Friday, October 28, 2005
Putting the PRIDE back into our area.
Why can’t there be more pride in our area?
Too often our local environment is disfigured by litter and graffiti.
Recently, the Liberal Democrats reported to the Council the need for better litter-clearing in HALL LANE, after contact by a local resident. One example of graffiti we have reported is a street-name plate in MAPLE AVENUE which has been made illegible because it is smothered with scribble.
Also, the Lib.Dems. reported to the Council the need for better litter-clearing in HALE END ROAD, Highams Park, after we were contacted about the problem by local residents. One example of graffiti we have reported is along the path by the Ching from BEECH HALL ROAD to WINCHESTER ROAD, and there is also a serious litter problem here. (see photos below!)
If you see other particularly bad examples of litter or graffiti, please do get in touch with the Council by phoning Waltham Forest Direct on 8496-3000 or 0800-232323 (free) or fax 8496-3301; or e-mail: wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk
Let’s all help to make our area a better place to live in !
A LOCAL DISGRACE! Ugly, unsightly graffiti and litter along the path by the Ching from BEECH HALL ROAD to WINCHESTER ROAD, Highams Park (see report above).
Posted by Picasa
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
SUCCESS - AT LAST !
It took nearly a year of regular letters, "badgering", etc, by local Liberal Democrats, but, as the traders had requested, double yellow lines along the parade of shops in SEWARDSTONE ROAD, Chingford, E4 have at last been reduced to single in some parts to allow both loading and some limited time parking at various times. The new sign-boards were put up yesterday (Monday, 24th October), so things are now in place.
Towards the end of 2004, John Beanse organised a petition, requesting the removal of the double yellow lines. Petition forms were available at 10 outlets along the parade and nearly 600 people signed.
After the submission of the petition with a covering letter of representations, Council officers were persuaded to consult local traders on the issue.
(John Beanse has contacted the Council to thank officers and has drawn attention to one small stretch of double yellow lines WITHIN a parking bay which has still to be converted to single and has not yet been done for some reason {see photo*])).
Traders had stressed that the double yellow lines had been a deterrent to passing trade and that there had been a drop in business since their introduction.
John Beanse (who was the Liberal Democrat General Election candidate in Chingford & Woodford Green earlier this year) said:
“I am sorry this has taken so long to achieve – things have seemed to move very slowly – but I’m pleased that at last the traders have been listened to and that there has been this positive response.
Let’s hope that this parade of shops - which in my childhood used to thrive - may now pick up again and benefit from these changes.”
Success! New bays for limited time parking with double yellow lines replaced by single - as requested by traders and Lib.Dems. at Sewardstone Road Parade, Chingford. (*see report above)
Posted by Picasa
Saturday, October 22, 2005
SUCCESS FOR BUS-PASSENGERS !
BUS-SHELTER RESTORED in HALE END ROAD (just before Oak Hill junction), as requested by local Liberal Democrats - see story above. [John Beanse pictured in shelter].
Posted by Picasa
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
GOOD PROGRESS!
Following efforts by FOCUS, there have been improvements to the Good Memorial gardens (corner of PRIORY AVENUE, below the Old Church). Earlier in the year, the gardens were looking overgrown and untidy. They now look neater and more attractive.
The GOOD MEMORIAL GARDENS [corner of Priory Avenue, E4, near the Old Church] are looking much tidier these days. (see story above)
Posted by Picasa
Monday, October 17, 2005
REGAL SOCIAL CLUB, HIGHAMS PARK
The Liberal Democrat FOCUS Team in Hale End & Highams Park has backed up its representations about the Regal’s application for late night opening (including for opening hours through the night on some days) by collecting & submitting a FOCUS petition of over 50 signatures from residents in the area most affected.
Some houses are particularly close to the entrance in BEECH HALL ROAD and residents are concerned about even more possible disturbance from late night - and all-night - comings & goings.There is strong local feeling on this issue and local residents have already sent in a petition of over 500 names, protesting about the plans.
We still await the announcement of the date when this issue is to be decided by the Council’s Licensing Panel. PROMOTING FAMILY VALUES?
An aim of the Licensing Act 2003 apparently was to “promote cultural activity and family friendly environment”. Would the Regal extended hours application do this in Highams Park?
Sunday, October 16, 2005
SUPREME IRONY HERE!
Responding to the comments made by London Mayor Ken Livingstone, at the Association of London Government, that the London Assembly should be scrapped and replaced with the Borough leaders, local Liberal Democrat spokesman John Beanse (2005 Lib.Dem. General Election candidate in Chingford & Woodford Green & Vice-President of Chingford & Woodford Green Liberal Democrats) said:
“This is outrageous! There is a supreme irony here that Ken Livingstone was furious when many years ago the Tories scrapped the Greater London Council because it did not suit them – largely because of Ken Livingstone! – and now Ken Livingstone would like to scrap the London Assembly, presumably because it does not suit him as he does not like its incisive and probing criticism!
London needs an effective assembly which can hold the Mayor to account.
Indeed, there is a strong case for saying that it would be more sensible for the Mayor to be doing the bidding of the democratically elected Assembly – rather than the other way round – an argument made by the Liberal Democrats when this system with its too powerful Mayor was first set up.
It is clear that the Mayor’s proposals are short term and self interested and they would not benefit Londoners.”
Sunday, October 09, 2005
GOING DOWN THE TUBE !
The London Assembly Liberal Democrats have revealed that following the price increase for Zone 1 single tube fares that will take place in January, it will be cheaper to take a taxi for anyone travelling up to one kilometre (0.6 miles) in central London! With two people travelling together, any journey of up to 2 miles will now be cheaper than taking a tube.
Furthermore, in a recent Transport for London Board meeting, London Mayor Ken Livingstone announced that bus fares would rise by 10% plus inflation both this year and next year.
Local Liberal Democrat spokesman, John Beanse (2005 Lib.Dem. Parliamentary candidate in Chingford & Woodford Green) said: "This is madness. At a time when we need to encourage more people to use buses and trains, particularly in our towns and cities, this price-hike comes as a real blow. It is staggering to find that a short trip in a black cab may now work out cheaper than going by tube; and the bus fare rises are excessive. In several other countries, public transport is clean, efficient and noticeably cheaper. Sadly, we seem to be going in the wrong direction in this country."
John Beanse talking to local bus & tube commuters [at Chingford Mount & South Woodford]. See story above on Bus & Tube Fare Madness.
Posted by Picasa
Sunday, October 02, 2005
The policies of the Liberal Democrats are firmly based on Freedom, Fairness & Trust.
Posted by Picasa
