Liberal Democrats have set up an on-line survey to monitor views about the Stop-and-Shop parking schemes that have been introduced today in Muswell Hill and Crouch End. The party wants to find out fully what impact these schemes have on the local community.

The Labour Council has been criticised by Lib Dems for imposing these schemes despite overwhelming rejection from the local communities. Questions have also been raised about the cost of ‘unnecessary’ parking surveys in Muswell Hill and Crouch End completed only after the new parking schemes were given the green light by the Council. Figures uncovered by the Lib Dems have shown that the surveys cost a staggering £38,325. The Labour Council has admitted that kerbside space in adjoining residential roads is already at saturation point in both Muswell Hill and Crouch End so just counting the comings and going of cars in this expensive survey just before their scheme is even implemented is meaningless, say Lib Dems.

Cllr Martin Newton, Lib Dem spokesperson on traffic issues comments:

“We have set up an on-line survey to really find out what impact these schemes have on the local community as Labour seem incapable of carrying out any meaningful consultation. What is important is to ask traders, visitors and residents about the impact of the scheme when this is operational. Has there been a change in perception over parking from visitors and residents?What impact has there been on local businesses?”

Cllr Lyn Weber (Crouch End) adds:

“I was astonished when I found out the cost of the most recent Council survey. But more worrying is that the Council told us from the outset that surveys had been done to study the traffic in the area. If these were done why do they need to be done again? This money could have been used more fruitfully by mending the countless number of holes in Haringey’s roads or planting new trees.”

Haringey Liberal Democrat councillors have taken to their bikes in celebration of National Bike Week (16 th -24th June 2007) to highlight the benefits of cycling.

Lib Dems are urging more people to get out of their cars and to cycle to work and for pleasure, reminding local residents that cycling is good for the environment, good for health, and often makes journeys quicker in urban areas like Haringey.

Lib Dems will continue to urge Haringey Council and Transport for London to request that cycling in Haringey is encouraged more widely by providing more cycle lanes on busy routes, traffic calming to help encourage new users and to make a harmonious environment that benefits cyclists and pedestrians alike.

Cllr Bob Hare, Lib Dem Green Issues spokesperson and keen cyclist comments:

“Bike Week provides a great opportunity to try some local rides, and to meet other cyclists at the many events within easy range of Haringey designed for absolute beginners as well as regular cyclists.

“I have contacted Haringey Council and Transport for London to ask that cycling is one of their top priorities for the coming year. This will help the environment and get more people out of their cars and cycling.”

Cllr Lyn Weber, Deputy Lib Dem Green Spokesperson adds:

“We need more cycle lanes – but this doesn’t mean paving over our much loved green spaces like Parkland Walk, but working with the groups involved to ensure a rounded approach.”

Plans to resurface Parkland Walk have come under fire once again, after local MP Lynne Featherstone (Lib Dem) published statistics showing that over 83% of users were opposed to the scheme.

Lynne Featherstone MP ran an online survey (www.libertyresearch.org.uk/take/103) to enable local residents and users of the walk to have their say. At the close of Haringey Council’s consultation on the future of the walk all responses so far received were included as part of her submission to the consultation.

A Freedom of Information Act request had revealed that Transport for London were hoping that money earmarked for improvements to the nature reserve would be used to increase cycle speeds but responses so far submitted to the online survey have shown that:

• Over 74% of respondents were against any improvements for cyclists
• Over 83% of respondents were against any resurfacing of the walk
• Just 3.8% of Parkland Walk users use it for commuter cycling

Lynne Featherstone comments:

“The money for improvements in Parkland Walk is obviously very welcome but it would be clearly ridiculous to spend it on improvements which benefit less than 4% of users, and to which there is obviously so much opposition.

“We need improvements to commuter cycle routes across London, cycling needs to be made easier, but this should happen along and next to roads – not in nature reserves.”

Haringey Liberal Democrats have expressed their dismay over the decision to charge leaseholders £30,000 in legal fees for a decision that blocks their say in future investment under the Government Decent Homes programme.

Haringey Leaseholders’ Association sought a reversal of the decision by Homes for Haringey’s (HfH) not to consult them over Decent Homes funding. However, the verdict made by the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal on 30th March 2007 upheld the HfH position. Now, it has been revealed that as a result of this legal action, all leaseholders will have to foot the £30,000 legal bill – and will still not be consulted.

Cllr Catherine Harris, Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson comments:

“I am disgusted that ordinary leaseholders are going to have to pay for this.£25,000 was spent alone on a QC against the leaseholders association, who represented themselves.

“I support the leaseholders who need to be properly consulted, because almost each and every leaseholder will be getting a bill through their door for the works carried out during the Decent Homes Improvement. And like anyone having works done on their home, they had the right to be consulted through their representatives.”

Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, adds:

“The fact that the leaseholders are not being consulted is bad enough, but to now be told that they will have to pay for objecting to their treatment is appalling.

“This was always going to be a David versus Goliath challenge. But this time Goliath won – and then nicked David’s wallet.”