Brixton Central Square - Thread the Seventh

[newbie]

I don't know. It would depend on how nice and safe it was. I think for pensioners/disabled people etc. it would be nice to have somewhere green that was near a bus stop other than Brockwell Park

I think a little oasis in the heart of Brixton with maybe a nice water feature/fountain would be nice, although it's totally unrealistic

there was a fountain in Tate Gardens, not that anyone took any notice. WS is green, not that anyone uses it. Until the dispersal order no-one used the Peace Garden, except on a weekend morning after the Fridge.

Crucially the square isn't central. It's sufficiently off axis that few are likely to walk to it, any more than they (we) walk to Max Roach park.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

there was a fountain in Tate Gardens, not that anyone took any notice. WS is green, not that anyone uses it. Until the dispersal order no-one used the Peace Garden, except on a weekend morning after the Fridge.

Crucially the square isn't central. It's sufficiently off axis that few are likely to walk to it, any more than they (we) walk to Max Roach park.

I think the fact that the local drinkers had taken over Tate Gardens probably put anyone off sitting near the fountain.

WS is green, but there's nothing attractive about it. It's caged in. It's square. It's boring, it's featureless. It only needs a roof and it would look like a green prison cell.

 

[newbie]

http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/windrush.html

the building was a lot less attractive by the time I knew it, but it was still Orange coaches. After that it became a shop called Import Cargo, I think.

 

[pboi]

If they had the guts to completely close effra road by st. mathews (and make all traffic go round the back) then the churchyard could join up and make a pretty big park.

while im sure the traffic would be fcked...that is AWESOME

 

[nick]

I'm trying to think of other spaces like that (in terms of scale and loaction near to main transport routes) in London .

Soho Square?
Berkeley Square?

 

[ajdown]

What good is a large park, however, if it's just going to be full of druggies and alcoholics hanging around, making it a no-go area for everyone else rather like the area outside the Ritzy?

 

[christonabike]

Brilliant

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

What good is a large park, however, if it's just going to be full of druggies and alcoholics hanging around, making it a no-go area for everyone else rather like the area outside the Ritzy?

Maybe if they put a kiddies' play area, the drinkers and drug-takers would feel guilty about using it

Although that is of course highly unlikely

 

[pboi]

What good is a large park, however, if it's just going to be full of druggies and alcoholics hanging around, making it a no-go area for everyone else rather like the area outside the Ritzy?

maybe it will be so large and well lit that they can have their own area, leaving the rest of it to be enjoyed by the rest of le brix

 

[Crispy]

I reckon the traffic could be ok. If we remove the pavement from the S side of the church (and put pedestrians on a path inside the 'park' boundary, then there's enough road space for 5 lanes. If you count the actual road capacity coming in and out, it should all fit. I reckon

 

[Crispy]

maybe it will be so large and well lit that they can have their own area, leaving the rest of it to be enjoyed by the rest of le brix

Just like in Brockwell Park

 

[pboi]

you know it!

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I reckon the traffic could be ok. If we remove the pavement from the S side of the church (and put pedestrians on a path inside the 'park' boundary, then there's enough road space for 5 lanes. If you count the actual road capacity coming in and out, it should all fit. I reckon

I've not quite figured how this is going to work. Brixton is a nightmare if there's an accident anyway. All you need is an accident on Tulse Hill for it to affect traffic going both ways

 

[teuchter]

If you look at the existing situation you realise that actually, a large proportion of the area is green anyway:

 

[Crispy]

Yes but it's all cut up

 

[teuchter]

I know. It's the glueing together rather than necessarily adding more green which would be most welcome in my opinion.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Yes but it's all cut up

We need some evergreens planted.

And just look at Windrush Square. Boring, boring, boring. Bit of grass with a couple of paths through it

 

[teuchter]

We need some evergreens planted.

And just look at Windrush Square. Boring, boring, boring. Bit of grass with a couple of paths through it

Yes, Windrush square is undoubtedly crap. And the fence around it is fairly nonsensical.

 

[ajdown]

I've not quite figured how this is going to work. Brixton is a nightmare if there's an accident anyway. All you need is an accident on Tulse Hill for it to affect traffic going both ways

Unfortunately there are a lot of people round here that hate cars and believe that we should all use bicycles, without actually realising that there are very good reasons that most of us don't us bicycles already - like a bloody great hill to cycle up if you live anywhere South of the Ritzy.

 

[Crispy]

Nobody's mentioned bicycles yet, and my post upthread had nothing to do with them.

In any case, this junction is vital for cars, buses, lorries and cycles. Any remodelling has to maintain existing capacity for all modes.

I have accurate OS maps of the area in CAD at home, so I can get a bit more specific. You want a copy teuchter?

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Yes, Windrush square is undoubtedly crap. And the fence around it is fairly nonsensical.

and I think that's what makes it unattractive, you feel imprisoned, and at the same time vulnerable.

 

[christonabike]

like a bloody great hill

I met an Aussie on the 59 bus who was lost, said she was looking for Brixton Hill. I said we were on it. She said she was looking for a hill, doh!

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Again, brilliant



I met an Aussie on the 59 bus who was lost, said she was looking for Brixton Hill. I said we were on it

I do feel embarrassed calling it a Hill myself as it's practically impossible to see it's a Hill. You only know it when your legs start feeling it

 

[Bob]

Unfortunately there are a lot of people round here that hate cars and believe that we should all use bicycles, without actually realising that there are very good reasons that most of us don't us bicycles already - like a bloody great hill to cycle up if you live anywhere South of the Ritzy.

Just adds to the exercise - anyone who is of working age could cycle up Brixton hill as long as their bikes had a few gears.

 

[ajdown]

There's quite a few disabled people who would agree with you, for a start.

 

[Crispy]

no, everyone should be forced to cycle

 

[teuchter]

I have accurate OS maps of the area in CAD at home, so I can get a bit more specific. You want a copy teuchter?

Not if it's on condition that I use it to work up a fully thought out scheme for Brixton Central Square (unless Boris wants to pay me to do so, of course).

But yes, it might be a handy thing to have for future reference...

 

[Crispy]

sent it to your email address as listed in your profile.

 

[gaijingirl]

Just adds to the exercise - anyone who is of working age could cycle up Brixton hill as long as their bikes had a few gears.

It's quite possible to cycle up Brixton Hill on a fixed wheel!

 

[ajdown]

It's the going up that bothers me. Riding down wouldn't be such a problem.