Bringing the Tube to Streatham
This is a belated post to include a link to the new website set up by a local resident, Kent Martin, to campaign to bring the tube to Streatham
There is a blog at: http://www.streathamtube.com/
In a frenzy of social media activity, Kent is also Twittering at:
http://twitter.com/streathamtube and there is a facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=175781612601
Until now, Streatham Action has been reluctant to run with a Tube campaign in the run up to the General Election - on the belief that that pledging to bring the tube is an easy promise, but delivering on it is a lot more difficult. (Streathamites have been pressing for a tube extension since 1926!)
We’ve been concentrating our efforts on shorter term improvements to rail and bus services. However, that is mostly down to my (unduly jaded and cynical???) views on the campaigns we should run.
If local people think that Streatham Action should make this a high profile campaign, let us know!
- Robert Doyle's blog
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Should be high profile?
Robert,
Thanks for the shout out.
I can understand that there’s a sense of exhaustion and ‘we’ve seen all this before’ when it comes to (political) campaign promises to bring the tube to Streatham, however, I don’t see that as relevant to this particular campaign. As I mention on the website, I am not a politician, and, we’ve gone to some pains to make sure this campaign isn’t politically aligned. It is truly a community issue - and some previous campaigns, we believe, have failed, precisely because they are politically aligned and, therefore, almost by definition alienate part of the community.
There’s also a pretty truly massive advantage that this campaign has over previous attempts - as you mention above, that is social media and, internet communication mediums generally. Previous campaigns have had to suffer under the burden of producing printed material, going door to door, and other traditional methods. Whilst these can be effective tools (we’re told, we’ve never tried), the cost to benefit ratio is relatively high. The methods we are using are for all intents and purposes free, and, are in all likelihood, capable of reaching more people.
That being said, we haven’t forgotten about traditional campaigning ideas, and, as mentioned in one of the posts, we do have something in mind that is cheap, environmentally friendly, and, pretty much unmissable by anyone in the community. Unfortunately, it isn’t so cheap as to be free, so, we’re actively seeking support from the council for help on that. Initial indications are positive on that front, so, I’m hoping for some good news there soon. If it doesn’t come, then, we’ll be approaching local politicians with the same idea.
I’d encourage you, and anyone reading this, to allay your cynicism and get behind us. I truly believe that, in light of what I’ve said above, this campaign has a genuine chance where others, over almost the last century, have failed.
The one thing I can guarantee is if we don’t make this an issue, nothing will change, and we won’t be able to enjoy the benefits of places like Clapham, Balham, Brixton, all of which are thriving - how many empty shops have you seen there?
What's the history and issues aournd this?
Hi Kent, Thanx for adding in on this. Something I think would be good is if you (and others?) coould contribute a potted history of serious attempts to bring the tube to Streatham including (please!) a note on what happened to the East London Line extension plan recently.
Would you mind starting that off and maybe posting it to the “Streatham Journeys” forum and add to the conversation there?
Many thanks!