National Archives - Kew Tips?

No document ordering until 9:30 though and last orders at 4:00pm even on late opening nights.

 

Maybe I'll park in front of the gate lock the car up and go and have a coffee at 8am and move the car in to the car park at 830, that'll make sense to them I'm sure.

As for the new ordering times for file - pathetic ! They may as well shut everyday at 5pm now.

 

I get the impression that's definitely on the cards.

 

The Archives seem to be losing their core focus - a recent questionnaire I was sent focused on Podcasts, Exhibitions and paid events and the fact that they have applied to the Local Authority for a late liquor license seems to reinforce this focus. The staff numbers of the reading rooms / security have been cut or leavers not replaced due to 'Government Cut-Backs' - a sad state of affairs for a World Class Institution

 

I filled in the questionnaire, and have since been reading the " Standard Selection Questionnaire" in connection with the 1921 Census tendering process.
This isn't funny for the current Kew staff. I hope a few of them get together and challenge some of the pre-conditions ( " Viable commercial models that return an income stream to licensor partners"), and get themselves on the shortlist of potential suppliers, currently limited to five entities, companies, sole traders, whatever.
Why only five ? The sums of money involved are potentially astronomical.
They've got nothing to lose, the documentation I have seen is very badly drafted, for example:

" The standard Selection Questionnaire is a self-declaration, made by you (the potential supplier), that you do not meet any of the grounds for exclusion.

If there are grounds for exclusion, there is an opportunity to explain the background and any measures you have taken to rectify the situation (we call this self-cleaning)."

I must go and self-clean my bicycle front wheel, I got a puncture yesterday riding on a WW2 airfield.

 

Is there a email address to send complaints to?

 

Complaints procedure - Contact us

 

Drew5233, Maybe at the same time send something to the DCMS it comes under their scope.

 

Anyone going to be at Kew next Saturday? I'm planning to go, if I can get into the car park.

I have also noted that England are playing at Twickenham so route planning might be important on way home that afternoon.

Regards

Tom

 

Tom, car park tends to be OK now but barrier does not open until 8:30 am. Best to avoid Twickenham if there's a match on. Depends where you're headed but I divert via M4 when heading south. Adds a lot to mileage but about the same time as heading out through Twickenham, M3 to get onto M25 southbound.

Lee

 

Lee,

Thanks - good idea, I think I'll go out on M4 and then round to pick up M3 for journey southwards.

Regards
Tom

 

Meanwhile, travelling to Kew by Tube and by foot: look up to the skies !

 

The long-threatened car park charges to be introduced at Kew from April: Changes to car parking at The National Archives’ site in Kew - The National Archives

7 quid a day

 

Blimey, their not messing about are they!! Mind you, we have had a long stay of execution with this one, so can't moan too much.

 

Oh I'm going to moan, what else is there to do?

 

FFS Every time I open this thread now it's full of bad news lol

 

Next up reduced opening hours I very much suspect.

 

TNA's Twitter feed suggests that anyone wanting to leave feedback about changes to car parking can do so using this form Your views - Contact us

Undoubtedly a pointless exercise as this whole car park issue has been deliberately engineered from the outset. But if enough people complain, particularly about the cost, they might reduce the proposed parking charges. Typical Government ploy from the brains of their Nudge Units is pitch high on the charge then counter complaints by 'listening to concerns' reduce the charge (e.g. drop it to 5 quid a day) then the Proles feel like they've had a victory and been part of the decision-making process.

 

Lee, thanks for the update and link to form.

 

You're welcome Steve, if enough people leave feedback perhaps the fee may at least be made a little more reasonable if only for an interim period.

For many driving to Kew is the only viable means of getting there on a cost and convenience basis.