16 minute read
The rush to diversify as shipbuilding faded
Thames Ironworks was also a major engineering company, which was now losing ground to companies in the North and Scotland which could produce the same ships at lower prices because of lower wages. Like’s Penn’s it had had an international reputation for excellence. It was based at the mouth of Bow Creek - directly opposite what is now the site of the Millennium Village.
Since the 1870s Thames Ironworks had been in the hands of the Hills family. Every book which I have written in the past 16 years has included a chapter on Frank Hills - commonly known as ‘the Deptford chemist’ but with an important works in East Greenwich and much else. He chaired Thames Ironworks from 1870 but had died in 1892. It was a family misfortune that Frank’s two eldest sons died shortly after and his third son, Arnold, became Chair of Thames Ironworks until the company collapsed in 1912.
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Arnold is well-known as the founder of West Ham Football club - he was in many ways an unlikely figure to be found as a major industrialist. He was a temperance and vegetarianism advocate who believed in ‘fellowship schemes’ between management and workers. Thus he was the exact opposite of his unscrupulous father.
Traditional work on both steam engines and warships was now limited and would soon be no longer relevant. What contracts existed were now going to the Tyne or Clyde, where wages were lower. However at Blackheath Road engines continued to be made, and warships were still ordered. But it was clear that in order to survive the company needed to diversify.
Initially some of the Greenwich site was used for a new boiler works for the French Belleville company; there was also a steam driven electricity generator which led to much restructuring of the plant. West Kent Argus reported that the ‘new shops for engine and Belleville boiler work were probably the best of their kind in the United Kingdom’. William Penn, the last member of the family to run the company, resigned in 1901. Other companies throughout the country were beginning to manufacture road transport vehicles and Thames management must have seen this as a possible solution to the decline in the traditional manufactures.
A lorry was designed and a prototype made. This was said to be ‘identical in all respects with the vehicle which ran in the recent Commercial Vehicle Trials of the R.A.C’. It had a four-cylinder engine, and there was an exceptionally large radiator, which... has given the whole vehicle a rather heavy appearance. There was also a 15-cwt.petrol powered van ‘a serviceable-looking machine, fitted with a canvas tilt’.
These were shown at the Olympia Motor Exhibition in 1905. Soon after a new factory was built for what was to be called Thames Engineering Works. It was at the lower end of the Greenwich site and equipped with modern machine tools. The engines for these vehicles were built in Greenwich while the bodywork was done elsewhere and Thames also set up a West End agency to handle sales. They continued to exhibit at successive Olympia motor shows what was called the ‘Thames Range’.
A young apprentice employed at the works in this period was Barnes Wallis, the future inventor of the Dambusters’ bouncing bomb. He remembered working on an early London taxi cab which was ‘suitable for London traffic, and conforming to the Metropolitan Police requirements ‘and ‘would do quite well for private service or better class hiring work’.
Wallis also remembered working on what he described as the first ever racing car built in England. I don’t know if this claim to be the first such car is true and can find no reference in histories of motor racing. However, in 1907, a newspaper report says that ‘W. T. Clifford-Earp, driving a six cylinder Thames car annexed four world records’ … ‘the 50-mile, mid 100-mile and one and two-hour records, and also established a record for 150 miles’. In 1909 another report says ‘a new world record’ was set for
G.Palmer’s cord tyres by C. M. Smith on a 6 cylinder Thames car at Brooklands ...the most severe test to which motor tyres have ever been submitted.’
Meanwhile in Folkestone, of all places, in 1905 a Mr. Cann was in need of better vehicles for his London and South Coast Motor Service route between Hythe and Folkestone. ‘He placed an order with Thames Ironworks, Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, for their experimental motor coach built to seat 20 passengers’. Apparently he liked the large driving wheel, and the six cylinder engine. A new model was delivered in 1906, but there were some initial problems - nevertheless Cann went ahead and ordered five more coaches and even more were added later. Apparently the use of these vehicles continued on the south coast and coaches in service are seen in photographs credited to the 1920s.
They also provided public service special vehicles. In 1905 members of the Lewisham Borough Council saw a demonstration of a means of destroying waste by a machine called The Clem, which completely pulverized the refuse. There are also reports of vehicles for sprinkling water on streets and no doubt there were other such specialist equipment produced.
Many years ago I was given some drawings of various elegant motor cars by the late Patrick Hills –Arnold Hills’ grandson. He was very proud of these and said that they were the cars made by his grandfather’s company. In newspaper reports of Thames Engineering I have only ever found reference to commercial vehicles, lorries buses and some specialist vehicles for local authorities. I don’t really know if these motor cars were ever made.
In 1912 Thames Ironworks, the parent company went into receivership following a stand-off with Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty over the placing of orders in London where wages were high. There was a great demonstration in Trafalgar Square by 10,000 East Enders protesting at so many skilled shipyard workers being put out of work by the Company’s failure. I’m sure that there were great aspirations at Thames Engineering to produce efficient and saleable vehicles, but what brought Thames Ironworks down was the failure of the shipbuilding business and the determination of government to place orders away from the Thames. The failure of the motors business was just collateral damage.
Strangely there are reports that in 1913 a double-decker coach was constructed which resembled a stagecoach without the horse. This strange vehicle is exhibited in a Dutch Museum, and has been widely illustrated. https:// www.louwmanmuseum.nl/en/car/ thames-47-hp-motor-stage-coach/
In May 1913 the Blackheath Road site was put up for sale by auction and was sold to Messrs. Defries, the lighting specialists. However it is said ‘nothing came of the project’ and, sadly there are soon reports of problems of a financial and probity nature.
Royal Borough of Greenwich
Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (AS AMENDED)
Town & Country Planning (Development Management Procedure)(England) Order 2015
Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (AS AMENDED)
Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 (AS AMENDED)
Town & Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007 (AS AMENDED)
Notice is hereby given that application(s) have been made to The Royal Borough of Greenwich in respect of the under mentioned premises/sites. You can see the submissions and any plans at http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/planning.
If development proposals affect Conservation Areas and/or Statutorily Listed Buildings under the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Area) Act 1990 (As Amended) this will be shown within the item below.
Anyone who wishes to comment on these applications should be made in writing to Development Planning within 21 days of the date of this notice.
Please quote the appropriate reference number.
Date: 01/02/2023
Victoria Geoghegan
Assistant Director - Planning and Building Control
List of Press Advertisements - 01/02/2023
Publicity for Planning Applications
Applicant: Zenatti 22/3683/HD
Site Address: 321 WESTMOUNT ROAD, ELTHAM, LONDON, SE9 1NS
Development: Demolition of existing garage/storage and construction of a single storey outbuilding to be used as a garage and office
Conservation Area: adjacent to Progress Estate
Applicant: Mr Gareth Tennant 23/0008/HD
Site Address: 33 BLACKHEATH PARK, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 9RW
Development: Demolition of an existing rear conservatory; construction of a single-storey rear extension at lower ground floor level; excavation at lower ground floor level to increase head height internally and to provide a secondary entrance from the front; enlargement of existing rear lightwell to create usable external space at lower ground floor level; reinstatement of existing subterranean cellar with creation of an entrance from the rear garden; replacement of existing windows; internal layout reconfiguration and other alterations including reinstatement of some period features; replacement of an existing diseased Eucalyptus tree in rear garden with new species; other associated external alterations. (This application affects the Grade II Listed Nos. 33-43 Blackheath Park in the Blackheath Park
Conservation Area)
Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH PARK
Applicant: Mr Karim 23/0038/F
Site Address: 3 STATION CRESCENT, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7EQ
Development: Installation of external extractor system to rear.
Conservation Area: WESTCOMBE PARK
Applicant: Madeleina Loughrey-Grant 23/0095/HD
Site Address: 32 PARKGATE, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 9XF
Development: Construction of front porch with canopy.
Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH PARK
Applicant: Mr Mustafa Hussein 23/0189/HD
Site Address: 59 ARSENAL ROAD, ELTHAM, LONDON, SE9 1JT
Development: Installation of rooflights to main roof and installation of rear window.
Conservation Area: PROGRESS ESTATE
Applicant: Mr Linden The Studio Partnership 23/0197/HD
Site Address: 107 LEE ROAD, LEWISHAM, LONDON, SE3 9DZ
Development: Change of Windows from single to Double glazing
Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH PARK
Applicant: Mr & Mrs Bahra 23/0198/HD
Site Address: 27 MORDEN ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 0AD
Development: Demolition of existing single storey rear conservatories and the construction of 4m single storey rear extension and a part first floor rear extension.
Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH PARK
Applicant: Mr Vishal Ahuja 23/0200/HD
Site Address: 75 CONGREVE ROAD, ELTHAM, LONDON, SE9 1LW
Development: Construction of single storey rear extension
Conservation Area: PROGRESS ESTATE
Applicant: Davy & Co Ltd 23/0224/MA
Site Address: Davy & Co Ltd, 161-171 Greenwich High Road, London SE10 8JA
Development: An application submitted under Section 73 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 for a minor material amendment in connection with the planning permission dated 24/07/2018 (Reference: 18/0450/F) for Alterations to second floor mansard, including installation of roof lights and enclosure of ground floor under croft to provide additional office space (use class B1), replacement of roofing of existing warehouse and part of yard, extension to gatehouse building to create retail sales area (use class A1) accessible via Waller Way, Internal alterations to basement and ground floor of 'Davy's Wine Bar' and construction of associated covered external seating area within
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
FOR A PREMISES LICENCE - LICENSING ACT 2003
Notice is given that Sean Stiff of The Angerstein Hotel, 108 Woolwich Road, SE10 0LE has applied for the Variation of an existing Premises Licence for the following premises: The Angerstein Hotel, 108 Woolwich Road, SE10 0LE courtyard, new and replacement windows to north and south-west elevations and installation of replacement and new railings and gates to south-east and south west boundaries, to allow:
- Condition 2 - Approved drawings - Amendments Improvement to design, scale of gates and archway above gates.
Conservation Area: ASHBURNHAM TRIANGLE
Applicant: Mr & Mrs Hayes 23/0230/HD
Site Address: 5 DIAMOND TERRACE, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 8QN
Development: Construction of single storey rear extension and 3 storey side extension with interior alterations and landscaping
Conservation Area: WEST GREENWICH
Applicant: Tom Deeks 23/0233/HD
Site Address: 11 PRINCE RUPERT ROAD, LONDON, SE9 1LR
Development: Construction of single storey rear extension, floorplan redesign and all associated works
Conservation Area: PROGRESS ESTATE
Applicant: Mr Saul Rans 23/0251/HD
Site Address: 49 GUILDFORD GROVE, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 8JY
Development: Replacement of single glazed windows with double glazed to the front of property.
Conservation Area: ASHBURNHAM TRIANGLE
Applicant: Mr Ian Whitehead 23/0261/HD
Site Address: 27 FOXES DALE, LONDON, SE3 9BD
Development: Demolition of raised decking including storage unit and construction of a single storey rear and side extension.
Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH PARK
Publicity for Listed Building Consent
Applicant: Mr Gareth Tennant 23/0009/L
Site Address: 33 BLACKHEATH PARK, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 9RW
Development: Demolition of an existing rear conservatory; construction of a single-storey rear extension at lower ground floor level; excavation at lower ground floor level to increase head height internally and to provide a secondary entrance from the front; enlargement of existing rear lightwell to create usable external space at lower ground floor level; reinstatement of existing subterranean cellar with creation of an entrance from the rear garden; replacement of existing windows; internal layout reconfiguration and other alterations including reinstatement of some period features; replacement of an existing diseased Eucalyptus tree in rear garden with new species; other associated external alterations. (This application affects the Grade II Listed Nos. 33-43 Blackheath Park in the Blackheath Park Conservation Area)
Conservation Area: BLACKHEATH PARK
Listed Building: Grade 2
Applicant: Mrs Horsfall-Turner 23/0041/L
Site Address: 64 HYDE VALE, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 8HP
Development: Structural Underpinning of Boundary Garden Wall between 64 Hyde Vale & 64a Hyde Vale, in connection with construction of single-storey rear extension at no.64a approved under application ref: 22/1134/HD
Conservation Area: WEST GREENWICH
Listed Building: Grade 2
ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1) [Rennets Wood Road]
PLANNED ROAD CLOSURE (ORDER)
1. The Royal Borough of Greenwich makes this Order in exercise of powers under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This is to facilitate works by Thames Water who need to carry out Water main repair.
2. The Order will come into operation on 6th February 2023 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However the works are expected to take 5 days. The duration of the Order can be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport.
3. The effect of the Order would be to temporarily prohibit vehicles from entering, exiting, proceeding or waiting (including waiting for the purposes of loading or unloading) Rennets Wood Road outside number 22.
4. Whilst the Order is in operation traffic will be diverted via Crown Woods Way, Bexley Road and vice versa. Prohibitions remain in force, pedestrians are not affected and vehicle access will be maintained wherever possible.
5. Nothing in this Notice will apply to anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or traffic warden, to emergency service vehicles, or to vehicles being used in connection with the works.
6. The restrictions described above will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by traffic signs as prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.
7. Queries concerning these works should be directed to the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Directorate of Regeneration, Enterprise & Skills on 020 8921 6340.
Assistant Director, Transport
The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Dated 27th January 2023 (INTERNAL REF: PL/462/LA443721)
Royal Borough of Greenwich Notice of Planning Application.
Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (As Amended)
Town & Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (As Amended)
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 (As Amended)
Town & Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (as amended)
Proposed Development At: Land to the West of Kidbrooke Park Road, Kidbrooke
Reference Number: 22/4235/MA
Notice is hereby given that an application is being made to the Royal Borough of Greenwich By: Greenwich Builds, Royal Borough of Greenwich
For Full Planning Permission in respect of: An application submitted under Section 73 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 for a minor material amendment in connection with the planning permission 22/0001/F, dated 15/11/2022 for the construction of buildings to provide residential accommodation together with the provision of ground floor commercial unit, associated public realm, play spaces, accessible parking spaces, associated highways works and additional substation to allow: - variation of conditions 2 (approved drawings), 3 (quantum of development), 6 (EIA conditions), 13 (Surface Water Drainage), 14 (Biodiverse/ Biosolar Green Roof), 17 (Fire Strategy), 22 (Biodiversity and Ecology), 23 (Energy and CO2), 25 (Sustainable Design and Construction), 36 (Cycle Parking), 42 (Ecological and Biodiversity measures) and 50 (Refuse and Recycling) to introduce improvements to the cores, additional units, shared risers, changes to the proposed brick, elevation materials and arrangements and landscape.
(This application is an EIA development and is accompanied by an Environmental Statement).
(The development may impact on the setting of the Blackheath Park Conservation Area).
This is a re-consultation: This application is accompanied by an Environmental Statement which was approved pursuant to Planning Permission Reference: 22/0001/F dated 15 November 2022 and is also accompanied by an Environmental Statement Addendum which provides further information to the Environmental Statement approved in 2022 as referred to above.
A copy of the application and any plans and/or documents submitted with it is available for inspection by the public at www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/planning.
Representations to the Council about the application should be made within 30 days of the date of this notice using the above link or to the Planning Department, 5th floor, Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, Woolwich SE18 6HQ stating the full reference number(s) above.
Members of the public may obtain copies of the Non-Technical Statement, the full Environmental Statement and other associated documents as either hard or digital copies from WSP, Mountbatten House, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4HJ. Further details, including pricing, are available on request. No charge for digital copies. For further details contact Alan.Heatley@wsp.com.
Date: 01/02/23
Victoria Geoghegan, Assistant Director, Planning and Building Control
ROYAL BOROUGH OF GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1)
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS – CHARLTON VILLAGE CAR PARK
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the Royal Borough of Greenwich has made an Order because works are being or are proposed to be executed on or near the road under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
2. The effect of the Order will be to temporarily: a) replace the car park located off Torrance Close with a public off-street car park, ‘Charlton Village car park’ which will be managed by the Council. Parking will be restricted to marked bays and payment will be made using a cashless ‘pay-by-phone’ system only, the proposed parking charges for the car park are detailed in the Schedule to this Notice. Disabled badge holders and motorcycles will be able to park in designated bays free of charge.
3. The Order will come into force on 2nd February 2023 and will remain in force for 18 months.
4. Queries concerning these works should be directed to Parking-design@royalgreenwich.gov.uk quoting reference 23-01 Charlton Village car park.
Assistant Director, Transport, Communities, Environment and Central, Royal Borough of Greenwich
Dated 1st February 2023
Schedule – Proposed Parking Charges for Charlton Village car park
Please note: Disabled Badge Holders and Motorcycles will be able to park free of charge
ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1) [Woolwich Road] PLANNED ROAD CLOSURE (ORDER)
1. The Royal Borough of Greenwich intends to make this Order in exercise of powers under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This is to facilitate works by LSA design who need to carry out footway works.
2. The Order will come into operation on 11th February 2023 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However the works are expected to take 1 week. The duration of the Order can be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport.
3. The effect of the Order would be to temporarily prohibit the use of the Cycle Lane outside 700 Woolwich Road.
4. Whilst the Order is in operation Cyclists to dismount and use footway and remount after works. Prohibitions remain in force, pedestrians are not affected and vehicle access will be maintained wherever possible.
5. Nothing in this Notice will apply to anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or traffic warden, to emergency service vehicles, or to vehicles being used in connection with the works.
6. The restrictions described above will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by traffic signs as prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.
7. Queries concerning these works should be directed to the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Directorate of Regeneration, Enterprise & Skills on 020 8921 6340.
Interim Assistant Director, Transport and Sustainability
The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Dated 27th January 2023
(INTERNAL REF: PL/000/LATBC)
ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1) [Greenvale Road] PLANNED ROAD CLOSURE (ORDER)
1. The Royal Borough of Greenwich intends to make this Order in exercise of powers under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This is to facilitate works by Thames Water who need to carry out water main repair.
2. The Order will come into operation on 14th February 2023 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However the works are expected to take 7 days. The duration of the Order can be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport.
3. The effect of the Order would be to temporarily prohibit vehicles from entering, exiting, proceeding or waiting (including waiting for the purposes of loading or unloading) in, Greenvale Road outside 131.
4. Whilst the Order is in operation traffic will be diverted via (i) Westmount Road, Earlshall Road, Glenesk Road and vice versa. (ii) Westmount Road, Eltham Park Gardens, Glenesk Road and vice versa Prohibitions remain in force, pedestrians are not affected and vehicle access will be maintained wherever possible.
5. Nothing in this Notice will apply to anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or traffic warden, to emergency service vehicles, or to vehicles being used in connection with the works.
6. The restrictions described above will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by traffic signs as prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.
7. Queries concerning these works should be directed to the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Directorate of Regeneration, Enterprise & Skills on 020 8921 6340.
Assistant Director, Transport The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Dated 27th January 2023 (INTERNAL REF: PL/468/LA445246)
ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1) [West Parkside Northbound] PLANNED ROAD CLOSURE (ORDER)
1. The Royal Borough of Greenwich makes this Order in exercise of powers under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This is to facilitate works by Riverlinx who need to carry out Installation of dewatering pipe.
2. The Order will come into operation on 7th February 2023 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However the works are expected to take 1 night. With a further 10 single night Closures to take place. The duration of the Order can be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport.
3. The effect of the Order would be to temporarily prohibit vehicles from entering, exiting, proceeding or waiting (including waiting for the purposes of loading or unloading) in, West Parkside northbound between John Harrison Way and Edmund Halley Way.
4. Whilst the Order is in operation traffic will be diverted via John Harrison Way, Millennium way and Edmund Halley Way. Prohibitions remain in force, pedestrians are not affected and vehicle access will be maintained wherever possible.
5. Nothing in this Notice will apply to anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or traffic warden, to emergency service vehicles, or to vehicles being used in connection with the works.
6. The restrictions described above will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by traffic signs as prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.
7. Queries concerning these works should be directed to the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Directorate of Regeneration, Enterprise & Skills on 020 8921 6340.
Interim Assistant Director, Transport and Sustainability
The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Dated 27th January 2023
(INTERNAL REF: PL//LATBC)
