 photo Silvio Perl at No 31
 
reconstruction Sept 2007
Completed December 2007!
3 December 2005
Peter Hindle Esq PERSONAL & URGENT
Managing Director, Jewson
Pasadena Centre,
Pasadena Close,
Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 3NQ Tel: 0845 6014405
Dear Mr Hindle,
Lexham Mews W8: destruction of historic arch
I am given to understand that one of your drivers was last week responsible for the destruction
of the historic arch which forms the entrance to the mews from Lexham Gardens. The RBK&C
District Surveyor attended the incident and has the driver’s details.
I am writing to suggest that it would stand your company in good stead if you were immediately
to put in hand the faithful reconstruction of the arch by the appointment of an appropriate
me if that would be helpful) with an assurance that the repair will be put in hand without delay.
Doubtless your insurance will reimburse the costs, unnecessary delay will be mitigated and
legal costs avoided if you can action this right away.
I and my neighbours will appreciate such action and a positive response.
Yours sincerely,
Brian Waters
as from: 17 Lexham Mews W8 6JW
cc by hand to residents of Lexham Mews.
................................
................................
From: Peter Read
Sent: 12 December 2005 09:02
To: 'brian@bwcp.co.uk'
Subject: Arch entry to Lexham Mews
Brian,
Thank you for the copy of your letter to Peter Hindle of Jewson's, dated 3/12/05.
The truck in question had made a delivery to me at no 33 Lexham Mews, and as
within my house, at the time of the incident.
Although I did not witness the impact, I heard the noise, looked immediately from
my 1st floor window, which looks directly South to the arch, and saw the lorry
stationary under the arch surrounded by a cloud of dust.
and suggested that they immediately dispatch someone from their branch to take control.
I then went to speak with the driver and took the attached photographs.
The driver had the presence of mind to not move the truck & was effectively "policing"
remains of the arch.
After about half an hour I returned to work, by which time no one from Jewsons
had called or had arrived to assist the driver, so I again called to urge them to visit
the scene & I in turn called the Roads Department of RBK&C to advise them of the
incident, as the arch was patently unsafe.
As you suggest, I will also write to Peter Hindle.
Please feel free to call me should you wish to discuss the matter.
Peter Read
Multiplex Construction UK Limited.
Level 2, 40 Berkeley Square,
London, W1J 5AL.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7659 3500
Fax: +44(0)20 7408 8216
Mobile: +44 (0)7909 851037
peter.read@multiplex.biz
................................
From: "Carr, Janet" <janet.carr@jewson.co.uk>
Date: December 15, 2005 10:50:42 GMT
To: 'Peter Read' <peter.read@multiplex.biz>,
"Hindle, Peter" <Peter.Hindle@Jewson.co.uk>
Cc: Brian Waters <brian@bwcp.co.uk>
Subject: RE: Arch entry to Lexham Mews
Dear Mr Read / Mr Waters
Re: Lexham Mews W8 - Historic Arch
Thank you for your e mail dated 12th December 2005.
On behalf of Jewson Limited, we would like to relay our apologies for
the inconvenience you have been caused with the destruction of the
Historic Arch at Lexham Mews.
We are in contact with our Insurance Company Cornhills Insurance,
who have been asked to investigate and respond to this matter with
their utmost urgency.
Assuring you of our best attention at all times.
Yours sincerely
Peter Hindle
Chief Executive
Saint Gobain Building Distribution
UK & Ireland
................................
From: "Peter Read" <peter.read@multiplex.biz>
Date: 12 December 2005 10:19:43 GMT
To: "Brian Waters" <brian@bwcp.co.uk>
Subject: RE: Arch entry to Lexham Mews
Brian.
Will do.
He was lucky, as the crown of the arch came down in one piece & if it had
landed on the cab I think he would have had somewhat more than a headache!
Sad thing is that I suspect the key stones went with the truck and are thus lost.
Peter Read
Multiplex Construction UK Limited.
Level 2, 40 Berkeley Square,
London, W1J 5AL.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7659 3500
Fax: +44(0)20 7408 8216
Mobile: +44 (0)7909 851037
peter.read@multiplex.biz
................................
................................
From: "Kieran Ryan" <kieran@rickmanproperties.co.uk>
Date: 12 December 2005 10:51:52 GMT
To: <brian@bwcp.co.uk>
Subject: Historic arch - Lexham Mews, W8
Our support is 100% behind you. Thank you for copying us in.
Regards
Kieran Ryan
Rickman Properties Ltd
13 Lexham Mews
Kensington
W8 6JW
T 020 7937 9777
F 020 7938 3428
kieran@rickmanproperties.co.uk
www.rickmanproperties.co.uk
................................
email 20 December 2005
Dear Mr Waters,
I am the freehold owner of No's 1 & 2 Lexham mews and live at No.2 I am probably the most affected by the untimely and sad destruction of the arch, as it is built against my block of property, I see it everyday from my window and pass through it daily. The current state of the arch is depressing and I am therefore very grateful to you for the proactive measure you have taken.
I am a Chartered Building Surveyor working in central London, primarily on the repair and redecoration of listed buildings and buildings in conservation areas and as such am as keen as you that the arch should be rebuild as an exact copy of what was there, using the same materials and buy contractors skilled in this type of work. I agree with your suggestion that an appropriate conservation Architect (or of course Surveyor !!) should be appointed and hope that pressure from Lexham Mews owners will ensure this happens.
I intend to put pressure on the relevant parties as soon as time will permit, in the meantime I thank you again for what you have done to date.
Regards.
PETER THATCHER BSc (Hons) MRICS
Associate Partner
Building Surveying
W A ELLIS
Direct Line: 020 7306 1671
Mobile: 07768 041 504
pthatcher@wa-ellis.co.uk
................................
................................
 
FROM JEWSON:
On Feb 17, 2006, at 11:57, Carr, Janet wrote:
Dear Mr Waters
Thank you for your e mail addressed to Peter Hindle.
I can advise that Contact was made to ourselves on Friday 3rd February by our Insurance Company Cornhills Insurance, who confirm they are in contact with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council who are in the process of obtaining quotes for the repairs.
I will today chase any further update.
Regards
Janet Carr
PA to Peter Hindle
Chief Executive ---
Dear Mr Waters
Just to further update you as at the position today.
Our insurers have had spoken to the Design & Conservation team at The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea who have advised that they are obtaining quotes for the repairs to the arch, (as advised below). They have advised that they have set a deadline for these to be submitted by the end of March.
As yet they have been unable to get confirmation from The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea that they own the archway.
Davies and Throgmorton Investments Ltd have both been advised of this.
We are waiting for both parties to provide estimates for the repairs to their respective buildings.
Kind regards
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––LATEST!!!!––––––––––––––––November
 From: Peter Thatcher <pthatcher@waellis.co.uk>
Date: 21 November 2006 14:08:59 GMT
To: Brian Waters <brian@bwcp.co.uk>, peter read <prea6316@hotmail.com>
Cc: barry.munday@prparchitects.co.uk, "Carr, Janet" <janet.carr@jewson.co.uk>, ALLISTER BOWE <bowclair@btinternet.com>, Michael.Walsh@rbkc.gov.uk, Peter Sinclair <peter.sinclair@hha.org.uk>
Subject: RE: Lexham Mews arch
Brian,
Hope you got the letter I faxed you yesterday from Michael Walsh at RBK&C, dated 15th November 2006 (copy attached). In it he says that on 27th October 2006 Stoneguard (London) Ltd were appointed to carry out the "repair" work and the work is expected to start in the next 2 to 3 weeks. Believe it when I see it, but it looks hopeful.
When the work does start, perhaps whoever it is who has chained their bike to the arch will remove it! It has been there for weeks and is a bloody eye sore, it is not mine or from No 1 or No. 2B, so could be from Lexham Gardens ! (perhaps I should get a life, but it bugs me every day)
All the best.
Peter Thatcher.
2 Lexham Mews.
From: Brian Waters [mailto:brian@bwcp.co.uk]
Sent: 21 November 2006 09:11
To: peter read
Cc: barry.munday@prparchitects.co.uk; Carr, Janet; ALLISTER BOWE; Michael.Walsh@rbkc.gov.uk; Peter Sinclair; Peter Thatcher
Subject: Re: Lexham Mews arch
Peter, YMBJ*
RBKC said works were to start last August; now say their tenders were too high for the insurers, and that was months' ago...
Watch my website: we plan a street party in the mews to inaugurate the rebuilt arch [in the spirit of Clochmerle] and Barry Munday supports my thought that Saint Gobain might be asked sponsor a design competition to create a modern mews arch at the other end.
Keep in touch!
Brian
*You Must Be Joking!
On 21 Nov 2006, at 06:56, peter read wrote:
Brian,
You will recall I was the tenant of No. 33 at the time of the arch incident in 12/05 & provided the photographs of the before and after.
My lease expired at 30th March this year and I returned to Australia, however by complete chance I discovered the material you had published through your company web site today.
Perhaps you could let me know if the arch has been rebuilt.
Best wishes
Peter Read
.......................................................
From: brian@bwcp.co.uk
Subject: Re: Lexham Mews arch reconstruction
Date: 28 February 2007 18:22:03 GMT
To: peter.sinclair@hha.org.uk
Cc: Michael.Walsh@rbkc.gov.uk, janet.carr@jewson.co.uk, barry.munday@prparchitects.co.uk, pthatcher@waellis.co.uk
Peter, yes good the scaffolding has appeared; better if they got on with it! Most of the arch was in the back of the Jewson truck so I hope they kept it! Letter from Peter Thatcher attached.
Peter, yes good the scaffolding has appeared; better if they got on with it! Most of the arch was in the back of the Jewson truck so I hope they kept it! Letter from Peter Thatcher attached.
By copy Michael, is there a completion date?
Thanks
Brian Waters
From: prea6316@hotmail.com
Subject: Lexham Mews arch
Date: 13 March 2007 11:47:55 GMT
To: brian@bwcp.co.uk
Good day Brian,
You will recall I lived in No. 33 and the photographs of the tragic event were mine.
The last posting on your web site indicated that the re-construction was about to commence and out of curiosity and a sense of connection I was wondering what the status currently is?
Regards
Peter Read
--------------
See my latest posting!
They put up scaffolding and closed the road for a week but have now disappeared!
Rumour has it that they found the arch 'out of true'! [Hope that won't happen at Wembley].
As a mere architect I would have thought they would know that before they quoted. Anyway fixing it is part of the job... what they are now doing, apart from teasing us all, I really don't know.
By copy may I ask Mike Walsh at RBK&C to enlighten us all please?
Regards
Brian
-------------
Brian,
From what I have been able to ascertain, the rumours are true ! My neighbour at No. 1 spoke to the "foreman" as the scaffolding came down, who advised him that indeed they had "discovered" that what was left up was out of true. He said that they hadn't included for rebuilding this section of the arch and that the scaffolding would need to be changed to allow this to happen. He also indicated that rather than leave it up whilst the job was requoted, it was more cost effective to take it down.
It was clear to me that the arch was out of true and that further demolition was required, but then again I have had to look at the damned thing for the year and a half that it has been like that (also as a Building Surveyor I should know these things).
Re the the teasing, you can imagine the elation I felt when I returned from holiday to find the scaffolding up, however this rapidly turned to despair when I came home from work to find it gone.
I too would be grateful for Mike Walsh's enlightenment and if I can be of any assistance to him in my capacity a Chartered Building Survey, based "on site", I would be more than happy to assist, if it helps get the work done.
Regards.
Peter Thatcher.
2 Lexham Mews.
--------------
peter.sinclair@hha.org.uk
Subject: RE: Lexham Mews arch
Date: 13 March 2007 13:25:26 GMT
To: brian@bwcp.co.uk
Dear Brian,
What a fiasco! Fifeteen months and no result. M. Walsh never at his telephone, never replies to messages or e mails! Perhaps we should try to get local councilors involved?
Best wishes,
Peter Sinclair
Historic Houses Association
Registered Office: 2 Chester Street, London SW1X 7BB
-----------
From: brian@bwcp.co.uk
Subject: Fwd: Lexham Mews arch
Date: 13 March 2007 15:31:38 GMT
To: victoria@borwick.com
Cc: peter.sinclair@hha.org.uk, pthatcher@wa-ellis.co.uk, prea6316@hotmail.com, janet.carr@jewson.co.uk, barry.munday@prparchitects.co.uk
Victoria
Time I think for some action on this one please!
The whole saga is related with photos on my Lexham Mews arch website*; recent dialogues shown below.
Feel free to call for a chat! The officer dealing with the matter is Michael.Walsh@rbkc.gov.uk.
Regards
Brian Waters
--------
From: Michael.Walsh@rbkc.gov.uk
Subject: Lexham Mews Atch
Date: 14 March 2007 10:45:42 GMT
To: victoria@borwick.com
Cc: peter.sinclair@hha.org.uk, pthatcher@waellis.co.uk, brian@bwcp.co.uk
Dear Ms Borwick,
As you are aware, Stoneguard (London) Ltd were appointed on 27th October 2006 to carry out works of repair to Lexham Mews Arch. The contractors applied for permission to close the highway and erect scaffolding. Works were scheduled to be completed within four weeks from the date that the scaffolding was erected and the highway reopened. Following the erection of the scaffolding and on closer inspection by the District Surveyor, further works of demolition were required before any rebuilding could commence. The scaffolding which had been erected was therefore hindering access to the equipment required for the demolition and was therefore removed from the site. The contractors are now re-quoting for the extra works required and the quotation is expected in the immediate future. The cost of the extra works will have to be agreed by the insurers prior to any works recommencing but it is expected that works will recommence, subject to agreement with the highway authorities, within the next 4 to 6 weeks.
Mike Walsh
-------
From: peter.sinclair@hha.org.uk
Subject: RE: Lexham Mews Atch
Date: 14 March 2007 11:11:46 GMT
To: Michael.Walsh@rbkc.gov.uk, victoria@borwick.com
Cc: pthatcher@waellis.co.uk, brian@bwcp.co.uk
Dear Mr Walsh,
Three months from appointment to erection of scaffolding seems a very long time and I would have thought that during and indeed before that time a full and proper inspection of the state of the arch would have been carried out! The whole project seems to move at a snail’s pace and I hope that RBK&C, as planning authority, will now put pressure on the contractors to ensure that they supply an accurate quote as quickly as possible (it is already nearly three weeks since the scaffolding came down) and proceed with the works as soon as that is agreed. Otherwise this whole sorry saga looks set to drag on throughout the whole summer with local residents having to endure the appearance of the arch and inconvenience once the scaffolding is re-erected.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Sinclair
(97 Lexham Gardens, W8 6JN)
Historic Houses Association
--------
From: pthatcher@waellis.co.uk
Subject: FW: Lexham Mews Atch
Date: 14 March 2007 11:09:34 GMT
To: brian@bwcp.co.uk
Brian,
4 to 6 weeks ?? Had he said 4 to 6 months I might have believed him, but let's continue to keep everything crossed and see what happens.
Regards.
Peter Thatcher.
----------
From: victoria@borwick.com
Subject: Lexham Mews Arch
Date: 14 March 2007 11:24:05 GMT
To: brian@bwcp.co.uk
You have seen the response from the Council, can you keep me posted if we don’t see any progress in a month, as then I will pester again
Thanks
Victoria
Cllr Mrs Victoria Borwick
33 Phillimore Gardens
London W8 7QG
Tel: 0207 376 9262
Fax: 0207 937 2656
Email: cllr.borwick@rbkc.gov.uk
-------------------
From: brian@bwcp.co.uk
Subject: Re: Lexham Mews Arch
Date: 14 March 2007 13:25:23 GMT
To: victoria@borwick.com
Cc: peter.sinclair@hha.org.uk, Michael.Walsh@rbkc.gov.uk, pthatcher@waellis.co.uk, barry.munday@prparchitects.co.uk
Thanks Victoria;
I think expectations and trust here are now very low so expect residents [who include a building surveyor, the chairman of a 350-strong firm of architects and a director of Multiplex who built Wembley, to take a tough stance...!
I will keep you copied.
Brian
------------------
From: barry.munday@prparchitects.co.uk
Subject: Lexham Mews Arch
Date: 15 March 2007 00:18:51 GMT
To: cllr.borwick@rbkc.gov.uk
Cc: brian@bwcp.co.uk
Dear Councillor Borwick
I am sorry to pile on the misery but I must add my voice to that of Brian Waters and other residents of our mews. We are utterly fed up with the delay and disruption surrounding the reconstruction of the arch. The ludiicrous pantomime of the disappearing scaffold was the last straw. May we have your assurance that the Council's officers are doing everything possible to get the contract restarted ? Checking up on situation in a month's time is not really good enough.
Yours
Barry Munday
Chairman PRP Architects
Resident 20 Lexham Mews
------------------
Happy Ending!
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