• YOUR local Lib Dem team: Patrick Harvey tel 07731 778 527

• May 2010 Election %s: C 48.2; LD 36.0; L 8.2; G 4.3; I 3.3. C gain 3.

• [From Comments Winter 2010-11]: FOG Over The Tunnel: Right from the word 'Go', Liberal Democrats pressed for a local exhibition of Thames Water's proposals for the 'Super Sewer' and one of its main construction sites, at Barn Elms (Wandsworth) playing fields. It was vital that local people should be able to question the design team. Local people who visited the exhibition report that there was no official map of the proposed works access via Rocks Lane.

It was clear that: a hard-surfaced route following Beverley Brook from the Thames would have to go through Richmond fields, taking space from local sports activities for at least 7 years; an additional access beside the Rocks Lane bridge would bring yet more complications for the traffic flow here; and the noise of manoeuvring heavy vehicles would be a great source of disturbance to homes further away than just Rocks Lane. Lib Dem campaigner, Andrew Horsler said, "In common with many non-political local groups, we favour a route to Putney Lower Common, which would disturb far fewer residents. Liberal Democrats support them in their fight to change Thames Water's mind."

• OLYMPIC Studios: IN early October around 2,000 local residents, invited to the now-empty building, gave strong support to plans to convert the Olympic Studios in Church Road, Barnes into a boutique cinema. Built in 1906, the Studios had originally been a theatre and cinema for nearly 50 years before being adapted for recording purposes in the 1960s, serving groups such as the Rolling Stones and U2. The new owners hope to submit a planning application to the Council very shortly. More information is available at http://www.olympiccinema.co.uk .

• ROCKS Lane: Pedestrian improvements to Barnes station bridge area: Thanks to the efforts of local Lib Dem councillors who initiated this project in 2006, work will start very shortly to benefit pedestrians using Barnes Station. The north-side bus stop for buses travelling towards Hammersmith and Putney will be adjacent to a new pedestrian crossing and the footways both at the bus stop and leading up to the bridge station entrance will be substantially widened. The south- bound bus stop will remain in its existing location and there will be minor footway widening extending southwards to the junction with the A205. The works will involve piling works to the embankments adjacent to the Station. Advance warning signs giving details on all approaches to the area together with posting details will be issued on the Borough web site. TfL will also be releasing details to TV and Radio. A provisional start date in January has been proposed.

• OYSTER tickets: Lib Dems put pressure on SW Trains South West Trains are the only train operating company in London now refusing to sell Oyster tickets or provide Oyster top-ups for passengers. This was admitted by the Mayor of London in reply to questions put by Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group. The Mayor also admitted that South West Trains do not even have any plans to start selling Oyster tickets in the near future. Caroline has now written to Brian Souter, Chief Executive of the company that owns South West Trains, urging him to ensure that train passengers using the 44 stations in south west London receive the same service as those in every other part of London. "It is time South West Trains caught up with the other train operating companies in London and provided a proper service to their customers" she said.

• LOCAL academy opens its doors: Richmond Park Academy opened its doors for the first time this September. The Lib Dem administration worked hard to ensure that Shene School got the boost it needed by acquiring Academy status. The final signing off was delayed by the General Election and it really is not quite clear why the final go-ahead arrived at the eleventh hour. The Lib Dems wish the Academy well and look forward to seeing it grow into the excellent community school our children deserve. Local campaigner Eleanor Stanier says, "It was a great relief when our plans came together. There is such a lot to build on at RPA, the new Academy is off to a flying start."

• Page 2: Comments and news from 2008, 2007 & 2006

• Report to Planning Committee, April 01

• History of the site

• [April 05] PERMISSION granted for Bowling Green Site: Having considered representations from local residents, the planning committee last Thursday came down in favour of the development for the Old Bowling Green [App 09/1490/FUL] in William's Lane, Mortlake by a majority decision. In reality the committee had no choice: two independent counsel had advised that the land was not protected for leisure use under planning case law.

• [Apr 05] Academy status confirmed for Shene School

• [Apr 05] Lib Dems Welcome North Sheen Footbridge Planning Application

• [From Comments Spring 2010] MP CALLS for bus countdown timer at Hammersmith: Transport for London is still refusing to give passengers travelling by bus from Hammersmith a fair deal. Local MP Susan Kramer asked them to install a bus countdown timer in the corridor between the shopping centre and the outdoor bus shelter, so that passengers can wait in the warm for their bus.

• LOCAL people let down Conservatives refuse to back bid to kill off parking charges in Richmond Park for good Conservatives in the House of Lords refused to support a Lib Dem 'fatal motion' that was the only way to stop the Government's legislation. Local MP Susan Kramer said, "It was great to see so many people come to Westminster to make their voices heard. "But I am saddened that the Conservatives refused to join us to stop these charges once and for all." "I want local people to know that I'll keep on fighting tooth and nail to stop these plans."

• COMMUNITY toilet scheme: One of the popular initiatives started by the Liberal Democrats on Richmond Council has been the Community Toilet Scheme. 90 toilets in pubs, cafés, and offices around the borough are now open to the public. The Council pays the venue £600 a year to allow unrestricted access to the toilets. This is very much cheaper, and offers many more toilets, than the traditional public toilets, which are very expensive to maintain. Just look for the Community Toilet sign outside.

• 16 places in EAST SHEEN, MORTLAKE and BARNES have joined the scheme: Barnes Sorting Office Centre, Bull's Head, Caffe' al Fresco, East Sheen Cemetery, Hare and Hounds, Jolly Gardeners, L'Amandine, Leonardo Caffe, Leonardo Wine Bar, Palewell Common and Fields, Rocks Lane Tennis Pavilion, Sheen Common Pavilion, Sheen Lane Centre, Victoria Sheen, Vine Road Recreation Ground, and Ye White Hart .

• The Borough's 90 Community Toilets

• [From Comments Winter 2009-10]: MORTLAKE Brewery update: The Liberal Democrat team are continuing to work to make sure the local community get the most from the Mortlake Brewery site. The Council will soon draw up planning guidelines to determine the future use of the brewery site. Merlene Emerson said, "The Council does not own the site, but the planning guidance will help shape the future use of the site. "It is really vital that residents make their views known to shape the planning guidance, so please do make sure that we know your views." So far you have asked the Council to: . . . Guarantee that the playing fields are retained . . . Protect historic buildings on the site, possibly as a museum of brewing and tapestry history. . . . Explore the possibility of green technology business on the site to create local jobs. . . . Make sure there is affordable housing not just luxury housing . . . Give space for public services including community centre health centre and primary school. . . . Give better access both to and along the river. . . . Minimise the traffic impact on the surrounding area. . . . Shift the bus station from Avondale Road to the brewery site.

• RAILWAY side walls: Richard Pyne reports... "Residents have told the Lib Dem team that the walls around the railway line between Sheen lane and White Hart Lane are starting to deteriorate. Vegetation is coming through in many places creating an eyesore. We are calling on Network Rail to replace the walls, preferably using soundproof material to reduce the noise experienced by local residents. Susan Kramer MP has written to Network Rail to raise the issue, and involved engineers from the Council. We will keep you posted developments.

• 33 BUS to go 24 hour?: Transport for London is consulting on converting the 33 bus to a 24 hour service, running every half an hour through the night. The current N10 service would be withdrawn, with the 10 bus converted to 24 hours from Kings Cross to Hammersmith. The Liberal Democrat team think that this new bus service would make it much easier for local people to travel home late at night. If you support these plans please let us know.

• SHENE School to become an Academy: Last summer Shene School achieved its best ever GCSE results for many years. Plans for millions of pounds of investment in the new academy are progressing with the appointment of Academies Enterprise Trust as sponsor. The Trust has a strong record of transforming educational standards in schools. Cllr Anna Davies who is a governor at Shene said, "I am delighted that we have found such a high quality partner to sponsor the school." "We will also work with a local university and independent school to strengthen the team." The next step is for the Council to approve the "Expression of Interest" document, which contains the vision for the new Academy, and it is hoped that it would open in September 2010.

• SHENE School bus: Susan Kramer renewed the call for a school bus for Shene School at a cross-party meeting with Transport for London. But the Mayor of London is still refusing to give Shene School a dedicated bus service. In the meantime, Susan Kramer has got TfL to agree to investigate a new option. TfL will look at terminating two 33 buses from the normal route at Waitrose at the end of the school day. The buses would then collect children from inside the school grounds at Shene and continue the route to Hammersmith. It is hoped that this will help alleviate some of the overcrowding at the end of the school day.

• [From Comments May 2009]: STAG Brewery closure - update: Thanks to everyone who came along to the public meeting on the Stag Brewery in February. Representatives from the Brewery were on hand to answer questions and listen to local views. Many people wanted to see brewing continue, and were concerned about the loss of jobs. Concerns were also raised about the impact of the plans on local traffic, and about the need for buses to serve the site. Susan Kramer said, "I will now be travelling to Belgium to meet with InBev directors face to face to pass on your views." Cllr Eleanor Stanier has reported your views to the Council officers who are now drawing up planning guidance for the site.

• PRIORITIES for the Brewery site: Top of the list of concerns was the protection of the playing fields. Mixed use of the site, including employment opportunities rather than all housing. A community centre and affordable housing. High rise blocks and gated communities would be out of keeping and unacceptable. Any new housing would require a new primary school and other public services. Any development should reflect the brewery and tapestry-making history of Mortlake. Public access to the river should be enhanced and maintained.

• WHITE Hart Lane Roadworks: The Thames Water continue the programme of replacing old Victorian Water Mains is shortly to move to White Hart Lane. Following a meeting with traders, the work was pushed back to start on 11th May. This means the roadworks avoided the busy Easter period that is so important for local shops. Every effort will be made to keep the parking spaces open where possible so that shoppers can continue to visit local shops, and disruption is kept to a minimum. It is anticipated that the works will take around twelve weeks, with traffic diverted via Rocks Lane. Do contact the Lib Dem team if you have any questions.

• RAILWAY Side dog fouling: After being contacted by a local resident, Cllr Anna Davies took up the issue of dog fouling at Railway Side. The Council has now agreed to move the footpath cleaning machines from the town centres once a week to clear footpaths near schools. This would mean that the area would be cleaned more often. The local Safer Neighbourhood Team have also been clamping down on owners who do not clear up after their pets. Cllr Anna Davies is happy to take action in any other areas where this is a problem.

• [From Comments January 2009]: WHAT future for the Stag Brewery? Local people were shocked to hear that after hundreds of years brewing in Mortlake, the Stag Brewery is set to close. The owner of the brewery has announced that it plans to close the site by 2010. Susan Kramer MP said, "It would be a real loss to see part of our industrial heritage lost." Susan Kramer MP, Leader of the Council Serge Lourie and local councillors are meeting representatives of InBev who own the brewery to discuss whether there are any options to keep it open.

• SHEEN Lane Roadworks - Businesses open as usual: It is anticipated that the work will go on for up to 13 weeks, but that the road will only be closed for part of that time, while work is being done close to the railway line. Traders have expressed concern about the closure and the fact that signs discourage customers from coming to the area. The Council has agreed to review signage and re-word where appropriate. Susan Kramer MP said, "I know all parties are working together to keep disruption to a minimum while these works are being done." "I would also like to encourage local residents to continue to support their local shops during this period."

• TOWN Centre Manager for Barnes: Cllr Anna Davies said: "I am delighted that the Council has agreed to fund a town centre manager for Barnes. "We desperately need someone who will be able to promote Barnes as a local shopping centre" Sue Nicholl started work in Barnes at the beginning of January. Town Centre Managers help support our local shopping areas and local shops. When the Conservatives ran the Council they scrapped all but one of the town centre managers in the borough.

• EAST Sheen Post Office re-opens: Susan Kramer had many meetings and phone calls with the Post Office and the utilities companies in order to get the Post Office re- opened. Susan Kramer MP said: "Local people have had to put up with so much inconvenience since the Post Office closed in May - it should never have taken this long to get it re-opened." "Thanks for your patience everyone!"