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24
BEAR LANE IMPROVEMENT.
This improvement has been completed on the basis of the
arrangement described in the last Annual Report. A net sum
of £83.6s. 8d. was paid to the Trustees of the Christchurch
Parochial Schools, the London County Council contributing
one third of that amount (£27 15s. 7d.), the actual cost to the
Board being £55 11s. 1d. A proposal to extend the scope of
the improvement by purchasing the interest of the owners of
the adjoining property in the forecourts was considered; but, as
on former occasions when a similar project has been mooted, it
was found that until the lease of such property is on the point
of expiration it will be useless to re-open the negotiations.
SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY BRIDGE. SOUTHWARK
STREET,
Attention having been called to the works which were in
progress in the vicinity of Southwark Street, involving the
lowering of the headway of the Company's bridge over that
street from 22 feet to 18 feet, the matter was referred to the
Paving and General Purposes Committee for consideration, and
a deputation, in conjunction with a similar deputation appointed
by the Trustees of the Borough Market on the subject, was
appointed to wait upon the London County Council and Mr.
Cosmo Bonsor, the Chairman of the Company, and draw their
attention to the disfigurement which would result from the
lowering of the headway of the bridge in the manner proposed.
The deputation to the Company was received on the 15th
December last, Mr. Bonsor, Mr. Sheath, the Secretary, Mr.
Tempest, the Engineer, and other officials of the company being
present. The matter was amicably discussed; the deputation
being given to understand that their representations would be
favourably considered, and the plans amended so as to secure a
headway of 20 feet, and, on the same day, a letter was written
thanking the Company for the concession. The Secretary, however,
replied immediately challenging the accuracy of the statement
in the letter as to what had taken place at the interview,
and stating that their Engineer merely promised that he would
re-consider the design of the bridge and see if it would be possible
to give a greater headway than 18 feet. There was consequently
some doubt as to the intention of the Company, but in July last,
the following letter was received:—