The misfortunes of Fortune Green



Illegal parking on double yellows by Capital City

 


Illegal double yellow parking outside Monte Cristo

The area close to Fortune Green itself has been the source of much trouble and aggravation recently. After the Council took the decision NOT to change parking hours, attention has fociussed on the need to maximise the number of parking spaces available. There are currently several disabled redundant parking bays and the unused car club bay at the junction of Ajax and Achilles Road but the Council, who have been informed of these over several months has now said they can take no action until after the Council Elections on May 22. They are not allowed to carry out consultations during “purdah” (the period before the elections). But we are pressing for an early start to this –May 23rd would be a good day!



There are two other factors which are affecting the issue – one is the unneighbourly behaviour of Capital City Motorbikes who park/sell/repair motorbikes all over the road and footway at the end of Achilles Road and park their vans at will in adjacent streets. The Council is now investigating this. The second is the new “shisha café” Montecristo. (Like Capital City – it has, currently no planning permission to operate although their application is currently with Camden for decision and their trading operation is also being investigated -) Their major offence recently is that their customers have been parking outside on double yellow lines every evening on Fortune Green Road and Burrard Road, seriously impeding traffic and buses and in open contempt of traffic regulations. We persuaded Camden to send parking enforcement officers to take a look and for at least two nights the yellow lines have been clear – long may it last!



 

Fortune Green – There has recently been what, in Fortune Green Ward terms, is a local crime wave. (Our figures are normally one of the lowest in Camden) We’ve seen a mugging, shop break–ins , car damage etc! This is obviously not specifically related to the Green – however, we are getting complaints about groups of young people breaking into to play football at night in the Play centre and reports of groups of “undesirables” hanging around on the Green – particularly near the top where it adjoins the cemetery. Recently, even after recent work to the lighting, one of the lamps at the top by the Play Centre was out and we have specifically asked for the lighting to be upgraded and increased on the Green. Unfortunately, with the Safer Neighbourhood Team being severely reduced by the Mayor, the police cannot keep an eye on it as much as they did and we are now getting regular comments and complaints from residents that the Green feels unsafe. We’ve requested an early site meeting with Camden officers in charge of the Green.

For local news and year-round action - please support your local Lib Dem team - Flick, Nick and Nancy at the Council Elections on May 22nd! And remember to vote Liberal Democrat in the European elections on the same day.

Published and promoted on behalf of the Liberal Democrats by S. Drage at Unit 1 Streatham Business Centre, London, SW16 2ED. Printed by Conrad Print Society and published and promoted by E. Watson on behalf of Flick Rea, Nick Russell and Nancy Jirira(Liberal Democats) all at 242 Webheath Community Workshops, Netherwood Street, London, NW6 2JX