Boris hits local Freedom Pass holders with double whammy

Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Caroline PidgeonPensioners and eligible disabled people in Waltham Forest were today hit by a double whammy as the Mayor of London Boris Johnson revealed that not only would their 24 hour Freedom Pass not be able to be used on Network Rail trains before 9.30am, despite this being a key election promise, but that the London Boroughs face paying out millions of pounds to fund
Mayor Boris Johnson’s’ 24 hour commitment.

At present people aged over 60 and eligible disabled people in possession of a Freedom Pass can travel after 9.30am for free on the transport network.  Boris Johnson has repeatedly promised pass holders that as from January 2nd they could use all of London’s transport network – including the overground rail network at any time.

However at Mayor’s Question Time held in the London Assembly today, under
questioning from Liberal Democrat Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon, the Boris Johnson admitted that the cost of extending the Freedom Pass to 24 hour use would have to be paid for by Council Tax payers in London boroughs.
The Mayor also said that it was not yet possible to confirm whether people could use their passes on the overground rail network before 09.30.

Caroline Pidgeon AM said:

“This is a double whammy for Freedom Pass holders in London.  Not only will they not be able to use their passes on the rail network before 9.30am, but they face the prospect of higher council tax bills because Boris expects the Boroughs to bear all the costs of a 24 hour freedom pass.”

“This is effectively a duff Christmas present from the Mayor, one with the parts missing and no batteries in it! 

“The Mayor must live up to his promise to fully fund the 24 hour Freedom Pass”

Lib Dems Warn Residents Over Rise in Burglaries

Waltham Forest Liberal Democrats are warning local residents and business owners to ensure that they take steps to secure their property after police figures revealed a big rise in the number of burglaries in the borough.

The crime statistics, published on the Metropolitan Police website, show a 10.6% rise in burglaries in the last 12 months, with nearly 2,000 local reports of domestic burglary in the 12 months up to September 2008.

The increase comes despite a 3.1% fall in burglaries across London.

Ward-by-ward data available on the Met website reveals that, in some areas of Waltham Forest, instances of burglary have risen in the past year by almost 50%.

However there is good news elsewhere for Waltham Forest residents as police figures show that overall crime was down by nearly 7%.  Significant reductions in car crime and violent robbery significantly contribute to this fall.

Now Waltham Forest Lib Dems are encouraging local residents to make sure they take basic procedures both to secure their house and to combat opportunistic burglaries.

Local Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr John Macklin said:

“The rise in burglaries at both domestic and non-domestic properties is obviously a real concern. 

“Burglaries from commercial properties in Waltham Forest have risen by a massive 12.8% in the last year.

“Residents and business owners can help protect their properties from instances of burglary or attempted theft by following some of the simple security measures suggested by the police.”

The Metropolitan Police Website offers a range of crime prevention measures that encourage property owners to reduce their risk of opportunistic criminals — particularly when buildings are unoccupied.

CLICK HERE to read more about the Liberal Democrats ‘We Can cut Crime!’ campaign, including our ‘5 Steps to a Safer Britain’

Local Lib Dems Act to Stop Illegal Developments

In the past three or four months the Cann Hall Ward has seen a dramatic increase in the number of former family homes being extended or converted into multiple flats.

Many residents have complained to the Cann Hall FOCUS Team about properties suddenly having sometimes quite extensive works done, without any prior notice from the Planning Dept. to let local residents know what was going to happen.

In many cases the Council does not know because the owners have not sought planning permission to either extend or convert. In addition, small plots of land are being used to build new properties.

Lib Dem Cllr Keith Rayner and the Focus Team are clear this has to stop.

The Council has now designated Cann Hall Ward as an area where this kind of practice has to be controlled, and family housing maintained. Residents’ backing for this move is shown by the amount of emails and letters in support.

Cllr Rayner said: “Please contact the Focus Team if you see a property being converted or extended in your area and we will let you know if it has planning permission and is a legal development”

New Fire Station Plans Unveiled

Cann Hall councillor Keith Rayner was on hand to hear about the plansA new Fire Station is being proposed for Leytonstone.

Cann Hall councillors Liz Phillips and Keith Rayner found out about the plans recently when they visited an open evening at the Fire Station in High Road Leytonstone. The London Fire Brigade were starting their consultation and discussion process with local people and interested groups, along with local ward councillors Liz and Keith.

The basic proposals are for a whole new fire station, including a third attendance pump, better public facilities, and accommodation for personnel working out of the fire station. It would also enable improved response to providing community advice on fire safety and many other areas of helpful information, without expanding its patrol area.

Leyton and Wanstead Liberal Democrats says:

“This is great news for both Cann Hall Ward and the Leytonstone area. As the plans progress, we will keep you informed of developments. You can also contact Richard Mills, Station Manager, on (020) 8555 1200 for more information.”

New CPZ proposed and consultation on traffic schemes

A new CPZ has been proposed in the borought – and local Liberal Democrats want you to hear your views.

The proposals include the junction of Leytonstone High Road, Cann Hall Road and Crownfield Road, which could effect some roads in Cann Hall.  In the current proposal are Eve, Steele and Belton Roads on the north side of Cann Hall Road, whilst on the south side Argyle, Borthwick, Blenheim Roads could be included up to the Borough boundary at Janson Road.

There is also consultation on traffic schemes taking place.  The consultation area stretches from Millais Road to the borough boundary with Newham, and across to High Road Leytonstone.

Leyton and Wanstead Liberal democrats say:

“What do you think? Many residents in these roads have complained for years about not being able to park in their own roads, due to overflow of traffic and parking from the High Road and the Thatched House area.”

“Whatever your views please let us and the council know. Your voice and views are very important.”

Local Lib Dems Solve the Case of the Disappearing Bus Stop!

The Lib Dems Transport spokesperson in the London Assembly, Caroline PidgeonLiberal Democrat activists in Waltham Forest have been busy – solving the case of the phantom bus stop!

Investigative work by on behalf of bemused local residents has revealed that a bus stop which disappeared in Cathall Road had never been put there by Transport for London – but by an enterprising public transport user!

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat transport spokeswoman at the London Assembly, said: “I was contacted by Paul Olford, a long-term Lib Dem activist in Leytonstone, about a bus stop which had mysteriously disappeared from Cathall Road.

“I contacted TfL and after some investigating, they discovered the bus stop was never meant to be there in the first place.

“The sign had just been stuck on a lamppost and bus drivers were mistaking it for the real thing.”

And bus passengers will be disappointed to learn that there are no plans to replace the phantom with a real stop, as it’s located on the brow of a bridge and would be too dangerous.

TfL confirmed: “Someone had stuck the round London Buses sign on a lamp column so that it resembled a bus stop.

“We do not know who did this but it was not with the permission of London Buses.”

Lib Dems Back Football Fans Plans for Safe Standing

Lib Dems:
Local Liberal Democrats have used the party’s Autumn conference in Bournemouth to support proposals to change the regulations that currently prevent football stadiums from providing ‘safe-standing’ areas for supporters.

The Lib Dem proposals recognise and seek to remedy safety problems that exist in all seater stadiums where, despite regulations, large numbers of fans regularly stand in areas designed for sitting only.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat councillor for Leyton ward, Bob Sullivan said:

“Whilst the reintroduction of standing areas is obviously a delicate issue, the difficulty in enforcing existing regulations and the obvious desire of a huge number of supporters to stand at matches suggests that it is sensible to look at ways of allowing them to do so in safety.

“Football has taken enormous steps in recent years to improve stadium designs. These proposals would in no way seek to undermine any of that progress and would only allow future ground developments that meet the most stringent safety requirements.

“But if some fans want to stand and many clubs want to let them, then we should at least explore safe ways of achieving it.”

The Football Supporters Federation has praised the move, whilst local football supporters in Waltham Forest have added their voices to the Lib Dems calls for the current regulations concerning standing at football matches to be reconsidered.

Mike Randall, the Leyton Orient Fan’s Trust (LOFT) committee member for stadium issues, added.

“As an organisation LOFT have always been in favour of safe standing.  We have raised the issue with the club management at every opportunity, so far with little success.  However we have not entirely given up hope, as there is still one stand to be developed at Brisbane road.

“Safe standing works at football matches in Germany and in our Rugby League grounds. What is the difference?  In some parts of the country a football fan on a Saturday is often a Rugby League fan on a Sunday.

“There is nothing wrong with terraces, it is the control of them that seems to be the main problem for the authorities.”

Huge Rise in Homeless Families in Leyton and Wanstead

Cllr Farooq Qureshi (right)LIBERAL Democrats in Leyton and Wanstead are calling for government action to tackle homelessness after figures revealed there has been a shock rise in the number of local families living in temporary accommodation.
 
Government figures show that there were 1925 households without a home of their own in Waltham forest in 2006/7. This is a rise of 1419 (over 280%) since 1997 when Labour came to power.
 
During that decade there has been an overall fall of 450,000 affordable houses for rent from social landlords, such as local councils, in England.
 
Cllr Farooq Qureshi (Leyton) said:

 “These are very worrying figures. They mean that nearly 2,000 local families are without a proper home.
 
“There has been a lamentable failure by the Government to address the housing crisis in England. Labour are strangling council housing. Gordon Brown has ensured only a handful of new council houses have been built during the past decade across the country.
 
“The rise in the number of people in temporary accommodation here in Waltham Forest is a prime example of Labour’s failure.
 
“In March, Liberal Democrats backed calls in Parliament to give councils the power and resources to build new houses. The measure was defeated by the Government whilst the Conservatives sat on their hands and refused to take part in the vote.
 
“Had the measures been agreed, we could start to address the housing shortage here in Waltham Forest. Instead, we will end up with more people in temporary housing and many others living in over crowded conditions.”