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Page 2: Comments and news from 2010 - 2006
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2010 News:
- NORTH Sheen footbridge plans: Plans for the new footbridge at North Sheen have been submitted to Richmond Council. Network Rail agreed to build the footbridge after a long campaign by the Lib Dem team and local residents. Councillor Celia Hodges said, "This will be such a relief to local residents who have regularly seen people risking their lives by climbing over the barriers here." The plans for the bridge have now been submitted to the Council, and local residents will already have received a letter informing them of the plans. You can view the plans online at www.richmond.gov.uk, reference10/0648/FUL. They will also be on display at Richmond Reference Library and the Civic Centre.
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- THANKS to your Lib Dem Council, the Windham Road, Raleigh Road Recreation area is having a makeover. The Council is developing a state of the art play area in North Richmond, which will be ready for April 1st this year. Work on the paths, landscaping and dry river bed has already been completed at the play area next to the Croft Centre. It will soon also have a large next-swing, wheelchair see-saw and dry river bed. Councillor Celia Hodges said, "So far, the installations look amazing, and once the work is completed it will be a lovely area for families to bring children."
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- NEW youth facilities planned for Richmond: The Lib Dem Council is working on plans for a new dedicated youth facility in Richmond town centre. James Bertin said, "The Lib Dems made investing in youth services a priority since they took over at the town hall, and increased youth funding to the London average." "It will be great to see a youth centre accessible to young people from North Richmond." A potential site has been identified, and consultation with young people and other stakeholders is now taking place. It is hoped that the venue will be up and running in late 2010.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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2009 News:
- POOL NEWS: Significant improvements have taken place at Pools on the Park in North Richmond. The indoor pool has been re-tiled and the new café - Austin's - continues to serve excellent food and drinks to the centre's users. Additionally, the490 bus goes to the pool, and, at the other end, to Heathrow Terminal 5. This provides an efficient public transport services for staff, residents and users of the pool. Local campaigner James Bertin said "Pools on the Park is a wonderful resource for the whole of the Borough and is based in North Richmond. "Residents are able to use the pools, café, gym and other facilities, as well as the 490 bus.
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- BUS news: North Richmond Lib Dems are calling on London Mayor Boris Johnson to stop the endless delays and get work started to moving the 371 bus stop to Sainsburys. The Lib Dem team have received repeated assurances that the work would be completed. But nothing has happened! Lib Dem GLA Member Caroline Pidgeon raised the issue directly with the London Mayor, only to be told that residents would be waiting until April 2010 for the work to be completed. As Comments went to print there was still no clear date for work to begin. Cllr Celia Hodges said, "We have had promises made and broken time and time again on this issue. "We fully share the frustration of residents around Dee Road who are still suffering noisy buses day and night and have been waiting far too long for work to start."
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- CAR Club Success: The Council's innovative Car Club scheme is going from strength to strength with over 2000 people signing up as members. In North Richmond, the car club bays in Selwyn Avenue, Old Deer Parkand Manor Park have been very successful. An additional bay is proposed for Tangier Road. Cllr Jane Dodds said, "The Car Club success has shown that residents, particularly those in North Richmond, are committed to looking at ways of reducing their carbon emissions as well as saving money during the recession."
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- ROAD news: improvement works update Improvement works at Richmond Circus, Kew Road, Lower Mortlake Road and Clifford Avenue are progressing well. The improvement works at Richmond Circus to date have provided excellent facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as much improved traffic signage around the roundabout. Cllr Jane Dodds said, "It is anticipated that the works will be totally complete by the end of December."
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- BRIDGE news: North Sheen footbridge Network Rail are working on potential designs for the new footbridge at North Sheen station. Network Rail agreed to build a new footbridge after a long campaign by the Liberal Democrat team in response to residents' concerns about safety. We will keep you updated on developments.
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- From Comments Summer 2009: RICHMOND Circus Roadworks: Local residents will be aware that extensive roadworks are now ongoing on Richmond Circus at the end of Kew Road, Twickenham Road and Lower Richmond Road. Works on the roundabout and the Kew-bound pavement will result in a much improved traffic- flow and safer routes for cyclists. Every effort is being made to keep disruption to a minimum, but please do contact your local councillors or Susan KramerMP should there be any problems you would like them to take up. The Lib Dem team want to make sure disruption is kept to a minimum during the Richmond Circus roadworks. You can express your views by writing to Transport and Works Act Orders Unit, Zone 9/09, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DT or emailingtransportandworksact@dft.gov.uk
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- SHENE School: The Council is re- opening its search for a new sponsor for the academy at Shene School. The Government has made it clear that unless the decision on the new sponsor is made quickly, the money for Shene will not be safeguarded. Local MP Susan Kramer wants to make sure that the community is fully engaged in the way forward for Shene. "The new sponsor needs to earn the trust of the community and parents," said the MP "I will be stressing to the new sponsor, that they must reach out to parents, governors and the wider community to listen to their views." The Lib Dem team will keep you posted on the latest news and progress on the academies plan. • Airtrack plans latest BAA has announced that it intends to push ahead with plans for a high speed link between Heathrow and Waterloo. The plans mean that level crossings in our area will be down for up to 45 minutes in an hour. Cllr Celia Hodges said, "This will have a terrible effect on already congested traffic in our area." It is vital that people object to the plans during the consultation period.
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- CAR Clubs come to Richmond: The Lib Dem team are pleased at the success of the car club scheme in the borough. Car clubs were introduced in the spring and allow people to book a car to use when they need it. Local campaigner Martin Pierce said "Bookings can be for an hour, for 2 to 3 days or longer and is cheaper than conventional car hire." You can book online or by phone, and payment is by the hour and/or miles travelled. Further Car Clubs spaces in the ward are at Manor Park, Selwyn Avenue, The Avenue (near Thornycroft Court) and Old Deer ParkGardens and further information on Car Clubs can be found by e-mailing: highwaysandtransport@richmon d.gov.uk
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- AFTER a long campaign by the Lib Dem team, there is now a bus route that goes toPools on the Park. Cllr Jane Dodds said, "It is excellent that people will now be able to use the bus to get to the pool quickly and easily." On June 16th, the No. 490 bus, which goes all the way to Heathrow Terminal 5, started operating from the new bus stand in Pools on the Park. Bus toPools on the Park at last! Cllr Jane Dodds, Martin Pierce and Celia Hodges with one of the buses that now stops at Pools on the Park.
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- CLIFFORD Avenue Roadworks Work to replace Victorian water mains on Clifford Avenue is due to start on 27th July. The roadworks are due to last four weeks. During this time Clifford Avenue will be one-way traffic (East Sheen to Kew), with traffic from the Kew direction diverted across Chiswick Bridge. Lorries will be diverted from Chalkers Corner via Chiswick, Fulham, and Putney. Please do contact the Lib Dem team if you have any problems during this time.
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- NORTH Sheen footbridge update Network Rail has secured funding for the footbridge, and is now working on plans for the footbridge and its location. It is anticipated that the bridge will be sited at the Manor Road side of the station. The Lib Dem team will keep you updated as we find out more detail about the plans.
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- POOLS on the Park: Work to resurface the Pools on the Park car park has now been completed. The project also created a much a much needed bus service directly to Richmond's swimming pool. A bus will be going straight into the car park, making it much easier for local residents to access this valued leisure facility. The next stage of the work will start very soon to create a safe junction with the A316 to the swimming pool.
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- CAFE Matthiae: Your local Liberal Democrat Councillors and activists are keeping an eye on the progress with the development of this iconic listed building in North Richmond. Café Matthiae has lain derelict and abandoned for over 8 years. Last year planning permission was granted to develop it into residential and café/restaurant use. We are making sure that Art Deco features are maintained and that its development will not increase carparking pressure in the area.
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- CELEBRATIONS as TfL Plans To Move Bus Stop Scrapped: Local Liberal Democrats, residents and traders are celebrating the success of a long campaign to stop a bus stop being moved near Pagoda Avenue. Traders had expressed concern about plans to move the bus stop into a loading bay serving the parade of shops near Pagoda Avenue.Transport for London [TfL] is now to look for an alternative scheme to improve the accessibility of the bus stop without losing the loading bays. Susan Kramer commented: "This really is a victory for a hard-fought local campaign. "After months of pressure,Transport for London has finally listened to the overwhelming opposition to these plans and realised that the loss of the loading bay would have harmed the local shops."
Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking, Cllr David Trigg, said: "I am very pleased that TfL has listened to our pleas when conducting a review of this bus stop accessibility scheme. "The retention of the lay-by provides much-needed parking and loading provision for this small parade of shops and the traders can continue to serve the needs of local residents in this borough." Councillor for North Richmond, Celia Hodges said: "Over 700 people signed a petition against the plans, and many attended a packed public meeting against the proposals in January. "This success really is down to the hard work and persistence of the traders and local community in keeping up the pressure."
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2008:
- [Comments July 2008] RICHMOND Police station is set to close and despite a guarantee that a town centre replacement will be found, we still don't know when the existing site will close or where the replacement will be. Susan Kramer MP said, "We are concerned that the police station is set to close, and a replacement has not yet been identified. The site must be in the town centre with good access for members of the public". Top priority for local council The local Council has been working with the police to make Richmond upon Thames the safest borough in London. Tackling crime and the fear of crime is a top priority for the Lib Dem run council.
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Cllr Celia Hodges said, "A police station in the centre of Richmond is vital. There should be public access to the police where people can report a crime or receive support and assistance should they require it". A modern and publicly accessible police station in the centre of Richmond is just one of the things which will help to keep Richmond safe and reduce the fear of crime. Cllr Jane Dodds added, "Policing priorities for our area are set by local people. If more local people participate in this process the policing priorities will reflect local concerns and help to better tackle local crime issues and hotspots". Local people will get the chance to do this at the next Safer Neighbourhood Police Team meeting which is taking place on July 1st. |
- NOT so 'private' disappointment: Liberal Democrat Councillors Jane Dodds and Celia Hodges have vowed to continue their fight against the sex shop on Kew Road despite the renewal of the licence. Cllr Jane Dodds said, "Once again the licence has been renewed for a further 12 months for Private Lines in Kew Road. Unfortunately the legislation as it currently stands does not permit anything else. We are very disappointed but we will continue to fight on behalf of local residents". Lib Dem Councillors Celia Hodges and Jane Dodds will be looking at ways of continuing to campaign against the Sex Shop, particularly as a new school opens near it in September.
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- LIBERAL Democrat-run Richmond Council has taken Heathrow's owners, BAA, to court in a battle over night- flights. The council fought for an end to night- flights before 6 am. Councillor Celia Hodges 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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- RECYCLING: The Lib Dems have invested millions of pounds into our recycling and waste service. Recycling is now at a record 43%! One of the positive outcomes of the recycling service has been the welcome doorstep collection of cardboard and plastic bottles so that the bring site at Sainsbury's, Manor Road, is no longer the eyesore that it was a year ago! In the meantime, the service is under review so that further improvements can be made. If you experience problems with your rubbish collection then please let us know.
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- 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," she said "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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- THAMES Water Road Closures: The huge programme of pipe renewal has led to persistent problems for residents, with road closures and ensuing traffic and parking problems, It is hoped that the improvements will indeed prove beneficial to all when things finally return to normal. The Council has been closely involved in trying to alleviate residents' concerns where possible.
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- NORTH Sheen Footbridge: If you would like to complete the survey we sent with the last edition of Comments then please contact Susan's office. We need to press Network Rail to reinstate the missing footbridge and the statistics about station use that we can provide are vital to achieve this.
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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. |
- SAFER streets: One of our big successes locally has been our Safer Neighbourhood Team. Since 2005 the local policing has been vastly improved and much more visible. Crime has gone down locally, and we are below the national average here, and well below the London average. Celia, Jane and Marc would like to thank all the police officers involved, particularly PCSO Ivy Davis for the recognition of her work for the community. Susan Kramer MP added, "We will keep crime and personal safety at the top of the local agenda. I will work hard with the local councillors and safer neighbourhood police team to make sure crime and personal safety are a top priority".
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- SPEEDING traffic on the A316: The Liberal Democrats are still pursuing Transport for London (TfL) for more effective signage along the 30 mph stretch of the A316 between Richmond Circus and Chalker's Corner. Your local councillors had another meeting on 29th May with TfL and Council Officers. We have also asked that the bus companies remind their drivers to keep to the 30 mph speed limit.
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- GOOD news at last for the residents of St. George's/Trinity/Bardolph with the go-ahead for a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ). Residents in Sheendale and other nearby roads will have 3 months to consider the impact on their parking which could then be added to the CPZ if this proves necessary. And a resolution to the Raleigh Road problems too with minor adjustments to meet residents' parking needs.
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- Improving the local environment: The recycling facilities at Sainsbury's (Manor Road) are very popular. Richmond Council is working to keep this site clean and tidy. We are informed that the site is visited daily by the street cleansing crews who clear up any overflows of recyclables. The site may become less popular in November. liberal Democrats are introducing doorstep collection of plastic bottles and cardboard, something the Conservatives failed to do. Cllr Jane Dodds said, "The liberal Democrats are keeping their promise on recycling, and making sure that the environment remains at the heart of local decision making".
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- The Liberal Democrats are considering the possibility of discounted water butts to help save resources. Have you got a water butt in your garden? Despite last year's drought Cllr Hodges's was never completely empty.
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- The Liberal Democrats are committed to making our streets greener. The council runs a tree adoption scheme. Cllr Celia Hodges said "If there's a new tree in your street please consider adopting it so that it can survive any hot weather this summer".
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- FROM COMMENTS January 2007: Lib Dems reinforce green credentials: North Richmond held its first Green, Safe and Clean week a few months ago. As a consequence of this initiative and efforts made by your Lib Dem Councillors 985 units (650 square feet) of graffiti were removed, six untaxed vehicles were clamped, three of 23 skips were unlicensed and prosecutions are being pursued, nine warning letters were sent to residents regarding overhanging vegetation from their gardens, there were repairs to six footpaths, two kerbs, one carriageway and one footway crossing. · · · Over 25 parking contraventions were reported during the week, 48 new trees were planted and special attention was given to litter picks, weed clearance, grass cutting and a general tidy up of the ward's parks and open spaces such as the Raleigh Road recreation ground, Tangier Green and the area near Michels Row. · · · Cllr Marc Cranfield-Adams said "We are committed to keeping the ward as green, clean and as pleasant as possible. These 'weeks' are vital to achieving this ambition. If there are any similar issues or concerns you have in your road or local area then please contact us."
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NORTH Richmond Councillors have welcomed the record £9 million package awarded to the Council by Transport for London. Cllr Marc Cranfield-Adams said: "With an allocation of nearly £1 million earmarked for Richmond Town Centre, there is now every possibility that we can introduce some much needed improvements to the area around the railway station, George Street, Eton Street and Red Lion Street to the benefit of all Richmond's visitors". |
- OUR Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) has been working hard in the ward - talking to residents and helping to solve local problems. Both Halloween and Guy Fawkes night were reported as virtually trouble free, unlike previous years. Cllr Celia Hodges said: "We are grateful for the assistance of our SNT on a number of issues and are also pleased to learn that it is now up to full complement."
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- FOLLOWING an appeal against the Grade II Listing, Matthiae's remains listed with an amendment to emphasise the particular interest of the Art Deco façade. Cllr Jane Dodds said: "We are pleased at the result of this appeal and delighted the frontage of this land mark building will be protected."
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- AFTER at least three years of Tory inaction, a solution is on the horizon to the horrendous parking problems in this part of the ward. Consultation documents have gone to residents and businesses seeking their views on a CPZ. It is anticipated that the 371 bus will be re-routed to Sainsbury's and that the bus-stand in Dee Road will go. "I hope this will illustrate that we are a listening council", said Cllr Jane Dodds. "We sought to prioritise the consultation on this CPZ as we were aware of the anxieties of residents over many years." Lib Dems keep their promise New housing proposals for the Old Esso garage site.
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- FOLLOWING a public consultation in May, NHHT (Notting Hill Housing Trust) held an open meeting in November for residents to view revised plans for a mixed housing and commercial development on the site of the former Esso garage on Lower Richmond Road. The revised proposals have taken account of concerns on access to and from the site and the height of the buildings. Cllr Celia Hodges said: "I welcome the proportion of social housing and hope these new plans will be in keeping with residents' wishes and rid us finally of this eye sore."
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- MORE tory lies... Contrary to rumours spread in recent Tory literature, all of your North Richmond Councillors oppose the crazy idea of a bus lane between Sheen Court and Clifford Avenue. "At present submission has been made to Transport for London (TfL) for funding to undertake a feasibility study on a bus lane; I am confident the combined political opposition to this will prevail in the longer term and that the money from TfL will be spent more wisely elsewhere", said Cllr Hodges.
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- CONCRETE Posts on Kings Farm Avenue: In response to representations from residents, Cllr Cranfield-Adams, has asked the Council's Planning Officers whether permission was needed by agents of the Crown Estate to erect several unsightly concrete posts on at the Sheen Road end of Kings Farm Avenue. This is being investigated, but initial advice seems to suggest that this is not permitted development and the posts may have to be removed.
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- A DELAY by Thames Water in processing compensation claims from local businesses on Kew Road, after weeks of major disruption and a serious loss of business, was criticised by North Richmond Councillor Marc Cranfield-Adams at the December Full Council. The work to replace 21 metres of the 120 year old sewer started in late September and ran a month over schedule causing severe problems to traders, one of which has reported weekly losses of £4000. "I am calling on Thames Water to speed up its procedures as these businesses face ruin. Thames Water must co-operate more sympathetically with all those affected in future, should such problems recur." "Pay up Thames Water!"
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- WE can only carry a snapshot of what we're doing in the ward and there are issues regarding Happy Times nursery and the Diamond House Telephone mast. If you would like more information about these then please get in touch.
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