Concerns over proposed 5,000-capacity venue near the Thames Barrier
Plans have been made to open a 5,000-capacity venue in Charlton near the Thames Barrier.
Proposals would see the area at Stone Foundries potentially holding concerts, films, boxing and wrestling matches.
However the Metropolitan police have raised concerns over crowding at Charlton station, though the station handles far more people at an average Charlton home game. The football ground hold 26,000 people and last year averaged around 20k.
Rail company Southeastern have said – according to police – that they would put on extra trains but at “huge cost” and that the station is unstaffed in the evenings. The obvious response there is just why is a busy, inner city London station left unstaffed for hours every day and why should events bringing people to an area be stopped due to inadequate transport?
By that rationale nothing would ever by put on. Maybe close the Valley as it brings people to Charlton?
Staffing
Much of the Southeastern Metro network is scarcely staffed which sees revenue slip through their fingers. It’s a doddle to avoid paying. When TfL took over Abbey Wood on the same line and staffed the station with ticket gates in operation until closing – and this was a well before the Elizabeth line arrived – counted passengers suddenly jumped by around 50 per cent.
Everyone local knows Charlton is a station that’s easy to avoid paying given such limited staffing.
Ultimately this all smacks of various authorities whinging at putting on anything appealing as it may take a bit more effort and money to support.
Greenwich Council have also opposed.
Every old complaint is brought out including the quite ridiculous notion of crushes at the station. Has that ever happened when Charlton play and far more people are there?
We’re not talking about a village here but a station in a major world city. And this at a time the Mayor is pushing the night time economy.
The complaints may hold more weight if thousands of proposed homes had been built but like so much of the area they havn’t despite approval given years ago, and nothing is starting any time soon.
CW Bases has applied to Greenwich Council for a licence. They have also been in involved with a 5k venue at Convoys Wharf in Deptford.
Depends a bit exactly where the proposed venue is, but my immediate concern is the location would cause too many people to try to drive there, which would have a dreadful impact on most of the surrounding roads. By London standards, the location is somewhat ‘out in the sticks’. Charlton station is half a mile away from the Thames Barrier and doesn’t have a particularly good service. Few connections, and not turn-up-and-go like the Elizabeth line/DLR/tube. The only way to get to North Greenwich (where there are much better connections) is by bus. So getting there by public transport is not easy from most of SE London. And there’s also a huge retail car park at Charlton to tempt motorists.
I agree with Simon R I think the location proposed for the venue is not the best.
I also agree with the Met Police about crowding and punters getting to and from the station/venue.
Public transport is not great from South East London and Kent [Bexleyheath, Erith Crayford Dartford etc).
We have seen bus services in the area being cut back and the 472 axed completely.
So there would need to see major improvements to local infrastructure. New bus routes and general improvements to the area around the venue including public realm improvements improvements to walk ways street lighting new crossings etc.
I also agree parking will be a major issue in the Charlton area.
Has anyone set up a petition against this. As mentioned Charlton is not a large area. Thereu will be no life for us if this goes ahead. Added to the new roadworks that have narrowed everything. Should go further out to Thamesmead or more Kent way. Public transport is dire its sheer propaganda to say people will come by train.