Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Crossrail
The Crossrail project could be ready to open from 2015. The red section marks the planned tunnel. Westwards the line goes out to MAIDENHEAD with several intervening stops and there is to be a branch to HEATHROW. In the east, the termini are SHENFIELD and ABBEY WOOD.Cllr.John Beanse (Hale End & Highams Park ward, W.Forest) has been interested in the plans since 1989 and has a copy of one of the early documents which at that time specifically referred to the CHINGFORD line being linked in. He commented: "Now with the planned tunnel through Whitechapel we would actually need the Hall Farm curve in place BEFORE there could be any POSSIBILITY of a direct link! So Waltham Forest is losing out twice over at present. The project will certainly improve public transport through London, but Waltham Forest residents would be even more impressed if they could board a train on the Chingford line and travel directly through the tunnel without needing to change at Liverpool Street!" [Read more by entering Crossrail in the box top left and clicking on SEARCH BLOG]
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Lib Dem leadership contest
At present the Lib Dem leadership contest looks like being a contest between MPs Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg.
Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg took part in two unofficial hustings over the weekend, at the party’s South Central Regional Conference in Newbury on Saturday, and on BBC1’s Andrew Marr show on Sunday (click here to view). The two leadership contenders told Andrew Marr there are no fundamental differences between them on policy. Chris Huhne said the party would have to choose "who is going to best present" its case. Nick Clegg also stressed communication skills, saying he could speak in a "plain, direct" way to disaffected voters and create a sense of "dynamism". In an article in the Sunday Telegraph Chris Huhne brands David Cameron and Gordon Brown “the Tory twins”. Responding to a Q&A in The Independent Chris says that if he won the contest he would offer Charles Kennedy a place on his front bench. "He is far too big a talent for him to sit on the subs' bench rather than play on the field," says Chris. Nick said he would ask Charles to be part of a new committee to help guide his leadership. He has written to him and plans similar invitations to Ming Campbell, Paddy Ashdown, David Steel and Shirley Williams.
Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg took part in two unofficial hustings over the weekend, at the party’s South Central Regional Conference in Newbury on Saturday, and on BBC1’s Andrew Marr show on Sunday (click here to view). The two leadership contenders told Andrew Marr there are no fundamental differences between them on policy. Chris Huhne said the party would have to choose "who is going to best present" its case. Nick Clegg also stressed communication skills, saying he could speak in a "plain, direct" way to disaffected voters and create a sense of "dynamism". In an article in the Sunday Telegraph Chris Huhne brands David Cameron and Gordon Brown “the Tory twins”. Responding to a Q&A in The Independent Chris says that if he won the contest he would offer Charles Kennedy a place on his front bench. "He is far too big a talent for him to sit on the subs' bench rather than play on the field," says Chris. Nick said he would ask Charles to be part of a new committee to help guide his leadership. He has written to him and plans similar invitations to Ming Campbell, Paddy Ashdown, David Steel and Shirley Williams.
Monday, October 22, 2007
The Waltham Forest winner!
Laura voted Youth Champion by local students
Cllr. Laura Sheppard (Lib Dem, Cann Hall ward) has been declared the winner of "I'm a Councillor Get Me Out of Here" as part of Waltham Forest's Local Democracy week.
Five Waltham Forest councillors spent a fortnight answering questions from younger constituents with 'evictions' in week two. All Waltham Forest secondary schools signed up and e-mailed questions, read councillors' manifestos and participated in live chats.
Laura said, "It's an honour to be voted as youth champion by local students. As a young councillor I hope that I can encourage more young people to become involved in politics and feel they can identify with their elected representatives".
Five Waltham Forest councillors spent a fortnight answering questions from younger constituents with 'evictions' in week two. All Waltham Forest secondary schools signed up and e-mailed questions, read councillors' manifestos and participated in live chats.
Laura said, "It's an honour to be voted as youth champion by local students. As a young councillor I hope that I can encourage more young people to become involved in politics and feel they can identify with their elected representatives".
Saturday, October 20, 2007
GLA candidate in London North East
Liberal Democrats in North East London Constituency have chosen Cllr. Meral Ece as their Candidate for the London Assembly. This GLA constituency includes the Waltham Forest part of Chingford & Woodford Green.
Liberal Democrats in the North East Constituency – Islington, Hackney and Waltham Forest, have selected Meral Ece as their candidate for the London Assembly elections due in May 2008.
Liberal Democrats in the North East Constituency – Islington, Hackney and Waltham Forest, have selected Meral Ece as their candidate for the London Assembly elections due in May 2008. Meral, an experienced campaigner and councillor, has been a councillor in Islington since 2002, and was the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Services 2002-6. She has also been a councillor serving on Hackney Council from 1994- 2002, and is currently the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny for Islington Council.
Meral has had a successful career in the NHS as the chief officer of a Community Health Council, campaigning for better health services.
Commenting on her selection, Meral said:
“ I am extremely proud to be selected as candidate to represent the people of Islington, Hackney and Waltham Forest. I was born here, and have lived in this part of London all my life. I have had the privilege to represent people in Hackney and Islington since 1994.
“All three of my children went to state schools in both Islington and Hackney, where my son is currently studying for his A levels at Stoke Newington Sixth Form.”
“I am determined that the communities of North East London should be effectively represented at the Greater London Assembly, instead of having a GLA member representing the Mayor of London to the electorate”
“For too long the people of this part of London have not had an independent voice representing them at London level. If elected I will fight for the interests of all the communities within this constituency about the issues that concern them, like crime, safer streets, a greener and cleaner environment, social and affordable housing.”
Visit Meral online at http://www.meralece.org.uk/
Meral has had a successful career in the NHS as the chief officer of a Community Health Council, campaigning for better health services.
Commenting on her selection, Meral said:
“ I am extremely proud to be selected as candidate to represent the people of Islington, Hackney and Waltham Forest. I was born here, and have lived in this part of London all my life. I have had the privilege to represent people in Hackney and Islington since 1994.
“All three of my children went to state schools in both Islington and Hackney, where my son is currently studying for his A levels at Stoke Newington Sixth Form.”
“I am determined that the communities of North East London should be effectively represented at the Greater London Assembly, instead of having a GLA member representing the Mayor of London to the electorate”
“For too long the people of this part of London have not had an independent voice representing them at London level. If elected I will fight for the interests of all the communities within this constituency about the issues that concern them, like crime, safer streets, a greener and cleaner environment, social and affordable housing.”
Visit Meral online at http://www.meralece.org.uk/
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Save our Post Offices
The government has no plan to save the Post Office network, only one to manage its decline.
3,500 post offices closed under the Tories, 4,000 have already closed under Labour.
Only the Liberal Democrats have a fully-funded plan to save the Post Office.
Our plan would give a real investment of £2 billion in the post office, would increase the services offered at local post office branches and enhance the network. We are the only party with a fully-funded plan to save the post office, give it a long-term future and not just manage its decline.
Our plan would see:
£2 billion invested in post office branches;
New branches opening where needed;
Government services continuing to be available at the Post Office;
The Post Office freed from Royal Mail restrictions to let it develop new business;
A new legal requirement for the Government to maintain the local Post Office network.
POST OFFICE DELIVERS - boxing clever!
Meanwhile, locally, Lib Dems are pleased that
a) a large pillar-box has been sited outside Costcutter at Chingford Mount, where the Post Office is now located. [Lib Dems had argued that if there could not be a box outside the shop, there ought to be one inside, but the Post Office decided to position a box here on the pavement - a welcome decision (instead of corner of Larkswood Road)].
b) a second new box has been promised, to be sited further up the Mount near HSBC. We hope this will appear in a month or two. [Local Lib Dems had reported to the Post Office that the wall box by the cemetery was not adequate provision; when full, items could be removed. This box will, however, remain, when we get the new box].
3,500 post offices closed under the Tories, 4,000 have already closed under Labour.
Only the Liberal Democrats have a fully-funded plan to save the Post Office.
Our plan would give a real investment of £2 billion in the post office, would increase the services offered at local post office branches and enhance the network. We are the only party with a fully-funded plan to save the post office, give it a long-term future and not just manage its decline.
Our plan would see:
£2 billion invested in post office branches;
New branches opening where needed;
Government services continuing to be available at the Post Office;
The Post Office freed from Royal Mail restrictions to let it develop new business;
A new legal requirement for the Government to maintain the local Post Office network.
POST OFFICE DELIVERS - boxing clever!
Meanwhile, locally, Lib Dems are pleased that
a) a large pillar-box has been sited outside Costcutter at Chingford Mount, where the Post Office is now located. [Lib Dems had argued that if there could not be a box outside the shop, there ought to be one inside, but the Post Office decided to position a box here on the pavement - a welcome decision (instead of corner of Larkswood Road)].
b) a second new box has been promised, to be sited further up the Mount near HSBC. We hope this will appear in a month or two. [Local Lib Dems had reported to the Post Office that the wall box by the cemetery was not adequate provision; when full, items could be removed. This box will, however, remain, when we get the new box].
Our local Mental Health Services
The joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee has completed its report on the NELMHT application for Foundation Trust status and its proposed service reprovision. [NELMHT = North East London Mental Health Trust].
The cross-borough, cross-party group - which includes Lib Dem councillors John Beanse (Waltham Forest) and Ralph Scott (Redbridge) - has made many recommendations on the future of Mental Health services across the 4 boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Havering and Barking & Dagenham.
Particular concerns were the precise role of the proposed Board of Governors; the adequacy of services locally, given the drive towards more "care in the community"; more support needed for carers, with adequate respite provision; the need for all GPs to be more knowledgeable on mental health issues; greater emphasis needed on dementia problems - and much more.
Under the Department of Health guidance, NELMHT has 28 days to respond.
More news on health and other issues on www.cannhall.blogspot.com
The cross-borough, cross-party group - which includes Lib Dem councillors John Beanse (Waltham Forest) and Ralph Scott (Redbridge) - has made many recommendations on the future of Mental Health services across the 4 boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Havering and Barking & Dagenham.
Particular concerns were the precise role of the proposed Board of Governors; the adequacy of services locally, given the drive towards more "care in the community"; more support needed for carers, with adequate respite provision; the need for all GPs to be more knowledgeable on mental health issues; greater emphasis needed on dementia problems - and much more.
Under the Department of Health guidance, NELMHT has 28 days to respond.
More news on health and other issues on www.cannhall.blogspot.com
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Ming stands down; new leadership contest
Sir Menzies Campbell MP has decided to stand down as Leader of the Liberal Democrats. There will now be a fresh election for Leader with members each having a vote. The decision will be made by mid-December.
Cllr.John Beanse, Chairman of Chingford & Woodford Green Liberal Democrats, in a personal reaction, commented: "The media have been following their own agenda, particularly highlighting the irrelevant issue of Ming's age. Sadly, many of the public seem to have responded to that, but somehow it is vital that Britain wakes up to the realisation that in this so-called TV age, politics is not - or should not be - some sort of Big Brother contest. The fact is that Ming showed integrity and judgement and if either Gordon Brown OR David Cameron had been Prime Minister at the time, we would STILL have gone to war with Iraq. It was Ming who argued cogently the case against that disastrous policy.
We send our thanks and best wishes to Ming and trust that a new leader will be chosen who will fulfil the vital task of driving forward Liberal Democracy in this country."
Cllr.John Beanse, Chairman of Chingford & Woodford Green Liberal Democrats, in a personal reaction, commented: "The media have been following their own agenda, particularly highlighting the irrelevant issue of Ming's age. Sadly, many of the public seem to have responded to that, but somehow it is vital that Britain wakes up to the realisation that in this so-called TV age, politics is not - or should not be - some sort of Big Brother contest. The fact is that Ming showed integrity and judgement and if either Gordon Brown OR David Cameron had been Prime Minister at the time, we would STILL have gone to war with Iraq. It was Ming who argued cogently the case against that disastrous policy.
We send our thanks and best wishes to Ming and trust that a new leader will be chosen who will fulfil the vital task of driving forward Liberal Democracy in this country."
NHS consultation delayed - yet again
SOME GOOD NEWS - SOME CONCERNS
After recent announcements, the uncertainty over the future of our local health services (across the 4 boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Havering, Barking & Dagenham) will continue, with any prospect of a consultation now receding probably well into the New Year.
After his review, Professor Sir George Alberti has concluded that "Option 4" would be the best way forward for N.E.London. This would retain WHIPPS CROSS as a District General Hospital with some reduced functions. However, King George's at Goodmayes would cease to be a District General Hospital and become what is described as a "local hospital."
Sir George concludes that there is still more work to be done, before there can be any question of consultation.
He says: "Maintaining safe high-quality services on three hospital sites is not possible." Cllr.John Beanse, who is a member of the cross-borough Scrunitny group said: "The panel will be very keen to question this and ask "WHY NOT?!" While the implications for WHIPPS CROSS are to an important extent gratifying, but only as far as they go, the future of health services in Redbridge will be a major concern in that borough. The battle for our local health services goes on."
Cllr.John Beanse also drew attention to some apparently damning judgements:
1. Sir George says: "What we did not find was the leadership or the detailed planning that would give me confidence that the NHS was ready to set out on a journey involving major service change. That needs to be put right."
2. NHS London described the report as "a wake-up call to the NHS in outer north-east London." They also say that there needs to be "greater clinical and managerial leadership from within local NHS organisations and much more detailed planning around implementation."
3. The NELMHT Business Strategy actually includes the very striking and disturbing sentence: "The level of primary care is generally poor in these four PCTs." [NELMHT = North East London Mental Health Trust; PCT = Primary Care Trust]
Cllr.John Beanse, who is Vice-Chair of Health Scrutiny in Waltham Forest said: "There is a democratic deficit in the way our health services are run. Too often Health services managers seem to resent criticism from "outsiders" and there is insufficient internal scrutiny of a critical nature. These factors have contributed in my view to the situation we are now in."
After recent announcements, the uncertainty over the future of our local health services (across the 4 boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Havering, Barking & Dagenham) will continue, with any prospect of a consultation now receding probably well into the New Year.
After his review, Professor Sir George Alberti has concluded that "Option 4" would be the best way forward for N.E.London. This would retain WHIPPS CROSS as a District General Hospital with some reduced functions. However, King George's at Goodmayes would cease to be a District General Hospital and become what is described as a "local hospital."
Sir George concludes that there is still more work to be done, before there can be any question of consultation.
He says: "Maintaining safe high-quality services on three hospital sites is not possible." Cllr.John Beanse, who is a member of the cross-borough Scrunitny group said: "The panel will be very keen to question this and ask "WHY NOT?!" While the implications for WHIPPS CROSS are to an important extent gratifying, but only as far as they go, the future of health services in Redbridge will be a major concern in that borough. The battle for our local health services goes on."
Cllr.John Beanse also drew attention to some apparently damning judgements:
1. Sir George says: "What we did not find was the leadership or the detailed planning that would give me confidence that the NHS was ready to set out on a journey involving major service change. That needs to be put right."
2. NHS London described the report as "a wake-up call to the NHS in outer north-east London." They also say that there needs to be "greater clinical and managerial leadership from within local NHS organisations and much more detailed planning around implementation."
3. The NELMHT Business Strategy actually includes the very striking and disturbing sentence: "The level of primary care is generally poor in these four PCTs." [NELMHT = North East London Mental Health Trust; PCT = Primary Care Trust]
Cllr.John Beanse, who is Vice-Chair of Health Scrutiny in Waltham Forest said: "There is a democratic deficit in the way our health services are run. Too often Health services managers seem to resent criticism from "outsiders" and there is insufficient internal scrutiny of a critical nature. These factors have contributed in my view to the situation we are now in."
Monday, October 15, 2007
Healthcare Commission - the verdict
Results of the latest Healthcare Commission findings on our local health services are summarised below (as they appear on the Healthcare Commission website), including links (phrases underlined) which you can click on for more information.
Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust: Overall rating for 2006/2007
Quality of services - this score covers a range of areas including safety of patients, cleanliness and waiting times.
Fair [2005/2006 Fair]
Use of resources - this score looks at how well the organisation manages its finances.
Weak [2005/2006 Weak]
Summary
Based on our assessment, Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust continued to provide an adequate quality of service to patients. It continued to be weak at managing its finances. In a recent survey of trusts in England, patients rated this organisation as satisfactory in terms of their overall experience.
More information about our assessments is available below.
How this trust meets levels of service in:
Waiting to be seen Keeping the public healthy Good management
How patients rate this trust
In our survey of patients, Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust received an overall score of Satisfactory
See the full patient survey results for Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust
Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust: Overall rating for 2006/2007
Quality of services - this score covers a range of areas including safety of patients, cleanliness and waiting times.
Fair [2005/2006 Good]
Use of resources - this score looks at how well the organisation manages its finances.
Weak [2005/2006 Weak]
Summary
Based on our assessment, Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust provided an adequate quality of service to patients but failed to maintain the good standard of performance it achieved the previous year. It continued to be weak at managing its finances. In a recent survey of trusts in England, patients rated this organisation as below average in terms of their overall experience.
More information about our assessments is available below.
How this trust meets levels of service in:
Safety and cleanliness Standard of care Waiting to be seen Dignity and respect Keeping the public healthy Good management
How patients rate this trust
In our survey of patients, Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust received an overall score of Below Average
See the full patient survey results for Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust
Redbridge Primary Care Trust: Overall rating for 2006/2007
Quality of services - this score covers a range of areas including safety of patients, cleanliness and waiting times.
Fair [2005/2006 Fair]
Use of resources - this score looks at how well the organisation manages its finances.
Good [2005/2006 Fair]
Summary
Based on our assessment, Redbridge Primary Care Trust continued to provide an adequate quality of service to patients. It was good at managing its finances and also made improvements. In a recent survey of trusts in England, patients rated this organisation as satisfactory in terms of their overall experience.
More information about our assessments is available below.
How this trust meets levels of service in: Waiting to be seen Keeping the public healthy Good management
How patients rate this trust
In our survey of patients, Redbridge Primary Care Trust received an overall score of Satisfactory
See the full patient survey results for Redbridge Primary Care Trust
North East London Mental Health NHS Trust: Overall rating for 2006/2007
Quality of services this score covers a range of areas including safety of patients, cleanliness and waiting times.
Good [2005/2006 Fair]
Use of resources this score looks at how well the organisation manages its finances.
Fair [2005/2006 Fair]
Summary
Based on our assessment, North East London Mental Health NHS Trust provided a good quality of service to patients, having made improvements compared to the previous year. It continued to manage its finances adequately. In a recent survey of trusts in England, patients rated this organisation as satisfactory in terms of their overall experience.
More information about our assessments is available below.
How this trust meets levels of service in: Safety and cleanliness Standard of care Waiting to be seen Dignity and respect Keeping the public healthy Good management
How patients rate this trust
In our survey of service users, North East London Mental Health NHS Trust received an overall score of Satisfactory
See the full patient survey results for North East London Mental Health NHS Trust
Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust: Overall rating for 2006/2007
Quality of services - this score covers a range of areas including safety of patients, cleanliness and waiting times.
Fair [2005/2006 Fair]
Use of resources - this score looks at how well the organisation manages its finances.
Weak [2005/2006 Weak]
Summary
Based on our assessment, Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust continued to provide an adequate quality of service to patients. It continued to be weak at managing its finances. In a recent survey of trusts in England, patients rated this organisation as satisfactory in terms of their overall experience.
More information about our assessments is available below.
How this trust meets levels of service in:
Waiting to be seen Keeping the public healthy Good management
How patients rate this trust
In our survey of patients, Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust received an overall score of Satisfactory
See the full patient survey results for Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust
Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust: Overall rating for 2006/2007
Quality of services - this score covers a range of areas including safety of patients, cleanliness and waiting times.
Fair [2005/2006 Good]
Use of resources - this score looks at how well the organisation manages its finances.
Weak [2005/2006 Weak]
Summary
Based on our assessment, Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust provided an adequate quality of service to patients but failed to maintain the good standard of performance it achieved the previous year. It continued to be weak at managing its finances. In a recent survey of trusts in England, patients rated this organisation as below average in terms of their overall experience.
More information about our assessments is available below.
How this trust meets levels of service in:
Safety and cleanliness Standard of care Waiting to be seen Dignity and respect Keeping the public healthy Good management
How patients rate this trust
In our survey of patients, Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust received an overall score of Below Average
See the full patient survey results for Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust
Redbridge Primary Care Trust: Overall rating for 2006/2007
Quality of services - this score covers a range of areas including safety of patients, cleanliness and waiting times.
Fair [2005/2006 Fair]
Use of resources - this score looks at how well the organisation manages its finances.
Good [2005/2006 Fair]
Summary
Based on our assessment, Redbridge Primary Care Trust continued to provide an adequate quality of service to patients. It was good at managing its finances and also made improvements. In a recent survey of trusts in England, patients rated this organisation as satisfactory in terms of their overall experience.
More information about our assessments is available below.
How this trust meets levels of service in: Waiting to be seen Keeping the public healthy Good management
How patients rate this trust
In our survey of patients, Redbridge Primary Care Trust received an overall score of Satisfactory
See the full patient survey results for Redbridge Primary Care Trust
North East London Mental Health NHS Trust: Overall rating for 2006/2007
Quality of services this score covers a range of areas including safety of patients, cleanliness and waiting times.
Good [2005/2006 Fair]
Use of resources this score looks at how well the organisation manages its finances.
Fair [2005/2006 Fair]
Summary
Based on our assessment, North East London Mental Health NHS Trust provided a good quality of service to patients, having made improvements compared to the previous year. It continued to manage its finances adequately. In a recent survey of trusts in England, patients rated this organisation as satisfactory in terms of their overall experience.
More information about our assessments is available below.
How this trust meets levels of service in: Safety and cleanliness Standard of care Waiting to be seen Dignity and respect Keeping the public healthy Good management
How patients rate this trust
In our survey of service users, North East London Mental Health NHS Trust received an overall score of Satisfactory
See the full patient survey results for North East London Mental Health NHS Trust
Friday, October 05, 2007
What a farce!
Lib Dem Cllr.John Beanse, commenting on the current political situation, said: "The situation over recent weeks has been a complete farce.
Now the phoney war is over and the election that never was is past history. Now we need to get back to the issues which really matter: the environment, Iraq, health, education, and so much more. The whole scenario of intense media coverage and the mass of public opinion polls which fuelled the "will he, won't he?" speculation on whether Gordon Brown would call a General Election was emphatically bad for effective government and bad for Britain.
The real lesson to be learnt is this: we need to have fixed term parliaments in this country with elections held automatically every four years. There is no democratic principle whatsoever which justifies giving a Prime Minister the right to call an election just when it suits him. It's high time we modernised our democracy in this country."
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS TABLE FIXED-TERM PARLIAMENTS BILL IN HOUSE OF COMMONS
The Liberal Democrats have tabled a Bill in the House of Commons to introduce fixed parliamentary terms of four years. The Bill would fix the date of the next general election (as 7 May 2009) and all subsequent general elections (four yearly intervals, on the first Thursday in May), forbid the dissolution of Parliament at times between those dates and allow the House of Commons to change the day of the week on which general elections are held. The Bill has been tabled by Liberal Democrat Shadow Solicitor General, David Howarth MP. [Politics.co.uk]
Now the phoney war is over and the election that never was is past history. Now we need to get back to the issues which really matter: the environment, Iraq, health, education, and so much more. The whole scenario of intense media coverage and the mass of public opinion polls which fuelled the "will he, won't he?" speculation on whether Gordon Brown would call a General Election was emphatically bad for effective government and bad for Britain.
The real lesson to be learnt is this: we need to have fixed term parliaments in this country with elections held automatically every four years. There is no democratic principle whatsoever which justifies giving a Prime Minister the right to call an election just when it suits him. It's high time we modernised our democracy in this country."
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS TABLE FIXED-TERM PARLIAMENTS BILL IN HOUSE OF COMMONS
The Liberal Democrats have tabled a Bill in the House of Commons to introduce fixed parliamentary terms of four years. The Bill would fix the date of the next general election (as 7 May 2009) and all subsequent general elections (four yearly intervals, on the first Thursday in May), forbid the dissolution of Parliament at times between those dates and allow the House of Commons to change the day of the week on which general elections are held. The Bill has been tabled by Liberal Democrat Shadow Solicitor General, David Howarth MP. [Politics.co.uk]
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Crossrail news
Crossrail, the biggest transport infrastructure project in the UK since the Channel tunnel rail link, is set to go ahead after the City agreed financial backing for the £16bn scheme. The City of London Corporation approved the final piece in a complex funding jigsaw at a crunch meeting yesterday. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Lib Dem MP Susan Kramer said it was great news that at long last Crossrail looked set to get the go-ahead. [Guardian]
Commenting on the local implications, Cllr.John Beanse, (Hale End & Highams Park ward, Waltham Forest & Chair of Chingford & Woodford Green Liberal Democrats), said:
"When the idea of Crossrail was first suggested, we were actually sold the idea on the basis of having a direct train link from CHINGFORD, through a new tunnel from Liverpool Street to Paddington and beyond.
The scheme has since changed, so that it would now be trains coming on the lines from Essex through Stratford that would have the direct service. This is a regrettable alteration as far as residents of Waltham Forest are concerned. It is also striking that not even the trains from Stansted will go through the tunnel! So much for integrated public transport!
Nevertheless the news is welcome because Crossrail would certainly improve transport in London. It's just a pity that passengers on the Chingford line will have to change trains at Liverpool Street in order to use it - not what we were led to believe originally.
When we add in the lack of progress on the proposed relaying and re-opening of the HALL FARM CURVE beyond St.James St. to provide an extra service from Chingford and Walthamstow to STRATFORD, it is clear that the residents of Waltham Forest are being short-changed where public transport is concerned."
Commenting on the local implications, Cllr.John Beanse, (Hale End & Highams Park ward, Waltham Forest & Chair of Chingford & Woodford Green Liberal Democrats), said:
"When the idea of Crossrail was first suggested, we were actually sold the idea on the basis of having a direct train link from CHINGFORD, through a new tunnel from Liverpool Street to Paddington and beyond.
The scheme has since changed, so that it would now be trains coming on the lines from Essex through Stratford that would have the direct service. This is a regrettable alteration as far as residents of Waltham Forest are concerned. It is also striking that not even the trains from Stansted will go through the tunnel! So much for integrated public transport!
Nevertheless the news is welcome because Crossrail would certainly improve transport in London. It's just a pity that passengers on the Chingford line will have to change trains at Liverpool Street in order to use it - not what we were led to believe originally.
When we add in the lack of progress on the proposed relaying and re-opening of the HALL FARM CURVE beyond St.James St. to provide an extra service from Chingford and Walthamstow to STRATFORD, it is clear that the residents of Waltham Forest are being short-changed where public transport is concerned."
