Sem Longhurst

Textile historian, curator and weaver.

[Escalate Now Cutty Sark DLR @EscalateCSDLR]

Huge congratulations to the two newly elected Green Cllrs for #GreenwichPark - Karin Tearle and Stacy Smith, both long standing local residents who have long played a huge role in our local transport  campaigns - winning a replacement of the broken escalators at Cutty Sark Gardens DLR and putting the case for TfL to run both Greenwich and Woolwich Foot Tunnels .
That campaign continues now with their support. Thankyou ! #GreenwichFootTunnel #WoolwichFootTunnel

[Sem Longhurst @semlonghurst]

When it comes to the roof, why not consider what solar panel sizes will be available when designing - too grand a word? - its size and shape? Such a poor use of available surface area.

[Murky Depths @TheMurkyDepths]

Volume housebuilders build absolute rubbish.

Who needs natural light? Tiny windows will do.

And beyond that it's just devoid of any sort of flair or interest. The most boring build imaginable. Who aspires to this?

[Sem Longhurst @semlonghurst]

Have you asked about the ongoing very high service charges, covering services traditionally covered by council tax, because @Royal_Greenwich negotiated with the developer for the council tax to pay for the upkeep of roads, bin collections, and upkeep of Sutcliffe and Cator Park?

[Murky Depths @TheMurkyDepths]

One of Greenwich Labour's successes in recent years. New council homes in Kidbrooke on public land.

Taken last week from Kidbrooke station

[Sem Longhurst @semlonghurst]

‘Is a bike voucher much use when many streets … aren't very safe to use for children (and adults)?’ Exactly so!

[Murky Depths @TheMurkyDepths]

TfL have been trying for years to push Greenwich towards investing in better streets for those on foot and cycle.

Greenwich have rebuffed them time and again. Is a bike voucher much use when many streets have been ignored and aren't very safe to use for children (and adults)?

[Sem Longhurst @semlonghurst]

@TheMurkyDepths - you’re doing the community a service writing about this. None of the shortcomings / failings by @Royal_Greenwich concerning the public realm, linking old with new communities, seem to sink in, except perhaps with @David_Llew, but he won’t thank me for that!

[Murky Depths @TheMurkyDepths]

TfL: Hey Greenwich you might want to use more money from new development to improve some very crappy areas.

Greenwich: Nah you're alright. This is going straight in the bin. We'll encourage atomised and divided communities thank you very much.

And in the bin it did go.

[Sem Longhurst @semlonghurst]

‘Despite being told time and again by TfL to alter flawed travel assessments + increase incoming funds to improve links between areas when new developments are decided, @Royal_Greenwich have time and again continued to ignore advice - and in turn failed to improve vast areas.' 😠

[Murky Depths @TheMurkyDepths]

For some years now @Royal_Greenwich have divided towns and communities by ignoring TfL advice

Continual flawed travel assessments have led to (limited) S106 money spent in the wrong places. They've been told by TfL time and again. Ignore it time and again https://t.co/hOJ5df8nSA

[Sem Longhurst @semlonghurst]

Clean and safe streets to walk down, and safe air to breath. Too much to ask? Please do the basics well @Royal_Greenwich. Thanks 💚

[F1cowboyman @f1cowboyman]

If Labour spent more time providing basic services like providing clean and safe pavements, perhaps they wouldn’t feel the need to attack the Greens.

[Sem Longhurst @semlonghurst]

@VictoriaRance In 2024/25 @Royal_Greenwich spent £66,792 on Public Realm, £377, 310 on Transport, and £55,057 on Public Safety, total £499,159. This money came from fixed
s 106 payments (not ‘taxes ruthlessly negotiated from developers’ LOL). Enough to make streets safe for 🚴🚶‍♀️ ya think?

[Sem Longhurst @semlonghurst]

@Jaberwag tamarisk tree

[Sem Longhurst @semlonghurst]

@nkokonjeru @Royal_Greenwich Oh, white campion especially, that’s sad.

[Sem Longhurst @semlonghurst]

@EscalateCSDLR Labour’s manifesto says: ‘we will ensure [our town centres] are attractive and well maintained’. Well, they’ve had years already to fix to this problem. #NotGettingThingsDone

[Escalate Now Cutty Sark DLR @EscalateCSDLR]

Greenwich Labour Manifesto: “We will create a cultural infrastructure and development fund to upgrade and repair our world heritage sites”. We have *one* World Heritage Site which isn’t the responsibility of Labour who need to concentrate on the *public realm* in the immediate vicinity of the @UNESCOUK World Heritage Site (or do they intend to give the Queens House a lick of paint?). #NotGettingThingsDone #NotCommunityChampions

[Sem Longhurst @semlonghurst]

Stacy & Karin - 2 great people who’d make fantastic councillors in Greenwich Park! 🌲 🐞 🐦‍⬛

#GreenPark #GetGreensElected

[Greenwich Green Party @GreenGreenwich]

Our Green Greenwich Park candidate
Stacy Smith
#GreenwichPark
#Greenwich
#GetGreensElected

[Sem Longhurst @semlonghurst]

Karin & Stacy - 2 great people who’d make fantastic councillors in Greenwich Park! 🌳🐝 🦉

#GreenPark #GetGreensElected

[Greenwich Green Party @GreenGreenwich]

Our Green Greenwich Park candidate
Karin Tearle
#GreenwichPark
#Greenwich
#GetGreenElected

[Sem Longhurst @semlonghurst]

Just on the pic … single use plastic bags, really?

[Len Duvall AM @Len_Duvall]

Great to attend the Greenwich Labour manifesto launch this morning and then talking to residents in Royal Arsenal this afternoon.

[Greenwich Green Party @GreenGreenwich]

We know this is true.
Social housing percentages are tiny, and get reduced under pressure from developers.
We need better, stronger negotiators on the council.

[Sem Longhurst @semlonghurst]

Aidan: Will there be temporary road closures during opening & closing times of James Wolfe Primary School or will vehicles pass unfettered? Can you go 24/7 via

Greenwich High Road > then

Royal Hill > Blissett St > Greenwich South St

or

Stockwell St > Burney St > Royal Hill?

[Aidan Smith @aidanmasmith]

The West Greenwich part of the Neighbourhood Management Scheme has changed. Royal Hill is no longer part of the scheme. People can drive from Royal Hill through to Blissett Street... stopping off at the excellent local shops, cafés, restaurants and other businesses along the way!

[Victoria Rance @VictoriaRance]

Especial thanks to @EscalateCSDLR and their campaign.

[Escalate Now Cutty Sark DLR @EscalateCSDLR]

Campaigners Maureen O’Mara,who served as a councillor for 20 years and Rachael Oakley, in charge of digital marketing, were delighted to attend the opening of Cutty Sark DLR. Thank you @TfL !
Also delighted with incredible support from Assembly Member Caroline Russell who was very persistent in getting timelines on behalf of Greenwich constituents. We also spoke to Keolis Amey CEO Alistair Gordon who assured us any spare parts needed would be off the shelf. Relieved to know we won’t be hearing any stories about bespoke spare parts! If only we could get same for foot tunnel lifts where the council is still waiting on a part ordered in 2022 for Woolwich! 😬

[Sem Longhurst @semlonghurst]

Decision not subject to call-in? Plenty of ‘supporting evidence!’

[Matt Hartley @MattHartley100]

📺Last night's vote by Labour councillors to limit Qs and scrutiny at Greenwich Council was an abuse of power. Anthony Okereke seems to think our council chamber belongs to him. 𝐈𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡. My speech on his power grab