Local MP Attends Breathe Easy Launch

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Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, attended the formal launch of Breathe Easy Haringey, a self financing group who help people suffering with lung conditions.

The group’s activities range from holding exercise classes with physiotherapists to researching medical developments in the area.

Before her speech, Lynne Featherstone took the opportunity to talk to group members. The members spoke with the MP about their ‘Breathe Easy’ week in June, which aimed to raise awareness of the risks associated with exposure to asbestos dust and the lung diseases it can cause.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented,

“I always enjoy visiting local community groups and seeing firsthand the great work they do. I was delighted that the Breathe Easy group have formally launched and that they can now start fundraising for such a good cause. Many of the members suffer from chronic lung disease, which makes their achievements and activity even more impressive. I wish them the best of luck for the future.”

Bus accessibility for the W7 in jeopardy

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Concerns have been raised with the Council after it was revealed that a bus stop in Muswell Hill used by residents to get to local health facilities may not be moved, jeopardising efforts to make it more accessible for elderly and disabled users.

Local Liberal Democrats, who have been campaigning for the W7 and 144 bus stops to both be moved from Muswell Hill to Muswell Hill roundabout for many years, have said that the Council’s reluctance to trial a move for both routes is bad news for local residents.

The Council and Tranport for London (TfL) gave the green light to moving the stop on a trial basis last year.

Cllr Martin Newton (Fortis Green) comments:

“The Council recognises that the current stop on the steep slope of Muswell Hill is unacceptable and inaccessible for older residents and disabled bus users wanting to get to Hornsey Central Health centre.

“It looks like the Council will now only look at moving one route after the Olympics and this is likely to be the 144. There would be a solution to the problem of moving both buses if there was the will to do it.

“Unfortunately for older residents and disabled users wanting to go the health centre the Council seems reluctant to act.

“Liberal Democrats will keep fighting to have both these stops moved.”

Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

“Last year the Council and TfL agreed that this bus stop should be moved – I am furious that they have now gone back on their word.

“The slope on Muswell Hill hasn’t got less dangerous for older and disabled residents to walk up. The W7 stop must be moved and I will continue to fight for it to happen.”

The Olympic Torch comes to Hornsey!

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Couldn’t help but get excited when the Torch came to Hornsey High Street where my constituency office is yesterday. The atmosphere was just brilliant. We were lucky too – as the Torch changeover happened right in front of us. As you can see my office window (above the Three Compasses Pub) gave a grandstand view. And of course – my team and I did find ourselves in the pub for a bit of a celebration as the Torch sent on its way to Alexandra Palace. Happy Olympics and Paralympics one and all.

Ten summer schools open in Haringey

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Ten schools will be opening their doors this summer to help some of the most disadvantaged pupils in Haringey with the big step up from primary to secondary school.

The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg launched the government’s £50million summer school programme yesterday targeted at helping local children who are in care or receive free school meals

Local Liberal Democrats welcomed the scheme saying that this is exactly what is needed to ensure that children who are vulnerable to falling behind are not disadvantaged when moving to secondary education.

Cllr Katherine Reece, Liberal Democrat Children Spokesperson, comments:

“We welcome this government initiative to help some of Haringey’s most disadvantaged children. Summer Schools can be the key to a child’s success in later life. The step from primary to secondary school can be a really daunting one for many children. If your confidence is knocked back at this stage, it is difficult to recover as a child progresses through the school.

“Funding from the coalition government has been rightly targeted to help prevent Haringey’s young people from falling behind rather than trying to help pupils catch-up after the damage has been done.”

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“It’s great to see so many local schools throughout the borough opening their doors for two weeks in the summer holidays. This will let local pupils catch up on learning and get to grips with life in secondary school – in short, get in the starting blocks ready for the off in September.

“Those who struggle to make the transition are often among the poorest in society, but two weeks of activities can really help to bridge the gap.

“It’s good news for mums and dads too – no parent wants their child to be left out and fall behind.

“Summer schools will ensure pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds can start secondary school on an equal footing with their peers, setting them up to succeed.“

Your views on improving our rail services locally!

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Good news for our rail system! The coalition is making a massive investment into transport here in London and specifically up to £6billion on the Thameslink service. That is going to have a major impact on some of our local stations. Alexandra Park, Bowes Park, Hornsey, Harringay and Finsbury Park stations are the ones to be aware of locally.

I’m pleased to see that a consultation is to be sought, as it gives local residents and passengers of these services the chance to have their voices heard on the subject.

The investment is to reduce overcrowding and improve services at those stations from 2018. The idea is longer trains and more trains – and the plan could also deliver new destinations like St Pancras, Farringdon and London Bridge as well as current destinations like Kings Cross and Moorgate.

Of course – there may be a fly in the ointment for some of the stations. For example, the restructuring of the services could reduce the number of trains stopping at Hornsey & Harringay stations – which not surprisingly – is unlikely to be popular with local people using those particular stations.

This is because the proposal includes increasing the size of the trains on the service to 12 carriages, and stations like Hornsey & Harringay are only large enough for trains with up to 6 carriages. As the franchise is likely to be granted increased commercial freedom for this development contract, it may decide to reduce the number of services to Hornsey & Harringay to accommodate this.

It important to remember that the proposal is still at consultation stage and that is why I want to here your views on what should happen to train services at Bowes Park, Alexandra Palace, Hornsey, Harringay and Finsbury Park: Are the trains regular and reliable enough? Who should manage the trains and stations? Are the times of first and last trains OK?

I am in the process of arranging a meeting with Transport Ministers to make the case personally on behalf of local people so please just email me at lynne@lynnefeatherstone.org

With your help I can make sure that our local transport services are protected and ensure local passengers beenfit from the new investment.

 

Media Release: Welcome for improved safety at Archway Road crossing

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photo of Lynne Featherstone MP and Councillor Rachel Allison at the crossing with the newly installed pedestrian count-down.Campaigners have welcomed the installation of a pedestrian count-down at the crossing on Archway Road and Jackson Lane.

Rachel Allison, Liberal Democrat borough councillor for Highgate, and local MP Lynne Featherstone, have pledged to carry on pressing for safety improvements in the area after this latest success in a long campaign.

Councillor Allison commented:

“I first urged Transport for London to do something about the junction five years ago, before I was elected to the local council. I am delighted that the pedestrian count-down has now been installed but I still want to see safety improvements to the lights further down Archway Road outside Richardson’s.”

Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Hornsey and Wood Green, added:

“I am sure the count-down will make a contribution to safety at the junction but it remains a dangerous area for pedestrians – including many parents with young children. We will keep up the pressure for further action to make the local roads safer.”

Lords Reform

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There will be consequences for those Conservatives who voted against the Bill but that is a matter for David Cameron. Our (Liberal Democrat) response will be taken in the light of what happens further down the line.

But Labour – Labour should be ashamed of themselves. Labour believe in Lords reform (so they said). They have always believed in Lords reform (so they said). Last week they had the opportunity to make it happen. They could even have said that without them (given the size of the Tory rebellion) it would not have happened. They could have crowed about saving it. But no. They put their party interest way ahead of their principles. Real colours there on display. Next time Labour talk about being progressive………………

Anyway – on the side of the angels see this site for comment.

 

 

Your help needed for Parkinson's test!

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James Barber (from Southwark Liberal Democrats) has helped develop a test for Parkinson’s disease.

On his blog he tells you how you can help the clinical trials by ‘donating’ to the clinical trials by a voice recording down the line. It doesn’t take long – and imagine – in a couple of years there could be a reliable test.

I did it – and it only took a couple of minutes and involved saying a few sentences.  Just telephone 01865 521168 and follow the instructions.

 

Hornsey & Wood Green athletes chosen for Olympics and Paralympics!

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Delighted to learn of three local Hornsey & Wood Green athletes who have been selected for the Olympics and Paralympics. Congratulations and good luck.

They are:

Sitting volleyball player Rob Richardson who lives in Wood Green and will be competing at his first Paralympics. Indeed London 2012 will be the first time ever that Great Britain will have Sitting Volleyball teams represented at the Games.

Basketball player Azania Stewart who also lives in Wood Green and will be competing at her first Olympics. As with sitting volleyball, London 2012 will be the first time ever that Great Britain will have a women’s basketball team represented at the Games.

Track and field athlete Steve Lewis who lives in Muswell Hill, will be competing at his second successive Olympics in the Pole Vault, having made his debut in Beijing four years ago.

 

Haringey Council worst roads in the country!

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It’s official. Labour-run Haringey Council has given us the worst roads in the whole country!

Figures released this month show that Haringey has a higher proportion of damaged roads than any other council area in England. One in five of the roads in the borough needed attention last year.

Liberal Democrats on Haringey Council are pressing the ruling Labour group to tackle the long list of road repairs to help get the borough moving again. I want your help to get the message across to the council and to make sure they are dealing with the right priorities.

Please click on this link and fill out the brief survey. Give us your nomination for the worst road and the worst pothole in Haringey.