Tag Archives: haringey council

Controversial bus stop set to move on trial basis

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The location of the first stop on the W7 and 144 bus routes from Muswell Hill is set to change on a trial basis. The change, which was officially announced last night at a local area forum, follows a four year campaign by local Liberal Democrats.

The stop is located on the steep Muswell Hill. This has caused numerous problems for residents, who have complained about the inaccessibility and safety risks of the current location. The problems prompted Lynne Featherstone, local MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, and local Liberal Democrat Councillors to campaign for the bus stop to be moved.

In 2011, after three years of campaigning, the Liberal Democrat MP received confirmation that the bus stop would be moved to outside Boots on Muswell Hill Broadway. In July of this year, Lynne Featherstone expressed her anger that, despite the confirmation, the bus stop still had not been relocated.

Tfl have now launched an official consultation on the provision of a new, accessible stop. They propose that routes 144 and W7 would serve a new southbound bus stop on the roundabout between Muswell Hill Broadway and Duke’s Avenue. This would be the new first stop and would allow for a wheelchair ramp to be deployed. The consultation also forms part of the Council’s trial.

Sophie Erskine, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Fortis Green, said:

“After years of petitions, meetings and campaigning, I am delighted that an official consultation has been launched. This gives residents a chance to really get their views heard – so I encourage everyone to take part.

“I hope that finally, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that the stop will be moved permanently.”

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“The location of this bus stop has been a long standing problem for many residents. Despite assurances that the stop would be moved, Labour-run Haringey Council never managed to coordinate this, leaving elderly and disabled users without proper access to the services.

“You can be sure that I will be responding to the consultation, and pushing TFL and the Council to ensure that the move is a permanent one.”

Inequalities in Haringey’s health funding exposed

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Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, today launched a campaign to address the historic health funding inequality in Haringey. As a borough, Haringey receives less funding for health services than ‘inner’ London boroughs such as Camden and Islington.

The Liberal Democrat MP met last Friday with the Interim Director of NHS Haringey, CCG Chairs and local GPs to discuss the funding issue. The participants confirmed that the funding inequality was having a severe impact. Haringey patients, for instance, will sometimes not have access to the same services as Islington patients, and experience much longer waiting times.

In March, Lynne Featherstone wrote to the Secretary of State for Health regarding health funding in Haringey. The response confirmed that spending on public health had been lower in Haringey than other boroughs. A further letter from the Minister for Public Health confirmed that the new funding formula was being considered, and the final calculations would be published later this year.

Councillor David Winskill, Liberal Democrat Adult Services spokesman, said:

“Haringey residents face significant health inequalities. It is completely inappropriate for health funding and access to services to be based on a postcode lottery – especially when the funding formula doesn’t recognise Haringey’s real need. A new funding formula which recognises and addresses the current inequalities is urgently needed.

“After 40 years in charge of Haringey Council, the Labour administration has shown no signs of addressing this issue. I am glad that Lynne Featherstone is now taking this up on behalf of Haringey residents.”

Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I was shocked to hear about the effects of the funding inequality on Haringey patients. It is simply not right that Haringey residents should wait longer for, or not receive the same treatments as residents of Camden or Islington.

“I have written to the new Secretary of State for Health, asking him to meet urgently with a deputation before the new funding formula is decided. I will also be contacting constituents and asking if they want to sign up to support the campaign.

“Local people may know about my campaign for fairer funding for Haringey’s schools. You can expect a similar fight and effort to get fairer health funding for the borough.”

Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes the conclusions of Pinkham Way Examination

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Lynne Featherstone MP and campaigners, opposing Pinkham Way plansLiberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone has welcomed the conclusion of the North London Waste Plan (NWLP) Examination, which effectively puts a stop to the proposed Pinkham Way development.

The inspector found that the submitted NLWP was not legally compliant, and therefore he could not continue any further with the Examination. The decision was based on the fact that there had not been constructive, active and ongoing engagement during the NLWP’s preparation between the North London Councils (including Haringey) and other affected planning authorities.

The issue arose in June 2011, when the North London Waste Authority submitted plans to Labour-run Haringey Council. Despite strong opposition from residents, Liberal Democrat councillors and the Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, the Council did not oppose the NLWP and Pinkham Way development.

The conclusions of the Examination mean that the Council can now either recommend non-adoption of the NLWP and Pinkham Way development, or withdraw the plan and start again from scratch.

Commenting on the examination, Lynne Featherstone said:

“I warmly welcome the conclusions of the Examination. For well over a year now, the Pinkham Way Alliance, together with Liberal Democrat Councillors and myself, have been standing up for residents and campaigning against the Pinkham Way development. It has been a tough fight, especially with the Labour-run Council failing to implement a proper consultation, and their refusal to oppose the North London Waste Plan.

“The Council’s carelessness throughout the application has wasted time and money, and has caused an unnecessary amount of stress and concern among residents.

“I am so very glad that the inspector has recognised the incompetence of the Council, and therefore decided not to continue with this examination. I hope that now, finally, the Council will do the right thing and recommend non-adoption of the plan – as they should have done from first instance last year.”

Miltons wheelie bins: Lynne Featherstone MP steps up the pressure

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Cllr Bob Hare, Cllr Rachel Allison, Milton Avenue Resident Christopher Riley and Lynne Featherstone MP on Milton AvenueLynne Featherstone MP has today stepped up the pressure on Haringey Council to address residents’ concerns about the new bins on Milton Road, Milton Avenue and Northwood Road (the Miltons). The Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, along with Councillors Rachel Allison and Bob Hare, visited the Miltons in Highgate and met with residents to discuss the current situation.

The residents’ concerns arose when their green boxes were replaced with large wheelie bins by the Council, as part of their switch from weekly to fortnightly collections. The new bins were placed on the pavements, as they were too big to fit into front gardens, porches or drives. Residents were particularly concerned about the impracticality of the scheme, the lack of proportionality in the bin sizes, the visual affect on the Miltons.

Since the bins were replaced earlier in the year, residents have had ongoing correspondence with Council officials. However, the officials have so far been reluctant to remove or replace the wheelie bins with suitable alternatives. The Council did establish a consultation, but this was spurned by residents, who felt that none of the three options given in the consultation were adequate. An official complaint has now been made by one resident.

Lynne Featherstone, MP said:

“It is disgraceful that after months and months of complaints, the Labour-run Council will still not provide Miltons residents with adequate and practical bins. Clearly, one size does not fit all, and different residents have different needs. The Council have said that wheelie bins would only be issued if they could be stored off the street, so why won’t they replace the ones at the Miltons with a workable alternative?

I have now written to the Chief Executive of the Council, demanding action to solve this unacceptable situation.”

Community assets update and the worst roads in the country

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The results are in: which roads people think are the worst in Haringey and which community assets people want to see given special protection under new laws.

You may have seen the recent news that according to the Department for Transport, Haringey now officially has the worst roads in England – a shocking statistic, but perhaps not that surprising to anyone who travels by road locally!

Many people have now responded to Lynne’s survey to tell their nomination for the worst road in the area, and the results are in: Coppetts Road, Hornsey Lane and Muswell Hill top the standings.

Lynne has written to Haringey Council with a long list of damaged roads – but do let us know if you have a pothole or cracked road surface in your street.

Lynne and the Haringey Liberal Democrat team have also been campaigning for increased protection for well-loved local ‘community assets,’ like post offices, libraries and parks. New laws mean that local people may have the opportunity to buy well-loved parts of their community, should they ever be sold off. The assets that people want to protect vary greatly from Priory Park and Queens Wood to local libraries and post offices.

We will now fight to get these treasured locations onto the council’s official register – so that they are better protected.

Trees destroyed on Hornsey Park Road: Lynne Featherstone MP demands action following Council’s error

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Lynne Featherstone MP today demanded answers from Haringey Council, following public reports from the Parkside Malvern Residents Association that a number of young trees had been destroyed. The Association recently informed its followers on the social networking site, Twitter, that 150 tree saplings planted by residents had been destroyed.

The residents speculated that Council workers were responsible for the mowing down of the recently planted saplings. This speculation appears to have been confirmed – as the group further tweeted that the Council had apologised and agreed to replant the trees.

This prompted the Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green to contact the Council, asking who was at fault, and whether an official apology to the residents had been made. The MP also asked when and where the saplings would be replanted.

Commenting on the situation, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I was concerned to hear that the saplings, planted by hard working residents, had been so arbitrarily destroyed. Whilst I realise that accidents can happen, it is vital that, if responsible, the Council make amends for this mistake and replants these trees in the same location.

Haringey Council are hopeless at fulfilling the promises they make to residents, which is why I contacted them and demanded they commit to a time, date and location for the replanting of these saplings.”

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.”

Haringey Council advertises in Westminster – MP Lynne Featherstone demands answers

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A Haringey Council poster is on display at Westminster Tube station, prompting local MP Lynne Featherstone to ask why the Council appears to be spending money on advertising its services outside the Borough.

The poster – which asks for comments on the Council’s ‘One Borough, One Future’ fund – was snapped on Monday (26th June) at Westminster Tube station, eight miles from Haringey.

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

“Haringey Council complains that it has no money for key services yet it seems it can spend money advertising at what must be one of the most expensive sites in London. What is the Council playing at?”

Comment on the resignation of Haringey Council Chief Executive Kevin Crompton

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Commenting on the news that Chief Executive, Kevin Crompton, will leave his position next month Cllr Richard Wilson, Leader of Haringey Liberal Democrats said:

“This Council cannot afford a leadership crisis. Coming weeks after the resignation of the deputy leader it is yet another signal that Haringey Council continues to lurch from crisis to crisis.

“The borough faces severe challenges such having control of some primary schools taken away, continuing problems in Children’s Services, repairing the worst roads in England and rebuilding after the riots last summer. We need strong leadership but at this crucial time all we have is muddle and confusion, which is likely to continue for months.

“It isn’t surprising that our fourth-rate Labour council loses senior staff so frequently – they are always the scapegoats for Labour’s failure.”

Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

“Under Labour, Haringey has become the local government equivalent of a ‘failed state’. If we were a country, we’d be on our tenth bail-out by now. After 40 years of political failure, residents are a very low priority for a council that seems intent on re-arranging the deck-chairs, rather than dealing with a sinking ship. Local people deserve change.”

What a waste: Pinkham Way hearing suspended after just two hours

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Liberal Democrats have welcomed the suspension of the public inquiry on the North London Waste Plan as a further step in the campaign to stop the development of a huge waste processing plant at Pinkham Way.

The examination in public of the North London Waste Plan (NLWP) was suspended just two hours into a hearing that was due to take two weeks. Liberal Democrats strongly oppose the plans for the Pinkham Way plant, which is part of the 10 year plan.

Liberal Democrat councillor Juliet Solomon (Alexandra ward) comments:

“Today’s suspension is a result of colossal carelessness in the waste plan, especially when one thinks of the time and money that has been spent to get here. The North London Waste planners have been told to think again. My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I will continue to fight, along with the Pinkham Way Alliance, to knock the plans out for good.”

Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green comments:

“Haringey Labour’s representatives on the NLWA have been determined to force the waste plant upon local people, despite massive opposition. It’s yet another sign of Haringey Labour’s arrogance and failure to listen.”

The Pinkham Way plant is designed to process non-recyclable refuse from the seven boroughs of the North London waste authority, but has met with fierce opposition from local people following concerns about harmful toxins, increased traffic levels and the impact on the local environment.

The inquiry was due to take place at Camden Town Hall for two weeks, but was swiftly halted by the independent Inspector following objections to the Plan raised by other local authorities, who are concerned about the impact the Plan will have on them.

The news will slow down any progress on the existing Pinkham Way plans, which have been backed by seven boroughs, including the Labour-run council in Haringey.