Does your older persons Freedom Pass expire on 31 March 2015?

If your older persons Freedom Pass expires on 31 March 2015 you will receive a letter during November and December this year with your unique renewal number.

For the first time, you can renew online in a few simple steps.

Once you receive your letter, go to the renewal page of this site, enter your renewal number and follow the simple instructions to renew your pass. If you create an account by giving us your email address, you’ll also be able to track your renewal and will receive an email once your Freedom Pass has been sent in the post.

You cannot renew at the Post Office or over the telephone.

To ensure you receive your Freedom Pass by 31 March 2015, renew as soon as you receive your letter.

Renew your pass now
(after you receive your renewal letter)

I’m not very good with computers!
If you are not able to renew on the website yourself, ask a friend or family member to help, or visit your local library for assistance. It would be worthwhile contacting your library first to check what support is available and whether you need to make an appointment to use their computer.

What if I can’t go online?
Enclosed with the letter will be a form you can complete and return. If your name or address has changed, you will need to provide proof of your identity and address.

Remember: you must take action as soon as you receive your letter so that you receive your new pass before your current one expires.

- See more at: http://www.freedompass.org/older-persons-freedom-pass/renewing-your-pass

Firework displays

In the run up to Bonfire Night it is important to consider how to stay safe, whilst having fun. The Safer Bromley Partnership suggests that it is always best to attend an organised firework display.

If this is not possible the London Fire Brigade has some helpful advice for firework and bonfire safety.

Local displays click on the links for more information

• Norman Park - Firework Display and Family Funfair  1 November
• Beckenham Fireworks and Funfair 1 November
• Chislehurst Rotary Fireworks Display 1 November 
• Crystal Palace Park - Fireworks Display and Family Funfair 5 November
• Langley Park Girls School -Fireworks Musical Display 8 November

The minutes of the last meeting of 
THE PLAISTOW & SUNDRIDGE COMMUNITY ADVISORY PANEL, HELD AT BURNT ASH SCHOOL
ON THURSDAY, 23RD OCTOBER 2014 are available on the CAP website at :-

Community Advisory Panel

Bromley Library Home Library Service

Do you know about the Home Library Service? Mr Hartnoll didn't but now he knows there is a free service that can take books to him when he needs it. 'I like to get out but it's good to know it's there if I need it, especially in the cold winter months.'

For more information call 020 3045 4565, email: LibraryCommunityservices@bexley.gov.uk or see:
https://arena.yourlondonlibrary.net/web/bromley/home-library-service

Changes to Last Posting Times for the links Estate

LERA member Michael Dobbs has sent us the following message:-

This morning I posted some letters in the post box in Portland Road. It was only after posting them that I noticed a new collections plate showing revised collection times:

Monday to Friday: 9.00 am

It also states that there is a 4.00 pm or later collection time at the post box in New Street Hill

Saturday: 7.00 am

This is a considerable change to previous collections times - now you must ensure (if not an early riser) that you have items for posting placed in the Portland Road post box the night before. I wonder if this is the first step in eventually closing that post box, just leaving us with the one at the junction of New Street Hill / Oak Tree Gardens.

Regards, Michael

I have checked with Royal Mail and their website states that the changes are an "improvement" as shown below:-

What changes are taking place and why?

We are improving the level of public access to postboxes in areas of under-provision, by adding around 2,000 boxes to the 115,000 we currently have. 45,000 to 50,000 low-use boxes will move to ‘collection on delivery’ with the postman or woman emptying the box on their round, rather than providing a dedicated collection by van. No postboxes will be removed from service as a result of this initiative.

When is all the change happening?

We started making changes in September 2014 (October in Scotland). We fixed a notification label to all boxes that are going to be ‘Collected on Delivery’ at least four weeks before the planned changes. New box plates should start to appear throughout the Autumn as the changes are rolled out. These will show the new collection times and the location of alternative, later-collection boxes.

There is more information at the Royal Mail Website at:- royalmail.com/postboxes-faqs

Carriageway Resurfacing for Leamington Avenue

Members in Leamington Avenue should have received this notice from the contractors, Conway. The letter was sent to me as a Pdf which cannot be loaded on Blogger so I have scanned it instead.

Click on the image to enlarge it

Petition to extend the Bromley North Shuttle

Residents are backing a campaign calling for trains to run from Bromley North station into central London once more. More than 400 people have signed a petition campaigning for the mainline train service to be reinstated so it runs to London Bridge, Charing Cross or Cannon Street.

A shuttle service from Bromley North calling at Sundridge Park currently offers around three trains an hour to and from Grove Park station where commuters must change for connections to London. Bromley North trains called at central London stations until 1990 when services were withdrawn following congestion at London Bridge.

Campaign leader Mario Giannini said the line must be reinstated to accommodate the growing number of professionals moving into the borough. The 46-year-old, of Howard Road, said: "Lots of transport improvements have been made in the surrounding boroughs over the last few years and Bromley feels left out.

"We are not asking for an expensive, brand new rail system. Why can’t we just use the train tacks we have already got?"

Services also run from Bromley North station to central London when engineering works are being carried out at Bromley South. Mr Giannini added: "The shuttle service is now outdated and irrelevant. We must have our direct train service from Bromley North back if we are to compete with the rest of the capital."

He wants the government to put pressure on train providers to reinstate the line. A spokesman for Network Rail and Southeastern said: "We know that people don't want to have to change trains on their journeys and we are always looking to improve services, and take the pressure off Bromley South.

"Bromley North trains would have to run into central London through London Bridge, which is one of the most congested parts of the railway network.

"For instance, 151 trains pass through there between 8am-9am every week day. In addition, direct Bromley North trains would have to cut across the paths of other trains at Grove Park, which is also very busy.

"At this point, we cannot squeeze another train in without negatively impacting on other services."

The spokesman said they would review the situation in 2018 after the Thameslink programme is completed. The £6.5 billion rail project is expected to free up more capacity at London Bridge station.

To sign the petition visit: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/69602

To see the full article published in the Newsshopper click on the following link

newsshopper.co.uk/news