grandad lives pretty much opposite the bottom of the stairs. My neighbour (we'll call her Mrs M) Mrs M complained to the housing office who promised to do something, but after a couple of days had done fuck all. Mrs M then happened to bump into me when I was coming home Tuesday night (I'd not seen this all since I'd happened to use the other stairs to my flat all week) and let me know this. I got onto my local councillor and within 24 hours it was fixed (although they didn't fix it in the way that they promised him so there's a secondary complaint going on about that).

My point is that a) Lambeth council is still so rubbish they don't do stuff unless they're given a kick, b) if my neighbour had had the confidence / knowledge of how to contact our councillor it would have been sorted out earlier on, c) if my local councillor hadn't got onto it we'd have been fucked. Would be interested in people's comments - I think this simply shows at a very local level how very small numbers of people who are confident/informed/active can make a fairly big difference to the quality of life locally.

 

[IntoStella]

My point is that a) Lambeth council is still so rubbish they don't do stuff unless they're given a kick, b) if my neighbour had had the confidence / knowledge of how to contact our councillor it would have been sorted out earlier on, c) if my local councillor hadn't got onto it we'd have been fucked. Would be interested in people's comments - I think this simply shows at a very local level how very small numbers of people who are confident/informed/active can make a fairly big difference to the quality of life locally.

Completely agree. The council is rubbish unless kicked up the arse but individual councillors can be enormously helpful. The problem is that a lot of people don't think there is any point in contacting their councillors or going to their surgeries. One of the things we've been doing in the Rushcroft road area is getting across the idea to people that it is worthwhile doing this and that things can be changed for the better.

 

[Choc]

i am happily surprised that the library has actually changed much for the better, it got nicely refurbished and there is free internet and computer use available which gives it a whole new library-experience...

 

[Streathamite]

make ALL community service orders handed out at the local magistrates courts relate to clean-up duties.

 

[poster342002]

It does seem to have gotten a little better during recent months. The period from 2000 - 2002 (inclusive) was undoubtedly the worst I have ever known it to get in my long time in Brixton - and I've been around in Brixton since the late 70's. Thankfully, things appear to be going in the right direction at last - let's hope it keeps up.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

The period from 2000 - 2002 (inclusive) was undoubtedly the worst I have ever known it

I think I'd agree with that. I'm interested to hear what Mike thinks, seeing as some of the worst problems seemed to be concentrated around his block - and also whether the crime stats hold out any improvement.

 

[IntoStella]

The period from 2000 - 2002 (inclusive) was undoubtedly the worst I have ever known it

It was bonkers! After repeated muggings I was afraid to go out on my own at night. Police were getting shipped in from god knows where who didn't know the areas they were working at all. They couldn't get a grip on the probelm and they were getting harangued by a frightened and desperate public, including, I have to admit, me . I had a stand up row in the street with a policeman (after my neighbour was hospitalised by a mugger) in which he ended up yelling "It's not my fucking fault!" They were completely on the defensive and firefighting -- if you'll pardon the mixed metaphor! It was a nightmare.

 

[poster342002]

It was bonkers! After repeated muggings I was afraid to go out on my own at night. Police were getting shipped in from god knows where who didn't know the areas they were working at all. They couldn't get a grip on the probelm and they were getting harangued by a frightened and desperate public, including, I have to admit, me . I had a stand up row in the street with a policeman (after my neighbour was hospitalised by a mugger) in which he ended up yelling "It's not my fucking fault!" They were completely on the defensive and firefighting -- if you'll pardon the mixed metaphor! It was a nightmare.

I honestly feel that a vast amount of damage was done to Brixton's atmospheare and it's reputation during that horrible period. A lot of good people moved out, sick and tired of how things had become. Almost everyone had a mugging tale or at least a near-miss.

Most of the problems appeared to be fuelled by crack and heroin and - for whatever reason - the authorities appeared to be doing bugger all about it at the time apart from putting up pretty posters. And parking a crime-reporting bus near the library or the station - never once did I see anyone go into it.

It was with a joyful sense of relief that things started - at long last - to improve in the latter part of last year. I hope we never, EVER have a return to the unpleasant mess that was those three years from 2000 - 2002.

 

[hatboy]

"Most of the problems appeared to be fuelled by crack and heroin and - for whatever reason - the authorities appeared to be doing bugger all about it at the time apart from putting up pretty posters. And parking a crime-reporting bus near the library or the station - never once did I see anyone go into it".

That bloody bus looked completely unwelcoming. Like you'd go in there to grass people up or something. I don't call that outreach.

 

[Bob]

I almost found it impossible to believe that there had been a 63% fall in street crime over the last couple of years in Lambeth. Until I remembered that in January 2002 alone I had two sets of mates mugged round here (one couple at knifepoint right by Vauxhall tube, another on Brixton hill). Still I know of three people mugged in Lambeth last summer so it's still pretty far from being the safety of most of the UK where muggings virtually never happen.

 

[Bob]

1. Stick some huge, fuck-off lights along the dimly-lit, lone-female-worrying, drug dealer infested Electric Lane and Electric Avenue
2. Stick some huge, fuck-off lights along the stretch of Coldharbour Lane to Brixton Road
3. Install some urinals on Electric Avenue (by Iceland) as the place stinks of piss and always has done.
4. Put up a big sign that tells you the times and destinations of the overground trains at Brixton BR station
5. Put another big sign by the tube station - most people haven't a clue when and where the BR trains go
6. Rebuild the old Brixton BR third platform and the old Loughborough Park BR station on Coldharbour Lane (corner w/Barrington Rd) to allow direct route to Peckham, Lewisham etc
7. Fix the water that has dripped down on pedestrians from the rail bridge by the Dogstar since at least 1991

I'm sure you've all got some more to add to this list...!

Was it my imagination or did Electric Avenue look better lit than before when I went past the other day?

 

[pooka]

I almost found it impossible to believe that there had been a 63% fall in street crime over the last couple of years in Lambeth. Until I remembered that in <snip>etc QUOTE]

I recall when I joined these boards in March 2002, the Brixton Forum was replete with "I got mugged last night" threads. At that time it was almost impossible to walk the legnth of Acre Lane without being hassled by persistent, aggressive begging of the "Give me some dosh or I might just be a mugger" type. Certainly the climate has changed.

But, we should remember that the current levels of street robbing (Robberies plus snatches) is around 400/month which is pretty much back to where it was in 1999 - and its still the highest per capita in the country (some months Hackney noses ahead).

 

[hatboy]

Alot better than 960 in October 2001 tho.

 

[pooka]

Alot better than 960 in October 2001 tho.

Yes indeedy

 

[lang rabbie]

3. Install some urinals on Electric Avenue (by Iceland) as the place stinks of piss and always has done.

The Brixton Area Committee meeting on 4 May will be receiving an update on The Brixton Public Convenience Report from consultants "The British Toilet Association" (titter ye not )

I just hope the final report contains fewer platitudes than this..

The summary below has been provided by the British Toilet Association in advance of the production of the draft Brixton Public Convenience Report at the end of April 2004.

Brixton Public Convenience Report Update

“Extensive field work has been undertaken, to gain a detailed knowledge of the area covered and research work has been carried out to ascertain the views of both existing and potential toilet providers, as well as toilet users – both local residents and visitors.

The report will include a range of options for future public toilet provision, covering both daytime and evening economies, together with outline costings.

Any future (enhanced) level of public toilet provision will require the full co-operation of the local community and proper enforcement of laws, which impact on this basic – but currently discretionary Local Authority public service.

Since the current poor standard of public toilet provision in Brixton (as in many other parts of the UK) is largely attributable to various forms of anti-social behaviour, the views and involvement of the Metropolitan Police are key to any improved service provision in the future.

One thing remains constant – everyone who works in or visits Brixton’s commercial centre, as well as some of those who travel through Brixton, require to use an ‘away from home’ toilet one or more times every day.

Doing nothing about current poor levels of toilet provision in Brixton is not, in our view, an option, if Brixton is to fulfil it’s potential in accordance with Lambeth Borough Council’s vision set out in the Unitary Development Plan to make ‘Lambeth a great place to live, visit and work’.

But...

Financial implications
3.1 No new source of money is presently sought.
3.2 The report cost is £9400 [ LR], funded by the Brixton Area Committee Neighbourhood Renewal Environment Spend allocation of £100k for 2003/4. There is no further implication on the NRF Environment 2003/4 spend.
3.3 Future funding. The report will make detailed and costed recommendations on public convenience provision appropriate for the commercial centre of Brixton. These are anticipated to be creative financial options involving the establishment of partnerships with the potential for drawing in external sources of funding, as well as presenting best value proposals for internal allocation of existing resources.

Source: Brixton Public Convenience Update

 

[hatboy]

1. Stick some huge, fuck-off lights along the dimly-lit, lone-female-worrying, drug dealer infested Electric Lane and Electric Avenue
2. Stick some huge, fuck-off lights along the stretch of Coldharbour Lane to Brixton Road
3. Install some urinals on Electric Avenue (by Iceland) as the place stinks of piss and always has done.
4. Put up a big sign that tells you the times and destinations of the overground trains at Brixton BR station
5. Put another big sign by the tube station - most people haven't a clue when and where the BR trains go
6. Rebuild the old Brixton BR third platform and the old Loughborough Park BR station on Coldharbour Lane (corner w/Barrington Rd) to allow direct route to Peckham, Lewisham etc
7. Fix the water that has dripped down on pedestrians from the rail bridge by the Dogstar since at least 1991

I'm sure you've all got some more to add to this list...!

I'm going to champion some of these at BAF. I think I'm in a position there to possibly make a difference now.

However - this is not a "sort out Brixton plan". It is some ideas for the built environment. Good ideas, and ones I'd agree with (particularly as a man obsessed with detail), but it doesn't address deep social issues - that would "sort out Brixton".

Not a dig - just saying it would be better calling this, "My seven point tidy-up Brixton plan"

 

[RatuntaMcBlart]

I'm going to champion some of these at BAF. I think I'm in a position there to possibly make a difference now.

However - this is not a "sort out Brixton plan". It is some ideas for the built environment. Good ideas, and ones I'd agree with (particularly as a man obsessed with detail), but it doesn't address deep social issues - that would "sort out Brixton".

Not a dig - just saying it would be better calling this, "My seven point tidy-up Brixton plan"

I would've thought any improvements made to Brixton's social and environmental issues could only serve to accelerate its gentrification. The more word gets out that Brixton is "up and coming", the more snotty people are going to see it as an option as a place to live. And with snotty ass restaurants like Atlantic 66 opening and getting write-ups in the Evening Blandard, I think the only way to prevent the place getting too good a name for itself is to keep the streets as badly lit, as dangerous to the non-streetwise and as smelling of piss as possible. Wouldn't you agree that improving the quality of life in Brixton will in turn lead to a greater influx of people rich enough to choose where they live?

 

[hatboy]

It's called "inclusive regeneration". Improvements to public/community space that are for everyone. This can push or aid gentrification a little, but that's just tough. There's no reason why ordinary people here shouldn't have the best.

You do realise don't you that your stupid comments didn't really deserve a reply.

But if you want people to continue to live in dirt and poverty, perhaps I can introduce you to people who do and you can tell them yourself.

 

[RatuntaMcBlart]

It's called "inclusive regeneration". Improvements to public/community space that are for everyone. This can push or aid gentrification a little, but that's just tough. There's no reason why ordinary people here shouldn't have the best.

You do realise don't you that your stupid comments didn't really deserve a reply.

But if you want people to continue to live in dirt and poverty, perhaps I can introduce you to people who do and you can tell them yourself.

If you'd be so kind as to show me where it was even implied that I wanted people to go on living in dirt and poverty I'd be most grateful. I was merely pointing out to the people that are upset about gentrification that a huge factor in it's existence here is the improving face of the area.

 

[IntoStella]

It's called "inclusive regeneration". Improvements to public/community space that are for everyone. This can push or aid gentrification a little, but that's just tough. There's no reason why ordinary people here shouldn't have the best.

Exactly. Nobody has ever suggested here (unless they were obviously joking) that Brixton's problems should be perpetuated for the sole purpose of ''keeping the yuppies out".

Some people are either too dense to grasp the distinction between (exclusive) gentrification and (inclusive) regeneration, or have their own political agendas for misrepresenting the arguments.

 

[hatboy]

Ratunda - Doh! I never thought of that.




Simplistc. Obvious. Some truth.... but I don't think doing up the Moorlands estate for instance has much affect on rich people - they don't go there, they wouldn't buy there.

Over and out.

 

[RatuntaMcBlart]

Exactly. Nobody has ever suggested here (unless they were obviously joking) that Brixton's problems should be perpetuated for the sole purpose of ''keeping the yuppies out".

I didn't suggest that anyone had suggested it.

Some people are either too dense to grasp the distinction between (exclusive) gentrification and (inclusive) regeneration, or have their own political agendas for misrepresenting the arguments.

I was making my own argument, not misrepresenting anyone elses. I was making an observation that the more desireable a place becomes to live the more rich people will desire it. As the dinner lady at my school used to say "You can't have yogurt AND an apple".

 

[RatuntaMcBlart]

Ratunda - Doh! I never thought of that.




Simplistc. Obvious. Some truth.... but I don't think doing up the Moorlands estate for instance has much affect on rich people - they don't go there, they wouldn't buy there.

Over and out.

This post would've been a better follow-up to my original one n'est pas? If you'd thought it yourself, there was no need for you to jump down my throat for saying it too, you could've said "Well yeah I thought of that, but here's what I think now".

As for "simplistic", well Stella sure did a good job of completely misunderstanding it and missing the point.

 

[el-ahrairah]

editor has definitely got some of his wishes, but what would be the "How To Sort Out Brixton Plan 2013"?

 

[kabbes]

wtff

 

[el-ahrairah]

wtff

Many years ago editor started this thread with some good and interesting points, more of which were made during the course of the thread, despite the inevitable arguing. But Brixton has changed in the decade since and I wondered if anyone wanted to propose a new wishlist for sorting out Brixton. if it does, indeed, need sorting out.

obv.

 

[magneze]

Epic bumpage.

 

[Yelkcub]

I can't stand bubbly and the old fromage together. If someone would open a shop for each separately, I would move to Brixton on a flash.

Is that the sort of thing?

 

[Belushi]

half the posters on this thread appear to have been banned

 

[leanderman]

half the posters on this thread appear to have been banned

Yes and Newbie is clearly no newbie