Thoughts on a wet Bank Holiday



This is a picture taken on a happier, sunnier day than today but I've put it in to cheer myself up!

First, this is a huge "thank you" to all the lovely people in Fortune Green, West Hampstead and Cricklewood who gave us their support in the Elections last week and who have loyally supported the local “Spotlight” Lib Dems over so many years - you know who you are! Although I am encouraged and grateful for my re-election, I am devastated that so many of my council colleagues like Nancy Jirira and Keith Moffitt have not been as successful. They have been excellent, hardworking councillors who have done an amazing amount for West Hampstead and Fortune Green for many years (in Keith's case - for 20) and we should always be grateful for their dedication. Being a Councillor is time-consuming, poorly paid unless you are a "Cabinet member", and, sometimes, just sheer hard slog! But certainly my local Lib Dem colleagues have done it for the best of all reasons - that they love this area and have ambitions to make it even more special, and also to help local residents in their too-frequent battles with Camden Council. They were great Councillors and will all be a hard act to follow!
Secondly, to everyone who has hinted, or even asked outright, reports of my standing down are wildly exaggerated! I have the experience of my many years as your Councillor and my knowledge of how the Council works to put at your disposal and enough energy and enthusiasm to continue to do so.. I will still be a strong voice for Fortune Green and will stand up for you at the Town Hall and I will shout if necessary! We must never again lapse into the forgotten corner of the Borough just because we are so far from Kings Cross and Euston Road. This was the main reason I came into local politics in the first place and the main reason I stay. Thank you for enabling me to do so!
Finally - as ever there is lots to be done - issues of parking and local traffic, our often filthy streets and a new general feeling of unsafeness since the police cuts made by the Tory Mayor. There are individual cases to take up, the poor treatment of leaseholders, the dreadful repairs service for tenants, overcrowded housing, noise nuisance and, always planning issues.
Please get in touch by emailing me on flick.rea@camden.gov.uk, or contacting me by phone on 020 7794 8454 and leaving a message if I’m not there. I will be restarting regular advice surgeries again in a couple of weeks and will publish the details.
So, once again, a big "Thank You".
Flick Rea
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Fortune Green

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

Traffic problems and Building works




Flick Rea inspecting the preparations the day before the closure

  Road Closures – For the second time in just a few weeks, local traffic was in more than its usual chaos by reason of road closures. Now we all understand that from time to time, necessary works have to take place. It just seems that we get more than our fair share. And it seems no-one seems to give thought to notifying early enough - let alone consulting with local groups and local ward Councillors. At least the recent closure of Maygrove Road finished promptly but just as we'd got used to a clear route to Kilburn again - we received another "whammy". This time it was Mill Lane's turn.

Traffic chaos on Mill Lane as seen
from Nick Russell's flat in Ellerton


Notices went up overnight and , once again, no prior notification or consultation to local groups or councillors. And furthermore it caused total chaos as everyone went back to work and school after the Bank Holiday.



 
We have told Camden in the stongest possible terms that this is sloppy procedure and extremely discourteous and shows the contempt in which the Council seems to hold its residents.


Building works (1) The new “post office in a church” at St James, Sherriff Road is coming on apace and should be open mid July!
Fr Andrew Cain saw me taking a picture of the muddy patch outside and invited me in where it’s already beginning to look amazing. There will be the post office counters, a café, a stationery shop, a meeting place area and a fabulous soft play area for young children. Top marks for an imaginative and exciting development and to Fr Cain for his determination to get this project up and running. Fortunately these works are NOT stopping traffic!

Building works (2) The new development at the old Handrail House on Maygrove Road (that caused the closure of Maygrove Road while they installed a new sewer) is still at the demolition stage (PIC) and they have cut down a number of trees making the area rather bleak, although the big ones on the Peace Park are safe. The developers have promised to plant new trees.

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