Wednesday 30 October 2013

WOOLWICH: REGENERATION ARROW POINTS UPWRDS WITH NEW HIGHRISE PROJECTS by Benson Agoha


* Cllr Denise Hyland.

It's more good news for Woolwich as Council updates traders on the progress being made with regeneration efforts.

The updates were made at the Woolwich Traders Forum held at The Woolwich Centre Gallery, on Tuesday October 29, 2013.

In her keynote and welcome address, Cllr Denise Hyland, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Skills told the traders that the future looks very exciting as the Royal Borough regeneration efforts at the Town Centre and Crossrail developments, both in Woolwich and Abbeywood, go as expected.

Progress being made include the planned extension of the Shopping area along Powis Street towards John Wilson Street, as well as the 2-way extension of development from the Woolwich Crossrail Station towards Plumstead on one hand and Woolwich Dockyard, on the other.

Mr. Stephen Cradick of Cradick Retail, agents for Powis Street Estates, explained that there is ongoing discussion with a major High Street retail brand for the vacant spaces below the Travelodge and another prospect for the former Co-op. building, currently undergoing refurbishment.

The agent explained that for the next 10 years, all indices look positive for the Town Centre.

This positive echo was also confirmed by Mr. John Anderson, Chairman of Berkely Homes who said that, between now and the next ten years, Woolwich Arsenal expects to join the league of London Towns that host million pound apartments.

* WOOLWICH: UPWARD REGENERATION.

In his update to local businesses, Mr. Anderson explained that the commitment of Berkeley Homes to Woolwich Arsenal, starting with their development of the Royal Arsenal since 2001, was divided into four stages, and the next stage promises to add to the already changing skyline of Woolwich.

The next phase of regeneration is already sending the Town Centre skyline upwards, with the Royal Arsenal Hotel expected to be ready in 2014, Woolwich Arsenal Crossrail Station Apartments, due to be completed by 2018, Cannon Square actual development due to start in January 2014 and four more highrise apartments planned along the Thamespath, thereafter. There is also the Woolwich Central Tesco development, along Love Lane, which is nearing completion.

If the million pound apartment does not come with the current `Canon Square Project', whose archeological digs are now in progress, Mr. Anderson said it will come with the next four High Rise projects planned parallel to the Canon Square. The changing Woolwich Arsenal Thamespath is also another strong atraction for the Town.

The four new High Rise projects also look set to displace the Greenwich Skate Park and the Car Park beside the Leisure Centre.

And the forum was not just all about buildings but also about the security of residents and businesses as well.

Sgt Mat Coker of the Counter Terrorism Unit, Metropolitan Police Force, gave an update on community Safety Zones and said that following the urgly incidence in May, during which Drummer Lee Rigby, a serving soldier, was brutally gruesomely murdered on the Streets of Woolwich, the town was added to the list of areas for Terrorism Watch.

Sgt Coker said the police will appreciate information from businesses if they suspect any person or groups of planning to commit any form of terrorist act.

It would recalled that in recent months, the Metropolitan Police, City Of London Plie, The British Transport Police and the New Scotland Yard, stepped up awareness campaign against terrorism.

The Anti-Terrorist Unit have specially trained and dedicated officers who will respond to information that are terrorist related. In one of such recent campaigns, the anti-terrorist unit said "It's Probably Nothing, but..if you see or hear something that could be terrorist related, trust your instincts and call".

The Metropolitan Police say that "Communities can defeat terrorism and your call could save lives". The confidential ANTI-TERRORIST HOTINE to call with information is 0800 789 321.

* Twitter: @bensonagoha.

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