To the British Waterways project manager for Millfields works, 17 May.
Hi Mish
I doubt you’ll remember, but we met and had a pleasant chat at the community planting on Millfields park last year. I dissuaded you from pesticide use, I think.
I’m now secretary of the Millfields Users Group so it’s my job to harass you about the fact that the bridge walkway works have over-run. BW said work would run from Monday 28th March for 6 weeks, i.e. till 8 May so it is over a week overdue. There’s a rumour that the subcontractor is failing to install railings, in which case may I ask why they are being allowed to get away with this? Are penalties being applied?
There is a serious road safety issue here, as people are naturally crossing at the west end of Lea bridge, exposed to drivers coming blind over the hump-back. I have heard an unconfirmed report of an accident, and users are bringing the issue to the user group. Local councillors are also getting involved, and of course the local press will be the next stop.
Could I also ask when the long-broken railing at south Millfields will finally be repaired? BW has meticulously painted right up to the break on either side, which some might describe as provocative considering how long we’ve been waiting for this simple repair. It’s tempting to feel that at Little Venice or the Zoo it would have been fixed long ago. We have had a very vague reply from BW via Hackney Streetscene and it would be courteous to give us a definite date, and an imminent one.
Regards
From: Mish Patel
Sent: 18 May 2011 11:20
Hi Tim
[Y]ou are correct that the works have overrun slightly, this is for a number of reasons:
1. When we removed the decking and exposed the steelwork underneath it was found to be in a worse condition the previously assumed and as a result some additional works were required.
2. The works were carried out during the Easter/Royal Wedding/Bank Holiday period which resulted in just under a week of lost working days.
3. The handrail fabricator had to make some changes to the connection details.
Excuses aside we are pushing the contractor to get the walkway opened as soon as possible, the handrail installation is due early next week and provided there are no further issues the walkway will be open by the end of next week.
Regarding the safety issue, we did consult with the council on the diversion and there [is] a straight forward diversion in place but I appreciate some members of the public will still take the most direct route and I think the council are looking into putting up some additional signage on the road.
The handrail repair was due to be carried out along with the towpath works but it was missed off by our contractor, I can’t give you a definitive date but I can assure you it will happen and sooner rather than later. I will get back to you once I have a confirmed date.
Regards
Mish Patel
Project Manager
British Waterways
—————-
From: Mish Patel
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 15:37:57 +0100
Hi Tim,
Just to follow up on my previous email, I’m told the railing has now been fixed (will be painted next week).
Regards
Mish Patel
Project Manager
British Waterways