This weekend marks the three long years since Brixton Buzz broke the story that Network Rail intended to redevelop the Brixton Arches and evict all the traders.
Despite a concerted campaign of petitions, community protests and demonstrations in support of the traders, most were hoofed out leaving behind a ‘dead zone’ in the heart of Brixton.
This Sunday 4th Feb, Save Brixton Arches and Our Brixton are holding an anniversary event from 1pm and 3pm and people are invited to come along and show their support.
Here’s the text from the Facebook event page:
This weekend will mark three years since Network Rail announced their plans to redevelop the Brixton Arches back in February 2015.
The community were told that works would be finished by 2016 but due to Network Rail’s severe mismanagement of the project, work will now officially start on on Monday. The Save Brixton Arches campaign will be holding an anniversary solidarity action this Sunday 4th February:
THREE MINUTE SILENCE
The community will lock arms around the Arches and hold a three minute silence, one minute for every year since the plans were announced.Q&A SESSION
We will be giving a full update and Q&A session for the community and Press. All welcome.DATE: 4th February
TIME: 1 – 3pm
LOCATION: Meet outside the Brixton Recreation Centre on Brixton Station Road
In addition to showing solidarity with the remaining traders at the Arches we will also be highlighting the *REAL DANGERS* to market traders and the general public in/around Brixton Station Road. Dangers associated with this redevelopment include:
Fire risks
Inadequate fire detection, warning systems and safe muster points are proposed and these are designed to only protect contractors operating within the separate sections of the viaduct. Nothing is planned to provide early fire warning to the businesses, employees and general public, (some who may have mobility, sight or hearing issues), who will also be inside the viaduct, directly next to or even above the various building sites, on the train platforms above. Post Grenfell, fire safety and management throughout the entire viaduct, station and immediate area around the arches should be an absolute priority.Severely restricted emergency access
All deliveries, waste collections and concrete pouring from Brixton Station Road will require the use of HGV’s that will have dangerously limited gaps to access, (in some cases with less than 50mm clearance), through recently installed gate posts and existing bollards which will prevent the ability to turn any vehicles, and also require them to reverse out through the same gaps. At any moment a fire or emergency occurs, fire engines and other emergency vehicles will require immediate and full access to the full length of both sides of the viaduct as well as every access point used by contractors, existing businesses, the general public and rail passengers.Asbestos removal
Even with market traders and a creche just feet away and businesses within the viaduct that share the same ventilation, drainage, walls and access routes as the contractors, no safety measures are planned for protecting local businesses, young children or the general public from potentially dangerous airborne particles.General dust and air pollution – market traders preparing, handling and selling fresh food in the open air in Brixton Station Road market will almost certainly be forced out of business because of the dust and air pollution that will be generated which will severely damage their businesses and livelihoods.
Lambeth Council – Network Rail
We are still here. Still watching. Still fighting.
Event details
DATE: Sunday 4th February
TIME: 1 – 3pm
LOCATION: Meet outside the Brixton Recreation Centre on 27 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8QQ
Brixton Arches background & resources:
Read the latest news and join the big discussion on the urban75 forums (over 1,500 posts)
More info:
The vote to redevelop Brixton Arches: smear campaigns, doublethink and foregone decisions
Brixton’s A&C Deli: the inside story of a small business destroyed by gentrification, Network Rail & Lambeth Council.
About the Save Brixton Arches campaign:
Save Brixton Arches official website
Twitter: #savebrixtonarches