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Neighbours in battle with school over 'Berlin Wall'
Miranda Bryant3 Dec 2009
Residents are at war with a primary school after it fenced off a road to allow pupils to cross safely.
Dubbed "the Berlin Wall", the barrier has been erected in Lant Street, Borough, to protect children at Charles Dickens primary from traffic.
It means local people have to walk about 150 yards around the block rather than 45 yards to reach t f the road. After being granted permission by Southwark council, the school put up two 10ft wooden fences so pupils could get from the main building to an "eco-garden" on the other side of Lant Street.
Residents are in talks with the school. Beverley Mason, a 46-year-old art student, said: "It's ludicrous. Why don't they just ban traffic?
"I can't think of anywhere else this has happened, apart from Berlin."
Other residents, some with mobility difficulties, claimed the fence was built without thorough consultation, and the hoarding has divided the community.
Pensioner Joe Beckles, 73, chairman of the tenants and residents' association, said the school had been unwilling to compromise: "The school is not committed to having the road opened. We will carry on protesting until access is authorised. They say it's an inconvenience, but we're saying it's much more we're being deprived of. The extra diversion the wall has created has caused me grief. People who come to see me can't find me as the street is blocked."
The school refused to comment, but the council insisted the hoarding was only a temporary measure.
A spokeswoman said: "After a thorough consultation process, dating back to 1999, planning permission was granted in 2006 to turn Lant Street into an attractive space which would benefit the whole community and add to the outstanding facilities provided to Charles Dickens pupils.
"Any objections received were fully considered at the time. Temporary hoardings are in place to address the issue of safety for children attending the school. We understand that the hoardings can be an inconvenience and we do appreciate people's patience while we improve the area for the benefit of all."
Reader views (5)
You should be very worried when a few vigilants decide that having the street closed is better and safer for the children and that the Lant Street residents should put up with having their street closed. This is simply the tiranny of a small minority that have nothing better to do e.g. have a real job instead of living out of all of us paying the high taxes in this country and dictating to the majority of residents in Lant Street.
The existing school playground is big enough for the number of children the school has. If you wished for additional space you should not inconvenience the existing residents road usage and should look for an harmonious agreement. For example, you could have used the wasteland for the children and build a tunnel from the school that would have kept the children safe from your prying PC eyes and from the road dangers whether they be cars, bikes, people. In addition, you could have created a garden with a gated access that would be easily accessible by everyone to enjoy the environment (not just the school).
- Mitch, Lant Street Resident, 29/06/2010 13:18
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- Hugh Simon, London England
Great observation, fatties need exercise it will do them good and will save them expensive gym membership fees plus less visits to the Doctor.
This should especially help the guy in the white jumper. And as for being an art student at 46, well she should have plenty of time for a small detour.
- David, London, 04/12/2009 10:49
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I see most of the people complaining are overweight, apart from the Doctor Who guy who could just teleport to the other side in his police box.
So what is the big deal with walking that extra couple of minutes anyway? Yes most of you are rather large but come on, walking is good for you! I don't even know why the guy in the chair above in the picture is complaining, as it isn't like he actually walks anywhere.
So where does this road take you to quicker than an alternative route anyway? The only place I can think of is Right Price, even though there's a Tesco Metro a couple hundred yards further, which is just one shop.
To even be arguing about this is ridiculous anyway. It's a extra minute walk, which is great for most in this picture, versus children having room to play. I just don't see your argument here.
To make your argument even more pointless the road has been shut for a year already. How can you still not be used to the alternative routes? Is it that much of a strain on your legs? Or are you just that lazy?
The comment of your friends not being able to find your house just makes me laugh to be honest. How many of your friends are visiting your house for the very first time? Once they realise it's closed they can just go down the road you can't seem to be able to walk yourself.
Well I’ve had quite a bit of fun with this so I’ll leave you with what we're all really thinking of this nonsense anyway.
EPIC FAIL!!!
- Hugh Simon, London England, 03/12/2009 21:15
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Comparing the closure of Lant Street to the Berlin Wall really is ridiculous, and I think if you asked those who lived in Berlin when the wall was present, they would say the same. I have lived in the area for 17 years, and attended Charles Dickens school. I have seen the facilities improve immeasurably, and the new space that will be provided for the pupils will be a wonderfully beneficial. Those that want a walk-way to run through the space should really think about the dangers of unknown people being able to walk through what will essentially be a playground. Children cannot be put at risk by the whims of others. There are two streets that run adjacent to Lant Street; Marshalsea Road and Great Suffolk Street. Is there a reason that the protestors object to using these streets?
Lant Street has been used as a rat-run by fast-moving vehicles (including Evening Standard vans)for years, with no speed humps to stop them. It also had poor lighting and the land opposite the school was used as a area for drug addicts to inject (and leave their dirty needles on the floor). Turning this unpleasant street into a beautiful play area for the children of Southwark is surely something even Charles Dickens himself would approve of.
Campaigning against walking an extra one minute approximately to get to your destination really does seem like a waste of time. And ultimately sets a bad example to our children, who should be learning that the easy way isn't always the best way.
- A Non-Selfish Southwark Resident, Southwark, London, 03/12/2009 20:26
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Too much power is being given and used by the buracrates of this country. They don't listen to the public.
Its time that we the public started to reclaim this power back, to the populace!
We had one civil war to remove corrupt power crazed politicians. Now must we have another?
- N Winsor, Southampton, 03/12/2009 19:59
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