Sunday, February 24, 2008
JOINED UP THINKING ??
After a recent meeting in London, which involved travelling to Old Street, Cllr.John Beanse writes:
At a time when there is growing awareness of the need to promote public transport, it seems extraordinary that one valuable link for Waltham Forest passengers travelling into London still remains totally absent from most Underground maps.
I refer to the very convenient interchange – no stairs, escalators or passages – at Highbury and Islington. Just by getting off the Victoria line and walking across to the opposite platform, one can easily access trains to Essex Road, Old Street and Moorgate. This line (once appearing on the maps as part of the Northern line, then as “British Rail”) is no longer shown. The trains are First Capital from Hertfordshire.
When speaking to a representative of London Underground recently and stressing the merits of again showing this link, I had an absurd conversation when I was told this is “not an Underground line” and I was countering “It certainly is an under ground line!” - and I emphasised that it is also a very easy connection.
There seems to be a complete absence of joined up thinking here and a lack of vision to boost what should be a totally integrated transport system.
At a time when there is growing awareness of the need to promote public transport, it seems extraordinary that one valuable link for Waltham Forest passengers travelling into London still remains totally absent from most Underground maps.
I refer to the very convenient interchange – no stairs, escalators or passages – at Highbury and Islington. Just by getting off the Victoria line and walking across to the opposite platform, one can easily access trains to Essex Road, Old Street and Moorgate. This line (once appearing on the maps as part of the Northern line, then as “British Rail”) is no longer shown. The trains are First Capital from Hertfordshire.
When speaking to a representative of London Underground recently and stressing the merits of again showing this link, I had an absurd conversation when I was told this is “not an Underground line” and I was countering “It certainly is an under ground line!” - and I emphasised that it is also a very easy connection.
There seems to be a complete absence of joined up thinking here and a lack of vision to boost what should be a totally integrated transport system.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Musical treat
###Musical evening###
Chingford & Woodford Green Liberal Democrats would like to thank all those who came to very successful Musical Evening on Friday, 22nd February, 2008 at the Vestry Hall, nr.Chingford Green. Thanks also to all the performers and to those who organised and catered so well ! Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Threat to post offices
LIB DEMS CONDEMN PLAN TO SHUT ONE IN FIVE LONDON POST OFFICES
A fifth of post offices in London are facing closure as part of a wider move to shut 2,500 branches nationwide. The Post Office has begun a six-week consultation on plans to close 169 of the capital's 850 post offices. It said about 90% of Londoners would see no change to their nearest branch under the proposals. Also today the Liberal Democrats have revealed figures that highlight that London already has twice as many people for each post office as the rest of the country does. Lib Dem Mayoral Candidate Brian Paddick has condemned the closure plans, accusing the Post Office of a complete disregard for the needs of the local population. [BBC]
On the Woodford side of the constituency, the post office at no.213, High Road is under threat; in Chingford, the post office in Hall Lane (number 299, nr. the N.Circular) is also on the list of those set to close.
In both cases the Lib Dems are mounting campaigns to try to Save Our Post Offices.
Local Lib Dems say "This announcement is a kick in the teeth for Londoners. Post offices perform a vital role in our communities and far too many have closed already."
A fifth of post offices in London are facing closure as part of a wider move to shut 2,500 branches nationwide. The Post Office has begun a six-week consultation on plans to close 169 of the capital's 850 post offices. It said about 90% of Londoners would see no change to their nearest branch under the proposals. Also today the Liberal Democrats have revealed figures that highlight that London already has twice as many people for each post office as the rest of the country does. Lib Dem Mayoral Candidate Brian Paddick has condemned the closure plans, accusing the Post Office of a complete disregard for the needs of the local population. [BBC]
On the Woodford side of the constituency, the post office at no.213, High Road is under threat; in Chingford, the post office in Hall Lane (number 299, nr. the N.Circular) is also on the list of those set to close.
In both cases the Lib Dems are mounting campaigns to try to Save Our Post Offices.
Local Lib Dems say "This announcement is a kick in the teeth for Londoners. Post offices perform a vital role in our communities and far too many have closed already."
Friday, February 15, 2008
Lib Dems romp home in Leyton ward, Waltham Forest
WINNIE SMITH recaptured the third Leyton Ward council seat from Labour in a spectacular Valentine’s Day victory. The Lib Dems won an absolute majority over all other candidates.
The full result is:
Khevyn LIMBAJEE------Labour-----------------------665
William MEASURE-------Green------------------------90
Edwin NORTHOVER-----Conservative---------------108
Winnie SMITH-----------Liberal Democrat----------1360
Carole VINCENT---------Independent/Respect-----170
The full result is:
Khevyn LIMBAJEE------Labour-----------------------665
William MEASURE-------Green------------------------90
Edwin NORTHOVER-----Conservative---------------108
Winnie SMITH-----------Liberal Democrat----------1360
Carole VINCENT---------Independent/Respect-----170
This brings the Lib Dems up to TWENTY councillors in Waltham Forest (the highest number ever) - WHAT A SCORE! Labour now have 25 and the Conservatives 15.
Success! Extra pillar box for Chingford Mount
Chingford & Woodford Green Liberal Democrats have written to the Royal Mail ("Leyton Collection Hub") to thank them for providing a requested extra pillar box for Chingford Mount - sited recently on the left hand side of Chingford Mount Road as you go northwards in the Old Church direction.
The issue was first raised by Waltham Forest Lib Dem Councillor Patrick Smith who had concerns about the way the small box in the wall by Chingford cemetery (further up on the opposite side of the road) was sometimes full and where mail could even be removed.
The matter was then taken up by the Valley ward Lib Dem Focus Team and was featured in a Valley Focus newsletter towards the end of last year, which reported the good news of the promise of an extra pillar box.
There was a delay in getting the new box installed because of the utility works that have been going on recently (for Thames Water).
Valley Focus Editor Afzal Malik (Vice-Chair of Chingford & Woofdford Green Liberal Democrats) - who formerly seved the local community working in Chingford Mount, Walthamstow High St. and S.Chingford post offices - said:
"It is good news that Royal Mail have responded to our request and provided more capacity for local residents' mail with this much needed extra pillar box."
The issue was first raised by Waltham Forest Lib Dem Councillor Patrick Smith who had concerns about the way the small box in the wall by Chingford cemetery (further up on the opposite side of the road) was sometimes full and where mail could even be removed.
The matter was then taken up by the Valley ward Lib Dem Focus Team and was featured in a Valley Focus newsletter towards the end of last year, which reported the good news of the promise of an extra pillar box.
There was a delay in getting the new box installed because of the utility works that have been going on recently (for Thames Water).
Valley Focus Editor Afzal Malik (Vice-Chair of Chingford & Woofdford Green Liberal Democrats) - who formerly seved the local community working in Chingford Mount, Walthamstow High St. and S.Chingford post offices - said:
"It is good news that Royal Mail have responded to our request and provided more capacity for local residents' mail with this much needed extra pillar box."
Photo shows AFZAL MALIK posting a letter of thanks to Royal Mail in the recently sited extra pillar box.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Mental health matters
CLEGG: NO ONE SHOULD WAIT LONGER THAN 13 WEEKS FOR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has unveiled plans to guarantee everyone suffering from mental health problems a first appointment for treatment within 13 weeks of referral. Mr Clegg launched the plans in a speech at the Guardian Public Services Summit, as the party revealed new figures showing that the average time for those waiting longest for mental health treatment is over seven months, with some people waiting over three years for treatment such as psychotherapy and counselling. A survey of Mental Health Trusts in England by the Liberal Democrats shows that waiting times vary enormously according to region and type of treatment. [Full speech]
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has unveiled plans to guarantee everyone suffering from mental health problems a first appointment for treatment within 13 weeks of referral. Mr Clegg launched the plans in a speech at the Guardian Public Services Summit, as the party revealed new figures showing that the average time for those waiting longest for mental health treatment is over seven months, with some people waiting over three years for treatment such as psychotherapy and counselling. A survey of Mental Health Trusts in England by the Liberal Democrats shows that waiting times vary enormously according to region and type of treatment. [Full speech]
Saturday, February 09, 2008
New feature !
See the latest Lib Dem short film - scroll right down - the new feature is on the bottom left. Just click on the screen below to watch !
