Sadly many shops and businesses are running at a loss right now on D Rd.
Please share some love and SHOP on D Rdt at your fav shops.
Big love 
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@MajaHilton is proactively pursuing options with council officers to attempt to expedite the opening of the road over the next few days - even if it is on a pro-tem basis.
Council Officers and the contractor have lapsed into a passive view that the existing excavation which prevents work progressing cannot be resolved quickly.
The explanation for this stance is not forthcoming as of this weekend.
Maja has confirmed her commitment to resume pursual of this issue on Monday 23 April.
In simple terms the overall state of readiness of the works means that if the last major hole in the road can be back filled soonest, the road can be re-opened immediately without completion of the road re-surfacing works.
Even if the resurfacing works to the road are delayed, it is deemed reasonable that resurfacing works will take a maximum of two working days after the hole is filled and made good.
Council officers need to apply pressure to the contractors to ensure this happens soonest. And by that Tuesday 24 April latest is a crucial date. - and the road should be opened the day after.
It is intolerable that the council cannot respond to the fact that a seven week overrun on a twelve week programme is having such a devastating impact on the survival of Dartmouth Road businesses.
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Is there no compensation available from the council or contractors for the shops…for instance 6 months rates free to help them out in the short term?
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We just need the Road open to get back to normal trade 
I don’t want to see anymore shops closing!
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The council will deny in all probability that compensation is due.
The contractor will also state that as he has no contractual obligation to individual businesses as they have no contract with them,
However a case might be made that the works have not been carried out diligently and in a timely fashion and that the council has an obligation to ensure this was the case. Naturally this will be denied - but it may be worth pressing - and ultimately the Local Govt Ombudsman may have a role to play in determining liability.
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I will be looking into this tomorrow, possibly a petition for the shops that have suffered most to bounce back rather than close 
Might I suggest an alternative.
Each business could prepare a brief and accurate current balance statement (year on year comparison would be ideal) on their financial position since the start of the works.
@MajaHilton’s professionalism (accountancy as I understand it) will enable her to assemble a collective view of the financial impact and present this to council.
I would recommend that this be submitted to Steve Bullock - and as it will undoubtedly be one of his last actions, it might be the most effective route for action.
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Great thought John, thanks I will share and pass on.
Have a great evening x
Hi Pauline, do you know where the info is? Is there a copy of the design and preliminary costing somewhere? Was it done by the Council or Forest Hill Society?
This is the kind of thing - with an election about to happen - that we should be asking for a commitment on - to at least commit to preliminary work on feasibility, design, potential sources of funding. Anyone going to the hustings tomorrow, please ask about this! I’ll be working so can’t go.
I’m open to any suggestions you have to put forward so please email me with any at sugarmountain.info@gmail.com
Tomorrow is my day off so I can have a serious look tomorrow afternoon.
Thanks
Pauline
Maybe I should run for Cllr next time after all!
We’ll see 
Most contracts of this kind have standard penalties included for any overrun. If so whoever from tfl or the council who awarded the contract to Kier? and is controlling the money/contract has such a sum accumulated by now that could be used for compensation.
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Perhaps when voting for new Mayor one should investigate which candidate will best serve the people when it comes to managing contractors.
My own experience with Lewisham Homes would indicate that there is a blind acceptance of estimates and the clarity of contractural conditions is sadly lacking.
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The truth is that responsibility is obscured and voters/residents are in a state of mystification about who is accountable. This forum is full of comments on many threads which are plaintive cries for help without knowing who to contact. And those of us who have contacted the council have experience of being ignored or passed around, or given information which does not answer the question actually asked.
Enjoyed a three cheese toastie from Aga’s and some sweets this weekend.
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And I refer the poster to my earlier comments, you (andI) pay their wages your power is in your vote Lewisham has been Labour for years if its not working for you change it.
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As people are aware we are 10 days from the election. So something you suggest will not happen until after the election.
I will PM you more
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Just to remind people that @MajaHilton is not standing for reelection next week so in her current capacity as local Councillor we will be losing her amazing insight into Council workings and her dedication to the Forest Hill community. I sincerely hope she continues to engage with the community in some similar way.
I’ve been amazed at the level of engagement Maja has with the Forest Hill community, both online and in person. And that she continues to be so engaged when most people would be sun-setting their jobs is a testament to her commitment that she continues to engage so close to the finish line.
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TfL are saying Dartmouth Road closed until Sunday.
I had not seen that statement.
@MajaHilton has been in extensive discussion with council officers who report that there are still technical/practical issues with work in the one open hole on the carriageway. Until this excavation is re-instated and capped off - the road remains closed and re-surfacing cannot be done.
This can hardly be viewed as anything other than distressing for the DR businesses affected by the further delay.
And apart from failing to open the road - it will take at least two more weeks for Kier to complete the paving works and clear the site.