Residents of Cranley Gardens, Muswell Hill, have this week made progress towards ending the road crossing problem after Haringey Council promised to inspect and renew a badly faded zebra crossing in the road, near the junction with Park Road.

The action comes after local Lib Dem Councillor Lynne Featherstone raised the issue with the council. For some time, Cllr Featherstone (Muswell Hill) has campaigned for Cranley Gardens to be made safer, not just for the residents, but for parents with young children who have to cross the road to reach the playgroup facilities in the nearby church.

Cllr. Featherstone comments:

“The crossing is in a terrible state. The markings are badly faded and the beacons are constantly broken. Residents have been very concerned that traffic does not always stop for people waiting to cross.

“I am pleased that the council has agreed that improvements are necessary and are likely to happen soon. I have asked if the zebra crossing can be upgraded to a pelican crossing and they are looking into this too.”

“We have long campaigned for some traffic calming measures to this road and I will continue to press for interactive speed signs to be introduced to the area. However, I think that this is a good start and will a step towards making Cranley Gardens a safer place for pedestrians.”

Lib Dem councillors for Highgate are calling for a wider consultation of businesses over the proposed CPZ scheme following a meeting at the Civic Centre where only four business representatives were present.

The meeting, which was the final one before the evidence goes to the steering committee, was lively and productive. However Lib Dem councillors are concerned that it only allowed for a snapshot of how Highgate’s diverse business community view the possible CPZ.

Cllr. Hare comments:

“Those that were in attendance made some invaluable contributions to the discussion but we need to hear from more sections of the business community. Businesses in Archway Road who bear the brunt of the area’s traffic problems, have not been encouraged to attend tonight.

“It is important to involve everyone in this decision and cross-party we are all trying to get a consultation that is fair, well informed and representative of the residents of Highgate. We will be encouraging the Council to ensure that they consult businesses on a wider scale before making any final decisions.”

A Lib Dem councillor is calling for Haringey to clean up Hornsey after citing a catalogue of environmental neglect in the area. Lib Dem Environment Spokesperson Cllr Bob Hare’s comments come following reports from residents about the state of the area. Cllr Hare has visited a number of Hornsey sites and found a cross-section of problems, from tree loss to the dumping of car parts.

Tree Loss
Cllr. Hare has contacted the Council to express his concern over the loss of Hornsey’s trees and has urged Haringey to engage with residents and plan a tree-scaping strategy for Hornsey High Street. He highlights Rectory Gardens and the green by the Great Northern Pub, which have both lost a number of trees over the last few years due to storms and disease, as a major concern. Cllr. Hare is keen for the Council to act now in replacing the losses before the end of the current planting season.

Cllr. Hare Comments: “I am concerned that we are losing a lot of greenery in the area. Trees are felled and are not being replaced. I have written to the Council urging them to invest some of their regeneration money in a tree-scaping initiative for Hornsey High Street.”

Dumped Car Parts
The car park to the east of Newland Road is not only the site of abandoned cars but a dumping ground for old car parts. Cllr. Hare has contacted the Council to bring their attention to the large amounts of rubbish in the bushes as well as old tyres and exhaust pipes just dumped amongst the shrubbery.

“This area is in a really terrible state,” says Cllr Hare. “I have contacted the Council to draw their attention to the problem and I will be keeping a close eye to ensure that they clean up an area that is fast becoming a health and safety hazard.”

Unpaved Footway
Cllr Hare is also calling for urgent repairs to the footpath outside North Point flats, Tottenham Lane. The area remains unpaved, although the development is now occupied and the work complete.

Bob Hare comments: “I am concerned about safety here. The footpath is in a bad state of disrepair, and I have written to the Council to ask what is going to be done to restore the footway and when it will be completed.

Bob Hare concludes:

“All of these issues contribute to an unpleasant environment in Hornsey, and they must be addressed. Rubbish, broken footpaths and a lack of care for our trees just encourages others to do more damage to the environment. Hornsey is an area where action is needed now on a number of fronts.”

In the battle to keep open the Archway Road Post Office, Highgate’s Liberal Democrat councillors are calling on the Post Office to extend the consultation deadline so that local people can express their outrage at the closure plans for the Archway Road branch. They say the deadline set for 18th March, does not give residents enough time to consider the ill conceived plans.

Cllr Neil Williams had a meeting with local residents last night, who are up in arms about the planned closure. He says the Post Office has not done enough to let people know about the plans, which will be a severe blow to local residents and the hard pressed retailers along the Archway Road. Local residents and the area’s Lib Dem councillors have also started a petition to show the strength of local feeling on the issue.

The Post Office has earmarked two Post Offices on the Archway Road for closure (one in Haringey and one in Islington) as a result of Post Office restructuring plans for the area. The Lib Dems say there are many elderly residents in the Highgate and Archway areas who rely on their local Post office. Highgate is a hilly part of London and the walk up to the village branch can be a trek for some residents

Cllr Neil Williams comments:

“I am very disappointed with the way this issue is being handled by the Post Office, and I would like them to agree to an extra two weeks of consultation.

“The deadline of this Friday is not enough. Despite writing to object, I have still not even received a copy of their consultation document from the Post Office, and have had to obtain it from other sources. And all this despite their apparent desire to consult with local councillors.”

Greater London Authority member Lynne Featherstone, who has been warning for months that the Post Office was bound to target Haringey branches for closure, adds:

“I am concerned that the Post Office bosses are not doing all they can to bring their closure plans to the attention of local residents. If we don’t oppose these plans, Archway Road could be the first of many branches to close in Haringey. I hope that as many Highgate residents as possible will sign the local petition.”

Local Lib Dems say that Haringey’s beleaguered Council Tax payers would see their bills cut by £100 under national proposals outlined in their Alternative Budget by the Liberal Democrats.

The local Lib Dems believe the policy will be popular with Haringey residents, who have just suffered a massive 17.4% increase in their Council Tax bills from the Labour-run Council.

Average Council Tax rises across the country this year will be the highest ever. These large rises will mean average council tax bills across the country will have risen by over £400 under Labour. In their Alternative Budget, the Lib Dems would give Council Tax payers a refund of £100, largely funded by an increase in income tax for the very rich. The increase would also pay for the scrapping of tuition fees for students.

The cuts in Council Tax would be an interim measure pending the complete abolition of the Council Tax and its replacement with a much fairer Local Income Tax.

Haringey’s Lib Dem Leader Ross Laird comments:

“The Council Tax is a very unfair tax. It hits those on lower incomes, such as local pensioners, particularly hard.The Council Tax takes no account of people’s ability to pay, so a nurse or pensioner can pay more than a multi-millionaire.”

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson, adds:

“Labour have made much worse the Tory invention of Council tax. Lib Dems would abolish the tax and replace it with a much fairer local income tax. Taxes should relate to the ability to pay. Gordon Brown could provide this relief now, if he introduced the Lib Dem plans.”

In the controversy surrounding Haringey Council’s handling of the roll out of wheelies bins in the borough, the Lib Dems say that bins left in the street are causing a daily hazard for many residents.

In many streets, bins left out on the pavement are causing an obstacle course for the disabled, visually impaired and those with pushchairs.

Lib Dem Environment spokesperson, Cllr. Bob Hare has written to the council demanding that action is taken.

Bob Hare comments:

“I have received a number of complaints about this problem. Refuse collectors say they are following their instructions to leave the bins where they are found them, even if this is outside the property. As a result, many bins are now permanently in the street, and are blocking pavements. The Council must ensure that pavements are wheelie-bin free.”

As concern grows over the planned closure of the Archway Road Post Office, Highgate Lib Dem councillor Neil Williams has written to Haringey Council Leader George Meehan demanding that the Council opposes the plans.

Lib Dems in Highgate have expressed alarm that two Post Offices on the Archway Road have been earmarked for closure (one in Haringey and one in Islington) as a result of Post Office restructuring plans for the area.The Lib Dems say there are many elderly residents in the Highgate and Archway areas who rely on their local Post Office. Highgate is a hilly part of London and the walk up to the village can be a trek for some residents.

The loss of one or both Post Offices will also be a blow to the hard-pressed businesses on the Archway Road.

Mr Williams is also protesting to the Post Office that Haringey councillors have not been consulted by the Post Office about the plans, despite the Post Office saying in public that it would consult local councillors about its massive nationwide closure programme.

Highgate Lib Dem councillor Neil Williams comments:

“I have asked the Leader of the Council to throw his weight behind efforts to keep Post Offices open. Last year, Haringey refused to give a commitment that it would oppose Post Office closures in the borough, but now is the time for the Council to speak out. The Haringey Post Office on Archway Road will be sorely missed and it will be a serious blow to the Archway Road if the branch is closed.”

Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson, Lynne Featherstone, who has been campaigning on the future of Post Offices across Haringey and recently presented a petition against Post Office closures to Vincent Cable MP at Parliament, adds:

“This proposed closure is part of a much broader plan to shut Post Offices, and sadly the Labour government is backing it. It is a service we must protect, as Archway Road could be the tip of the iceberg.”

A group of around 20 local residents met in Queens Avenue (N10) on Saturday 1st Marchto voice their objection to a possible new hotel.

53-55 Queens Avenue, the old Queens Lodge rest home, is currently being converted into flats. However, the owner has now submitted an application to change the building into a hotel.

The residents are objecting because the site is on the residential end of Queens Avenue, which is also a conservation area. An additional major concern is that another hotel will further exacerbate the parking problems on the road.

Lib Dem Councillor Matt Davies attended Saturday’s demonstration. He has been following the building work for over 6 months and has previously objected to aspects of the plans.

Commenting, Cllr Davies (Fortis Green) said:

“I am very concerned about the way planning applications for this site have been dealt with all along and the lack of consultation with local residents.

“When a request was made to change the number of approved rooms in the new flats from ten to twelve I objected – and was even told that such a request would be turned down. Later we found out that the owner has now been given permission to build twelve flats!

“The Council must listen to local residents this time. A hotel at this end of Queens Avenue would be inappropriate, unpopular and unnecessary.”

Residents in Muswell Hill Road were left fuming after Haringey Council removed a London Plane tree from outside number 46. Local Councillor Lynne Featherstone has taken up the issue with the council on behalf of the residents.

Lib Dem Cllr. Featherstone has contacted managers of Street Scene who were responsible for the removal of the tree to express residents’ anger over its removal. Street Scene have responded by saying that the tree was originally removed because of damage it was causing to neighbouring property but it may now be replaced if the funds are available.

Cllr. Featherstone comments:

“I am pleased that the Council has signalled that they are willing to replace the tree. However until they make a firm commitment, I will continue to press them on the issue.

“It may be one tree but in London, every tree and every patch of greenery counts and I think it is essential that we make sure that we do not lose trees in locations such as these.”

A solution to the problem of severe congestion in and around the Alexandra ward area moved a step closer this week, following an agreement to set up a working group of local residents to formulate detailed plans of how the council would spend the £100,000 allocated by Transport for London (TfL) to sort out local traffic problems.

The meeting, at Rhodes Avenue School on Thursday, took place after calls from Alexandra Lib Dem Councillor Susan Oatway for more action to be taken by Haringey Council in sorting out the issue. The working group will be set up in March and is likely to comprise 6 to 12 local residents. Its job will be to plan and cost the spending of £100,000 from TfL on improvements to Dukes Avenue and Alexandra Park Road areas. They will also plan and cost the safer routes to school scheme.

Cllr. Oatway expressed her satisfaction at the progress that had been made at the meeting:

“I am very pleased that we have started to move forward on this issue and we are that bit closer to the money that TfL have had on the table for the past two years. The local residents have been very constructive throughout and I hope that this will make for a productive working group.

“I am further encouraged by the news that TfL have offered further money to the area after they have amended their proposals for the A406. I hope that the money will relieve the suffering of the residents of Alexandra and Bounds Green who have had to endure this problem for far too long.”

Background:

Liberal Democrats secured an agreement from TfL to provide up to £100,000 in November 2001 towards traffic calming in Alexandra, provided that Haringey Council produced sensible and detailed plans. However, despite the offer first being made in November 2001, the money is still unspent as Haringey Council has repeatedly failed to produce the necessary plans and information to free up the money.

Muswell Hill ward councillor and London Assembly Transport Policy Committee member Lynne Featherstone has recently met with Derek Turner of TfL to try to break the deadlock. Mr Turner confirmed that the money was still available if Haringey Council presented appropriate plans and supplied the technical details required by Transport for London, but he warned that if appropriate plans and detailed information were not presented the money might even be lost to Haringey: “it was an unlikely but potential risk.”