Switch to an accessible version of this website which is easier to read. (requires cookies)

  • South Richmond Page 2: Comments and news from 2010 - 2006

  • Back to South Richmond Main Page

  • 2010 News

    richmond academy• December: FUTURE looks good for Richmond Park Academy: Despite only getting the go-ahead a few weeks before the beginning of term, the new Academy is making great progress. During the last few weeks the local press have reported that the School open days were packed and that the heads of local primary schools were urging parents to make the Academy their first choice.

    ClIr Malcolm Eady, the Lib Dem Education Spokesperson, said, "All the hard work is paying off and the early analysis of the admissions applications is showing over a 50% increase from last year by borough parents. I have every confidence that the new Sponsor (AET) and the Academy management team will turn the new Academy into a very successful school for the local community."

    • Homelessness in Richmond: Penny Wade House: Penny Wade founded SPEAR (Single Person's Emergency Accommodation in Richmond) some 20 years ago in response to the growing homelessness problem in Richmond, of which she became aware of during her 19 years running The Vineyard Project. The newly refurbished SPEAR on Richmond Roundabout has now been reopened and renamed Penny Wade House in her memory and honour. The House can accommodate 14 people for up to six months each with a view to helping them move on to permanent accommodation and also offers help with literacy, numeracy, IT, cooking and job-seeking skills.

    • Don't Axe Richmond Youth Cafe: GATHERINGS of young people on Richmond Green on Friday and Saturday nights are a familiar Richmond feature. But many do not gather there from choice - they cannot afford to spend the evening in a cafe, still less a restaurant, and had no place to meet friends and where support services could be located.

    Consequently, the Liberal Democrat Council were in the final stages of starting a Youth Cafe in the Old Town Hall, at modest cost. The scheme has now been axed, along with services for young people, such as the Positive Action For Young people programme, which has drastically reduced youth crime during holiday periods -- Many Richmond residents, particularly those living on the Green, may wish to register a protest at such short-term thinking. If so, write to Councillor Christine Percival on cllr.cpercival@richmond.gov.uk

    __________________________________________________________________________________________

    • Richmond Station: TfL HAS given the Council money to enhance the entrance facilities at Richmond Station. The Council has consulted on two options, the first being a large pedestrianised area in front of the station with the taxis being moved over on to the road (which is not popular with taxi drivers) and the buses along the road. The other is a more modest proposal to widen and resurface the pavement immediately outside the station. The proposals can be viewed at: www.richmond.gov.uk/transport_planning_consultations.

    • AN expensive Tory present to a better-off public: THE new system of parking charges, on which consultation has now ended, will subsidise gas guzzling vehicles, only one in six of Richmond residents' cars. It will cost £410,000 a year, a charge every Council tax payer will pay whether or not they have, or can afford, a car. And this at a time when deep cuts are being made in vital Council services. What does this say about the Conservative's values and priorities? Can our environmentally conscious local MP, Zac Goldsmith, really be happy, when nationally his party is all for ways of helping people make greener transport choices?

    • August: VICTORY at Heathrow! The Government has been persuaded to kill the proposal for a third runway at Heathrow. This is the end of a long campaign spearheaded by the all-party 2M (2 Million) Group of Councils of which former Council Leader, Serge Lourie, was a co-founder and co-chair. The Government decision came after the 2M councils, including Richmond upon Thames, won a high court case in which the judge ruled that the Government had acted improperly in agreeing to the expansion at Heathrow.

    The victory was achieved as part of an alliance which included Susan Kramer, the then MP for Richmond Park, and voluntary bodies, including HACAN and the Richmond Heathrow Campaign. However, South Richmond Lib Dems are not going to rest on their laurels. They will continue to campaign to end night flights, as these are a blight on local residents in that 16 flights are allowed daily between 11.30 pm and 6 am. They will also be campaigning with 2M and others to ensure that runway alternation, which provides some respite, does not end.

    • RICHMOND Park Charging: The Royal Parks Minister, John Penrose, has finally made statement that the Government is going to reverse the legislation and direct Royal Parks to stop any further work on charging for parking.

    This excellent news vindicates our campaign to oppose charges. But it is concerning that a toll has been suggested as a way to replace the income expected as a way to replace the income expected from parking charges. This would be seriously unacceptable to residents of South Richmond generally and, in particular, to residents of the Queen's Road Estate, where visitors trying to escape the toll will be likely to park.

    Councillor David Williams said, 'None of this would have happened if on 10 March the Conservatives in the House of Lords had supportedBaroness Jenny Tonge's motion to kill the charges there and then'.

    __________________________________________________________________________________________

2010 News:

  • NEW youth cafe planned for Richmond: The Lib Dem Council is working on plans for a new dedicated youth facility in Richmond town centre. Local campaigner Tanya Williams said, "The Lib Dems made investing in youth services a priority since they took over at the town hall, and have increased funding up to the London average." "It will be great to see a youth centre accessible to young people from Richmond." A potential site has been identified, andyoung people and other stakeholders is now taking place. It is hoped that the venue will be up and running in late 2010. The Lib Dem team will keep you posted on how the plans are progressing.
  • 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 MPSusan 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."
  • ROADWORK disruption in Richmond: Emergency roadworks to replace a collapsed sewer on Sheen Road have meant vehicles and buses being diverted. This work is due to finish by 20th March, so buses should be back on their normal routes. The Council does not control these roadworks, but is working with the various utility companies to try and minimise disruption as far as possible. Local MP Susan Kramer has also raised some of the problems local residents have suffered with Thames Water directly.
  • BUS countdown timer changes:Richmond is to get new timers installed at George Street, Eton Street and and the rail station, allowing passengers to know when to expect their bus to arrive. But virtually all the timers at stops along the Upper Richmond Road West are set to be removed.
  • COMMUNITY toilet scheme:One of the popular initiatives started by the Liberal Democrats on Richmond Council has been theCommunity 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 theCommunity Toilet sign outside.
 com toilet logo

2009 News:

• [From Comments Winter 2009-10] RICHMOND Circus Roadworks: Local campaigner Tanya Williams writes: Many local residents have asked the team when the roadworks at Richmond Circus will be completed. Transport for London have told us they expect the works to be finished by the end of January. There will be a new road lane to ease traffic congestion and upgraded cycle lanes and footpaths.

• Reducing queues at CHURCH Road: There is also the prospect of much shorter queues at the bottom of Church Road when a new computer system is installed in the new year. This will count the number of vehicles approaching both the Church Road lights and the Richmond Circus lights and will vary the lights cycle to let the maximum number of vehicles through.

• 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 route converted to a 24 hour service from Kings Cross to Hammersmith. The 33 would run its usual daytime route from Hammersmith down Castelnau, Upper Richmond Road West to Richmond, then Fulwell, making it easier for residents to get home late at night. Please do let the Lib Dem team know if you support these plans.
__________________________________________________________________________________________

• Shene School Academy plans progress: Plans for millions of pounds of investment are progressing with the appointment of Academies Enterprise Trust as sponsor. The Trust has a strong record of transforming educational standards in schools. The Council 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 Academy, and it is hoped that it will open in September 2010.

• JOIN a car club & save money: Over 2000 residents have joined the new borough-wide car club scheme. Car clubs let residents save money by avoiding the cost of buying a car, tax and insurance. Local campaigner David Martin said, "It is estimated that for each car club car, over 20 private cars are taken off the road - making car clubs good for the environment too." The car club parking bays have been approved by ward councillors, and are on an experimental order, subject to review after six months. Bays which were implemented in February and March 2009 have a deadline of 13 November. The new bays in Lancaster Park, Church Terrace, Chislehurst Road and the Vineyard will be reviewed in May 2010 as per the accompanying notice.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

• From Comments Summer 2009: THAMES Water are starting an extensive programme of works in South Richmond beginning at the start of the school holiday. Of special concern to Courtlands and neighbourhood will be works at the junction of Sheen Road, Manor Road and Queens Road, which will last 3 to 4 weeks. On Richmond Hill, there will be works for 7 to 8 months during the autumn, winter and early spring in the area shown on the map, marked in orange. It is unfortunate that these works are to start so soon after the town centre improvement work, but every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum.

• Tributes pour in for local hero William Grove: Local Liberal Democrats have paid tribute to dedicated Liberal Democrat campaigner and local hero William Grove. William was an active member of the local community until his sudden death at the age of 85. He received national acclaim in October for his bravery in intervening in an attempted bank robbery in Richmond town centre, when his actions foiled the robbery and led to the arrest of the perpetrators. Jill Grist, Vice Chair of Richmond Liberal Democrats said, "We were so proud when he took on the two men who were trying to rob the jewellers, and John certainly took great pride what he had done. He was a tireless campaigner for the local Liberal Democrats and helped us until the day he died. We shall all miss him a lot."

• SHENE School: The Council is re- opening its search for a new sponsor for Shene School. The decision was taken following concerns about financial mismanagement at Edutrust, the previous sponsor chosen for the school. It is vital that parents let the local council know their views about their priorities for the school. Government rules mean decision must be made quickly In order to secure the Government funding needed to improve the school buildings, the Council has to move fast. 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 said, "The Government seems to think that the local authority should decide first and consult later, with the threat that the money for Shene may disappear if they do not move fast enough."

__________________________________________________________________________________________

• CONCERN over Cambrian Centre funding review: The Centre provides facilities for people on the Queens Road estate and surrounding area. People are particularly worried about the potential loss of its Youth Club and community Gym. A local resident said, "This is really worrying news. I am particularly concerned about the potential loss of the youth club and sports pitch for children growing up in the area, and indeed for the whole neighbourhood. Young people in Richmond, need more activities, not less. "And so many people rely on the gym for fitness or rehabilitation." If you have views on the need for this Centre, or ideas on how to assure its future, contact it (Cambrian Centre, 1 Grove Road TW10 6SB; tel. 8948 3351) or write to Richmond Parish Lands Charity (The Vestry House, 21 Paradise Road, TW9 1SA).

• AT long last, TfL has confirmed that the 371 bus will terminate at Sainsbury's, Manor Road in September. This is good news for residents who cannot walk from the present stop to the supermarket. At the Kingston end, despite strong representations from Richmond Council and the support of the hospital, TfL is still refusing to extend the route to call at the hospital, saying that people can change buses in Kingston. This ignores that fact that many elderly Richmond and Ham residents cannot manage the journey if a change is involved. Moreover, it is absurd that this excellent bus service has no direct link between Richmond and our main A & E hospital. There is a direct link to Queen Mary's and St. George's, Tooting.

• BERWYN Avenue Residents Association have adopted six trees as part of the Council's Adopt-a- tree programme. John White, the Association's Chairman, commented "Keeping the Borough's atmosphere green and leafy is important to all of us" For more information on how your road could adopt trees, please ring 0845-612-2660.

• THE Queens Road estate: London and Quadrant housing Trust have given notice of withdrawal from the warden and housing management service they provide for their sheltered housing in Fitzherbert House and Isabella Court on the Estate. This means the Council will have to find more money within its limited budget for support of vulnerable tenants to continue the service, contracting it out to some other provider. But be reassured; the existing wardens will have the right to stay on on the same terms, and residents will be involved in the tendering process.
__________________________________________________________________________________________

2008 & previous years:

  • RICHMOND Town Centre Update: Liberal Democrats and Transport for London are investing nearly £2m million over two years to improve Richmond town centre making it safer and less congested. The first phase of the scheme has been approved. The improvements include widening pavements, new/relocating pedestrian crossing facilities, revised layout of George Street, improved safety for cyclists and an extension of the 20 mph zone. A massive public consultation exercise was carried out by the Liberal Democrats and an estimated 4,000 people gave their views. As a result the final scheme reflects some of the views and issues which were raised by local people. Andrew Pilkington said "It is fantastic to see that the Liberal Democrats working with Transport for London have achieved this investment for Richmond town centre. We hope that Richmond will be safer and less congested as a result of this massive investment". Saiful Islam added "We will keep residents informed about phase 2 consultation of the investment which includes the area around the train station".
  • LIB Dems invest in local services: As well as millions of pounds being invested in local services by the Liberal Democrats, the Council has just topped an Audit Commission list for providing best value for money services for local residents. After 4 years in power the Conservatives had built up massive reserves. The Liberal Democrats are now investing these excess reserves into schools, better recycling services, young people, climate change and an economic fund to help local businesses and high streets. However the Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for a fair settlement when it comes to the Government grant we receives from Council Tax. We are lowest funded in London which is unfair. Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond added "The Conservatives introduced this unfair tax. Richmond residents have been let down by Governments past and present. I will continue to fight so that residents get their fair share". In the local election campaign the Liberal Democrats promised to keep Council Tax increases low and invest surplus reserves into local services. The Liberal Democrats are keeping their promises.
  • LIB Dems invest in young people The Liberal Democrats are investing over £500,000 to improve youth clubs as well as setting up a £1 million pound youth fund. Cllr Serge Lourie who attended the Richmond Youth Forum said "We think young people should have a say in how this money is spent". The newly elected Youth Forum set out their priorities which included better youth facilities, better access for disabled young people and tackling crime and improving personal safety. Andrew Pilkington who welcomed the investment being made by the Liberal Democrats said "The Conservatives neglected young people and issues affecting young people. It is really good news that youth clubs across the borough are going to be improved in addition to a specific fund which young people themselves will have control on how it is spent". Member of Parliament Susan Kramer also welcomed the investment and would like to hear from anyone who has ideas on how to improve facilities for young people across Richmond.
  • SAVE our Post Office: Susan Kramer MP and local residents are outraged that another local Post Office is under threat of closure. The Crown Post Office is scheduled to close in July with its services relocated to WHSmiths in George Street. Susan Kramer and local campaigners collected hundreds of signatures in one morning from concerned residents who thought that vital services may be lost if the Post Office closes. Local campaigner Saiful Islam said "We have had no guarantee about opening hours or the extent of services which will be offered when the service is relocated in July. Until local residents are reassured about these we will keep fighting to save the local Post Office. We've also heard that the services will be located on the 1st floor - even though there is a lift it is not very helpful for the elderly or people with disabilities". Treating the Post office as a purely commercial organisation totally ignores the public service post offices supply, particularly to the elderly. Many residents signing the petition spoke about their difficulties in Ham, East Twickenham and on Richmond Hill, all already closed. If you would like to add your name to the petition, you can do this by filling in the form overleaf or on-line at www.southrichmondlibdems.org.uk and click on 'Petitions' at the top then click on 'Save Richmond Post Office'.
  • 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
 '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-p arty 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. John Stewart Chair HACAN'
  • WORKING all year round.…: Liberal Democrats work hard all year round to keep local residents informed about what is going on in the area:
Suffield House & Premier House: A second application has been submitted, this time without the top storey. Some local residents are concerned that the development will be overbearing and issues over the noise of the proposed geothermal pumps. Car Park behind the Odeon Cinema: Susan Kramer has written in support of neighbouring residents the revised scheme which includes a four storey office block.
Quinn's Hotel, Sheen Road: A plan has been submitted to replace the existing rear extension with larger premises. 43 Kings Road: A plan to pull down the existing house and replace it with two three storey houses has been accepted. We are disappointed that this has been given permission. If you have any issues regarding planning either in support or opposition to a planning application then please get in touch with either Saiful or Andrew.

2007:

  • From Comments February 2007: TRANSFORMING RICHMOND TOWN CENTRE: Richmond Council has negotiated a grant (the highest in London) from Transport for London to make our streets safer and pleasanter places to walk and shop. Of this, £900,000 will be devoted to George Street and Hill Street this year and, hopefully, there will be a further grant to transform The Quadrant and Kew Road next year, when the congestion at Richmond Station will be tackled. A plan has been prepared to improve the safety and appearance of our town centre involving, among other things, the widening of pavements, using high quality stone; the easing of traffic jams; a 20 mph speed limit on all key streets (a move long advocated by the Richmond Society); better sited and more accessible crossings and better facilities for bus stops. As the work to be carried out will be mainly on pavements, there will be no closure of George Street and the minimum of disruption to shoppers.
 All this is important to the public and traders alike. The scheme will go out to public consultation from 26 February for four weeks. All the shops and offices in the streets mentioned above will be consulted, a six-page informative leaflet will be sent to all South Richmond residents and there will be two exhibitions, one at the Civic Centre, Twickenham and a second to be set up in a marquee on Bog Island (Lower George Street) from 3 March for a week. Council officers who have worked long and hard to prepare the scheme will be in attendance to hear your views and answer your questions, so we urge everyone to come and see for themselves what is proposed.
  • RECYCLING: Strengthened by the endorsement of its public consultation, Richmond Council is pressing ahead to increase the percentage of waste recycled and to add plastic bottles and cardboard to doorstep collections. Currently we have a rate of 33% collected from 52% of householders. Such a low rate will in future cost us, the taxpayers, money because the borough will become subject to the Government's new landfill tax. So under the budget proposals just announced, the Council will this year be spending an additional £750,000 to raise recycling rates and avoid as much landfill tax as possible. As part of its programme, the Council is setting up an education programme to help and encourage residents who do not currently recycle, particularly those living in flats. So if you would like to take part and do not already have the required bins and blue bags, please ring 8487-5171 and you will be given the equipment and advice. Plastic bottles and cardboard will be added to doorstep collection in November (the delay is due to the requirement to tender widely for new vehicles) but meanwhile you can take the bottles to a new bank at the Old Deer Park car park.
  • LIB DEMS keep Council Tax down and invest surplus reserves: The Council Budget for 2007/8 entails a Council Tax rise of 4.9%, just 0.7% above inflation (the Retail Price Index increase for the year to January is 4.2%) or £1.06 pence per week. This modest rise compares with a massive 15.6% increase four years ago after the Conservatives won control. £4.5m of savings and efficiencies have been found in order to keep the Council Tax down and to pay for key service improvements, such as:The introduction of improved recycling services including doorstep cardboard and plastics collections (£750,000). Extra youth services (£250,000). A new sustainability team to reduce the Council's energy use (£100,000). The Administration has 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 enormous reserves built up by the Conservatives may only be used for capital projects and one off payments, so cannot have much effect on the budget itself. However, they will be used over the next four years for: £20 million on our secondary school buildings, over and above the £30m planned for Teddington School. A new £1 million fund for new youth facilities. A new £425,000 economic development fund to promote local businesses and high streets.
  • LOWER C02 emissions: Hardly had Richmond Council, after consultation, given the go-ahead to its new parking plans, than the European Union announced a ban on all new cars over a certain level of emissions after 2012. It is clear that this is the way things are going. Already nine Councils of all political persuasions have announced their intention to follow Richmond's lead. There has been criticism of the Council's scheme but the Council Leader, Serge Lourie, has urged us to take the larger view, pointing out that if the new charging scheme persuades people to buy cars less damaging to the environment the scheme will have been a success, but there will have been no financial gain to the Council. It is planned that the scheme will be revenue neutral. The argument that the scheme is unfair because some people have a hard standing or live outside a CPZ misses the point, which is we shall all benefit from lower emissions.
  • GAS pipe renewal in Rosemont Road: Responding to calls from residents, Saif Islam and the "Comments" team intervened in support of the many residents concerned about the way they were being treated by the gas company, National Grid, and the contractor on the site. In particular, the contractor had clamped a gas meter box on the front of No.1, Rosemont Road and had failed to respond to protests. We wrote to residents and as a result it became clear that this was not the only problem facing residents. We therefore asked for a meeting with National Grid and the contractor. At the meeting we made it clear that in a Conservation Area, where most houses are classified as Buildings of Townscape Merit, the contractor could not play fast and loose with householders and must negotiate with them as to where the meter should be sited. They agreed top do this. In addition, they undertook not to obstruct parking places, to make sure the barriers round the trenches were well lit and to make sure the refuse lorry could access the road. We now understand that National Grid have replaced the contractor and that work has started again with the new company.
  • HOLIDAY activities for children?: Refurbishment of parts of the Cambrian Centre off Queens Road is an exciting first step to making it a Children's Information Centre, source of advice and support for the families of children at our local schools. There is a sports pitch, a flourishing term-time youth club (for 6-13 year olds), a friendly gym with professional support, room hire for parties or meetings, and an after school club and many different activity groups use it as their base. The Centre would consider starting holiday activities for children if there is sufficient demand. If your family would like to participate or have ideas for activities, please get in touch with Brenda (8948 3351 or cambriancentre@aol.com).
  • ST ELIZABETH'S Primary School: Congratulations to St Elizabeth's Primary School in Queen's Road. The school was recently given an "outstanding" report by Ofsted inspectors, who described the school as "an outstandingly effective school", of which staff, parents and pupils are rightly proud.

What would you like to do next?

  • Subscribe for updates

    Read updates from this website in your desktop or online news reader

    • On a news reader website

      •  
      •  
      •  

      In a desktop news reader or a website not listed above

      •  
    • Example monthly digest email
      •  
      •  
      •  

    • If you submit your contact details, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting


    • Generate different image

    Join our email list

    • If you submit your contact details, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting


    • Generate different image

    Follow the party's activity on...

  • Share this page

    Share this page on another website

    Link to this page

    On websites and printed material:
    twickenhamlibdems.co.uk/en/page/zsouthrichmond
    In text messages, Twitter, or reading over the phone:
    ric.lib.dm/p218

    Email this page to a friend


    • Generate different image

    Print this page

  • Help out or donate

    Help out in your local area

      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  

    • If you submit your contact details, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting


    • Generate different image

    Join the Liberal Democrats

  • Tell us what you think

    Send us your views

    • If you agree, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Contact us by email, post, or phone