Tag Archives: muswell-hill

Local councillor demands new conservation area in Muswell Hill

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Additional conservation areas are needed urgently to protect more of the distinctive and historical styles in Muswell Hill, says local Liberal Democrats, particularly now under the Government’s less rigorous planning guidelines and the pressures being put on councils to create more housing.

Concerned by the threat of inappropriate commercial developments, Liberal Democrat councillor Jonathan Bloch has joined with local residents to demand that a conservation area should be declared to cover an area attracting increasing attention from developers.This would cover Cranley Gardens (as far as its junction with Connaught Gardens), Connaught Gardens, Onslow Gardens, Woodland Gardens, Woodland Rise and Muswell Hill Road (from the top of Cranley Gardens as far as the woods on each side), to ensure that any new developments preserve and enhance the local area.

The area was developed mainly in the late 19th/earlier 20th century at the same time as most of Muswell Hill, and as such is part of a historically cohesive suburb. The substantial late Victorian and Edwardian houses are typical of the suburb as a whole, and retain their original character. All these roads are visually cohesive in terms of building design and materials, and are attractive streetscapes.

Cllr Jonathan Bloch (Muswell Hill) comments:

“Muswell Hill is a unique place and Haringey Council needs to do all in its power to preserve this area.

“I have been appalled at some of the developments that have taken place in recent years and these have detracted from the overall environment in Muswell Hill. New developments recently proposed, including the planned demolition of a period house in Connaught Gardens and its replacement with a totally alien modern structure. This matter needs new urgency.”

Liberal Democrats call for full 603 bus service

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Local Liberal Democrats have stepped up their campaign calling for a full day service on the popular 603 bus route. Consultation will decide the future of the route, which runs from Swiss Cottage to Muswell Hill.

Lynne Featherstone MP presented Peter Hendy, Commissioner for Transport for London (TfL), with a petition with 312 signatures in the autumn, in a bid to show how well loved and needed the 603 route is by local residents. With the upcoming consultation, local residents will again be given a chance to show how widespread support is for a full service.

As TfL has yet to define the time frame and format of the consultation, Lynne Featherstone MP has again written to Peter Hendy, demanding clarification. All details will be published on her website when a response has been received.

Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green comments:

“The 603 is such an amazingly popular and useful route, but the frequency of service means that it’s only of limited use to residents in the area today.

“The upcoming consultation offers a chance for residents to let TfL know just how much we love and need this route to serve our local community. So keep an eye on my website for further details on how to respond to the consultation.”

Cllr Martin Newton, Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson adds:

“Local residents and Lib Dems were at the heart of the campaign to set up the 603 service and we have been campaigning for a full service on this route ever since.

“This is a much used and needed service that will benefit the local community further if a full service is provided.”

Muswell Hill Library: Labour cuts funds

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Bad news on Muswell Hill Library this week – as Labour-run Haringey Council has gone back on its promises to put in more money to give the library a much needed bit of care and attention.

There were worrying signs back in July last year, when at a public meeting the Director of Libraries didn’t really seem to know what was going on with the library plans – and it has now been years and years since Labour first started talking about restoring and rennovating the building (e.g. see here).

Which brings us to this week – and Labour have gone back on plans to put in extra money for Muswell Hill Library. As my colleague Gail (Muswell Hill ward councillor) said:

Muswell Hill Library has seen years of neglect by Haringey Labour and again the only commitment is another patch-up job. I am deeply disappointed that the library will not be extended after much consultation of residents and library users.

Haringey Council backtracks on Muswell Hill Library funding

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A planned extension to a popular library has been scrapped following a u-turn by Haringey Council. The Labour-run council proposed to match money raised from the sale of land behind Muswell Hill Library in a £1.2 investment to improve facilities, but the library now will only receive minimum funding without additional investment from Haringey Council.

Lib Dems have expressed their disappointment that Haringey Council has, once again, failed library users in the area.

The reversal of the proposed funding was revealed at a meeting of Haringey Council’s Cabinet on 22nd January 2008 when Cllr Gail Engert (Lib Dem, Muswell Hill) questioned confused Labour members over the plan. The Council Leader, Cllr George Meehan told the meeting that Haringey Council had allocated the money needed – but had to be corrected by council officers who told him this was not the case.

Cllr Gail Engert comments:

“Muswell Hill Library has seen years of neglect by Haringey Labour and again the only commitment is another patch-up job. I am deeply disappointed that the library will not be extended after much consultation of residents and library users.

“The Labour Cabinet didn’t seem to know what was going on, with the Council Leader thinking they had agreed to fund the extension when he hadn’t.You have to question whether the Cabinet even understood the decision they were making on Muswell Hill Library.”

Cllr David Winskill, Lib Dem Leisure, Culture and Lifelong learning spokesperson, adds:

“It was amazing that, when questioned, Labour members didn’t seem to know what money the Council was giving to Muswell Hill library. It is very worrying that they are not investing in our libraries but it is also reflection of their lack of grip on the council’s finances and their disregard for taxpayers.”

Good news for Muswell Hill parking

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Hurrah! A victory for local people in Muswell Hill and their campaigning Lib Dem councillor – Martin Newton.

After Martin exposed the hideous mess that parking signage is in Muswell Hilll following the introduction of the Council’s Stop & Shop scheme’s – Labour Haringey has finally caved in and are doing (or appear to be beginning to do) the right thing. At least Cllr Brian Haley (Labour’s parking supremo) had the sense to respond to our pressure and come and see for himself. And having seen – he clearly had to act.

Well done Martin! As Martin puts it, “We have been campaigning for months to get parking signage not only legally compliant but also clear. We will have to wait to see if the proposals will be enough to put an end to the current confusion which has left motorists feeling that the Labour Council are deliberately setting out to confuse in order to slap a ticket on the windscreen.”

MP calls on transport chief to consult on 603 bus future

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The future of a vital bus route should be in the hands of local residents says local MP Lynne Featherstone. She has called upon Peter Hendy, the Commissioner for Transport for London (TfL), to widen consultation on the future of the 603 bus route so users of the route can have their say.

The route, which was established following a successful campaign by local residents and the Liberal Democrats, is ‘under review’.TfL has given no commitment whatsoever to engage users and local residents.

Lynne Featherstone has expressed her concern that without any meaningful pledge to engage residents and the route users, the 603 may be under threat.

The 603 route runs from Muswell Hill via Highgate to Swiss Cottage at school run times.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP:

“It took the mother of campaigns to get Transport for London to address the need for this route.Now we have to make sure people are given full opportunity to have their say.

“I have contacted many of the people who were involved in the original 603 campaign and they are completely aghast that TfL would consider any changes without getting them involved.”

Muswell Hill Horticultural Show

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Off Lynne Featherstone MP at the 2007 Muswell Hill Horticultural Showto the Muswell Hill Horticultural Show to say hello to everyone and give out the prizes. I am always amazed by the glorious show of flowers and produce – despite what seemed to me a summer largely without sun.

What I have learned over my two years as MP about horticulture is that there are generally a few people who pick up the majority of first prizes. And you can see why: their contributions to the classes are superb – and talking to one lady who said she almost always came second – she said that these guys who win everything really set the standard for her to aim at. And when she did get a first in class (and she had four firsts this time) it really meant something to beat a grower who was that good.

So – none of this skulduggery that is depicted in detective shows – who damaged the petals on the rose in the conservatory? It is all very good natured and a delight to see the beautiful array. I am pictured with Eric Gurman and his ‘Best in Show’ first prize flowers!

Liberal Democrat campaign success as 102 bus extended

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The announcement by Transport for London (TfL) that service on the 102 bus route will expand to run a 24 hours service has been welcomed by Haringey Liberal Democrats.

The route is an important link for the town centres of Golders Green, East Finchley, Bounds Green, Palmers Green, Muswell Hill and Edmonton Green and will now provide for the large number of people returning home after attending and working in the night clubs and restaurants. Lib Dem councillor Gail Engert, who galvanised public support in 2005 by starting a campaign for the extension, is pleased that her efforts will help the local community and ensure residents are able to return home safely.

The half-hourly night service will commence from midnight Saturday 1st September.

Cllr Gail Engert (Muswell Hill) comments:

“I’m absolutely delighted that TfL have listened to local concerns and decided to provide a night service for the 102 bus. Lib Dems have been tirelessly working on behalf of residents since 2005 and the right decision has been made. This will be of enormous help to both those attending and working in the vibrant night time economy of Muswell Hill and ensure that people are able to return home safely.”

Future of the 603 bus is at stake

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Once more the long fought for, hard won – but still inadequate – 603 Muswell Hill to Swiss Cottage bus route is in the frame! Having met with Peter Hendy, Commissioner of Transport a couple of weeks ago – and harangued him over having more operating hours for the 603 (as I always do) – post meeting it transpired that a review is in train (or in bus to be more accurate).

So I have written to Peter Hendy as below – and would encourage everyone who agrees that the 603 should firstly be retained, and secondly have its hours of operations expanded to either write to me at House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA or email me at featherstonel@parliament.uk and I will pass on all responses to Peter Hendy.

They consult with stakeholders (local authority etc) but if you ask me – it’s the people who use or need this route who are the real stakeholders – so make sure you have your say too!

Dear Peter

At our recent meeting when I raised the issue extending the hours of operation of the 603 (as I always do!) you said that the route would be coming up for review and that you would let me know more about it. So I thank you for following up on that discussion – but – the information subsequently passed to me by your office alarmed me.

Far from ‘coming up for review’ it would seem that the 603 is actually under review at the moment. The message I received says that views of stakeholders have been sought already.

Views of stakeholders like the Local Authority and other organizations (which I assume are the sort of stakeholders referred to) are undoubtedly important – but surely in this case – where the route is a response to local peoples’ need (only met to a small extent by a school hours bus) – Transport for London would want to know from those local people what demand is there for both the existing hours and extensions to those hours.

I would like your assurance that no decisions will be taken before I have had the chance to inform my constituents of the review – and given them the opportunity to feed in their views. And I would like an assurance from you that you will take their views on board.

As you know, I believe that this service is highly valuable and personally believe it should be extended through the day and evening.

I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Lynne Featherstone MP
Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Hornsey and Wood Green

Flooding in Muswell Hill

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Going to my constituency office today, I get a call from the police telling me of a flood in Muswell Hill at the bottom of Ally Pally – so I head over on foot to see what’s up. (See the photos over on Flickr). All traffic had been stopped. Encountering a policeman I ask what is happening and he gets a car to take me up to the meeting place where Chris Donaldson from the Metropolitan Police is in charge and all of the agencies were coordinating their work. A 24 inch main had burst and a torrent of water was cascading down through Alexandra Palace Park into the backs of houses on Redston Road. The fire service were diverting and channelling the water away from residences as well as they could and sand-bagging up houses’ entrances to protect them.

The water board reckoned they would get the main turned off within a half hour – but as this was at a pumping station they had to turn off a series of mains across London before this one. The emergency services seemed extremely efficient and I then walked down through the park to see the worst affected houses.

It was terrible to see the gushing torrents coming out of peoples’ houses. The high odd numbers on Redston Road were worst hit. I went inside with Mrs Catherine Harper – one local resident – to see how bad it was. Her carpet was sodden and the patio out the back completely submerged. Other residents I met couldn’t speak highly enough of the fire service who had rushed into peoples’ houses and helped householders lift all their moveable possession upstairs or at least piled above where the water had come to.

In another house, where builders were working, they had erected barriers to protect three or four of the houses at the back by diverting the water around. Other local neighbours were coming out of their houses with broom and wellies.

My councillor Lib Dem colleagues Gail Engert, Martin Newton and Robert Gorrie were also all there to offer help. I left after about an hour and a half (with rather wet feet!), stopping at The Priory – which is sheltered accommodation for the elderly on Priory Road. I briefly met the warden and manager there who were all coping magnificently and trying to get hold of more sandbags – which were on their way. They were keeping everyone safely inside.

It was certainly quite a bad burst water main – and I guess that all of us who have been watching the dreadful floods throughout the country over recent days never dreamt that a part of Muswell Hill would experience flooding. It’s not on the scale of the rest of the country – but for those affected – it is dreadful.

Congratulations to all of the emergency services who really worked fantastically to help local people – well impressed!