Lib Dem councillors in Fortis Green ward are calling for urgent work to becarried out to improve security for sheltered housing residents at BuckdenClose, N2.

Buckden Close is a row of eight sheltered housing bungalows entered from analleyway off Southern Road. Lib Dems say the lighting in the alleyway ispoor and local residents and Lib Dem councillors have been asking theHaringey Council to upgrade lighting to provide a greater level of security forBuckden Close residents – many of whom are elderly. So far, Haringey Council hasonly agreed to prune trees in the area to allow more natural light through.

“While pruning the trees should help the situation a little, it is not asubstitute for proper lighting and of course will not make a differenceduring the evenings when residents feel most vulnerable,” says Cllr MattDavies (Lib Dem, Fortis Green).

“This is getting ever more urgent and I am asking the Lead Member for SocialServices to ensure that an upgrade to the lighting happens before thewinter. Leaving the residents feeling trapped in their own home is simplynot acceptable.”

A tall fence runs along one side of the alley and combined with the largetrees and poor lights this raises security worries for Buckden Closeresidents. After dusk many of them do not feel that they are safe to go out- fearing a fall in the dark alley or even becoming a victim of crime. Localpolice agreed during last winter that improved lighting was needed to makethe alleyway safe.”

“Fortis Green’s Lib Dem councillors and I have raised this with the Councilover recent months,” explains Cllr Lynne Featherstone (Lib Dem, MuswellHill), “as have local residents. Buckden Close urgently needs properlighting and action must be taken now so that residents will feel safeduring the dark winter nights.”