Rail changes, 42 homes and Saturday’s festival
Published Thursday 30 July 2026
Plan altered London journeys, see what was approved at Poverest and book Saturday’s charity music festival in Petts Wood.
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London rail journeys change until 16 August
Charing Cross and Waterloo East are closed through Sunday 16 August. Trains that normally run between Charing Cross and Orpington or Sevenoaks start or finish at London Bridge instead, while Victoria to Orpington trains run every 30 minutes. First and last trains also change, so check the Orpington travel advice before setting out.
42 affordable homes approved at Poverest
Bromley’s Development Control Committee has granted permission to replace the former Poverest Adult Education Centre and 18 Church Hill Wood with 42 affordable-rent houses. The plan includes 18 two-bedroom, 18 three-bedroom and six four-bedroom homes, five of them wheelchair-accessible. Adult education will move to a hub-and-spoke model, although officers said the long-term replacement arrangements were not yet fully established. Read the Poverest committee report.
Families’ health survey closes tomorrow
Parents, carers and young people who use or may use Bromley’s 0 to 19 Public Health Service have until Friday 31 July to share their views. The service covers areas including infant feeding, immunisations, parental mental health, communication and getting ready for school. Complete the 0 to 19 survey.
Help shape support into adulthood
Bromley wants to hear from young people aged 16 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities, as well as their parents and carers, about the move into adult services. The survey closes on Friday 28 August, with other ways to take part available on request. Join the SEND Big Conversation.
Dates For Your Diary
Friday 14 to Sunday 16 August
Summer Cider Festival at Orpington Liberal Club
The club’s three-day festival brings together traditional cider and perry alongside its usual beer, craft keg, cans and bottles. It runs from 5:30pm to 11pm on Friday, noon to 11pm on Saturday and noon to 5pm on Sunday. See the festival opening times.
Saturday 22 August, 2pm
Crofton Woods summer walk
Join a free, all-ages stroll to identify trees, birds and woodland wildlife, with a chance of spotting Purple Hairstreak and White Admiral butterflies. Meet at Petts Wood Recreation Ground car park, off Eynsford Close, BR5 1DP. Check the summer-walk details.
What's On
Friday 31 July
Huskies Night at Orpington Liberal Club, 7:30pm-10:30pm. Singers, musicians, poets and spoken-word performers can take a floor spot, with a house band available to back them. There is a suggested £5 cash contribution for the musicians; club entry is free for OLC and CAMRA members and £1 for other guests. See the Huskies Night details.
Saturday 1 August
Orpington parkrun at Goddington Park, 9am. Walk, jog or run the free weekly 5k at Goddington Park. Register before your first visit and bring a scannable barcode for a timed result; the mixed grass and gravel course can be uneven. Check the course and travel details.
Petts Wood Calling, From noon. The volunteer-run charity music festival returns to Petts Wood Memorial Gardens with local bands, an outdoor stage, bar and food. Music runs from noon until late. Advance tickets cost £20 plus the booking fee; a limited number will be £25 on the day. Book Petts Wood Calling.
Tuesday 4 August
Summercroft Wellbeing Café, 11am-1pm. The monthly café at St Paul’s Church on Crofton Road is a friendly space for people aged 50 and over. Bingo, board games, optional strength exercises and refreshments are available, with primary-care staff and guest speakers on hand. Check the wellbeing-café details.
Wednesday 5 August
Chat ’n’ Knit at Orpington Library, 10am-11:30am. Bring a knitting or crochet project to the library’s monthly morning for crafters and conversation. There is no need to book. See what’s on at Orpington Library.
Roadworks and Transport
Poverest Road closes this morning: Poverest Road is scheduled to close from 7am on Thursday 30 July until 6pm on Sunday 2 August for water works. Follow local diversion signs and allow extra time.
Walsingham Road closure runs through August: Walsingham Road is scheduled to remain closed for power-network works until 6pm on Friday 28 August. Nearby routes around St Paul’s Cray may be busier.
Gravel Pit Way and Ethelbert Road stay closed: The water-works closure on Gravel Pit Way is now scheduled to continue until late on Tuesday 4 August. Ethelbert Road is due to remain closed for gas works until late on Wednesday 5 August.
Church Road closure ends on Friday: Church Road in Chelsfield is scheduled to stay closed until 6pm on Friday 31 July for power-network works. Check the Bromley roadworks map before setting out.
Planning Watch
Extensions and double garage proposed on Warren Avenue: An application for 2 Warren Avenue proposes demolishing the conservatory and detached garage, then adding a single-storey rear extension, an attached double garage, a front porch and other outside changes. View application 26/02983/HPA.
Side extension planned on Crofton Road: A householder application for 95 Crofton Road proposes demolishing the existing garage and building a single-storey side extension. View application 26/03002/HPA.