2010 News:
- [Autumn 2010] Cllr J-F Burford writes: 5 MONTHS ON...Since the election back in May, I have been working with residents and council officers to try and resolve local issues; some personal and specific to individuals, others that affect Kew Ward as a whole.
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These include: liaising with TfL, residents and KRA to stop the cutting down of 5 trees along the Mortlake Road; repairing street lights across the ward; getting involved in social housing needs; trying to help stop the over-development of the Inland Revenue site and looking into the removal of dangerous bus stops and road crossings. |
I have also been working on some new initiatives, which include setting up a farmers market in the village, getting residents involved in building a community garden in North Road and looking at the possibility of creating a youth music festival at the Old Deer Park. In addition, I have been out with our community police officers to see first-hand how they are safeguarding our streets and helping to reduce crime. |
- AS shadow spokesperson for arts, sports and libraries in the borough, I have met up with the council department heads and organisations responsible for delivering a full and diverse programme of events and activities across the borough. My aim is to continue to serve the people of Kew and make a difference to our community by getting involved in issues and initiatives that matter to you. To follow my progress, visit my blog at kewlibdems.org.uk .
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- NORTH Road triangle: a proposed design for a community garden is in consultation at the moment. The design was donated by Land Girls. If you have not yet seen the design go to the junction of North Road and High Park Avenue and the plans are on the old fence. Alternatively, you can go towww.richmond.gov.uk.
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- FARMERS Market In Kew Village: At the moment the capital set up cost for a farmers market is TOO high For the market to go ahead. I am organising another meeting with the council andKew Society and London Farmers Market to see how we can resolve the issue and have a trial market for the spring.
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- SHOULD Kew AllotmentsBe Able To Feed Kew? Local residents have been asking if our individualallotmentscould be run as a co-operative where the vegetables and fruit grown could then be sold to the local community. What do you think?
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- CYCLE Hire In Kew: The council have introduced their own cycle hire scheme at Richmond Station called Bike N Ride. Daily charge is £10 or weekend rate £25. Should Kew join the scheme? Or link up with Barclays Bicycle Hire?
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- MORTLAKE Road: I have asked for the placement of the crossing and bus stops at the junction of Taylor Avenue and West Hall Road to be moved after residents complained that they were dangerous to pedestrians. Again I am waiting for a reply but will keep you informed on the progress.
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- LIBRARIES Under Review: I have had discussions with council officers about the possibility of our borough libraries being in danger of being closed due to the Government cut backs. All the libraries in the borough are under review and that includes Kew Library. I will keep you posted.
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- THE Kew Safer Neighbourhood are looking for street coordinators. To get involved call Sgt Tim Webb: 07879 433392 or 8721 2930.
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- [April 2010]: CYCLE racks for Kew Station: The Lib Dems are campaigning to get improvements for cyclists at Kew station. Local campaigner George Crozier, has written to council Cabinet member for transport, Cllr David Trigg, to ask for better bicycle parking at the station. George said, "At the moment there just are not enough places for cyclists to park their bicycles before getting on the train. "With more and more people trying to travel in an environmentally friendly way, we need to make it as easy as possible for people to do their bit." "That's why I'm asking the council to install more bicycle racks." Please do let the Lib Dem team know if there are any other improvements you would like to see at the station.
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- CAR Club review - let us know your views: JF Burford writes: The Lib Dem team want to know your views about the car club places in Kew. There are 7 bays in Kew (operated by three companies): on Kew Green, Station Parade, Gainsborough Road, The Avenue, North Road, Kew Gardens Road and Lichfield Road. The scheme has been hugely successful across the borough, letting people cut their pollution. Research shows that each car club car replaces between 6 and 20 privately owned vehicles. Car clubs are privately operated 'pool cars' and members of the club can book a car as little as an hour before use. Bookings can be for an hour, for 2 to 3 days or longer and is cheaper than conventional car hire.
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- NORTH Road Improvements: Cllr Serge Lourie writes: Work to upgrade the footway and cycleway at the junction of the A316 and North Road is currently taking place. It affects North Road, Orchard Road, Market Road, Manor Grove and Bicester Road. I am delighted that Transport for London is improving the cycle route in this part of the ward. "The work is part of our commitment to improvingcycling in the borough." The engineer responsible for these works at TfL is Carl Jones, who can be contacted by email on carl.jones@tfl.gov.uk.
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- LOCAL people let down: 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. Conservatives refuse to back bid to kill off parking charges inRichmond Park for good.
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2009 News:
- [From Comments Winter 2009-10]: NEW year gas works frustration: The local Lib Dem team are frustrated at the lack of notice by National Grid about plans to dig up many of Kew's pavements in the new year. The council were only told about the works to upgrade gas pipes at the end of October. Local campaignerGeorge Crozier said, "We recognise that this work is necessary for safety reasons but I am very unhappy about the short notice National Grid have given us. "Recently refurbished pavements on Bushwood, Priory, Forest and Maze Roads are now going to be dug up again. "If National Grid had given more notice they could have co-ordinated the work." The council is working with National Grid to keep disruption to a minimum, and work has been scheduled to make sure that no one will be left without gas supply overnight. For more information contact the National Grid helpline on 0800 096 5678.
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- NORTH Sheen Pavilion takes shape: Work has started on the £1 million pavilion at North Sheen Recreation ground. When completed it will provide changing facilities for all local young footballers, a club house which will be available for community usage and an office for them Available to whole community It will also have excellent facilities, including a café, that will be available for the whole community. Local campaigner Jean-Francois Burford said, "We are really interested in hearing from community groups who would like to use the building". We want to hear your views about: - How should the facilities be managed? - Should there be a crèche or youth club? - What sort of café should there be?" Please contact Cllr George Beevor or get in touch with J-F Burford, the chair of Kew Park Rangers on 07712 579380 or jfsburford@hotmail.com.
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- IMPROVEMENTS to Kew Triangle: Cllr Serge Lourie has been working with theKew Society, local policeand the hostel in North Road to see if the strip of land by the bridge in High Park Avenue can be tidied up and made an asset for the local community. The site has been an eyesore for many years and has attracted flytipping. Serge Lourie said "I am delighted that these groups are taking the initiative to deal with this site. It is a blot on Kew." "I have been working to see if the council will take responsibility for the site after it has been improved. The improvement work would be undertaken by "Community Payback" scheme, where people convicted of less serious offences give something back to the community.
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- MORTLAKE Road bus stops Local campaigner George Crozier has written to Transport for London to ask for a review of the bus stops and islands in the Mortlake Road. At present they appear to make the road more dangerous than before. George said "I think they been installed without any real thought. I have asked the Chair of theLondon Assembly's Transport Committee to come to Kew and see the problem first hand."
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- COMMUNITY toilet scheme in Kew: One of the popular initiatives started by the Liberal Democrats on Richmond Council has been the Community Toilet Scheme. After a pilot a few years ago, about a hundred toilets in pubs, cafés, and offices around the borough are now open to the public. The Council pays the pub or café £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. In Kew, Kew Gardens Hotel, Marks & Spencers, St Luke's in the Avenue, The Coach and Horses and The Railway have joined the scheme, as have 14 places in Richmond. Just look for the Community Toilet sign outside.
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- From Comments Summer 2009: THE Former Inland Revenue Sorting Office: The Lib Dem team are arguing that an application for the former Inland Revenue site should be rejected as the developer is being greedy and trying to get too much on the site. The application is to build six five storey buildings comprising 111 self-contained flats and maisonettes, an 80 room care home, commercial/office space of 15,000 sq ft and car parking for 168 vehicles at basement level. A decision is expected in September. Your ward councillors consider that this is an overdevelopment of the site and will be arguing that the planning committee turn down the application. Plans would overdevelop the site Cllr Serge Lourie said: "We are working closely with the Kew Residents' Association as we believe that this five storey scheme is an over-development of the site." "We hope that as many people of possible will register their objections." This can be done by email toenvprotection@richmond.gov.uk. You can also write toDevelopment Control, LB Richmond upon Thames, Civic Centre, Twickenham TW1 3BZ. The reference is 09/0610 (141)
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- KEW Liberal Democrats are continuing their campaign to get Tesco to go plastic bag-free. The team was out in Kew at one of their regular first Saturday street surgeries collecting signatures for a petition to persuade Tesco to stop handing free plastic bags to shoppers. Store should follow the example of other local shops Cllr Serge Lourie has written to Terry Leahy, Tesco CEO, to ask him to change the system in Kew and follow the example of Marks and Spencer at the retail park where people are expected to bring their own bags. Cllr Shas Sheehan said "We want to persuade Tesco that saving the environment is important and that they should stop handing out disposal plastic bags to all shoppers." Local resident, George Crozier, said "I strongly support this campaign and Greener Kew. "We want to be as environmentally friendly as possible and excess packaging is one area that we can improve."
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- [From Comments Febrary 2009]: GO-AHEAD for North Sheen Pavilion: the Liberal democrat Council has given the go ahead for the North Sheen pavilion with young players from the team.The new pavilion will be built on the footprint of the existing derelict building and has already receivedplanning consent. Cllr Serge Lourie said; "We are delighted that his project is, at last going ahead." "One of our key pledges was to provide better facilities for young people in the borough and this will definitely be an enormous asset to Kew and to the borough."
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Jean-Francois Burford, Chair of Kew Park Rangers, said: "We are delighted that the pavilion is at last going to be built. It has been a long process but it will be an enormous benefit to the local community and to KPR". "We are extremely grateful to the Football Foundation , which is investing over £600,000 in this project; the council for its investment of £300,000; and the parents of the footballers, who have contributed £50,000." The council is going out to tender for the project, and work is due to start in April 2009, with the new facilities due to open at the end of April 2010. |
- FORMER Inland Revenue Sorting Office: Parkway properties have been consulting local residents about their plans to redevelop the old Inland Revenue Sorting Office, adjacent to the National Archive The plans would include four storey blocks of flats, some offices, a care home and possibly a local shop. They will be putting in a planning application later this year. Serge Lourie, who was shown round the site by the owners, said: "Clearly this site needs to be redeveloped as it is a key site in an important part of Kew. I think we will need to study the plans once they have been submitted, but I would be interested to hear what local residents think."
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- 18 STATION Parade: A proposal to build a single storey retail unit and office space under the listed bridge over the railway has been turned down by the Council. The Kew Residents' Association are opposing the proposal as it involves the demolition of a listed small brick outbuilding. Cllr George Beevor would be interested in hearing your views oncllr.gbeevor@richmond.gov.ukor 07946 608681. You can see the plans on the Council website at www.richmond.gov.uk. The references are 08/3373/LBC and 08/3372/FUL
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- TESCO still refuses to go plastic bag-free: Kew became one of the first places in London to banish plastic bags from shops when eco- friendly traders launched the scheme. Cllr Shas Sheehan said; "I am really pleased that the scheme has proved so popular. Now several shops have even produced their own Hessian bags, including Pethers the butchers who are always happy to exhibit phots of their bags in exotic locations! However, not all shops are co- operating. Cllr Serge Lourie said; "In spite of promises at the time, Tesco remains solidly indifferent to the scheme and continues to offer free plastic bags to customers." Kew Councillors areplanning a potential demonstration on 2nd May outside Tesco in Kew to put pressure on them to go plastic bag-free. Can you join us? Emailcllr.slourie@richmond.gov.uk or contact by phone on 020 8876 3545. Join the protest
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- SANDYCOMBE Road to get flashing speed sign: It will flash a 30 miles per hour slow down warning to vehicles coming too fast from the A316. This is following concerns from residents and councillors about speeding here. Cllr George Beevor, who has campaigned against excessive speed said "I think this will be a real benefit to local residents." "Signs of this type are used across the borough and have been very effective in improving road safety."
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2008:
- [Comments July 2008]: KEW goes plastic bag-free: From 1st July, shops in Kew will no longer give out free disposable plastic bags. Shoppers will, instead, be encouraged to reuse bags, or if they get caught short, to buy one that can be reused and does not damage the environment. Susan Kramer MP, who has lent her support to the campaign, said, "It is great to see the impact that local action to protect our environment can have. "Kew going plastic bag-free is a positive step. I would like to congratulate the Steering Group, the Kew Society and local traders for making this possible. It is really good news." Plastic bags take 400 years to degrade, and Britain alone uses eight billion a year. Cllr Shas Sheehan, a member of the Steering Group said, "I am delighted that local traders and residents have taken on board the need to protect our environment." The Liberal Democrat Council has also helped this initiative by making some funds available to help pay for the sustainable bags that the traders will be selling.
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- MP challenges new Mayor to halt TfL Pagoda Avenue bus stop plans: Susan Kramer MP has written to Boris Johnson demanding that he intervene to stop the plans to move the Pagoda Avenue bus stop. "These plans would mean the loss of a loading bay that is vital to local traders, and are really unpopular with local people," said Susan Kramer MP. "Without the loading bay, local shops will really struggle, and local people who presently walk to the shopping parade will have to drive to the nearest supermarket." Local traders have already collected thousands of signatures against the plans. Susan Kramer MP will continue to fight until these plans are scrapped once and for all.
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- LIB Dem Council takes Heathrow battle to court: Lib Dems stand up for residents over night-flights The council fought for an end to night- flights before 6 am. Councillor Serge Lourie said, "Residents across the borough are fed up with suffering the noise and disruption to their sleep from night-flights." The Government is ignoring its own policy directive which requires it to bear down on noise. "The current night-flight programme is means hours of noise through the night, and I am delighted to be fighting for local people against night-flights." While the High Court rejected the bid, local Liberal Democrats will continue to fight plans for Heathrow expansion.
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- THOUSANDS say 'NO' to Heathrow: Thousands of people from across London joined forces to protest against Heathrow expansion. Local Liberal Democrats attended en masse and Susan Kramer MP addressed the rally. "Gordon Brown and Ruth Kelly would have to be deaf not to have heard the loud, resounding "NO" which was carried live on TV," said Susan Kramer MP. "It is time for Gordon Brown to show some leadership and ditch these plans." Unfortunately the new London Mayor pulled out of the rally at the last moment as he was on holiday in Turkey.
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- Would you like a 'No Heathrow Expansion' car sticker? If you would like one, would you please email John Kirchner on jkirchner@btinternet.com stating your name and address. Alternatively, you can leave a message on 8948 5755, but contact via email would be preferable.
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2007 & previous years:
- From COMMENTS July 2007: Lib Dems invest in local services : After one year the Liberal Democrats are investing millions of pounds in key services for local people. Money from Council Tax reserves is being invested in improving secondary schools, the environment and facilities for young people. Despite already being the lowest spending council in London, the Liberal Democrats have managed to make additional savings of over £4.5m to keep Council Tax down and pay for key service improvements. The increase in Council Tax was only 0.3% above inflation compared to the Tories who in 2003 increased total Council Tax by 15.6% (12.7% above inflation).
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Here are some of the things which are being invested in: The introduction of improved recycling services from November 2007 including doorstep cardboard and plastics collections (£750,000). Extra youth services. An extra £250,000 per year. A new sustainability team to reduce the Council's energy use (£100,000). £0.5m on youth club refurbishment. The Lib Dems have also found extra money to meet the growing need for care services for older people and those with learning difficulties (£900,000), the needs of children in care (£400,000) and with special educational needs (£300,000). |
The surplus reserves built up by the Conservatives will be invested over the next four years on: £20 million on our secondary school buildings, over and above the £24m already planned for Teddington School. £3.5m on setting up the new recycling service. A new £1 million fund to help tackle climate change A new £1 million fund for new youth facilities. A new £400,000 economic development fund to help local businesses and high streets. In the run up to the local elections last year, the Liberal Democrats promised to invest money in local services. The Liberal Democrats have kept their promises. |
- MP demands council tax fair deal: Ministers have sparked anger amongst local residents by cutting Richmond and Kingston's grant from central government, forcing up council tax and threatening local services. Richmond Park MP has hit back with a new campaign for a fair Council Tax deal for Richmond Park constituency, launching it with a debate in the House of Commons in February. Speaking in Parliament Square to a rally of local residents who travelled to Westminster to back the campaign, Susan Kramer said:
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"Richmond is already the worst funded borough in London. This latest cut is an insult to tax payers. Richmond is one of the best value for money boroughs in the country but because of government cuts it has been forced to increase Council Tax." For 2007/2008 Richmond received £126.08 funding per head of the population compared to £499.75 for the average London borough. While Richmond received just £24 m neighbouring Hounslow and Fulham received £110.06 m and Wandsworth a staggering £136.9 m. Councillor Anna Davies said "Please sign our petition against this unfair tax at www.susankramer.org.uk". Council tax was introduced by the Conservatives and has been supported by Labour. The Lib Dems believe it is an unfair tax and should be scrapped. |
- TORIES slammed over night flight claims: The Conservatives have found themselves in hot water with anti- Heathrow campaigners after making false accusations against local MP Susan Kramer in their literature. They falsely claimed that Susan voted against lifting a night flight ban in the House of Commons. This was completely untrue. Chair of independent anti-aviation group HACAN, John Stewart, set the record straight in a letter to the local papers (See right). The consultation on Heathrow expansion has been delayed yet again until September. To receive updates and to say "No 2More planes" register at www.susankramer.org.uk
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John Stewart [Chair HACAN]: 'Both the Richmond MP Susan Kramer, and Vincent Cable, the Twickenham MP, have been accused of voting against a cap on night flights. Not only is this accusation false, but both MPs have been staunch and consistent campaigners against further expansion of Heathrow for many years. HACAN, a non-party political organisation, does not get involved in party politics, but is saddened that these accusations have been made. One of the features of the last few years has been the unity that has developed amongst all the political parties in West London, all supporting a ban on night flights, the retention of runway alternation and opposing proposals for a third runway. We need to retain that unity if we are to succeed. Accusations like these do nothing to help our cause.' |
- Richmond tops 'value for money' lists: Lib Dem Richmond Council is among the best in the country for providing value for money services for local residents says the latest Audit Commission Report. The January 2007 findings also state that overall satisfaction with the Council is improving under the Lib Dems.
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- Recycling improvements: Doorstep plastic bottle and cardboard recycling is being introduced in November. The Lib Dems are also currently trialing recycling for small businesses and shops. More than 100 businesses have already signed up to weekly collections of cardboard, paper and mixed glass. Approximately 12% of waste produced nationally comes from commerce compared to 9% for domestic households.
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- FEBRUARY 2007: Councillors George Beevor, Serge Lourie and Shas Sheehan have raised concerns over the essential flood defence repair work. Susan Kramer will be raising the issue in Parliament in the coming months.
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| FROM COMMENTS Winter 2007: Council launch 2M Group: Richmond Council Leader and Kew councillor Serge Lourie, is a founding member of a powerful new lobby group comprising Councils battling airport growth. The new alliance will represent the 2 million people affected by Heathrow expansion and has drawn its name from this fact: 2M. Councils represented at the inaugural meeting included Richmond, Wandsworth, Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea. · · · Cllr Lourie said "Local Councils have a duty to speak up for residents and defend their quality of life, and we will leave the Government in no doubt about our opposition to expansion plans." |
- HEATHROW update: What the Government says and what the Government does are two different things when it comes to climate change. The Government wants to cut CO2 emissions 60% by 2050 but in welcoming the Eddington Report ( by former Chief Executive of British Airways Sir Rod Eddington) which supported airport expansion, the government is giving the green light to aviation's role as the fastest growing contributor to CO2 emissions. That means: • an end to runway alternation (which just about makes the noise bearable); • a 3rd runway; • a terminal 6; and: • a threat of increased night flights from 2012. · · ·
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All leading to a substantial increase in the total number of planes. The long awaited consultation on runway alternation (aka mixed-mode) is likely to take place this year, although we have no idea when. We believe the delay is due to the fact that further expansion of Heathrow would contravene the limits of NOX pollution levels set by the EU; the Government and BAA are frantically trying to find alternative methods to measure these emissions to show them in amore favourable light. · · · Your Kew councillors are ready and waiting for the date to be announced so they can spring into action by organising events and petitions to show the level of concern by Kew residents should any of these measures be accepted. |
- WE need a better tube service!: Kew Liberal Democrats are campaigning to encourage improvements to the service on the Richmond branch of the District Line. Councillor George Beevor, who like many Kew Residents commutes to and from the City of London five days a week, said "Since the change of administration in May, relations between the London Borough of Richmond and Transport for London have improved significantly, and real progress has been made, however the District Line service to Richmond has experienced rather too many delays and cancellations in recent months, making life difficult, not just for Kew's commuters but for all people who choose to use the line as an alternative to getting in the car." It is hoped that working with London Underground and all the other interested companies to highlight the needs of Kew and Richmond as well as the concerns of the users of the line, will help identify areas where improvements can be made.
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- COUNCILLORS discuss Kew Gardens: Kew Councillors recently met Kew Gardens' new Director, Professor Stephen Hopper, who took over from Professor Sir Peter Crane in October last year to discuss with him some of the issues that local residents have raised regarding Kew Gardens' commercial activities.
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- FLOOD RISK FAILURE: In March 2003 a study undertaken by the Environment Agency, which is responsible for managing flood risk from the River Thames, identified flood defences within the Kew embankment that were in poor condition and in need of attention. The section between Watcombe Cottages and the Priory Bowling Green is the one that is causing most concern and in the words of the Environment Agency "If we allow the condition of the defence to deteriorate, the embankment could be eroded by river flows making it more unstable. Failure of the embankment would leave defended areas vulnerable to frequent flooding. We cannot allow this to happen." This urgent repair work was due to have taken place early this year but has now been postponed for a year, with no guarantee that it will be carried out in 2008. Given the uncertainty we face with rising sea water levels, more extreme and unpredictable weather due to Climate Change this seems to us to be an irresponsible decision and one that cannot be allowed to prevail unchallenged.
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