LIB DEMS WELCOME ALLY PALLY TRAFFIC CONSULTATION REPORT

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Haringey Liberal Democrats have welcomed the decision on the Alexandra Palace traffic calming consultation report presented at Haringey Council’s Executive last week.

The consultation process was to decide how best to spend the £100,000 secured by London Assembly Member Lynne Featherstone (Lib Dem) to address concerns by local residents over speeding and traffic on Dukes Avenue and the surrounding roads in N10.

The initial focus group involved more than 10 local residents’ groups from the area who, along with council officers andlocal councillors help designed three road calming options.

Earlier this year a consultation document was sent out to all residents in the area with three options presented:

Option One: Traffic calming – a series of pinch points, with give-way priorities and refuge islands along Dukes Avenue, The Avenue, Grove Avenue, Rosebery Avenue and Muswell Road to encourage a reduction in speed whilst travelling through the area.

Option Two: Zoning – road closures at strategic locations to prevent the area being used as a through route; pinch points to encourage a reduction in speed along The Avenue, Grove Avenue and Dukes Avenue.

Option Three: – opposed to both options or do nothing: it was also agreed that the wording of the questionnaire would allow residents to register their objection to both options.

The Council received over 850 valid consultation responses by the 9th July deadline, a response rate of 32.9%.

By a clear majority, local residents opted for Option One. Lib Dem traffic spokesperson and Alexandra ward councillor, Susan Oatway, has welcomed the result. She has been involved with the focus group from the beginning and is pleased that a clear decision has been reached following over two years of consultative meetings.

Now that consultation has been concluded, Cllr Oatway is keen for Haringey Council to start working on its quick implementation. She is also hoping that the busy Alexandra Park Road will be considered for interactive speed signs along with Dukes Avenue, Muswell Road and Rosebery Road, to help remind drivers of the speed limits.

Cllr Oatway (Alexandra) comments: “We welcome the decision at the end of a long and thorough consultation process and I would like to thank all the residents who have been involved.

“There is a significant majority in favour of traffic calming and the Council have taken the various comments from different roads intoconsideration. I have asked that they consider a vehicle activated speed sign for Alexandra Park Road to help increase road safety for the many children walking to and from school.

“I am hopeful that the agreed action will ensure improvements in speed reduction and road safety in this residential area.”

LIB DEMS CALL FOR COUNCIL TO RESOLVE PROBLEM OVER QUEENS WOOD DUMPING

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Lib Dem Councillor Lynne Featherstone is calling for Haringey Council to take urgent action to resolve the fly-tipping problem in Queens Wood after Haringey’s contractors, Haringey Accord, informed her that it was not their responsibility.

Cllr Featherstone, along with her colleagues in Muswell Hill and Highgate wards, have campaigned for the last couple of years for Haringey Council to take action to control this fly-tipping blackspot with some success.

Haringey Accord have made Queens Wood Road a priority road and have made assurances that road sweepers will report fly-tipped items on regular sweeps of the area. They have also installed CCTV to record those dumping at this location.

However Accord have stated that the wood itself is not their responsibility and as a result much of the fly-tipped rubbish remains uncollected.

Cllr Featherstone is concerned at the current gap in Haringey’s clean-up service. She has contacted Haringey Council to seek assurances that they will resolve this issue with Accord and ensure that fly-tipped rubbish is removed from the wood within 48 hours of it being reported.

Cllr Featherstone (Muswell Hill) comments: “It is a concern that Haringey Council appears to have gaps in the service.

“However, I am pleased that action is being taken with respect to the road itself and I hope that the CCTV will help to prosecute those responsible for this most anti-social practice.”

LIB DEMS WELCOME DEMONSTRATION STREETLIGHT

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Lib Dem councillors have welcomed the demonstration streetlight at the corner of Etheldene Avenue and The Chine (N10). The new lamp is designed to be sympathetic to Haringey’s conservation areas where houses are generally older.

The lamp is approximately 30% higher than the old cast iron gas lamp columns, which have all long been converted to use electricity with a pipe extension holding the bulb. If liked by local residents, the new columns are likely to be used in a number of roads that are in need of new lighting in and around Highgate, Crouch End, Muswell Hill and Fortis Green. All of the new columns would be fitted with a lamp that gives a white light providing a better level of illumination than existing streetlights.

Lib Dem Councillors Bob Hare and Gail Engert believe that the new lamp could be the compromise that Haringey Council has been looking for. Many residents in Crouch End were dismayed last year whendistinctive old cast iron columns – many of which have the borough’s initials cast into them – were replaced with modern ones that were not in keeping with the surroundings.

Both councillors welcome the potential of the lamp, but say that it is important that residents look at the new lamp and feed their comments back so that an informed decision can be made. Lib Dem Environment Spokesperson Cllr Hare adds that there are a few roads both in the west and east of the borough where the period of the houses and character of the area may mean the best option is to restore the original columns with new lamp fittings.

Cllr Gail Engert (Muswell Hill) comments: “This lamp offers what may be a more suitable replacement for old lamps in the conservation areas. However, it is important that residents make their views clear on the new lamp and I would encourage as many residents who can to go and see the lamp and let us and Haringey Council know what they think of it.”

Cllr Hare (Highgate) adds: “It is also important that Haringey Council ensures that, whatever the verdict is on the new lamp, at least some of the specially cast period lamp posts in the area are restored to ensure that the area’s local distinctiveness and heritage is maintained.”

Getting information from Transport for London

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Having attended Conference Committee to iron out any wrinkles in the arrangements for the debate I will be chairing the next day (interesting notions like who’s summating the amendments and what is the time split between mover and summator.) It doesn’t get more riveting than this. Then off to the Purbeck Suite where I am speaking in the Transport for London (TfL) fringe on traffic in London. Peter Hendy and Bill Hamilton are there for TfL and Lord Bill Bradshaw is there to talk about the Traffic Bill. I am covering congestion charging.

TfL have laid on wine and food – so it’s a good bet that the meeting will be well attended. As I walk into the room, my researcher tips me off that TfL are very cross with me as they’ve seen the speech I gave to the Institute of Civil Engineers the previous Thursday night.

I had merely pointed out that getting information out of TfL was akin to getting blood out of a stone, that they were anal retentive and that I kept coming up against the rubberised walls of TfL Public Relations. Having grabbed a glass of wine – I was ready for the attack. I disarmed them by saying I had heard that they were on the warpath – but that I stood by what I had said.

I suggested to Peter and Bill that I give them some examples of requests for information (details and dates) – so that they can track what happens their end. We will see if this prompts the answers I have been waiting so long for.

Then we got on with the debate which went really well (probably the wine) and the room was packed and there were lots of questions and comments – which always makes for a lively time.

Lib Dem conference starts

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Off to the Lib Dem Party Conference. Bournemouth here we come! It is pouring with rain as the train draws into town. The cabbie is very cheery about us and a special fan of ‘Charlie’ – they always are.

Unpack and grab a sandwich in the bar before rushing to some training – I’m chairing one of the conference sessions later in the week. To do so – you have to have been previously fully trained and at every conference that you attend you also have to attend an update session. That session will either be practising the advanced preparations or role-playing events that could happen during the debate.

It’s a drag – but chairing can be quite hairy so everyone generally does turn up to do their bit. I will be chairing the Asylum and Immigration debate on the Monday.

Farewell to my PA

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Have done endless interviews about: my comments on the Mayor’s dishonesty, the parking scrutiny and the West London Tram.

Today I go into the GLA for my wonderful PA’s farewell lunch. Jeni has been absolutely fantastic and I will miss her.

Coming back into City Hall, I realise I have forgotten my pass. Blow me down – the security guard wouldn’t let me through and made me go through the screening reserved for visitors rather than staff.

Full marks I thought – in a week that has seen a complete farce in the security mess that appears to surround our key terrorist targets – the House of Commons and Buckingham Palace.

COUNCIL TOLD TO ACT ON CONCERNS OVER CONCRETE PLANT

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Amidst the growing public concern over the application to build a concrete batching plant on the Cranmore Way Industrial Estate in Hornsey, local councillor Laura Edge (Lib Dem, Stroud Green) is calling on Haringey Council to conduct a full environmental impact assessment of the development.

In light of concerns expressed at last night’s public meeting, Ms Edge says such a detailed study is essential in view of residents’ fears and advice given by English Nature on the issue. She also points out that Haringey Council had initially asked for an assessment but the applicant appealed to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister which ruled that this was not necessary.

Laura Edge is also asking Haringey Council to ensure that a noise assessment is carried out in front of Chettle Court, the nearest property to the proposed site. Noise consultants failed to make such an assessment, claiming that they could not gain access. Ms Edge says that confidence in the planning process will not be achieved until an independent noise assessment takes place.

Laura Edge comments:

“I firmly believe that the site is not suitable for a concrete batching plant, and I believe that these comprehensive appraisals will demonstrate this. These must now take place. As a matter of fairness and courtesy, Haringey Council must also keep residents fully informed at all stages in the planning process. This includes writing to everyone who attended the meeting to let them know when the plans will come before Haringey Council. Green N8 and the other local groups which have worked hard on the issue must be kept fully informed.”

Cllr David Winskill (Crouch End) who was also at the meeting adds:

“I am particularly concerned at the admission last night that from London Concrete that their present estimate of 56 lorry movements a day are based on the plant working to approximately 50% capacity. If the plant was working at full tilt, we could be looking at well in excess of 100 movements per day.

“This would have a dire environmental impact on the local area, and must be factored in to any assessments by Haringey Council.”

Transport business at the GLA

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Heavy duty Transport Committee meeting which I chair. We had Transport for London, Ealing Council and a couple of learned professors to answer our questions arising from our trip along the route of the West London Tram and from the evidence we had taken from local people and groups.

Whether we will be able to get a consensus on the committee for our report – who knows. I would like to think it possible – if we stick to evidence-based recommendations rather than political rant.

The second half of the session was devoted to the future of rail in London. Fairly gloomy would be my judgement. The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) and Network Rail were our witnesses. Didn’t sense any great shift in ATOC’s position – other than they have learned to talk using the right words. Whether this has a flying chance of translating into more services for us poor Londoners…?

But the real excitement was a two second item as the committee agreed the terms of reference for a scrutiny on parking enforcement in London. With a couple of amendments this went through – and all media hell broke loose.

With all the reports in the press of unfairness, wayward clampers, overzealous wardens etc, it seems to me a good idea to look at what the truth is – are the reports accurate or exaggerated?

Needless to say the boroughs are concerned that we are looking into their business (and a very good business as far as I can tell) and I haven’t heard what Transport for London (TfL) think yet. But what I do know, is that if enforcement has become ‘unfair’ then ordinary, decent folk start feeling angry and upset that life is becoming impossible – and unfairly so.

And many people who use public transport whenever they can – still at times use a car for journeys that are not covered or possible by public transport. And other journeys are really necessary for the disabled and other vulnerable people.

If parking regulations and enforcement are about resolving traffic problems and keeping proper flows and rationing scarce space – that’s great and quite right that money raised from them should be spent on improving traffic and transport in that borough. However if things have gone too far and this has turned into simple revenue raising – it is not alright.

Admittedly, boroughs have an incentive to bring in parking revenue as it is virtually their one funding stream that Gordon Brown and the Treasury cannot nick back. Other profit that a council might make is then deducted from their normal grant from Government – which may be the source of some of these issues.

But we are also looking at the plethora of times and signage, etc, that confuse residents as they pick their way through the minefield as well. No-one is as well-placed as the boroughs to design their own schemes to suit local needs and local people. However, just as we did with trying to look at the myriad of different boroughs approaches to Blue Badge holders – so we hope to be able to help flag up some issues for the boroughs to then hopefully work on.

Livingstone and fare increases

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An early start to Mayor’s Question Time as Ken has to leave for Moscow at 10.50am.

He starts in good form – but as the thrust of the first question begins to bite suffers his normal deterioration in humour. The question itself is about an area in Spittalfields where the proposed route of CrossRail would mean building a ventilation and emergency shaft in the middle of a densely populated area with narrow streets.

Everyone is concerned about the well-being of this community.

Ken finally loses his cool with me. So no change there after his summer break!

We go onto a question about finances. There is a looming half billion hole in the Mayor’s budget. I’m highly suspicious that his intention will be to fill as much of it as necessary by digging into Londoners’ pockets by increaseing fares and his share of Council Tax bills (called “the precept”) in due course.

With Ken having just been re-elected, this is his “safe” period when he feels he can do as he pleases – with one election out of the way and the next a long time away. He informs us that he will make an announcement on his proposed fare increases next Tuesday at his press conference.

We had been informed earlier this morning that he has cancelled his visit to the LibDem conference due to – as his office put it – an ’emergency crisis budget meeting’.

I challenged him on his dishonesty pre-election when he promised time and time again when the fares were raised last January that he would peg the price of tickets to inflation.

This will clearly be broken next week and – given our fares are the highest in the world and the cost of living in London is making it a nightmare for key workers and the like – this is going to make things worse. Let alone making a nonsense of the benefits of the congestion charge in reducing traffic – when the fare hike could send people back into their cars.

I accused him of telling porky-pies and received a rebuke for using such langugate. Mind you, “porky pie” was mild compared to what I would have liked to call him!

We moved onto the ’emergency budget crisis meeting’. Ken laughed (as he does) and said it was simply a meeting with Transport for London to determine how the government’s grant would be spent – i.e. which transport projects he would have to drop given that raiding all of our little piggy banks through fares still won’t be enough to plug the hole and fund his wish list.

I rest my case – emergency crisis budget meeting was the right terminology.

CONCERN OVER PLANS FOR 'MAMMOTH' WOOD GREEN HOUSING SCHEME

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Liberal Democrats in Wood Green have expressed alarm at proposals for a large-scale residential development on Ringslade Road/Watsons Road, near the centre of Wood Green. Nigel Scott, Lib Dem spokesperson for Woodside ward, says that if the proposals are given the go-ahead, the plans will result in the building of two six storey blocks of flats totalling 70 dwellings, as well as four houses.

Mr Scott says the area is already one of the worst rat runs in Haringey used by drivers seeking to avoid the major and congested junction at Wood Green Tube station. He wants traffic access to be fully considered, as any major housing scheme would severely add to traffic problems nearby.

Nigel Scott comments:

“Existing quiet residential streets should not be dominated by a mammoth housing scheme. This development is inappropriate for the relatively small size of this site, and there may not be adequate provision for all the vehicles coming in and out. This is a very worrying development.”

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson for the area, adds:

“This type of scheme is all too typical of plans to cram as many blocks of flats as possible into existing residential areas in Haringey. The roads system and local infrastructure will hardly be able to cope.”