Hooray – the old pond area in pond park has been cleaned up after local residents and I made complaints to the Council. Now we will push for repairs to the pond area, to make it safe and attractive again!
Tag Archives: wood green
Lynne Featherstone MP opens sensory garden at local school
Lynne Featherstone opened a sensory garden last Friday at St Paul’s Primary School in Wood Green. The garden was created by the children, staff and parents for use by the reception class, but will also be open to the other pupils at the school.
The teaching staff also hope that the garden will be a St Paul’s Primary vital resource for pupils with special educational needs.
The garden contains plants chosen by the children in the reception class, a sand pit, a reading area and an open air ‘kitchen’ equipped with cooking utensils where the pupils can make mud pies.
The local MP made a short speech declaring the garden open and praising the schools efforts in front of a group of reception pupils, parents and teachers. She then spent time talking to the children about their favourite features in the garden.
Lynne Featherstone MP commented:
“The garden is such a fantastic resource for the children and will be so valuable both in offering them a place to play and explore but also in teaching them to take care of their own space.
“I congratulate everyone who has hand in creating the garden and I look forward to seeing how it grows and changes in the future.”
Pond Park fails to live up to its name due to Labour council’s neglect
Pond Park in Wood Green is failing to live up to its name after the Labour-run Council’s neglect has left the pond strewn with rubbish, empty of water and falling apart. The neglected pond is full of empty beer cans and paving slabs that have fallen off the side of the pond.
The park, also known as White Hart Lane Recreation Ground, is one of only a few large green spaces in Wood Green. The park sits in a residential area of the town with many families with children living nearby. Two schools back onto the park, Earlham Infant & Junior School and St Thomas More Secondary School.
Following complaints from local residents about the pond being full of rubbish rather than water, Lib Dem MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, Lynne Featherstone has intervened calling for urgent action.
Lynne Featherstone MP has contacted the council asking for the pond to be repair and cleaned up to make the park safer for local people and particularly for children.
Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, comments:
“Wood Green only has a few large parks and it is clear from the state of the pond in Pond Park that Labour is neglecting them.
“The pond is in a disgraceful condition, quite literally falling apart and full of rubbish. I am very concerned that a child could easily have an accident because of the appalling condition the pond is in.”
Sarah Elliott, Haringey Lib Dem Leader and Councillor for Crouch End, comments:
“In my own ward the Labour-run Council have managed to maintain the paddling pool in Priory Park, so why can’t they do the same for the pond in Wood Green?
“It is ironic that whilst the council is spending millions on making changes to Wood Green High Road they can’t get themselves together enough to look after this park and make this pond safe so local children can enjoy the park properly.”
Ringslade rat-run issue brought to City Hall
Lynne Featherstone MP last week met with Transport for London at City Hall, to discuss the ongoing issues with the Ringslade Road rat-run. The local MP was joined by the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the London Assembly, Caroline Pidgeon, to argue the local residents’ case together.
Residents on the small Ringslade Road currently have to put up with over 3,000 vehicles using their road everyday – making it noisy and unsafe. They would like to see the road closed.
During the meeting, representatives from TfL did not reject the possibility of closing the road, but were cautious of how this would affect traffic on surrounding roads. TfL said they would speak to Haringey Council and look at the impact of traffic on surrounding roads. Traffic modelling will be carried out in the next 4 to 5 weeks.
Haringey Council representatives were invited to attend the meeting, but declined the invitation to do so. The final decision on what to do with the road is down to Haringey Council.
Lynne Featherstone MP commented:
“Residents in Ringslade Road have been living with the problems caused by this rat run for too long. Yet Haringey Council has refused to listen, and has always tried to shift the blame onto TfL for the lack of action.
“Now we have met with TfL – we know that they are open to change, and will carry out traffic modelling to find a way forward.
“The final decision on what action to take rests with Haringey Council. I very much hope they finally listen to residents, and work with TfL to find a suitable solution.”
Urgent repairs and improvements needed at Sky City
Lynne Featherstone MP last week visited Sky City– a housing complex above the Mall in Wood Green – to help the residents secure vital improvements to their living conditions.
Residents of Sky City contacted the Hornsey and Wood Green MP recently, to express their frustration and anger at Metropolitan Housing, the company that manages Sky City.
On the site visit, the MP saw piles of uncollected rubbish, broken lighting and problems with drainage in communal areas.
Residents also reported problems with vermin, with disability access because of broken lifts, and with antisocial behaviour and crime.
Residents have sent a petition to Metropolitan, demanding a meeting and detailed plan for repairs and improvements. The meeting has been agreed to, but no date has been set. The Liberal Democrat MP has now also contacted Metropolitan on behalf of the residents, to pile on the pressure for action.
Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:
“Metropolitan need to take action, and fast. What I saw on my visit to Sky City was just appalling – there was uncollected rubbish strewn everywhere. The broken lighting is not helping the situation with crime and antisocial behaviour – and there should always be easy access for disabled and elderly residents.
“Residents should not have to live like this. I am fully behind them and will support them every step of the way to secure the vital repairs they need. I have already contacted Metropolitan, and will continue to do so until we see results.”
Lynne Featherstone MP demands rat-run action from Haringey Council
Lynne Featherstone MP has written to Haringey Council to demand action on the ongoing problems associated with the Ringslade Road rat-run in Wood Green.
Along with local Wood Green Lib Dem campaigners, the MP visited the site last Friday to listen to residents’ concerns.
In the letter, the MP for Hornsey and Wood Green outlines her support for an immediate, enforced ban on HGVs using the rat-run, and for a longer term temporary road closure plan.
A public meeting on the issue will be held tonight – giving local residents a further chance to have their say to Council officers. The Liberal Democrat MP suggested that the Council come to the meeting with a plan to tell the residents.
Lynne Featherstone MP said:
“I can completely understand why residents are so frustrated. There are over 2000 vehicles a day coming down their small road – it is noisy, annoying, and unsafe.
“Promises by Labour-run Haringey Council to find a solution have not been fulfilled. This has gone on far too long now, and a solution must be found urgently.
“I am fully behind the local residents’ suggestion of a trial road closure, as a first step towards eradicating the problem in this area.”
Wood Green Lib Dem campaigner Roxy Squire commented:
“We are working with residents on Ringslade Road and the surrounding area to try and find the best solution for all. The situation on Ringslade is unsustainable and urgent action is needed.
“It is important we don’t shift the problem on to other roads, though. That’s why we are supporting an initial ban on HGVs for safety reasons, followed by trial measures, which we can monitor and use to find the best solution.”
£800 tax cut for 45,090 people in Hornsey and Wood Green
An £800 income tax cut for people in Hornsey and Wood Green is the real budget boost, Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone said today.
The budget revealed plans to increase the personal allowance from April 2015 and put an extra £100 back in taxpayers’ pockets.
Lib Dems have already delivered on a £700 tax cut for low to middle earners, but today’s news goes even further for hardworking people.
The number of people who could benefit from a cut to the personal allowance in Hornsey and Wood Green is expected to be around 45,090
Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, Lynne Featherstone said:
“This tax cut is the real budget boost for working people and would not have happened without Lib Dems in Government creating a stronger economy and a fairer society. This was on the front page of our manifesto!
“The Tories are desperate to claim credit, but in reality their focus is on changes such as an inheritance tax cut for millionaires which we blocked, while Labour simply cannot be trusted with the economy.
“We are also helping people with a freeze on fuel duty and new tax-free childcare to help parents.”
Lib Dem survey on Lordship Lane betting shop launched
Lynne Featherstone and the Wood Green Liberal Democrats last week launched a survey, to find out local residents’ views on the opening of yet another betting shop on Lordship Lane.
A number of residents have contacted the Liberal Democrats expressing concern about the number of betting shops on the road, and the impact on local crime and antisocial behaviour.
The local Liberal Democrats are now trying to persuade the Labour-run council that another betting shop is wrong for this community. The application could be rejected if it can be proven that local betting shops are a cause of crime.
The Wood Green Liberal Democrat team will be writing to Haringey Council in response to the planning application shortly, to fully represent the views of over 100 residents who have filled in their survey.
Lynne Featherstone MP said:
“Over the years, many residents have contacted me with concerns about anti social behaviour in the Wood Green area. The Haringey Lib Dems and I are committed to helping fight crime in our local area.
“I am fully behind the Wood Green Lib Dems. Together we will make sure the Labour-run Council is aware of residents’ views on this matter.”
Wood Green campaigner Roxy Squire commented:
“As a local Wood Green resident, I am aware that anti-social behaviour is a problem in the area. My colleagues and I are concerned that some of that behaviour is a consequence of the large number of betting shops.
“Local residents don’t want or need yet another betting shop on Lordship Lane. We want to persuade the Labour-run council that another betting shop is wrong for this community – but we need residents’ support.
“That’s why we’ve launched our survey, and I hope as many residents as possible respond.”
Lib Dems hand in free high street parking petition
Last week Haringey Liberal Democrats submitted their petition calling for 30 minutes of free parking on local high streets. The petition has been signed by 1,750 people and will be officially received by Haringey Council at the Budget meeting on Wednesday 26th February.
The Lib Dems believe that 30 minutes of free parking would boost trade on local high streets and support the independent shops that make Haringey’s high streets unique.
At the budget meeting on Wednesday the Liberal Democrat councillors will be putting forward a budget amendment to implement 30 minutes of free parking on local high streets. The proposal would be funded by cutting the council’s huge agency staff bill and by ending the automatic refilling of vacant posts, ensuring only those posts that are needed are filled.
The campaign by Haringey Lib Dems for 30 minutes of free parking attracted the support of traders in Muswell Hill who gathered a petition with over 5,000 signatures calling for lower parking charges.
The campaign for 30 minutes of free parking was sparked by the Labour-run council’s decision to double parking charges in Muswell Hill, Crouch End and Green Lanes from £1.40 to £3 per hour. So far the council has refused to bow to pressure from traders, residents and Haringey Lib Dems on the issue.
Cara Jenkinson, Lib Dem candidate for Muswell Hill and lead petitioner, comments:
“Haringey Labour’s high parking charges encourage people to drive further to out-of-town supermarkets where the parking is free. We want people to be able to stop, park and shop locally.
“Local people clearly want to see the Labour council take some action on parking. We had 1,700 people support the Lib Dem petition for 30 minutes free parking on local high streets. I hope councillors on all sides consider that when they vote on the Lib Dem budget amendment proposing free parking on local high streets.”
Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, comments:
“Local shopkeepers have told me that they are suffering because of these ridiculously high charges. 30 minutes of free parking is vital to keep small independent shops on our local high streets – and it would benefit residents too.
“Labour may say there’s no money available – but as the Lib Dem budget amendment shows – Labour-run Haringey Council could easily afford 30 minutes of free parking on local high streets by cutting the agency staff bill and not automatically filling jobs when people leave.”
Support for our wonderful high streets
I have always loved living in Haringey – an area that has such an abundance of independent shops and small businesses. As the MP for Hornsey and Wood Green constituency, I am proud to represent such an entrepreneurial and vibrant area.
It’s the traders themselves and customers that make the high streets – but in these tough economic times, the Government should step in too, to help out small businesses and retailers.
So, I am very pleased that the Coalition Government has made significant changes, such as:
- Reducing the rates bill of small businesses, shops, and pubs by £1000 for the next two years.
- Continuing the doubled small business rates relief for another year.
- Introducing a reoccupation relief, which will halve rates for 18 months when a business takes over a long-term empty shop.
- Giving local authorities the power to provide additional rate relief for eligible businesses (but not pay day lenders, betting shops or pawnbrokers).
We are also encouraging innovation through the Future High Streets Forum, which will advise the Government on how to continue improving the high street environment.
It is so important that this help is provided – to encourage small businesses, to support retailers, and to keep our high streets diverse and vibrant.
Unfortunately, our local Labour-run Council don’t seem to share this sentiment – they have raised high street parking charges to £3 per hour. Traders say this is harming their businesses and forcing shoppers to go to superstores with cheap or free parking.
The Coalition Government has also launched a consultation about how to address this kind of unnecessary behaviour by local authorities. You can contribute here.
The economy is improving, and 600 new enterprises have opened in our area since 2011. The Lib Dems in Government will keep fighting to ensure that the UK is open for business, and that small businessmen and retailers see the benefits of the economic recovery.
Lynne Featherstone 