Tag Archives: bounds-green

Local Democracy Week – Alexandra Park School

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Lynne Featherstone at Alexandra Park SchoolIf I ruled the world I would ………….. that’s the challenge I have set local children in Hornsey & Wood Green schools to tell me in 200 words for Local Democracy Week.

I launched my mini-writing competition today at Alexandra Park School – where the amazing Jo (Citizenship teacher extraordinaire) had agreed to set up to undertake this project with the Citizenship and the English classes working together. So today I was attending the Citizenship class where Jo was brainstorming with the children to get them involved and engaged in beginning to think what sort of things might need changing or what worried them – and then – how that might be changed.

The first round of ideas were just brilliant – from the young girl who wanted to make life better for young carers, to world peace and beyond. I’m not going to go through the list – but suffice to say – that it is completely fascinating to to listen to the ideas they had about what worried them – and recognise where the input came from. Some clearly came from school work, much from television and newscasts  – but Jo was really clever – and as well as those sort of universal issues tried to move them onto a more personal level of what worried or concerned them in their own lives.

So I am greatly looking forward to reading all the submissions when they come in. I always feel very uplifted when I come out of a school visit like that.

Come on Girlguiding UK

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I was just listening to the radio – Nick Ferrari – to be precise. Bridget Stevenson, Brown Owl leader in Hammersmith to 24 brownies is being forced to retire (after 20 years) having reached Girlguiding UK’s mandatory retirement age of 65.

Given that Girlguiding UK says this policy is under review – and having listened to Bridget (who skis, plays tennis and is much loved by the girls) surely this is an opportunity for Girlguiding UK to use common sense and suspend their policy pending the outcome of that review.

It is so hard to find enough good people to volunteer for guides, brownies, scouts, cubs whatever – when you have someone this good and this popular – and the threat of closure of the group if another leader can’t be found – surely this is a time for Girlguiding UK to lead by example and banish ageism.

The future of Wood Green police station

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There has been a flutter of speculation about the future of Wood Green police station. I have asked our local commander – Dave Grant – to give a horse’s mouth briefing of what he understands to be the case. Rumours have included the police station not being rebuilt; the front counter moving down the road; no police station there, etc etc.

This is what Dave Grant says is the case following enquiries he has made. He has asked the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) about what steps are being taken. The only activity at the moment is between Local Authority officers and MPS staff from Property Services Department about the format of the plans. Commander Grant says he knows that nothing has been agreed and that there are meetings scheduled to discuss the content of the plan.

The MPS uses a company to undertake the formal public consultation process and Mr Grant knows that they are drawing up a list of individuals and groups, with the help of his staff, who must be consulted. This would include me and councillors amongst others. He says he is more than happy to share that list with me when it is complete – and of course I will be checking to see that local people are the key consultees.

At some stage in the autumn a formal planning application will be made, which will then trigger the consultation process. As soon as the process begins, Commander Grant will be personally involved and intends to help with the key briefings.

So – as ever – it is down to whether this will be a real consultation – i.e. whether our responses to the consultation can affect outcome. I will post any news I get as this proceeds.

Local MP visits special allotment scheme for National Allotments week

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To mark national allotments week, Lynne Featherstone MP yesterday visited an innovative scheme in Bounds Green, where residents from sheltered accommodation have invited local primary school children to learn about gardening and experience the joy of growing.

The scheme’s allotment has flourished since the project started in 2007 with the help of the intergenerational team of gardeners from Passmore Edwards House and Bounds Green Primary. Today, they grow food ranging from new potatoes to beetroot, carrots and peas.

The Liberal Democrat MP has now written to Haringey Council to encourage it to promote similar schemes in other parts of the borough.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It’s so heart-warming to see the combined fruits of older and younger people’s labour. It’s clear that the school children have benefited enormously from a wealth of knowledge about growing plants. And it’s just as good to hear of the joy the children bring to Passmore Edwards’ residents.

“This is truly inspirational, and hats off to Marion Carden, Passmore Edwards’ scheme manager, for driving this fantastic project forward. I hope Haringey Council will share my enthusiasm for such a brilliant initiative and help promote the idea in other local schools and sheltered accommodation.”

For more information about National Allotments week:
http://www.nagtrust.org/page5.html

Success as threatened ticket offices to remain open

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Ticket offices at two local train stations in Haringey look set to remain open following a campaign by Liberal Democrats. This week First Capital Connect announced that threatened ticket offices at Alexandra Palace and Finsbury Park stations will now be saved from cuts. Liberal Democrats have welcomed the announcement but are disappointed that ticket office closures at Harringay, Hornsey and Bowes Park stations will still go ahead.

In January 2009 local Liberal Democrats launched a campaign against cuts that proposed to reduce local ticket office hours by 114 hours.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It is great news that Alexandra Palace and Finsbury Park station ticket offices will be saved from closure.

“But we will not stop there. The same safety and customer service concerns remain at Harringay, Hornsey and Bowes Park station. We will continue to push for local residents and passengers to get the services that they need and deserve.”

Cllr Martin Newton, Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson, adds:

“We would like to thank all local residents who supported our campaign. This will really make a difference for those local people who use train services from Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace stations.”

Fun at the dentist

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Lynne Featherstone at my dental careHalf-term – good time to go to the dentist if you are a child! One of our locals – ‘my dental care’ in Myddleton Road, Bounds Green – has made it a special children’s week. Existing and new young clients are invited in for a check up so that they get used to the dentist. And they then receive a goody bag with very special toothbrush, toothpaste etc.

They have made a huge effort to get the word out locally that there is a very friendly and happy NHS dentist ready to meet and help children’s introduction to the world of teeth hygiene and care. A good start that will help them for the rest of their lives – and keep their teeth!

Travel watchdog backs campaign against station cuts

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Update on the dreadful threat from First Capital Connect to cut the hours that ticket offices are open at Hornsey, Alexandra, Bowes Park and Harringay stations (amongst others). Haringey’s stations in total, if First Capital’s plans were to go forward, would see a reduction of 112 hours.

So many of you (and thank you) made representations to TravelWatch and Passenger Focus that Travelwatch (representing both these travel watchdogs) has now sent formal objections to First Capital Connect. Hornsey station was one of the ones that received the largest amount of objections out of the 49 stations that First Capital Connect are targeting.

First Capital Connect, who runs the line north of Finsbury Park, will now consider the objections and respond to the watchdog with an amended proposal.

We need more staff and more hours – not less. Our local stations were designed in a different era. They have long platforms that curve and make sight lines very difficult. And whilst there are CCTV cameras – they don’t really deter and they certainly don’t come to your aid if you are in trouble. It is human beings that can do that!

I just hope that First Capital Connect will now take the strong local objections on board, and drop the proposal:

[Direct YouTube link here – where you can also comment on and rate the clip.]

Big cuts proposed at our local stations

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First Capital Connect are consulting! Be afraid – be very afraid! They are proposing to reduce their ticket office times – very significantly – with:

53 hours reduction a week at Alexandra
26 at Harringay
29 at Hornsey
4 at Bowes Park

This is just diabolical. The point of staffing on a ticket office is not only about selling tickets – it’s about safety. And that is a key issue in terms of getting people onto public transport and making them feel safe. CCTV cameras may identify a criminal – but they won’t run to anyone’s rescue.

These are serious cuts in staffing and our prime concern has to be people’s safety and feeling of safety. Dark, lonely and unmanned – how inviting is that?

The consultation ends at the beginning of February – so here are the details of how to let First Capital Connect know what you think of their proposals – write to to Passenger Focus, Freepost, RRRE-ETTC-LEET, PO Box 4257, Manchester, M60 3AR to arrive by February 3.

Local MP demands Government stops train station staff cuts

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Following news that a train operator is consulting to cut working hours at stations in Hornsey and Wood Green, Lynne Featherstone MP has demanded the Government intervenes.

First Capital Connect plans to close ticket offices at Hornsey, Bowes Park, and Alexandra Stations on afternoons, evenings and weekends. They are currently consulting on the proposals until the 2nd February 2009.

As well as calling on local residents to respond to the consultation, the local MP has also written to Lord Adonis to investigate whether the move is lawful. This step follows an intervention earlier this week by the Transport Minister to stop South West Trains cutting staff at 114 stations in southern London and the south west because of concerns about passenger safety and security.

Ms. Featherstone has also tabled oral questions to the Secretary of Secretary for Transport, Geoff Hoon, demanding him to step him to stop the potential closures.

This announcement follows news that plans to provide passengers with access to Oyster Pay As You Go machines at these stations have not been finalised.

To respond to the consultation, local residents should send their comments to Lynne Featherstone’s office. Alternatively residents can send their comments directly to Passenger Focus, Freepost, RRRE-ETTC-LEET, PO Box 4257, Manchester, M60 3AR by the 2nd February.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“This move comes at the worst possible time – stations have already limited staffing, and they should consider increasing staffing hours, not cutting them further. With TfL still unwilling to commit on Oyster Pay As You Go, we risk ending up with fewer ticketing options, and fewer hours in which to get personal help at the stations.

“This is simply not acceptable. It’s now time the Government steps in and stops this outrageous suggestion from becoming reality.

“But I would also urge all local residents to send me their comments, so I can let First Capital Connect know just how unwelcome this move is.”

Cllr Martin Newton, Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson adds:

“Passenger safety at these isolated stations is already a concern – without evening and weekend staff, this can only get worse.

“Not all journeys are straight forward and passengers need to be able to ask advice to avoid getting the wrong ticket and ending up with a penalty fare.”