South London News

Transport for London (TfL) has come under fire from Lambeth politicians for allegedly cancelling a meeting to discuss disruptive upcoming roadworks on Streatham Hill — with just hours’ notice.

The meeting, organised by Lambeth Liberal Democrat councillors Donna Harris and Matthew Bryant alongside Hina Bokhari AM, was intended to bring a small group of residents, businesses, and TfL together for a site visit and urgent discussion about the extensive A23 works planned to last until at least 2027.

The Met cop who was cleared of murder after shooting Chris Kaba will face a gross misconduct hearing, the police watchdog has said.

Sgt Martyn Blake, 41, an officer in the specialist firearms unit MO19, shot Mr Kaba through the windscreen of an Audi Q8 in Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham on September 5, 2022.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “We made strong representations that he should not face any further action due to the extensive evidence tried and tested at court and the not guilty verdict returned by the jury.”

A community has locked horns with its council over plans which they say will see shops forced to close and vulnerable residents left disadvantaged.

Lambeth council has been working on plans for “public realm improvements” in Amesbury Avenue as part of the Streatham Hill LTN scheme.

But two weeks ago, their efforts to begin works were blocked by residents who cornered off the road with cars and children holding banners and placards.

Campaigners are calling on Transport for London (TfL) to extend its consultation period on a controversial scheme five years after plans were first announced.

The three-week consultation, which will close on Good Friday, relates to the A23 Healthy Streets Scheme in Streatham.

The project will see new pedestrian crossings, a protected cycling route, improvements to bus lanes and closing off some side-road junctions, to improve the experience for walking, cycling and public transport on the A23 corridor.

Streatham RedHawks will face Slough Jets in the NIHL South 1 play-off final at Ice Sheffield on Saturday after a 10-2 aggregate win over Chelmsford Chieftains last weekend, writes Christopher Beal.

The victor will then take on North 1 opposition – either Blackburn Hawks or Billingham Stars on Sunday.

Streatham had a 7-1 lead from the away first leg of their fixture against Chelmsford with Danny Ingoldsby (three), Luke Brittle (two), Ben Paynter and Ryan Watt scoring.

Two food banks which independently support thousands of South Londoners are joining forces to meet growing demand for their services.

Lambeth South and Croydon Foodbank, formerly Norwood and Brixton Foodbank, has announced its merger with Waterloo Foodbank.

The newly-formed Lambeth and Croydon Foodbank is now located at the Oasis St Martin’s Village in Tulse Hill.

The move comes in response to the “huge growth” in community need and number of operations provided by the food banks over the past five years.

Both food banks are part of the Trussell network.

Major works are set to begin on Streatham Hill this summer, promising residents safer roads, crossings and faster bus times.

The scheme, developed in partnership between Transport for London (TfL) and Lambeth council, will create new pedestrian crossings, a protected cycling route and improvements to bus lanes on A23 Streatham Hill.

The work will be undertaken in five main stages and is due to be completed by spring 2027.

BY CHRISTOPHER BEAL

Streatham missed out on a fifth consecutive NIHL 1 South title despite finishing their regulation season without conceding a goal in 120 minutes.

The South London club won 9-0 at Cardiff on Saturday before a 6-0 home victory against Solent Devils.

But Streatham finished one point behind Slough Jets.

RedHawks now face a two-legged quarter-final play-off against Swindon Wildcats. The first match is at home tomorrow (5.30pm face off) with the reverse taking place on Sunday.

Kensington and Chelsea residents fear they’ll have to park even further away from their homes if the council follows through with a proposal to allow second homeowners to have parking permits.

It estimates such a rule change could bring in as much as £350,000 a year.

The local authority said the move would help plug a revenue gap caused by a gradual fall in residents’ parking permits in the borough since 2013.

Lambeth Liberal Democrats have hit out at the Labour-run council after the closure of Streatham’s only arts venue.

Streatham Space Project (SSP) in Sternhold Avenue, announced it would close its doors on March 13.

In a statement, the SSP said: “Today we share the news that none of us wanted to. SSP is to close.

“We want to thank you for caring, participating and making SSP the beautiful home for arts and community it is. These spaces are so important to have. Times are tough and getting tougher but with each other we’ll find a way through.”