Local Lib Dems have welcomed the news that following their intervention, the Greater London Authority has now requested information from Haringey Council on the operation of the Grosvenor Road barrier. The move comes as part of London Mayor Ken Livingstone’s consideration of an appeal by Barnet Council over the future of the barrier.

The Liberal Democrats have criticised Haringey Council for having made no effort to speed along the Mayor’s participation, but have used his involvement as an excuse to avoid taking action on the wider traffic issues affecting the surrounding area.

It took the intervention of Lib Dem London Assembly member Lynne Featherstone to ensure that inquiries were made by the GLA as a prelude to the Mayor considering the appeal.

Local Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Susan Oatway comments:

“This is good news as it removes from the council an excuse for further time wasting over traffic improvements in the area.I will be writing to Peter Norton and his traffic team today about this. As this drags on, it is more and more vital to get calming measures in place, especially given the likely knock-on effects of work to the North Circular.”

Lynne Featherstone comments:

“Haringey has been using the appeal to the Mayor as an excuse to delay consultation and action on the long-promised introduction of wider traffic measures in the area. It is vital that the wider consultation goes ahead so we can settle these issues and help out residents across the whole area.”