HS2 and the Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate
Two people from Camden Planning came to the TRA meeting last week to discuss the impact of HS2 on the estate. So far the following is proposed by HS2:
- An air vent will be sited at the Loudon Road entrance to the estate taking up the whole site where the shops, flats and workshops are.
- The construction of the vent will take 2-3 years making this whole entrance to the estate a construction site meaning the entrance will be re-routed
- Three deep level tunnels will run beneath the estate
- Why was a site chosen for the vent which is the entrance to thousands of peoples homes?
- Why is the vent site going to be so large?
- The TRA has received lots of requests to improve that entrance and get it better designed and busier, but placing a vent there could make it more quiet, particularly at night
- The shops on the site, partciularly the laundrette is crucial to many residents, particularly in the one bedroom flats.
- What impact will the tunnelling have. We appreciate it is deep level but we want assurances
What can we do?
Come to the TRA arranged meeting which will be publisized shortly, but also go to the public consultation events organised by Camden and HS2. There will be one on
Wednesday 22nd May
at Swiss Cottage Community Centre from 12pm to 8pm.
Go along. We need to make our voices heard.
May 2012
Ping Pong Competition
On Thursday May 2nd the Tenants Hall was filled with residents of all ages and abilities, all keen to take part in an intergenerational table tennis competition organised by residents with a generous small grant from Camden Council. A league was set up and players given handicaps to make matches more even and there was tense(ish) competition as people battled it out on all three tables. After some tight games, ans lots of laughter it was decided that the prizes (brand new table tennis bats) should go to all of the children who participated. Everyone had a slice of the wonderful themed cake (pictured) made specially for the competition by resident Elizabeth Knowles. Thanks to all of the residents who came along and made it such a fantastic evening.
The weekly table tennis clubs are going really well. Adults play every Thursday from 7.45pm to 9.30pm with the kids club on Fridays from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. It's free and run by your fellow residents so just turn up and join the fun and get in training for the next competition.
May 2013
Our Magical Dawn Chorus Walk
At 5.30am on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning a group of fresh looking residents huddled together suspiciously at the Abbey Road end of Rowley Way looking a little dodgey perhaps to any passing cars. But the bright anoraks and binoculars revealed that we were infact about to explore the bird life of our very beautiful park on the estate.
Guided by, Andrew Peel, an expert from the Marylebone Bird Watching Society, we wandered about the park, stopping to listen and look as each bird call was identified to us. Wrens, blackbirds, gold finch, robins, a passing cormorant, blue tits, and many more make the glorious park their home. Andrew pointed out their habitats and behaviour as we were shadowed by three worried looking blackbirds for much of the walk.
After an hour and a half we all went up to the Tenants Hall for coffee and croissants and went up onto the roof to bask in the gorgeous early morning sun shining on our magnificent estate.
May 2013
SHEF CO-OP - over two years old!!
Our very own Estate Food Co-op sells organic fruit and vegetables right here on the estate. Anyone in the area is welcome so come and see us.
Every Saturday morning from 10am to 12pm in the Tenants Hall.
The coop is run by volunteer residents and other people living in the area. It's non-profit and great value, and a very sociable place. So far over 100 people have come along to buy fruit and veg. Just pop along to the Tenants Hall any Saturday between 10am and 12pm. You can also have a cup of tea and a chat, do a book swap, or pick up some free childrens books and even play a little table tennis. All welcome.
We also welcome anyone interested in becoming more involved in running the coop so come and find out more.
This is your Food Coop!
To find out more you can email us on shefcoop@gmail.com
Follow us on twitter.... 
May 2013
Fingers crossed for a £1.4m facelift of our park
A couple of years ago a group of residents got together determined to do something about the state of our lovely but neglected park. Fantastic progress has been made since then, and a few weeks ago the final bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund was submitted for funds to make it splendid once more!
The aim is to fix all the uneven and damaged pathways and broken railings, replant the flower beds, put in four brand new playground areas and open up new routes to better connect the Hive area with the rest of the park.
We have already done a number of other important pieces of work including:
• A conservation plan
• A 10-year management and maintenance plan to make sure that the park doesn't decline again after the improvements have happened
• A residents and visitor survey, and an activity plan to work out what people wanted to do in the park and make a plan for as many of these things as possible to happen in future.
Thanks to the team at Camden Council and to all of you who have become a 'Friend' of Alexandra Road Park and come along to our planting sessions, dawn chorus walk and of course the Jubilee Picnic. Please do join up for regular updates on the project and fun activities – see our website www.friendsofalexandraroadpark.com
We will find out in July whether we were successful in getting the funding so look out for announcements around then!
HOT OFF THE PRESS: Camden have just granted planning permission for this to go ahead, so fingers crossed for a positive decision from the Heritage Lottery Fund!
Follow the Friends of Alexandra Road Park on Twitter here..
February 2013