HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!

Happy New Year from The Greenhithe Marina Residents Association

This will be our very last post of 2012 and what a year its been, filled full of great memories, River Thames pageants, street parties, sporting achievements and royal celebrations, it really doesn't get any better than that!.

As we reflect on 2102, we ask will next year, 2013 be filled with as many reason to celebrate? We hope so, as we look forward to finally being able to announce the arrival of a new marina at Greenhithe, which we understand, will have its own dedicated parking.  

Provided the developer can deliver on this promise we trust, like us, local residents will welcome this development as promising and good news for residents and the area, particularly as this would mean that the marinas parking arrangements no longer appear to be a stumbling block to the proposals.

We are able to say this now because over the past 18 months key members of the residents association (GMRA) have been working extremely hard behind the scenes and, following a series of productive meetings with the developers (GMM) they agreed to look into ways in which they can address the main concerns of residents. This is a significant breakthrough, especially for some of our hard core members and, for those residents that have vehemently said “they would love to see a marina at Greenhithe but, refuse to support any marina plans that do not include adequate marina parking.” 

Even so, we appreciate that for many Greenhithe residents parking is an emotive issue, however on that issue and the issue of representation, we do not purport to represent everyone's views, nevertheless, we are, as an association, looking to find a mature and workable solution that we hope the majority of Greenhithe residents will find acceptable.

We are scheduled to meet with the developers within the first week of January 2013 and, as we understand it, they will present their latest marina plans, which the developers claim, will include something for everyone.  If you are interesting in attending this meeting or would like to express your views in favour or not, then please email gmra@greenhithemarina.com with your comments and contact details.

Either way this story will probably be our first order of business in the new year.

Until next year,

Love + respect

Tony

Chair

Bluewater expects 900,000 visitors in six days with 130,000 on Boxing Day

Bluewater expects 900,000 visitors in six days with 130,000 on Boxing Day

Bluewater is welcoming a bumper load of post-Christmas sales shoppers.

BLUEWATER is expecting 900,000 visitors between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve as shoppers rush for post-Christmas bargains.

The Greenhithe shopping centre broke its own Boxing Day records yesterday as 130,000 people passed through its doors with some queuing from 1am – five hours before stores opened at six.General manager Robert Goodman said: “Boxing Day was as busy as ever at Bluewater. “Premium fashion and footwear performed exceptionally well, with several brands reporting double digit growth on December 26 last year.

“The momentum has continued into today with the opening of the John Lewis Clearance Sale being a major draw.”
Bluewater is open from 9am to 10pm up to and including Saturday, December 29.

Peace on Earth, can it be...

Peace on Earth, can it be...

Peace on Earth, can it be

 

Finally....

New Dartford to Gravesend Fastrack bus is 'life line' for residents

Wednesday 12th December 2012

   News By George Sargent

 

KCC's David Brazier, James Moody, Mayor of Swanscombe and Greenhithe Vic Openshaw and local operations manager for Arriva Alan Hale

A NEW bus service running from Dartford to Gravesend has provided a “life line” for the elderly and infirm, an Ingress Park resident has said.The Fastrack bus service, which started running on December 10, is the first to go through the Ingress Park estate.It runs every 10 minutes and also stops in Dartford town centre, Bluewater, Ebbsfleet International, Greenhithe Station and Gravesend town centre.

Susan Butterfill, of Marial Walk, in Ingress Park, said: “It’s a life line for the elderly and infirm because they don’t have to walk nearly as far as they did before to get the bus.

“I think it’s much needed. And it also encourages people to use public transport.

“It’s a very good idea.”

But the 60-year-old grandmother said: “When I bought my house 10 years ago I was told there was going to be a bus link soon, so it’s taken a while!”

Dartford Borough and Swanscombe & Greenhithe Town Councillor Susan Butterfield

Passengers can buy a £5 weekly ticket for travel between Ingress Park and Greenhithe Station. Kent County Council deputy cabinet member for Highways, David Brazier, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Fastrack is now up and running through Ingress Park.“While it has taken longer than we would have wanted, residents now have the vital piece of public transport that they both want and need.”

Crest Nicholson is the company that built and developed the estate. Its eastern manager, James Moody, said: “Following our £3m investment into Fastrack, we are delighted that the service is now operational and that it runs through our popular Ingress Park development.“With a new phase of homes currently under construction, the bus service offers another benefit to residents looking to move to the area in the future.”