Local residents living adjacent to the Arches industrial workshops, off St James’s Lane, N10 appear to be closer to alleviating the nightmare of abandoned vehicles and fly-tipping following over a year of pressure from Lib Dem councillor Lynne Featherstone.

The Council, in reaction to the complaints by Cllr Featherstone, submitted plans last month. They propose to install a gate/fence to the Arches to deter fly-tippers and contain an Arches based car dealership blamed for many of the cars blocking the lane.

Since last year Cllr Featherstone has been pressing the Council to resolve the situation in St James’s Lane suggesting a number of solutions to tackle the problem ranging from fencing off the Arches to installing CCTV in the area. The Council has subsequently submitted a planning application for new fencing and a gate around the Arches and is confident that it will be erected quickly after planning permission is granted.

The Council has also agreed to investigate the problem of parking space monopolisation and congestion on the estate. Cllr Featherstone is pleased by the progress that is finally being made on this issue and has vowed to continue to press the case until the issues are resolved.

Cllr Featherstone (Muswell Hill) comments:

“I am pleased that the Council has finally decided to act on the problems that have been causing a great deal of distress to residents near the estate for several years. The construction of the fence will help alleviate the problem of fly-tipping, but I will continue to press for better enforcement in the area with regard to fly-tipping and untaxed vehicles which are have been the source of such misery for too long.”