The South Twickenham Lib Dem team: Steve Topol, Michael Butlin, Matt Hull and George Smeeton

May 2010 Election %s: C 44.3; LD 38.7; L 9.7; G 4.3; I 2.8. C 3.

• YOUR local Lib Dem team: • Steve Topol [69 Thames Eyot, Cross Deep, TW1 4QL 8744 3813 stopol5@aol.com] · · · • · · · Michael Butlin [34 Selkirk Road, TW2 6PX michael@butlin.comhttp://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Butlin/1789501367] · · · • · · · Matt Hull 07856 663181 mehull@hotmail.com · · · • · · · Susan Robinson susan.nick25@btinternet.com · · • · · · George Smeeton 8241 9595 georgesmeeton@hotmail.com

2011 news

• From Comments Winter 2011: LIB Dems oppose Hamilton Lofts development: When the Liberal Democrats ran the local Council, the needs of residents were put before the needs of property developers. The proposal by Hamilton Lofts, a property developer, to build a large number of properties on the old electricity building site at the end of Hamilton Road was refused by the then Liberal Democrat Council.

Now the Conservatives are running the local council. They are putting the needs of property developers before those of residents. The Conservative council has permitted the planning application from Hamilton Lofts. 27 new housing units will be constructed on the site, whereas space is only provided for 24 parking places. This will mean that residents of this new development and their visitors will be parking just outside of the site. Parking in Hamilton Road is already difficult for its existing residents, and this development will make it even more difficult.

Traffic congestion will increase in this cul-de-sac, and with it an increased danger to road & pedestrian safety. The parking and traffic congestion problems could also spill over to the neighbouring streets where there are already parking problems for residents. These streets include Warwick Road, Norcutt Road and Colne Road. Liberal Democrat campaigner Steve Topol said, 'The Hamilton Lofts property development application was refused when the Liberal Democrats controlled the council. Now the Conservatives run the council, the application is allowed & the needs of residents are ignored.' Steve continued, 'South Twickenham Liberal Democrats will work with residents of the area to ensure that the harmful effects of the Hamilton Lofts development are minimised.'

• CAMPAIGNING for 20 mph zones: The Government has just made it easier and cheaper for Councils to introduce 20 mph zones. This means that in residential areas, especially where road speeds are already below 24 mph because of road calming, narrow roads or heavy parking, roads can be designated 20 mph zones simply with signage at the beginning and end of the road and 20 mph roundels painted on the road surface. The good news is that the current Conservative administration supports the changes, but the bad news is that they will not even consider taking action unless more than 51% of the households in a road formally agree to a 20 mph limit.

While consultation is vital, response rates from householders are notoriously low, so a threshold of 51 % would never be achieved. So, if you want a 20 mph limit in your road, contact us to start a petition, and we will knock on each door of the road. Remember, the chances of a pedestrian being killed in a vehicle collision is 90 % at 40 mph, 20 % at 30 mph, and 3% at 20 mph. Reclaim residential areas for the residents and protect your children and the elderly!

• TOP of the Class! Richmond Borough's primary schools have topped the national Key Stage 2 league tables for the tenth year running. Congratulations to all pupils, teachers, parents and governors - what a fantastic achievement! In addition, Lib Dem Children & Families Minister Sarah Teather has ensured that schools in the Borough are benefiting from £1,238,000 in Pupil Premium this year. Local Lib Dem Campaigner, Steve Topol says, ""This extra funding is helping to tackle inequality and enables schools to provide extra support for pupils to reach their full potential."

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• [From Comments Spring 2011] LIBRARIES for Sale? Conservative Council consults on Library privatisation: Following on from the decision to close one of the borough's libraries, the Conservative run Council is considering privatising the library service. Richmond Council has been carrying out a review into how it can change its delivery of library services, including outsourcing them to the private sector.

"Libraries are a vital community resource. They should not be hived out to the private sector. The Council has a statutory duty to provide a library service. They are not just places to borrow books but for many, particularly the elderly and those with young children, the centre of their community. Please let us know your views," said campaigner Roger Crouch.

• LORRY Danger on Residential Roads: Residents have complained to the Comments Team about the damaging effects of HGVs travelling through their streets, often at excessive speeds. Speeding lorries travelling through residential streets can endanger residents' safety.

HGVs travelling through residential streets have damaged residents' parked cars & have broken pavements. Your South Ward Comments team are now consulting residents on the problems they face from HGVs travelling through their streets and are working with the Liberal Democrat Council Group on ways of reducing this traffic.

• CALL for Action on Supermarket Traffic: Comments campaigner George Smeeton has spoken to local residents concerned that the opening of the new Tesco on the junction of Heath Road and Lion Road George said, "Although many residents have welcomed the convenience of having a new mini supermarket in Twickenham, people living near the store have voiced concerns over increased traffic, and particularly about cars driving too fast down narrow residential streets, exacerbating the effects of the 'rat runs' that were problem long before Tesco opened." What do you think? Contact George with your views.

• ELDERLY Day Centre Set To Close: The Tory Council have announced that the elderly day care centre in Twickenham is due to close. Steve Topol said: "The Council should have delayed the decision so they had time to weigh up the alternatives instead of closing the centre immediately. Elderly users will now have to travel to East Sheen. The Council have £30 million in reserve. Surely some of that could have been used?". E-mail Steve Topol (Stopol5@aol.com) and let us have your views.

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• Page 2: Comments and news from 2010 - 2006

2010 results: Clare Head C 2330 elected; David Porter C 2326 elected; David Marlow C 2182 elected; Margaret Stevens LD 2030; Michael Butlin LD 2019; Steve Topol LD 1922; Stephen Smith G 691; Stephen Guichard L 566.

Election 2006: Electorate 7142 Seats 3 Ballot Papers 3285 % Poll 46.00; Clare Head C 1498 Elected; David Porter C 1462 Elected; David Marlow C 1444 Elected; Matthew Hull LD 1264; Steven Topol LD 1260; Michael Butlin LD 1246; Douglas I 357; John Armstrong I 321; Paul Tanto L 254; Howard Marchant L 246.

2002: Douglas Orchard C 1,185; David Marlow C 1,139; Clare Head C 1,127; Mark Pope LD 790; Gillian Cheeseman LD 725; Steven Topol LD 678; Colin Pearson Lab 495; John Armstrong Ind 481; Martin Stearman Lab 477; Jenifer Wyatt Lab 466.

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