Liberal Democrat councillors in Alexandra ward have expressed concern after they failed to receive an explanation from Haringey Council as to why the raised flowerbed sited at the junction of Palace Gates Road and Crescent Road, Wood Green has not been planted for the last few years.

The Council’s Executive Member for Environment, in response to a written question from Lib Dem councillor Wayne Hoban, confirmed that although the site had been considered for inclusion in the borough’s site sponsorship scheme, Marketing Force, who have been contracted to seek sponsorship for such sites, had indicated from the outset in 2002 that they did not believe that there would be any commercial interest in the site.Since then, the flowerbed has been left unplanted and unattractive, collecting empty bottles and rubbish.

At a Triangle residents meeting held last week, a council officer informed Cllr Hoban that a decision had been taken to plant the flower bed, to coincide with the first phase of the Triangle Improvement scheme, funded through the Muswell Hill Assembly budget, which is due to start at the end of the year.

Although Cllr Hoban is pleased that action will now be taken to improve the flowerbeds, he is angry that Haringey Council seems to be doing little to assist in the improvement of this area despite the hard work of local residents and local Lib Dem councillors.

Cllr Hoban (Alexandra ward) comments:

“Despite persistent lobbying by myself, local residents and businesses since 2002, the council have allowed the site to be left unplanted and uncared for, which is clearly unacceptable.

“Although I am pleased that action will now be taken to address the problem, it is yet another example of a Labour council out of touch with the needs and aspirations of its residents.”