Lib Dem Councillor Lynne Featherstone has called on Haringey Council to carry outa full transport assessment of the area around a proposed major housingdevelopment at the Coppetts Road – A406 North Circular intersection beforegiving the development the go ahead.

Cllr Lynne Featherstone is deeply concerned over the possible increase inrat-running on roads such as Tetherdown, Coppetts Road and Creighton Avenueby the proposed 138-unit residential development on the old Lynx Depot site.

For the past month she has been pressing Haringey Council to obtain section 106funding from the developers to carry out a full assessment of the trafficimplications of the development. Section 106 monies are paid by developersto counter the impact of their schemes on the local community.

As yet the Council has not given support to a traffic assessment, arguing that there wouldbe less movements than there were by Lynx lorries previously. But CllrFeatherstone says that while Lynx lorries mainly used the A406, newresidents are more likely to use residential roads to reach Highgate orMuswell Hill.

However Cllr Featherstone has given a guarded welcome to Haringey Council’s planto increase public transport links should the development get the go-ahead.She welcomes the idea but has expressed concerns at the ability of many ofthe residential roads to cope with a busy bus route.

She has requested details from the Council of what the proposals are forimproved public transport links.

Cllr Featherstone comments:

“This residential development has not beenclearly thought through. Haringey Council is making far too many assumptionsabout the traffic impact.

“It is essential that a clear and thorough transport assessment is made sothat decisions can be made on an fully informed basis. I will continue topress the Council for this.”

Liberal Democrat candidate Martin Newton has scored a sensational victory in the Fortis Green by-election. The party retained its Council seat with a greatly increased majority, and has ended the year with a hat-trick of by-election victories following their dramatic success in Stroud Green and Muswell Hill earlier in the year.

Labour scored their worst ever share of the vote in any ward election in living memory – even lower than their share in Muswell Hill earlier in the year. The result was also terrible news for the Tories, with four out of ten of their voters deserting the party.

The Lib Dems 58% of the vote will be yet another blow to Haringey Labour, which is now in a neck-and-neck battle with the Liberal Democrats for the Hornsey and Wood Green Parliamentary seat.The 14% swing from Labour, if repeated next year, would be more than enough for the party to secure a dramatic victory in the constituency.

Lib Dem candidate Martin Newton put down his success to the hard work of the Lib Dem team in the area over the past two years, and the party’s positive campaign on key local issues, such as the reopening of the Muswell Hill police station front counter, and the campaign to secure a full timetable on the 603 bus route from Muswell Hill to Swiss Cottage.

Cllr Martin Newton comments:

“I am absolutely delighted that we have secured such an emphatic victory, and I’m looking forward to serving the people of Fortis Green as their local councillor. Local people responded extremely enthusiastically to our campaign. I would like to thank everyone for their support yesterday.”

Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson, Cllr Lynne Featherstone, adds:

“I am thrilled with this result, which bodes extremely well for the General Election. In three by-elections this year, local people have signalled that they are fed up with Labour, and the Conservatives have sunk without a trace. I know we can build on this marvellous result in future campaigns.”

Full Fortis Green result

Martin Newton, Lib Dem 1,345 (58%, +19%)
Tories 550 (24%, -5%)
Labour 298 (13%, -8%)
Green 136 (6%, -5%)
Majority: 795

Swing:

Lab to LD: 14%
Con to LD: 12%

Total votes in all three by-elections this year (Stroud Green, Muswell Hill and Fortis Green):

Lib Dem 4,219 (61%)
Labour 1,027 (15%)
Tory 994 (14%)
Green 703 (10%)

Local Lib Dem Councillors Laura Edge and Lynne Featherstone have called onHaringey Council to safeguard the future of the popular and longstanding 101Playgroup in Tottenham Lane following a proposed increase in its rates from£3,000 per annum to £9,650.

The staggering 300% rise reflects a change Haringey Council’s policy wherebycharities and community associations are charged market rates for leasingcouncil property.

Such groups were previously charged only peppercorn rentsbut Haringey Council has now moved to providing what it says is more transparentsupport through grant funding.

However, as Cllr Edge has discovered, in anapparent failure of joined-up thinking, no additional funding has currentlybeen earmarked for the Council’s Education Services to provide playgroupssuch as 101 with the support which they will desperately need in the face ofsuch enormous rent increases.

The 101 Playgroup, which has been in Hornsey for 16 years and hasconsistently received excellent Ofsted reports, is running to capacity andhas a waiting list. Being a small charitable group with places foronly 43 children it would be unable to sustain the proposed rent hike and,without alternative support would almost undoubtedly face closure.

Laura Edge and Lynne Featherstone have joined local parents in expressinganxiety over the current situation and have called on Haringey Council to earmarkfunding to safeguard the future of playgroups such as the 101 at theearliest opportunity.

Laura Edge comments:

“I have received numerous calls from parents and residents who areunderstandably extremely concerned about the future of the 101 Playgroup,which is clearly making an outstanding contribution to the lives of youngchildren and families in our local area. I strongly urge the Council to putpeoples’ minds at rest and indicate how it will support the playgroup’svaluable efforts in the future.”

Lynne Featherstone adds:

“The population of the Hornsey area is changing, with increasing numbers ofyoung families moving in. It is all the more vital that the Council ensuresthat support is available for groups such as the 101 Playgroup which iscommitted to providing high-quality, affordable care for local children”.

Haringey Council has promised new street lighting in Tetherdown, N10following pressure from Lib Dem councillor Lynne Featherstone.

The work that will be carried out as part of the first phase of the 2005/06programme, follows lobbying from Cllr Featherstone who has been working withresidents to improve lighting in the area after being approached by severalresidents.

Haringey Council has acknowledged the poor quality of lighting in the areaand noted that there is a need for immediate attention due to the amount oftraffic on the road.

Cllr Featherstone has also requested that Haringey Council investigate thepoor paving in the road and take action to improve it as well as thepossibility of improved crossing facilities for pedestrians near Pages Lane.She says that these are improvements are important in improving safety forresidents and the children attending schools around the Tetherdown area.

Cllr Featherstone comments: “I am delighted that the Council has recognisedthe importance of improved lighting in this area.

“The Lib Dems have always pressed Haringey Council to improve road safety inthe borough and we will continue to do so. Lighting goes some way tohelping, but new pavements and making it easier for pedestrians to cross theroad will help children go to and from school safely.”

Haringey Lib Dems have requested that repairs be carried out in Park AvenueSouth, N8 after cracks appeared in the road. They appeared in the tarmacwhile work was carried out by Thames Water with more appearing in the daysafter.

When Thames Water workers inspected the site, they told residents that theunderlying structure of the road was in a very poor state as it was over a100 years old. Residents alerted Cllr Lynne Featherstone who has askedHaringey Council to take action.

The Council has now promised that they and Thames Water will be carrying outa full inspection of the road. They also say that Thames Water have agreedto repair the cracks caused by their work.

However Haringey Council has said that little other work can be done untilthe next financial year due to the likely cost involved in fully repairingthe road.

Cllr Featherstone comments: “I am glad that residents have brought this tomy attention and that I have managed to get some action from HaringeyCouncil and Thames Water.

“I appreciate that the Council may not have the funds available to carryoutsignificant resurfacing work now, but I will expect it in April when the newbudget funds are secured. Until then I will press the Council to ensure theworst parts of the road are adequately patched.”

Lib Dem councillor Bob Hare has expressed deep concern after Haringey Councilblocked an agreed visit to Alexandra Palace to view full accounts for thisyear.

Haringey Council’s reason was that the deadline for viewing the accounts passedat 5pm on Friday. However Cllr Hare, assisted by local party member andaccountant, Martin Hay, had agreed to view the accounts at 10am thismorning (Tuesday) because the Palace management had been too busy with thefireworks display last week to be able to arrange a viewing.

The block comes a month after the Council’s Labour-run Executive used’urgent business’ powers to secure an extra £1m for the contractorsresponsible for the Palace’s sell-off.

Bob Hare, who is Lib Dem Ally Pally spokesperson, comments:

“I am appalled that the commitment given to allow us to see the accounts hasbeen overturned by Haringey’s Labour Council.

“There is concern that the current year’s accounts may have someirregularities and as the opposition we need to be able to scrutinise themon behalf of the public.”

Mr Hay adds:

“Refusal to allow us to view information held by the Alexandra PalaceCharity undermines the democratic process at a fundamental level and makesme wonder what the Council has to hide.”

Lib Dem Councillor Ron Aitken has condemned an attack on a gay man on anight bus outside Highgate tube station in the early hours of Thursdaymorning.

He has also welcomed the Metropolitan Police’s response. His comments come following a meeting he attended of the Gold Group – a panelmade up of senior police officers and leading members of the lesbian and gaycommunity – on Friday morning.

Assurances have been given to Cllr Aitken and others that the two victims ofthe attack and their welfare will be foremost in the investigation and thatpolice will be deployed to protect members of the gay and lesbian communityas they go about their business.

Cllr Aitken comments:

“I am pleased that the Metropolitan Police have set upa specialist enquiry team to apprehend the attacker and I am impressed bythe commitment to providing protection and reassurance to the lesbian andgay community.

“People should not allow fear of an intolerant minority to stop them fromgoing out with their friends.”

Lib Dem Councillors have called on Tubelines bosses to start consultingproperly over their plans to construct a new London underground controlcentre at Highgate Woods, N6. The calls come following an unproductive firstpublic meeting where Tubelines failed to address many of the concerns raisedby local residents and politicians.

Tublines Chief Executive, Terry Morgan had visited the site with Highgatecouncillors and local GLA member, Lynne Featherstone and assured them thatmuch of the concerns raised would be addressed and investigated. Two weekslater the same questions were being asked and very few answers were beinggiven.

The concerns of Ms Featherstone, local Councillors and residents are wideranging.

They include:

• The height of the 6m tall construction. Cllr Hare had requested at the site visit that Tubelines look into digging down and thus lowering the height of the building as well as covering it with greenery. However at the meeting Tubelines appeared to have not investigated the option thoroughly.
• Concerns over lighting of premises. Cllr Hare suggested that infra-red and not flood lighting should be used for security.
• Increase in traffic flow – particularly noise and lights associated with a proposed gatehouse behind residents’ houses. Also, concerns over traffic in and around the border of the woods in the early mornings and late at night.
• Vague answers over extra plantings to reduce noise and light disturbances

Cllr Featherstone and Lib Dem environment spokesperson, Bob Hare areconcerned at Tubelines’ failure to address the problems seriously andrespond with evidence-based arguments. They are concerned that some work hasalready started on preparing the site prior to end of the consultation withresidents over design. Because Tubelines is a ‘statutory body’, no planningpermission is required.

Cllr Featherstone comments:

“Tubelines are engaging with local people – butthe proof of the engagement will be in how far they amend their plans. Warmwords and good intentions will not be enough – now they have to deliversolutions.”

Cllr Hare (Highgate) adds:

“Tubelines must find the best solution toresidential and environmental concerns raised and we will pressing them forevidence-based responses to our concerns.”

Lib Dem councillor Gail Engert has secured new bins for outside KenwoodHouse, Hampstead Lane, N6 after residents contacted her complaining thatrubbish was being blown all over the street.

The problem arose some time ago when the inner bin of a large concrete binwent missing. However residents started complaining following a recent spellof windy weather when the litter was blown all over the street and intoneighbouring gardens.

Cllr Engert immediately contacted Haringey Council who took steps to remove theconcrete bin last week. The Council has notified Cllr Engert that they willreplace the large concrete bin with a new set of bins along the wholestretch of the lane before Christmas.

Cllr Engert comments:

“I am pleased that the bins are going to be replaced.It is not pleasant for anyone to have their street littered and I am glad Ihave managed to secure a swift solution.”

Muswell Hill Councillor Lynne Featherstone last week finally securedassurances from Haringey Council that they would be addressing the state ofAvenue Mews, an issue that she has been continually pressing them over formany years.

The issues that have been raised by local residents with LibDem councillors include fly-tipping, obstructive parking and blocked drainsin the Mews, which runs parallel to the Broadway and has become a litter andparking blackspot.

In response the Council has confirmed to Cllr Featherstone that thefollowing action will be taken.

They have requested that waste contractors Haringey Accord contacttraders and residents, to remind them to adhere to the correct proceduresfor leaving waste to be collected i.e. putting it outside on day ofcollection.

Accord have been given instructions regarding spilled rubbish,leaving smelly materials in the road and failures to clean up dumped rubbishin the area.

They will repaint parking and rubbish bays, a job which they failedto complete two years ago, so that there is no conflict of space.

Parking penalties will now be enforced by wardens in the area.

Cllr Featherstone is pleased that some action has been taken. However shesays that she will be keeping a close eye on the area to ensure that theCouncil’s promises are fulfilled. She also says that some issues are yet tobe addressed in the road.

Cllr Featherstone comments:

“Finally residents in and around Avenue Mews are having some of the issuesthat the Lib Dems have been campaigning about for many years acted upon.However, promises are not the same as action – and the proof of the puddingwill be in seeing real action on the ground.

“The Council have much work to do as they are yet to address other problems,such as blocked drains in the Mews. I will be making sure that this andother work assured is carried out promptly.”