• [From Comments Summer 2010] KNELLER GardensPavilion New Pavilion, Kiosk, and Play Area Officially Opened: After years of hard work, Kneller GardensPavilion, cafe kiosk and play area is now officially open to the public! Your local councillors, having worked alongside the Kneller Gardens Friends' group, were delighted to join a throng of local residents, young people and the Friends at the recent official opening. Since the opening, it has been confirmed that the park has won a prestigious "Green Flag" award following a visit by independent judges earlier in the year - the park is the ninth award winner in the borough, joining Twickenham Green and Radnor Gardens.

Cllr Piers Allen commented: "It has been fantastic to see the large scale improvements that have happened at Kneller Gardens. " I'd like to pay a special tribute to the Friends who have worked hard to involve the local community in this project and have secured the services of the Richmond Youth Partnership in running the cafe. "As a parent of a teenager, I hope local residents will support the youth activities that are planned for the park. " Cllr Lesley Pollesche added:"Over the last four years, the Lib Dems at the Council have secured over £5 million for improvements to the borough's parks and open space. I'm sure all residents will enjoy the improvements. "

• LOCAL Lib Dems say "Thank You": Helen, Lesley and Piers would like to say a big thank you to all those residents who voted for them in the recent local elections. Piers and Helen were delighted to have been re-elected and to have been joined by first-time candidate, Lesley Pollesche. Lesley takes over from former Councillor, Munira Wilsonwho decided to stand down. In West Twickenham ward, 48 % of the votes were for Lib Dem candidates, 39 % for Conservative and only 12 % for Labour.

On being elected, Lesley said: "Munira will be a hard act to follow, but I look forward to working with my ward colleagues to carry on campaigning for all local residents and continuing our work with re-elected Lib Dem MP, Vince Cable. " Cllr Helen Lee- Parsons, elected for a second time, said: "Thank you to local residents for placing your trust in Piers, Lesley and me. The team will fight your corner at the Council. We were delighted to have achieved more votes and a swing to us from the 2006 elections. Thank you!"

• 20 is Plenty: WEST Twickenham councillors are campaigning for the Cross Roads area to be included in a 20 mph limit in residential roads pilot scheme being considered by the Council. "This grid of roads (from First Cross to Fifth Cross Road), as the location of several schools and play groups, has benefited from a safety scheme to calm traffic, the logical conclusion for which is the installation of 20 mph zone," said Cllr Piers Allen.

The new scheme would rely on enhanced signage and road marking. It would preclude additional humps, bumps or road narrowing. The service road serving Hospital Bridge Road (see photo) and three residential estates that suffer from drivers using them as rat runs along and between the Chertsey, Staines and Hampton Roads (all classified roads which fall outside the current criteria for 20 mph speed limits) have also been suggested.

"Pedestrian safety is a top concern for your local Lib Dems. The new scheme will make a significant improvement to road safety and we are pressing for several other residential areas to be included in the scheme," said Cllr Lesley Pollesche. Councillors have also been pressing for the new zebra crossing in Staines Road, by First Cross Road, to be put into commission as soon as possible. "Completion has been held up by outside contractors - schools will be back in September- this has to be sorted," said Helen.

• CONSERVATIVES Scrap Youth Magazine: The Liberal Democrats have called on the new Conservative Council to reconsider its decision to stop publishing the Council's youth magazine. The magazine has been going for two years and has involved numerous young people in the planning, writing and editing of the magazine, and contains important information and advice for young people. "Young people are a top priority for the Liberal Democrats, I would urge the local Conservatives to keep up the work of the last Lib Dem Council," said Piers. You can join the campaign on Facebook: http://www. facebook. com/group. php?gid=130018650366115 &ref=search .

• HEATHROW Victory! After a long campaign by residents and green groups againstHeathrow expansionthe coalition government has announced that expansion plans will be scrapped. The Lib Dems have long campaigned against expansion. "It has been Liberal Democrat policy to oppose expansion at Heathrow, and thanks to the coalition agreement we have been able to make good on our promise, " said Helen.

• LINCOLN Fields: The new sports pitches at Lincoln Fields are now open for use. The £1. million sports facility includes a full size pitch and three five-a-side floodlit pitches featuring a state-of-the art artificial surface. A grass pitch, providing further space for football, rugby and athletics, is set to open in September and all the facilities (including the new pavilion) will be open to the public as part of the Whitton Sports and Fitness Centre - local residents and community groups can book through them or by calling 020 8898 7795.

• CRANE Park: The responses to the Crane Park consultation are now being worked up by the steering group, for implementation in the next few months. Further consideration is being given to the proposal for a bridge over the River Crane linking the Hounslow and Whitton sides - an area near the Shot Tower is also being considered as the site for a new natural play park.

• WALDEGRAVE School for Girls has been invited to consider becoming an Academy school under new legislation introduced by the Coalition Government. The school has undertaken to consult with parents, staff, pupils and the local community, should it decide to formally consider this in the autumn term.

• [From Comments Spring 2010] TWICKENHAMAcademy: Following the news that a state of the artacademy will be open in place ofWhitton Schoolin September 2010, work has been continuing apace on the site of the school playing fields (Lincoln Field, adjacent to Crane Park) to complete the two playing areas and landscaping of the site, funded by the Council's Sport department. The floodlit synthetic grass pitch will be available for community use, under a management plan negotiated with the involvement of local residents.

• CRANE Park: In Summer 2009 theMayor of London awarded £400,000 to carry out improvements inCrane Park, following the Mayor's Priority Parks competition in which Crane Parktopped the vote (with West Twickenham residents voting the most!). The Crane Valley Park project covers Hounslow and Richmond land on both sides of the river, with the primary focus on making the park more welcoming, improving access, creating links between the two sides of the river, enhancing the biodiversity value and creating an exciting and vi- brant identity for the park. Piers Allen said: "I'm delighted that residents have been able to have their say on the plans before work commences in the Summer."

• KNELLER Gardens: The Pavilion refurbishment works in Kneller Gardens are now nearing completion. Council officers are moving forward with a possible partnership agreement with Richmond Youth Partnership to open a youth run café from the kiosk which will form part of the new pavilion facilities. The programme of works forming part of the Richmond Playbuilders scheme will also start in Kneller Gardensin February, following consultation feedback with young people, park users and residents for enhanced play and activity options for 8 -13 year olds - the plans can be seen athttp://www.richmondplaybuilderconsultation.co.uk/,with completion aimed for the end of March.

• MEADWAY: Works to improve access toCrane Park and Kneller Gardens are due to be completed in March - Piers will continue to strongly voice local residents' calls for a complete resurfacing of the southern part of the road to match that at the northern end to be prioritised - in the meantime, pot holes are being regularly inspected and patched. Several roads suffered pothole damage in the freezing conditions following Christmas, several of which have been reported for inspection and repair by the Comments Team - if you'd like to report one in you local road, please let us know.

• A316 Crossing: Your local councillors and MP have asked for theMayor's Transport for London department to look again at current proposals for the Meadway crossing (to replace the subway underpass). "The idea for the siting of this crossing was dangerous. The crossing should be on the brow of the hill so that there is maximum visibility for pedestrians and maximum warning to oncoming motorists. The tunnel should also remain open, " commented Vince. Local Councillor, Helen Lee- Parsons added: "We welcome the new crossing for Chertsey Road as the old subway can be intimidating for women and has been the scene of a serious assault, but the current proposal is not suitable. There must be wider consultation with residents and greater notice, for future meetings on the scheme."

• STAINES Road Paving: Local residents were delighted to find out that the footway on Staines Road between 444 and Hospital Bridge Road is being re-paved. This follows years of campaigning by local Liberal Democrat councillors and residents. Last year, local councillors secured the re-paving of the footway that runs from opposite the David Lloyd health club to no. 446. However, there was not enough funding to replace the remaining pavement running to Hospital Bridge Road. This second phase of re-paving will match the first, with an asphalt/paving slab combination. Cllr Helen Lee-Parsons said, "We have been pushing the council hard for several years to provide the necessaryfunding. For too long, residents - particularly the elderly and parents with pushchairs - have struggled with the broken, uneven paving. This is fantastic news for local people".

• HOSPITAL Bridge Road safety works: The Stage 2 proposals for reducing traffic speeds in Hospital Bridge Road and reducing traffic delays around the Staines Road/Hospital Bridge Road/ Sixth Cross Road junction are set to progress to construction, with work in the in the service road intended to start in the first week of March, with the wider junction improvements following in the summer.

• 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.

• 17 places in TWICKENHAM and ST MARGARET'S have joined the scheme:Alexander Pope;Arthur's on The Green;Barmy Arms;Bloomsbury; Cabbage Patch; Cambridge Gardens Café; Civic Centre; Cricket Pavilion;Crown; The George; Kentucky Fried Chicken; Orleans Garden Café (summer only); Orleans House Gallery; St Margarets Public House; Twickenham Library; Waitrose; and the York House Gardens urinals.

• The Borough's 90 Community Toilets

• [From COMMENTS Winter 2009-10]:KNELLER Gardens has been a hive of activity since the start of September, with the council hard at work to complete the refurbishment of the pavilion before Christmas and install a new cycle path and Kingfisher Bridge over the River Crane. The new pavilion will include a café kiosk for the many visitors to the park and play areas. Interest has already been expressed by a local youth charity, with the support of Friends of Kneller Gardens, to make this a base for youth activities. The youth centre would provide a safe, secure space for older children andyoung people. Cllr Piers Allen commented: "Many residents want more activities for young people in the area, so this is a welcome initiative that is receiving good support from young people and park users - the Lib Dem team will do all we can to make this happen."

• Traffic Speeding in CROSS ROADS: The results of a recent survey highlights a reduction in traffic speeds across the Cross Roads area since the introduction of new traffic calming measures. There has been a marked reduction in speeds recorded in First Cross Road and a small reduction in Fifth Cross Road, the two most affected roads. The scheme as a whole has helped heighten drivers' awareness that they are entering a residential area and has helped to contribute to lower vehicle speeds. 85 per cent of traffic is now recorded at speeds of less than 25 mph. This is particularly encouraging given the number of schools in the vicinity. The team are continuing to campaign for the area to be designated a 20 mph zone to reduce vehicle speeds further for the benefits of residents and school children. If you have any views on this let us know.

• A316 Underpass Victory: VINCE Cable MP has won a clear undertaking from Transport for London(TfL) to replace the underpass under the A316 Chertsey Road, which was the scene of a horrific crime, with a toucan crossing between Meadway and Jubilee Avenue. TfLwill be consulting residents on the placing of the Toucan crossing in the coming months and hope the work will take place in 2010/11. The underpass will then be sealed up.

• Former Mayor Raises £26,000 for Charity: Local Councillor HELEN LEE-PARSONS, Mayor during 2008-9, has presented cheques for £10,483 each to the Alzheimer's Society, and Richmond Homes for Life Trust. £5,241 was also donated to the REACT charity. "We had a very successful year fundraising and intend to continue our efforts into the future, " said Helen. Helen also facilitates Richmond Homes' "Look & Plan Club", which is for people with learning difficulties and special needs.

• Lib Dems secure £1.1 million of investment forplaygrounds: KNELLER GARDENS is one of 11 parks to receive a share in £1.1 million investment in borough playgrounds as part of the Government's Play Builder Programme to improve natural play spaces for children and young people. Money will be used to enhance the exciting play area and create new adventurous play facilities using natural materials such as wood, water and sand. Consultation with community groups is currently underway: find out more and have your say at:http://www.richmondplaybuilderconsultation.co.uk

• Further consultation on HOSPITAL BRIDGE ROAD: Additional measures for stage 2 of the improvements to reduce vehicle speeds in the Hospital Bridge Road slip road will shortly be going out to residents and local businesses - Contact Helen, Piers or Munira if you have any concerns to share.

From Comments Summer 2009: • OUR last issue of Comments urged local residents to vote for Crane Valley Park to win funding from the Mayor of London's Priority Parks Programme. With over 6,000 votes, Crane Valley Park received the highest number of votes out of the 47 parks nominated for 10 grants. The park will receive £400,000 which will help fund river restoration works and the creation of a bridge to link the two boroughs of Richmond upon Thames and Hounslow within the park. New paths, bins and signage will also be introduced, along with continuation of the existing "carved bench project". The grant will also contribute towards the fundingof two new cross-borough roles of Park Development Officer and Park Ranger.

Cllr Piers Allen said, "We are absolutely delighted with the result and are very excited about the improvements this fantastic cash boost will deliver for Crane Valley Park". Cllr Munira Wilson added, "Thank you to all the residents who voted for the park and a particularly special thank you to FORCE - Friends of the River Crane Environment - for all their hard work in making this bid a success." Richmond will be working closely with Hounslow on the project and initial discussions are already underway. Cash boost for Crane Park Thank you for supporting our local area

• CPZ consultation starting soon: Following complaints about pressure on parking on rugby and other event days at theRFU, residents in the following roads will shortly be consulted on whether they would like an event day controlledparking zone: Mereway, Andover, Camac, Briar, Meadway, College Crescent, Post Lane, College Close; Devon Ave, Dorset Way, Wiltshire Gardens, Lincoln Avenue, Selkirk Road, Hereford Gardens, Gloucester Rd. At the same time, residents will be asked whether they would also like their road to be considered for a daytime CPZ, and if so, their preferred hours of operation.

Event day parking permits are currently free of charge. Daytime CPZs have a cost attached to the permits, depending on the hours of operation and the CO2 emissions of the car for which a permit is purchased. Please note that this is a consultation, and progress on plans for either the event day or daytime CPZ will be dependent on the outcome. If the majority of residents in any particular road wish to have a daytime CPZ, there will be a second stage consultation to firm up hours of operation and zone boundaries.

• Local councillors have secured traffic calming measures for the treacherous slip road at the junction of Hospital Bridge Road and Staines Road, whilst ensuring trade to the Fulwell Park parade shops is not affected. Initial plans to improve safety included a proposal to make part of the slip road by the shops one way, which could have had a negative impact on trade. Councillors made sure both residents' and traders' views were represented at a meeting of the Transport Consultative Group where traffic schemes are discussed. It was decided to install the proposed speed cushions to slow down traffic but the slip road will remain two way.

Cllr Munira Wilson said, "I am delighted that our long campaign to make the slip road safer has finally paid off. For too long, residents and shoppers have felt unsafe as cars have cut through at high speed. The speed humps, as well as the future planned improvements to the junction, will deter rat-runners and cut speed without harming trade". Further proposals to improve traffic flow at the Staines Road/Hospital Bridge Road/Sixth Cross Road junction will be consulted on later this year. The traffic lights are also due to be upgraded.

• UPDATE: Kneller Gardens Improvements: The refurbishment of the pavilion in Kneller Gardens is due for completion later this summer. A community-sponsored consultation process is due to get underway shortly to explore what youth activities could be developed in the Kneller Gardens/Crane Park area. Consultation with park users is being conducted by Friends of Kneller Gardens and Richmond Youth Partnership - both questionnaires will shortly be available at www.richmondyouth.org.uk.

Cllr Piers Allen commented: "I would urge park users and residents, and especially young people, to show their interest in the possible youth activities that could be run from the site - these could include sport and environmental activity sessions run with RYP youth workers and a drop-in centre for young people". Cllr Piers Allen added, "The council is always being asked to develop more activities for young people in the Twickenham area - here's your chance to have your say and help make it happen!".

• Local police liaison group The next chances to raise community safety and policing issues with the Safer Neighbourhood Team will be on 9th September and 9th December at 7.30 pm at Waldegrave School.

• Area Consultation Meeting: A public meeting with the West Twickenham councillors to discuss local issues raised by residents, including feedback on community priorities raised at the last ACM: the provisional date is 3rd December 2009 starting at 7:15 pm, in Rivermeads Hall, Staines Road, Twickenham (near Shell petrol station).

• [From COMMENTS Winter 2008-9]: CRANE Valley Park, which runs through the heart of Twickenham, is on a shortlist for Mayoral funding. There are 47 parks on the shortlist, but it will be cut to 10. Only the parks that receive the most public votes will get the grants of up to £400,000. West Twickenham Lib Dem councillors are urging residents to cast their vote for the park to secure the cash injection. Cllr Munira Wilson said, "I've already texted in my vote. The much-needed money will help improve safety, signage, footpaths & cycle paths and the wildlife habitat. A new footbridge across the river and carved benches will also be funded. This is a fantastic opportunity for residents to secure improvements for our park."

• POSSIBLE ice rink on Twickenham Green? There were requests for a temporary ice rink on the Green in January. Many local residents contacted councillors after the suggestion was made by a local business. Cllr Munira Wilson said, "Local councillors supported residents who thought an ice rink would be a good idea. However there were concerns raised about the conditions of the grass after the damage caused by the heavy rain after the circus event last year". It was decided to wait adequate time for the green to recover and local residents to be consulted fully.

• IMPROVING safety on the Glebe Estate : Following vandalism of cars in the poorly lit turning circle on Glebe Way in the Glebe Gardens estate, local councillors have secured funding for a new lamppost. It will shortly be installed, and will be trialled for an energy efficiency scheme that will see the light dimmed between 1 am and 5 am. Councillors are also working with the local Safer Neighbourhood Team following deliberate fires in the bin sheds during the firework season. If you have a local crime hotspot or safety issue in your area, and would like some help trying to tackle it, please get in touch with your local councillors. Making our area safer is one of our top priorities. Please get in touch using the details below.

• STAINES Road repaved: Election promise delivered: Local councillors promised residents that the footway along Staines Road between Court Close Avenue and Glebe Way would be re-paved - the pavement on the residential side is in a general state of disrepair. After years of campaigning for funds, local councillors have secured money for a complete resurfacing, with work scheduled to start in February. The surface will match the new pavement on the golf course side of the road. Cllr Munira Wilsonsaid, "I'm delighted that we have finally secured the re-paving work. The footway is in a terrible state, with the elderly and those with pushchairs often struggling to walk on the uneven and cracked slabs and tarmac". Safety Scheme A safety scheme was installed last year to improve road users safety on Staines Road between the Shell garage and the Amida leisure centre. The Council will formally review the measures in March. Please give us your feedback on whether or not you feel the scheme has improved safety and why.

• JUNCTION to get safety makeover: The Hospital Bridge Road/Staines Road junction and slip road is to be made safer for all. Local Lib Dem councillors have been campaigning long and hard with residents for the safety measures. The measures will be installed on the dangerous slip road by the parade of shops on the corner of Hospital Bridge Road and Staines Road. Along with a raised table, part of the slip road is to be made one-way to stop impatient drivers using it as a rat-run and making the road safer for pedestrians. The council is also proposing to make the whole junction safer for motorists by separating the opposed right turn movements from Sixth Cross Road and Hospital Bridge Road from other traffic movements. Cyclists will benefit from improvements with better access to existing crossing facilities at the traffic lights and the provision of cycle stands in the slip- road. Consultation with local residents took place in November and December. Residents' views will be taken into account and plans will be reviewed accordingly. The proposals will then go before theCabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking (Cllr Trigg) at a public meeting, at which members of the public and councillors can make representations. If you have concerns or queries that you would like addressed or want to comment on the scheme, please do get in touch with Piers, Munira or Helen.

• KNELLER Gardens: The refurbishment of the pavilion is now moving ahead. Builders are expected to be on site in March, with completion of the works in May, including new lavatories, changing rooms with showers, and a refreshment kiosk. The Friends ofKneller Gardens have worked closely with the Council's Parks Department and ward Councillors to bring this scheme to fruition, together with other enhancements to the park, including new benches, spring bulb planting and a tree replacement programme.

• RECYCLING: There have been changes to therecycling scheme. These changes have been introduced after problems with bags blowing away and increased litter after collections. "We are always looking at ways to increase levels ofrecycling. Richmond Council now recycle over 40% of waste, "said Cllr Piers Allen.

• MONTHLY Council Surgeries: The West Twickenham councillors hold monthly surgeries for constituents to come and raise issues on a one to one, confidential basis. 11th April 10.30-11.30 am: Cricket Pavilion, Twickenham Green.

• [Jan 30]: Councillors Deliver Road Safety Whilst Protecting Local Businesses