Thamesmead pensioner blasts housing associaton for closing shops (From This Is Local London)

Gallions Housing Association is in its third phase of regenerating Tavy Bridge in Thamesmead

11:10am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Where I Live By Kelly Smale

A THAMESMEAD pensioner has blasted a housing association for "taking the heart out of the community" by closing a parade of shops.

Gallions Housing Association is in its third phase of regenerating Tavy Bridge, which has been re-named Southmere Village.

It involves closing the shops from now until September to make way for new homes.

Mary Matthews, of Hartslock Drive, said: "We obviously need regeneration.

"But when they pull the shops down there's going to be two or three years before there's anything in this area.

"It's like taking the heart out of the community."

The 65-year-old, who suffers from arthritis, added: "People who can't go very far rely on those shops.

"If they take them all down there's going to be nothing. No one will want to live here."

Chairwoman of Tavy Bridge Regeneration Residents Action Group, Cherry Kent, says taking down the shops will be "devastating".

She said: "It will make a great difference to people's lives, particularly the loss of the pharmacy.

"At the moment it's walking distance but in the future people are going to have to get on a bus to Morrisons or Abbey Wood pharmacy."

A petition to save the shops was handed into Gallions with around 500 signatures.

The housing association says it has kept residents up-to-date with its plans through newsletters, formal letters and discussions with the residents’ group.

Director of development and regeneration, Ian Beckett, said: "The regeneration of the Southmere Village is now in its third phase and will totally transform the area.

"But in the meantime we realise the proposed works will lead to short term issues and concerns for residents.

"We are, however, working with the community to try and minimise any disruption or inconvenience where possible."

Tavy Bridge regeneration

Phase one in 2007 saw two tower blocks refurbished, the demolition of a number of empty properties and the construction of a new underground parking area and multi sports pitch.

Phase two included the construction of 94 affordable homes for rent and 35 homes for outright sale during 2010 and 2011.

Phase three includes creating around 291 homes for rent, shared ownership and private sale.

The phase, which is due to start in spring and is expected to last around four years, could also see the library rebuilt and the creation of four commercial units.