Liberal Democrat councillors in Muswell Hill have welcomed the recent planting of new trees in M & S car park. The action comes after the felling of some trees in the car park at the back of Marks and Spencer and a subsequent site visit last August attended by councillors Gail Engert and Bob Hare.

Following the visit, council officers released a report and costings for the car park. The improvements included:

Six new trees to be planted around the car park
General tidy up of areas that have become overgrown
Information boards to be re-positioned at the rear of Marks and Spencer to allow for more trees
Some pruning of current trees to improve lighting and regular inspections to be carried out
Investigating the cost of installing bicycle stands in the car park to stop trees being damaged

However it has been persistence by Muswell Hill councillor Gail Engert that has kept the issue of improvements to the car park on the council’s agenda. So far, five of the six trees have been planted, the overgrown hedgerows have been tidied up and much of the litter has been cleared from the surrounding bushes.

Cllr Engert, along with Lib Dem environment spokesperson Cllr Hare, is delighted that the proposals are starting to take shape but notes there is still much work to be done before the agreed work is completed.

Cllr Engert comments:

“I am delighted that the plans made last summer are coming to fruition. Litter has been cleared, trees have been planted and the overgrown hedgerows have been cut back. I am sure that local residents will be delighted to see more greenery in the area. However we are yet to see some of the other improvements, such as the bike stands, proposed last year, and we will press the Council to complete the job.”

Cllr Hare adds:

“This car park shouldn’t be an eyesore and I think the new plantings and other improvements, when completed, will make the area more pleasing.”