My recollection from the original consultation pictures was that the lovely paving would go right across the square, but either my memory has failed me, or plans changed since then - or perhaps funding didn't stretch that far. I do think it's a bit of a shame that they have chosen black asphalt for the main square and the central strip of Douglas Way - a lighter alternative would have been less oppressive especially for days when the market is not there.
They have marked out the pitches on the new asphalt - more than 30 in total! And they are tiny! Perhaps the council want to impose a new regime on stallholders, especially in the main square where they have got into the habit of simply emptying their boxes onto whatever bit of space they can find. Personally I find the random heaps of trash that pass for stalls at the second hand market add to the charm of Deptford, but I can imagine that it is both an administrative and a health and safety nightmare for those who bear the responsibility in legal terms.
All I can say is I look forward to seeing how the market is arranged this morning, and I don't envy the task of the market inspectors if they are expected to shoehorn Peter and his 'top quality rubbish' into even a couple of those pitches. I am sure I can hear the sound of the air turning blue right now...!
I am delighted and slightly relieved to see the lamp posts are not wonky; there are a few bike racks in the square and rows of lovely trees, very pleasant. I'll be doing a full appraisal once it's all completed.
*update: the square is still fenced off today, somewhat disappointingly. Seems we'll have to wait a few more days to see it in action!
9 comments:
looking forward to going to the 'new market' as well! (need to stock up on remote controls . . .)
Car Park in waiting?
What a shame if this is permanent. Nothing to do with a market then, and all to do with a Cycle Route.
I also noticed on Friday that the paving met an uncertain end when it meets the high street and was filled in with tarmac...
Perhaps it is all waiting for the other plans to catch up, ie, the closing of the high street road to extend Giffin Square so that Giffin Street is closed off and reroutes via Frankham Street (as per Lewisham model at Volks Fitzpatrick exhibit) and, of course, Cathedral's plans for the ramp...
Such a shame they couldn't stretch to a coloured tarmac, or that nice version with gravel embedded in resin on the tarmac surface. Black tarmac is very oppressive and looks dirty very quickly :(
Off on a tangent but still on the subject of building works...people might be interested in knowing that the Greenwich Reach development has started up again. It looks like a crane has gone up today!
The planning shows the new market will be a nice one.Hope to see them soon.I love the markets.
Why, what was wrong with the old market (surface), they spent a lot of dosh on something that didn't need fixing!
...and as shipwright's palace said!
Every time I walk past, the pitch markings annoy me: they seem to have been made as ugly and obtrusive as possible. Since they're empty for over half the time, a little more care wouldn't have gone amiss.
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