Bexleyheath traffic chaos as mum and child are trapped in car park for three hours

2:30pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 in Bexley By Sam Christie

Nicola Hackett was stranded in the car park for three hours after shopping at The Mall, Bexleyheath Nicola Hackett was stranded in the car park for three hours after shopping at The Mall, Bexleyheath

A MOTHER and her two-year-old child were stranded in a Bexleyheath car park for three hours as major roadworks caused traffic chaos.

Nicola Hackett planned to nip into The Mall in Albion Road on Saturday to buy a present for her friend’s newborn baby.

But she and her son Thomas returned to the top floor of the multi-storey car park at around 12.30pm to a sea of cars.

The 36-year-old insurance company project manager could not believe her eyes.

She told News Shopper: “We didn’t move for two hours, we were so far at the back, people were coming out of the mall and cutting in front of us; it was awful.

“I was ready to punch this woman who pushed in front of me.

“When you work full-time, weekends are so precious. And when something like that happens and there’s no end in sight, you think ‘what’s going on?’”

The delay was due to major roadworks in Bexleyheath town centre, which involved temporary traffic lights and a one-way system between Albion Road and Broadway.

Mrs Hackett, of Orchard Close, Bexleyheath, added: “People were out of their cars, ringing police. People were going crazy.

“They were going out of the car park into even more traffic.

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“One or two cars were getting out onto the main road every couple of minutes.

“They should have shut the car park.”

During the chaos, she called Bexley Council, Transport for London and the Met Police but nobody could help.

She said: “I could not believe the lack offorward thinking and the fact nobody wanted to take ownership.

“The stewards were helping and doing everything they could but nobody managed the situation.”

When she finally reached the exit, two-and-a-half hours later, her ticket had expired.

She had to push the emergency help button before queuing for another 30 minutes to get out onto the main road.

The experience has put her off Bexleyheath.

“I won’t go back there,” she said. “I’ll go to Welling or Bluewater, that’s how most people are feeling in the area.

“It’s not worth it. The death of the high street? I’d vote for it.”

The major roadworks are part of the Bexleyheath town centre revitalisation scheme which started in January and could last up to five months.

The project involves a new roundabout in Albion Road, new shared space areas at Trinity Place and Christ Church on the Broadway, and an improved crossing at the corner of the Broadway to the pedestrianised area near Asda.

A Bexley Council spokesman said: “Although the planned traffic diversion took effect on January 14, no serious problem emerged until last Saturday.

“Our initial assessments indicate use of the shopping centre increased considerably on that day as it was the first Saturday enjoying better weather after the recent snowfall.

“However, more investigations into all aspects of the issue are required.”

Comments(25)

Erith chap says...
2:58pm Wed 30 Jan 13

Notice how the many other people involved in this annoying incident haven't gone moaning to the papers, shift happens, get over it.

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the wall says...
3:26pm Wed 30 Jan 13

What a whinger. You have had months to get a present, so don't whing and moan about it when you get caught in a bit of traffic.

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GABI-85 says...
4:07pm Wed 30 Jan 13

Good for you for reporting this. Some people have nothing better to do with their time than waste it in a public amenity. This situation has the potential to repeat on a regular basis for another 5 months and almost certainly would unless people raise it as an problem that needs to be resolved. And as for the previous comments: you're spending your time moaning at a news article. It's just a piece of news that you don't like, stop whinging and get over that...

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ron.1952 says...
4:14pm Wed 30 Jan 13

I do love a drama queen, don't you just love em.

Ron

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the wall says...
4:18pm Wed 30 Jan 13

GABI-85 wrote:
Good for you for reporting this. Some people have nothing better to do with their time than waste it in a public amenity. This situation has the potential to repeat on a regular basis for another 5 months and almost certainly would unless people raise it as an problem that needs to be resolved. And as for the previous comments: you're spending your time moaning at a news article. It's just a piece of news that you don't like, stop whinging and get over that...
LOL - Wrong. I would direct my comments to the correct departments, not ring the local paper to have a rant. I also wouldn't admit to wanting to punch people. So what will she want to punch next time she is held up ........ her two year old?

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reasonable75 says...
4:24pm Wed 30 Jan 13

Ready to punch someone? Great example for her son

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handymanchris says...
4:25pm Wed 30 Jan 13

BORING!

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cherithporter says...
6:30pm Wed 30 Jan 13

Poor woman. Doesn't make sense.

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Heath Ledger says...
11:09pm Wed 30 Jan 13

What sort of uneducated moron would give a quote like 'I wanted to punch another driver'? The sort who works in insurance, clearly! Given you live less than a half an hour walk away from the Mall according to this article, you only got what you deserved for being so lazy.

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ernieeeee says...
11:17pm Wed 30 Jan 13

Thanks to everyone that has read the article regarding the problems on Saturday. I am sorry to read any negative feedback surrounding the article as I merely intended to highlight the issues that we are likely to face over the next few months.

As mentioned in the article, I did escalate to the relevant parites on the day itself but didn't receive a satisfactory response or any reassurances that the situation would be resolved shortly. On Monday I contacted the News Shopper with a copy of the complaint letter that I had sent to the council and TFL. I am hoping to get a response to that shortly and will be happy to share that online to anyone that is interested.

The unfortunate quote 'I was ready to punch this woman...' seems to detract from the main issue. I am sure all those that know me appreciate that I wouldn't really be capable of such thuggery and just meant it to show how angered I was by the situation. My thanks to my equally passive brother Rich for coming to my online rescue...

Let's hope it continues to be a popular article.The more people that respond the more likely it is that something will be done about the delays we are facing.

Yours, Nicola

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Marty1979 says...
7:10am Thu 31 Jan 13

But if you wouldn't be capable of punching someone why make the comment?

And your brother, who you claim has come to your rescue, begins by telling people who made reasonable comments that they are losers

He goes on offering to "meet" people - so what would be do if he meets them face to face that cannot be put in writing?

Inferring he perhaps intends physical violence?

Your original comment to NS and your brothers subsequent tirade suggest that far from being passive, both of you could well be capable of "thuggery"

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lullybee says...
9:13am Thu 31 Jan 13

I would like to point out that, this lady had gone to the newspaper with a point to make about the disorganisation of traffic in the area. She made an off hand comment that, lets be honest, most of us have done in the heat of the moment, that has been taken out of context by this reporter. For people to comment on her abilities as a mother is just ridiculous! Come on people, aren't there others who are deserving of your bitterness? Jeeez!

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Gypo.Joe says...
10:35am Thu 31 Jan 13

So she sits in the car for 3 hours when she could of walked home in half and hour. Dahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
.

Women drivers say nah more.

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ken from bexley says...
10:42am Thu 31 Jan 13

I appreciate that the council are not doing this for fun, but quite what is the reason for the major disruption, and at what cost?. With the High street in meltdown the site of all the closed shops is hardly going to improve wanting to come to this area. What was so wrong with the previous road layout?
I am not against upgrading roads in the borough, especially if they have a regard for expense and done quickly.
This scheme seems to fail on both of these levels, to an area that could do with retaining every trader.

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Common_Sense123 says...
11:27am Thu 31 Jan 13

The issue is the appalling planning of Bexley Council, as well as the complete waste of taxpayers money.

Is anyone is their right mind going to visit Bexleyheath Shopping Centre more frequently, and spend more cash there, as a result of a new roundabout, new shared space, and an improved crossing. And it takes five months, and God only knows how many pounds, to do all of this ??

How long will it take for the money lost through the cost of works, the money lost from the general public alienated over the next five months who take their trade elsewhere, and the money lost from countless people being late for work daily, to be recovered ??

Bexley Council you are a disgrace.

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the wall says...
12:15pm Thu 31 Jan 13

ernieeeee wrote:
Thanks to everyone that has read the article regarding the problems on Saturday. I am sorry to read any negative feedback surrounding the article as I merely intended to highlight the issues that we are likely to face over the next few months.

As mentioned in the article, I did escalate to the relevant parites on the day itself but didn't receive a satisfactory response or any reassurances that the situation would be resolved shortly. On Monday I contacted the News Shopper with a copy of the complaint letter that I had sent to the council and TFL. I am hoping to get a response to that shortly and will be happy to share that online to anyone that is interested.

The unfortunate quote 'I was ready to punch this woman...' seems to detract from the main issue. I am sure all those that know me appreciate that I wouldn't really be capable of such thuggery and just meant it to show how angered I was by the situation. My thanks to my equally passive brother Rich for coming to my online rescue...

Let's hope it continues to be a popular article.The more people that respond the more likely it is that something will be done about the delays we are facing.

Yours, Nicola
Well thank you for your very well constructed reply. It make's a change from the normal response we get on here.

You remind me of a young girl I use to know at the venue in New Cross many many years ago. Happy Days ;-)

Just one question, the insurance company you work for, do they offer cover to people that could be beaten up for having an opinion that doesn't agree with your brother or even other peoples brothers?

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Tip-Top says...
12:38pm Thu 31 Jan 13

Just goes to show that parking in those 'parent & child' only spaces isn't worth it ;-)

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Hello_Mate says...
1:28pm Thu 31 Jan 13

The so-called "planned" pedestrianisation (is that a word?) has been on the cards for about 6 months (feat. in Newshopper previously) so to go shopping under the illusion that everything would be the same is silly.
I wonder if the 'other driver you wanted to punch' has anything to say?

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hereallweek says...
1:49pm Thu 31 Jan 13

There is a huge difference to being 'stuck' and 'trapped'. She was basically inconvenienced because of a traffic delay. At no point was she ever trapped in anything but her own importance

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CityWorker1 says...
2:21pm Thu 31 Jan 13

Seems a bit tight saying you'd vote for the death of the high street. This chaos wasn't the retailers fault.

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Rev. Sue Scottley says...
2:34pm Thu 31 Jan 13

Death to the high Street because of one bad parking experience? Proportionate!

This happened at the weekend, and the New Shopper was told on Monday. Way to give the relevant people time to respond satisfactorily - it would have been nice to give the people involved a chance to get back into their office after the weekend and review the incident properly.

Also, people need to be aware that this work has been paid for by TfL, not Bexley Council, I understand.

This disruption to Bexleyheath town centre has been well advertised, precisely to encourage people to make alternative arrangements to driving into town, which is very well-served by buses.

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Tip-Top says...
2:39pm Thu 31 Jan 13

Rev. Sue Scottley wrote:
Death to the high Street because of one bad parking experience? Proportionate! This happened at the weekend, and the New Shopper was told on Monday. Way to give the relevant people time to respond satisfactorily - it would have been nice to give the people involved a chance to get back into their office after the weekend and review the incident properly. Also, people need to be aware that this work has been paid for by TfL, not Bexley Council, I understand. This disruption to Bexleyheath town centre has been well advertised, precisely to encourage people to make alternative arrangements to driving into town, which is very well-served by buses.
Oi Rev, what gives you the right to spout common sense on this matter???

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Marty1979 says...
3:23pm Thu 31 Jan 13

As so often happens the story gets pulled

Wonder who complained

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Simon bald says...
5:42pm Fri 1 Feb 13

pathetic woman, oh and 36!

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Boycott4 says...
3:44pm Fri 8 Feb 13

For all of the people with their insightfully spiteful comments, did any of you venture into Bexleyheath that day? I can tell you I got the bus there from New Eltham and it took nearly 2 hours to get into Bexleyheath and the traffic was horrendous.

In addition I have met the afore mentioned mother on several occasions and I can assure you that while she is a mass ball of energy (and with what I believe she manages on a daily basis she has to be) she would never stoop to such levels as punch someone.

I would congratulate her on raising a valid subject with the respective authorities. Councils, Governments, Business etc get away with so much these days yet the majority of our society and communities do nothing and choose to slag the people off who raise the topics. Thankfully there are people like Nic around who will take the time to raise awareness of issues and escalate through the all channels available in attempt to provide resolutions.

Today a car parking issue, tomorrow a closed down A&E (hang on a minute, were they not protesting in Lewisham on this day too....)

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