Category Archives: News releases

Revealed: the 26 "priority one" roads that Haringey Council failed to grit

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As the cold snap tightens its grip, local MP Lynne Featherstone has sent Haringey Council bosses a list of 26 “priority one” roads and a further 64 “priority two” roads in Haringey that were not gritted during December’s snowfall. Local Liberal Democrats have said that this calls into question Haringey Council’s ability to cope with the severe weather and have demanded that HaringeyCouncil is better equipped.

The lists, which were put together after over 200 residents responded to Lynne Featherstone’s call for evidence, shows how widespread dissatisfaction with gritting of local roads has been.  The list shows that 26 of the roads reported are “priority one” roads, despite Haringey Council saying that these are supposed to be gritted first as they are major thoroughfares and bus routes.

Earlier in the week, Lynne Featherstone and Cllr Robert Gorrie contacted Haringey Council, demanding that more grit be made available so local residents can grit untreated pavements after reports that grit bins were empty.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It’s deeply worrying that so many roads which Haringey Council said would be prioritised were not treated properly after the first heavy snowfall in December. Now that the cold weather is continuing I hope that Haringey Council learns from its mistakes and ensures that these major routes are clear and safe.

“It’s clear that better preparations are needed to protect residents from the major risk of accidents and falls that come with the icy roads and pavements.”

Martin Newton, Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson, adds:

“Having seen how poorly stocked the grit bins in Muswell Hill and in many other places throughout the borough are, I really worry that residents, especially the elderly and vulnerable, are put at risk every time they leave their homes.

“The pavements are so icy and residents need to have the opportunity to treat the surface themselves if Haringey Council is not doing it for them.”

The 26 “priority one” roads:

Albert Road, N22
Alexandra Park Road, N22
The Avenue, N8
Cranley Gardens, N10
Crouch End Hill, N8
Crouch Hill, N8
Dukes Avenue, N10
Elmfield Avenue, N8
Ferme Park Road, N4, N8
Fortis Green, N10
Fortis Green Road, N10
Inderwick Road, N8
Middle Lane, N8
Mount View Road, N4
Muswell Hill Broadway, N10
Muswell Hill Road, N6
North Hill, N6
Oakfield Road, N4
Ridge Road, N8
Rokesly Avenue, N8
Shepherds Hill, N6
Station Road, N22
Weston Park, N8
Woodside Avenue, N6
Woodland Rise, N10
Southwood Lane, N6

The 64 “priority two” roads:

Beech Drive, N22
Avenue Road, N15
Arcadian Gardens, N22
Berners Road, N22
Birkbeck Road, N17
Blake Road, N11
Bloomfield Road, N6
Causton Road, N6
Cecile Park, N8
Causton Road, N6
Cavendish Road, N4
The Chine, N10
Cholmeley Crescent, N6
Cholmeley Park, N6
Claremont Road, N6
Coolhurst Road, N8
Cranbrook Park, N22
Crescent Road, N8
Cromwell Avenue, N6
Crouch Hall Road, N8
Earlham Grove, N22
Etheldene Avenue, N10
Farrer Road, N8
Florence Road, N4
Gathorne Road, N22
Gisburn Road, N8
Gladwell Road, N8
Glasslyn Road, N8
Granville Road, N4
Grasmere Road, N10
Grosvenor Gardens, N10
Grove Avenue, N10
Grove House Road, N8
Haringey Road, N8
Hermiston Avenue, N8
Highgate Avenue, N6
Langdon Park Road, N6
Lascotts Road, N22
Lyndhurst Road, N22
Montenotte Road, N8
Muswell Avenue, N10
Myddleton Rd, N22
Nightingale Road, N22
Onslow Gardens, N10
Palmerston Road, N22
Park Avenue South, N8
Parkhurst Road, N17
Roseberry Road, N10
Southwood Avenue, N6
Southwood Lawn Road, N22
Stanhope Gardens, N6
St Albans Crescent, N22
St James’s Lane, N10
Sylvan Avenue, N22
Talbot Road, N22
Tivoli Road, N8
Twyford Avenue, N2
Western Road, N22
Wolseley Road, N8
Womersley Road, N8
Woodfield Way, N11
Woodside Road, N22
Woodstock Road, N4
Vallance Road, N22

Local MP test drives Oyster PAYG on local train after long running campaign

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After a long-running campaign to let residents use their Oyster Pay As You Go (PAYG) on local trains, Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone was finally able to tap in with her Oyster card, as she travelled from Alexandra Palace earlier this week.

But the Hornsey and Wood Green MP, who has been running a campaign to get the PAYG smart cards on the trains since 2008, has today raised concerns about some of the more complicated aspects of the scheme.

Residents with travelcards on their Oysters, who travel outside their pre-paid zones, have to get an Oyster Extension Permit (OEP) before starting the journey. These can only be obtained from local Oyster retailers or tube stations, and not at local train stations. The Hornsey and Wood Green MP, who’s got the backing of Transport for London, has today again written to local train company First Capital Connect, to demand that the OEPs be scrapped.

Click here to see a video of Lynne on her maiden Oyster PAYG journey on the local trains.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It’s fantastic to finally be able to use my Pay As You Go Oyster card when travelling on local trains. This will make it easier for residents to get around. At last we have one integrated system.

“But the whole idea of the Oyster Extension Permit is frankly absurd. Oyster is supposed to make it easier for people to travel – not harder by forcing them to go to a local shop or tube station to pop an electronic permit on the card first.

“I will keep pushing for First Capital Connect to drop this idea – there must be an easier way.”

Cllr Martin Newton, local Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson, adds:

“I’m delighted that persistence has paid off. Hopefully the integrated Oyster system will mean that more residents chose to use public transport and leave the car at home.”

Concern raised over empty grit bins as snow set to return

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Local Liberal Democrats have raised concerns for the safety of local residents during the ongoing cold snap after it was found that local grit bins are empty – just as more snow and icy conditions are set to return. Local councillor, Richard Wilson, has demanded action from Haringey Council after a spot inspection in Stroud Green ward yesterday (Monday) found that all grit bins were empty.

MP Lynne Featherstone and Cllr Robert Gorrie have today also urgently demanded that Haringey Council takes extra measures to grit priority roads, and ensure there is salt or grit available for non-priority roads.

Cllr Richard Wilson, Stroud Green, comments:

“Given the chaos caused by the snow before Christmas, I’m surprised that the grit bins in Stroud Green are empty. This denies local residents the opportunity to grit treacherous sections of pavement.  I’ve demanded that Haringey Council fill these bins as soon as possible.”

Lynne Featherstone MP, adds:

“From the many emails and phone calls from local residents following the last snowfall, where many told me of priority roads not being gritted or salted, I’m really concerned that we might see a repeat this week.

“But with more advance warning this time, I certainly hope Haringey Council ensures that Haringey’s roads and pavements are safer.”

Local Liberal Democrats outraged as Mayor rejects one hour bus ticket

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One hour bus ticket campaign with Lynne Featherstone and Caroline PidgeonLocal Liberal Democrats have expressed outrage at the Mayor of London’s refusal to consider a proposal for a one hour ticket on London’s buses.

The refusal was made clear in a letter to Liberal Democrat London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon despite a campaign supported by over 2,000 Londoners and all London Assembly Members.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It’s ridiculous that the Mayor will not even consider the idea of a one hour bus ticket. This is such a brilliant idea and it would have been a great green proposal to back in a bid to help Londoners cut their carbon footprint.

“I’m very disappointed at the Mayor’s disregard for the views and concerns of over 2,000 Londoners and all the London Assembly Members – with that kind of support it should have been given proper consideration but it clearly hasn’t.”

Martin Newton, Haringey Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson, adds:

“The Mayor’s response is a hasty, knee jerk reaction that shows he is not prepared to look into a sensible proposal which would help cut congestion and give residents in Haringey and beyond an affordable alternative to using their cars.”

Haringey Council ignores views of sheltered housing residents

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Labour-run Haringey Council last week decided to continue with an unpopular decision that may result in the eviction of vulnerable and elderly tenants from council supported housing. Local Liberal Democrats expressed disappointment, after Haringey Council’s watchdog committee upheld the cabinet decision to progress plans for the redevelopment of supported housing at Protheroe House, and the further review of similar schemes at Larkspur Close and Stokely Court.

Cllr Robert Gorrie, who led the Liberal Democrat ‘call-in’, said that residents’ views had been completely ignored and that the decision was being made in response to financial pressures in the Decent Homes programme, rather than in the best interest of tenants.

He urged the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to recommend that the cabinet should make residents’ wishes central to the decision making process, protect the Decent Homes funding for these properties and take no action against tenants until an Older Persons Housing Strategy, expected in 2010, decided whether there was a need for change.

However, after nearly three hours of discussion and criticism at the meeting from members of both parties about how the decision had been made and the position in which it left residents, the Labour majority on the committee decided to uphold the Cabinet’s decision.

Cllr Robert Gorrie (Hornsey ward) comments:

“After saying that they were unhappy with the decision and accepting it was not the decision residents wanted, Labour members did nothing to challenge their Labour cabinet colleagues.

“It was a real shame to see that, after a three hour debate, nothing has happened and the rights and wishes of residents have been ignored yet again.”

Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

”Labour have once again failed to put residents and vulnerable tenants at the heart of their decision.”

Liberal Democrats criticise ‘Scrooge’ council for festive parking fees

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Haringey Council has been criticised for penalising shoppers at Christmas-time, after it was revealed that parking restrictions will be enforced on Boxing Day, despite many other councils in London waiving fees.

Local Liberal Democrats say that Haringey Council should change its mind and give shoppers free parking, to support local traders in the recession.

Thirteen London councils have confirmed that they will not impose parking restrictions on 26 December.

Cllr Martin Newton, Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson, comments:

“Boxing Day is a public holiday, yet Scrooge-like Haringey Council has failed to get into the festive spirit and give shoppers free parking.

“This issue also has a serious economic message.  After a hard year, the Christmas season is a key time for local traders. Haringey Council has gone some way to recognise this through free parking in some of our town centres, but failing to give free parking on Boxing Day is another kick in the teeth for local businesses.”

Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

“Christmas is a time for giving and receiving, yet Haringey Council seems to be fixated on receiving money, rather than giving something back to the local community by waiving parking fees on Boxing Day.”

Boost Youth Centre hours, say Liberal Democrats

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Liberal Democrats have called for the opening hours at the Muswell Hill Youth Centre to be increased, to let young people in the area have the same access to youth facilities as in other parts of the borough.

Information on staffing and costs at youth clubs was revealed, in a written response from the Labour Cabinet Member for Children and Young People to Cllr Gail Engert, at the last Full Council meeting on 30th November 2009. It showed that Muswell Hill Youth Club only opens for three hours on weekdays, in contrast to 5.5 hours at the Bruce Grove and Wood Green centres and opens for a total of 720 hours per year, compared to 1320 hours at others.

Cllr Engert has written to Haringey Council to urge that Muswell Hill Youth Centre is opened for longer hours, in line with other centres in the borough.

Cllr Gail Engert, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Children and Young People, comments:

“Giving local young people their own dedicated facility provides a much needed focal point, where they can meet and experiment with arts, sports and creative projects.

“It seems entirely unfair that young people in Muswell Hill have fewer opportunities than those in Wood Green or Bruce Grove, to attend their youth club.

“I will be writing to Haringey Council, to urge them to change this unfair situation.”

Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

“Haringey Council should give an equal opportunity to all young people to go to youth clubs, especially during the winter months, when outside activities are limited.”

Hundreds of local residents back Liberal Democrat campaign for safe crossing on North Hill

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North Hill petition: Cllr Rachel Allison, Lynne Featherstone MP and local resident Jenny BouchamiHighgate Liberal Democrats and MP Lynne Featherstone have this week sent in a petition to Haringey Council signed by over 400 local residents backing a campaign to improve safety at a dangerous pedestrian crossing.

The campaign to get a pedestrian traffic light on the North Hill crossing, located next to the Highgate Group practice and close to the Mary Feilding’s Guild, has been running since the spring, and has proven exceptionally successful. Almost one in 20 Highgate residents have signed the petition.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It’s fantastic that the campaign has picked up such speed and has got the backing of over 400 local residents.

“Now the council will have to sit up and take notice- and do something to deal with this clearly dangerous crossing on one of Highgate’s busiest roads, right next to the old people’s home and the only GP practice in Highgate.”

Highgate Councillor Rachel Allison adds:

“Some of Highgate’s most vulnerable residents use the crossing on a daily basis. It should not be too much to ask for to them to feel safe crossing this road- and I certainly hope Haringey Council will agree!”

Haringey Council rated as one of the worst in the country

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Commenting on Audit Commission’s finding that significant concerns remain for Safeguarding Children in the borough and giving Haringey Council a 1 out of 4 ‘Poor’ rating, Cllr Robert Gorrie, Leader of Haringey Liberal Democrat opposition group, said:

“It is unforgivable that Haringey Council is still failing the most vulnerable people in our borough; from children at risk to those in desperate housing need.

“The staff seem to be trying their best, but Labour are failing to provide the leadership so sorely needed. Labour have clearly become part of problem and not the solution.

“Local residents desperately need a fresh start that can only come with a party that hasn’t been in charge for last 40 years.”

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

“This is crushing blow for the Labour Government and Labour administration. Despite their best efforts Haringey Council is still being rated as one of the worst performing councils in the country. Only wholesale change can turn this around and next year’s Council elections offer the only chance for real change.”

Liberal Democrats force review to support residents in sheltered housing

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Local Liberal Democrats have forced a review of the Labour administration’s decision to plough ahead with plans which threaten tenants’ long-term security in Haringey Council supported housing. Liberal Democrats are demanding that the decision is changed in order to put the views of residents first.

On 17 November 2009 the Labour cabinet rubber-stamped proposals to review supported housing at Campbell Court, Larkspur Close, Stokely Court and Protheroe House despite a huge outcry from local tenants’ and residents’ associations.

A special meeting of Haringey Council’s ‘watchdog’ committee will now be held on 9 December 2009 following intervention by Liberal Democrats and will discuss concerns over inadequate consultation of residents, the reason why the four identified sheltered housing blocks have been targeted above others and whether the decision goes against Council priorities.

Liberal Democrats are calling for no changes to the status of any sheltered housing schemes until the Older Person’s Housing Strategy is completed in December 2010, that any money earmarked for sheltered housing, under the Decent Homes programme, should be ring fenced and any decision should only be made in the best interests of the residents currently living in the sheltered housing schemes.

Cllr Robert Gorrie comments:

“It was clear from the Cabinet meeting that the way in which Haringey Council is running roughshod over the views of residents currently living in Stokely Court, Campbell Court, Larkspur Close and Protheroe House is not right.

“We have listened to residents living in these blocks and have decided that Haringey Council needs to reconsider its decision.

“Haringey Council has failed to consult with residents adequately and consistently, they have failed to provide any meaningful alternative for residents living in the sheltered housing and failed to put residents first in this decision.”

Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

“Haringey Council should be listening to residents in sheltered housing not giving them the extra worry of uncertainty over the future of their homes.”