In the fiasco surrounding the collapse of the Queen’s Lodge in Muswell Hill, the Lib Dem Group is tonight calling on Haringey Council to establish a fully independent inquiry into the events that led up to the collapse.

The row of buildings on Queen’s Avenue, referred to by a local historian as “the jewel in the crown of Edmonson’s houses,” suffered a catastrophic collapse during recent building works, and Lib Dem councillors have requested a full investigation. They are now hoping that the motion, if agreed by Haringey Council, will ensure that this now happens.

As early as September 2003, Fortis Green Councillor Matt Davies put residents’ fears over the deep excavation at this site to the Council, and warning signs of the impending disaster were clear. Lib Dem ward colleague Cllr Stephen Gilbert has also been demanding answers from the Council since the collapse and local Lib Dem councillors have met with local residents to survey the damage at the site.

Lib Dem Councillor Stephen Gilbert (Forts Green) who is proposing tonight’s motion, comments:

“Sadly this was a totally predictable disaster, as Haringey Council had plenty of chances to take action on the warning that they received from my colleagues and others.We need the Council to agree this motion to ensure that an inquiry takes place, and the whole issue is simply not passed off as a run of bad luck. Lessons must be learned and this must not happen again.”