cllr.pallen@richmond.gov.uk · · · cllr.mhassam@richmond.gov.uk · · · cllr.hlee-parsons@richmond.gov.uk · · · Please scroll down the page for full details of roles, biographies, etc.. Surgery Details:First Saturday of every month 10.30-11.30am; Community centre on Meadway (outside Trafalgar School). No need to book an appointment.

[Sep 01]: • STAINES Road Safety Scheme Delivered As Promised: Local Liberal Democrats' campaign to make Staines Road safer has paid off as contractors put the finishing touches to a local safety scheme. West Twickenham councillors and local MP Vincent Cable have been campaigning for a number of years, along with residents, to make Staines Road safer. In the last three years, there have been two fatalities along the stretch between the Shell garage (at the Hospital Bridge Road junction) and the Amida golf & leisure club. Working with residents, local councillors have pushed through a scheme that has recently been installed, including a mini-roundabout, traffic islands, narrowing of the carriageway and a shared cycle/pedestrian path on the golf course side of the road.

Cllr Munira Wilson said, "We are delighted to be able to deliver one of our key election pledges to local residents of improving safety on this dangerous stretch of road. Despite calls from residents to make this road safer, our Conservative predecessors were not prepared to take any action to slow down traffic. Many residents in the Rivermeads estate and on Staines Road have already told us how much the scheme has improved the traffic, slowing down cars and making it easier to turn out of the estate. The traffic islands provide easier crossing points for pedestrians, and cyclists feel much safer on the shared footpath."

Local Liberal Democrat councillors and Vincent Cable MP are continuing their campaign for a zebra crossing by the junction of Court Close Avenue, which many local people have asked for. Cllr David Trigg, Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport & Parking said, "At the moment, we do not meet the Transport for London criteria for such a crossing but we hope that the new scheme will help us meet the criteria. Officers will be reviewing the safety scheme after six months and if enough people are crossing at the new traffic islands, we will make a strong bid for a zebra crossing at that site."

• THE closure of our local post offices was condemned by the Liberal Democrat council at the full council meeting held on Tuesday 4th March. Cllr Munira Wilson and Cllr Stephen Knight proposed a motion which not only condemned the planned closures, but also asked the council to make strong representations on behalf of local residents to Post Office Ltd against the planned closures. Cllr Munira Wilson said, "The post offices earmarked for closure - three within the borough and one just over the border in Hounslow - are at the heart of their local communities. Many local people, particularly the elderly and frail, but also the self-employed and small local businesses, as well as mothers with young children, will be hit very hard by these closures. Councillors and Vincent Cable MP have been inundated by the response to their surveys and petitions against the closures. We will make sure their views are heard but it's important that as many local residents as possible also respond to the Post Office consultation."

In a bizarre turn of events, the Conservative opposition chose not to participate in or vote on the post office motion. They had walked out of the council meeting knowing that this important item was on the agenda. Cllr Stephen Knight who seconded the motion said, "The Conservatives have turned their backs on the local post offices that are under threat and the thousands of residents that use them. I don't understand how they could knowingly do this. Their actions show contempt for residents and could send a worrying signal to Post Office Ltd that these post offices are not important. After all, it was the last Conservative government that started closing down post offices - some 3500 under their watch. I can assure the people of Twickenham, Teddington and Whitton that the Liberal Democrats would have stayed in the council chamber all night to fight for these post offices". The deadline for the consultation period is 2 April. Views should be sent to Network Development Manager, c/o National Consultation Team, Freepost Consultation Team or e-mail: consultation@postoffice.co.uk before the deadline closes. Cllr Munira Wilson added, "We need to send a strong signal to Post Office Ltd that these post offices are at the heart of our community and the threat of closure should be withdrawn immediately".

From COMMENTS winter 2007/8: Your Council Introduces Cardboard And Plastic Recycling: Richmond Borough has gone even greener with the introduction of plastic bottle and cardboard recycling. The improved scheme will see rubbish and recycling being collected on the same day. In West Twickenham the collection day will be Thursday. The doorstep recycling collection will now include plastic bottles including milk cartons and bottles which contained household cleaning products. The recycling and waste will be collected by different vehicles and at different times of the day. Liberal Democrat Investment Cllr Helen Lee-Parsons said, "I'm delighted the Liberal Democrat council has invested extra money to meet their green promises." " The new scheme has now seen recycling rates top 40%. I know residents have found the teething problems with the scheme frustrating and we are grateful for peoples' patience. Hopefully these problems have now been ironed out."

Lib Dems keep weekly collections: The Liberal Democrats have decided to increase recycling services while keeping the weekly collection of rubbish. This is despite many Conservative councils across London and Surrey introducing fortnightly collections. Cllr Munira Wilson added, "Recycling cardboard and plastic bottles is vitally important if we are to protect the environment. The Government are also going to increase landfill charges so it also makes good financial sense." "We aim to have the best and greenest waste collection in London. The new and improved service will increase recycling across the Borough" said West Twickenham Councillor Piers Allen.

• Stop Heathrow Expansion! Vincent Cable MP and West Twickenham Lib Dems are fighting the growing expansion of Heathrow airport. The Government is now consulting on a third runway, a sixth terminal and an end to runway alternation which gives residents half a day of peace. If the Government gets its way it could mean a flight every 90 seconds, 365 days a year. Cllr Munira Hassam said, "The economic arguments for more flights have been disproved. The Government and BAA are asking too much of local residents when it comes to this proposed expansion. The noise and environmental pollution will be enormous." The Conservative party have just published two policy documents. The first report on competitiveness recommends expansion at Heathrow, and a second report on the Environment refuses to rule out a 3rd runway at Heathrow. Local residents are understandably very worried by the Conservatives' policies. The Lib Dems will continue to oppose expansion.

• Staines Road: After many years of campaigning by local residents and the local MP and councillors, a safety scheme for Staines Road between Hospital Bridge Road and Glebe Way has finally got the go-ahead. The main features of the scheme include: Cllr Munira Wilson said, "This scheme will slow down traffic significantly on this very dangerous stretch of Staines Road. Although we are extremely disappointed that a controlled crossing close to the junction with Court Close Avenue was not included.. However, the design is such that the crossing could easily be added in at a later date. The campaign continues. " Transport for London safety regulations and the low number of pedestrians crossing have prevented its installation so far. A 6 month review date was demanded by Councillors so an early assessment can be made.

• Call for New A316 Crossing MP Vincent Cable has written to the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, to demand that he puts pressure on Transport for London to challenge their decision to reject a crossing on the A316 as an alternative to the subway from running under the A316 from Meadway to Jubilee. The call follows a serious incident in June when a female was subject to a serious assault in the subway. Local MP Vincent Cable, supported by councillors and residents' associations, is campaigning for a proper, over ground, crossing with lights on the A316. In the meantime, local councillors, MP Vince Cable and Geoff Pope (member of the Greater London Assembly) have joined with residents in calling for TfL to give urgent consideration and implementation of a scheme to increase personal safety for all members of the community using this busy thoroughfare. West Twickenham Councillor Piers Allen said: "Residents were very disappointed and concerned that there are no firm plans by TfL to replace the temporary surveillance cameras installed by the Council for a period over the sum- mer but then had to be deployed elsewhere. TfL, who are responsible for security and lighting of the subway - appear to be dragging their feet over longer term measures - we are determined a new scheme should come in at the earliest opportunity"

• The AboutMyArea website has now arrived in Twickenham! AboutMyArea publishes community information free of charge, and the aim is for it to be the first point of call for anyone who wants to know what is going on in their local community. AboutMyArea TW1 & TW2 will allow residents' to post community events on the web with local businesses are sponsoring the new service. Local Councillor Helen Lee-Parsons and Deputy Mayor of Richmond said: "With Christmas coming up, it will be a wonderful to see exactly what's going on and where it's going on." You can visit the websites at www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/TW1 or www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/TW2 The websites were launched in Twickenham Town Centre in November by the Deputy Mayor of Richmond Councillor Helen Lee-Parsons and MP Vincent Cable.

• Staines Road Solution In Sight: At a packed public meeting on Tuesday September 12 with local Liberal Democrat councillors and chaired by local MP Vincent Cable, a safety scheme for the treacherous stretch of Staines Road between Hospital Bridge Road and Amida leisure centre moved a step closer.

Approximately 60 local residents packed out a meeting at Rivermeads Hall, leaving standing room only to make their views known on the latest safety proposals from the council. Both Vincent Cable MP and West Twickenham Liberal Democrat councillors have a long history of campaigning on this issue.

Councillors and residents made clear to Cllr Trigg, Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport & Parking, as well as to traffic officers present, that they welcomed this scheme but, the most urgent measure needed is a controlled crossing close to Court Close Avenue. The current proposals provide an uncontrolled crossing in the form of a traffic island and narrowing of the road near that junction but no zebra or pedestrian crossing. At the end of the meeting, Vincent Cable took a vote on whether a controlled crossing was wanted at that point and the residents voted unanimously in favour. Cllr Trigg promised to go back and make a stronger case for a crossing to Transport for London who are blocking the crossing.

Cllr Munira Hassam said, "We promised last year when we got elected that we would make this stretch of Staines Road safer. Two fatalities in two years are unacceptable. These proposals will slow down the traffic, which is a vast improvement and very much welcomed by all. However, local councillors and residents alike have long been calling for a controlled crossing by the junction of Court Close Avenue and do not feel an island and a narrowing of the road will make crossing safe enough.

"I and my colleagues are pressing the cabinet member and officers to make a stronger case for installing a zebra crossing near the Court Close Avenue junction. Should Transport for London continue to refuse us a crossing, we along with Vincent Cable will be pressing the council to fund it directly. Schoolchildren, the elderly and mums with prams who live in the Rivermeads estate and on Staines Road are putting their lives at risk everyday to get across to the bus stop and to the pathway that leads through the golf course to Sainsbury's on Uxbridge Road. It is totally unacceptable."

Local MP Vincent Cable added, "I am pleased that after many years of campaigning on this issue, a proposal has come forward which residents are broadly happy with and that can be put in place early next year. However, the council must go one step further and add in this essential crossing that residents and local councillors are demanding."

• COUNCILLOR MUNIRA HASSAM is campaigning to stop the proposed McDonalds Drive-Thru at Apex Corner on the Twickenham/Hanworth border extending its opening hours. McDonalds has submitted a planning application to alter its opening hours to 24 hours at the weekend and until 2am during the week. The planning application has gone out to public consultation. Cllr Hassam said:

"West Twickenham's Liberal Democrat councillors have delivered a letter and survey to households nearby alerting them to the application, asking for their experience of living so close to the Drive-Thru McDonalds and asking their views on the proposals. I have had a number of complaints from residents in Hampton Road East who said their front gardens are used as McDonalds dustbins, regularly finding burger and fries wrappers on their properties, as well as half empty milkshake containers spilt on the pavement outside. Others have complained about the fat smells emanating from McDonalds. The extended hours will increase litter and bad smells in the area, and increase noise during the night from cars using the McDonalds. The overwhelming majority of responses that I have received have been against the application. I am encouraging all residents to register their views with the planning department before the consultation closes on 12th July. I will work with residents to make strong representations to the planning committee when the application is heard."

FROM COMMENTS Winter 2007: Lib Dems secure Staines Road safety improvements Your local Liberal Democrat councillors are delighted that safety improvements to Staines Road will soon be installed. For many years, residents have been concerned about the speed of traffic on Staines Road between the junction with Sixth Cross Road and Butts Crescent. Two fatal accidents in the last two years have further increased concern. · · · Alongside Vincent Cable MP, local councillors - Piers Allen, Munira Hassam and Helen Lee-Parsons - have been campaigning for safety measures to be put in place urgently to prevent any further serious or fatal accidents. Following a safety survey earlier this year, Richmond Council has drawn up proposals that will see a roundabout installed at the junction with Court Close, as well as new traffic islands.

THE long-promised pedestrian crossing will also be installed outside the Amida leisure centre. The crossing was promised by the previous Conservative Council, and though they received the funding from Amida, they failed to build it. A survey of residents along Staines Road and in the Rivermeads estate showed overwhelming support for the scheme. · · · Cllr Munira Hassam said, "I am so pleased that our hard fought campaign has finally paid off. I have received endless complaints about speeding traffic on that stretch of Staines Road. Since the Lib Dems took control of the council in May, I have been pushing hard for safety proposals to be drawn up and for progress on the crossing outside Amida. I am heartened by the high response rate that the Council's consultation received from local residents, 89% of whom were in favour of the scheme. I will be encouraging the Cabinet Member to make an early start on the scheme." The final decision on the proposals will be made by the Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport & Parking, David Trigg at a public meeting on 31 Jan.

• LOCAL police group set up - can you help?: Your local Safer Neighbourhood Police Team has set up a Police Liaison Group involving members of the public and the SNT to raise and discuss crime and safety issues around the ward. The first meeting was held on Tuesday 12 December. The group is looking for more residents to get involved from different parts of the ward, to ensure that all areas are being represented. · · · Cllr Helen Lee-Parsons said, "Policing and crime prevention works at its best when the community is fully involved, vigilant and communicating with the police. The Police Liaison Group is an excellent opportunity for local residents to play a bigger role in helping crime prevention in West Twickenham. With one meeting every few months, it's not a big commitment and is a rewarding way to serve your local community." If you live in the Fulwell Park estate, Rivermeads estate, the Cross Roads, the counties estate, Staines/Twickenham Road or close by, they would love to hear from you.

• AIR SEA House: Residents of Third Cross Road and Trafalgar Road, as well as local councillors, were disappointed when permission was granted at a recent planning committee meeting for the development of the Air Sea House site on Third Cross Road. Local residents mounted a strong and well organised campaign with backing from local Lib Dem councillors. The plans include new houses and flats along Third Cross Road, and for offices to replace the existing warehouse. · · · The access road into the estate will also be improved to help the movement of HGVs. The housing will be built first until Air Sea Packing's lease runs out in four years' time, when work on the second phase of the development (the offices) will begin.

Residents and councillors are concerned that the new buildings are too close to Trafalgar School, as well as houses on Trafalgar Road and Hampton Road. They are also worried about traffic and parking problems being made worse. Cllr Piers Allen commented, "We are disappointed with the committee's decision but applaud the hard work of community-minded residents who organised an excellent campaign. HGVs have been causing chaos in Third Cross Road for a long time, with residents' cars and fences being damaged. · · · This looks set to continue for at least the next four years until Air Sea Packing's lease runs out. With the access road being improved, we are worried that this will only encourage more HGVs for the time being. After the change of use in four years' time, traffic and parking will continue to be a real problem with up to 39 offices being packed into the site." Although the proposals have been granted permission, the developers have been asked to produce a green travel plan in consultation with local residents, to be approved by the council. Your local councillors will be in touch soon to make sure your views are heard and taken on board.

• ACTION for Twickenham Green: West Twickenham councillors have been working with residents in First Cross Road to stem a number of antisocial behaviour incidents on the cricket pitch side of the Green which have been of growing concern to residents for some months. Following a meeting with Council Officers and the Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Martin Elengorn, a series of measures will be taken over the coming weeks, including consideration of the placement of benches adjacent to First Cross Road and working with the Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams in both South and West Twickenham to respond to incidents as they arise and are reported. · · · Cllr Piers Allen commented: "Those living close to the Green enjoy, as do all of us, the benefits of this much loved open space. I am determined to work with residents, local police and council officers to ensure antisocial behaviour shown by a few individuals does not blight the enjoyment of the Green for the many". If you have concerns about antisocial behaviour in your area, please let us know

• VICTORY for Hampton Rd residents: A campaign by Hampton Road residents, backed by local councillors, paid off when they managed to thwart plans for the bus stop by the Prince Albert Pub being moved further down the road outside ATS. The new location would have seen buses backing up to the zebra crossing close to ATS and would have caused problems for cars turning into Second Cross Road. Residents above and opposite ATS were concerned about loss of privacy with double deckers regularly standing in front of their flats. · · · Cllr Munira Hassam said, "Thanks to the hard work of local residents who organised a petition, encouraged others to object to the proposal and made strong verbal representations at the Transport Consultative Group, the Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport & Parking decided not to move the bus stop. A bus shelter will instead be added to the current site. This case shows how important it is for residents to make their views heard."

• LOCAL councillors have reported illegal car trading on the slip road outside the shops on Hospital Bridge Road (opposite the Shell garage). At the time of writing, all vehicles for sale had been removed but if you spot more vehicles being sold illegally on this site or elsewhere, please either contact the licensing department on 020 8831 6455 or email licensing@richmond.gov.uk . Alternatively, please contact Piers, Helen or Munira.

• FOLLOWING action from your local councillors, flytipping and an overflowing skip on Fifth Cross Road behind the Bloomsbury pub has been removed. We understand that the pub may be changing ownership. We will keep you updated on progress.