Richard Wilson

Our new Safer Neighbourhood Team sergeant Steve Whiting has hit the ground running with a series a consultation events planned across the ward this weekend. The team want to find out what local people think their policing priorities should be. They are encouraging residents to meet them at the following times and locations:

Saturday 7th January 2012

• 3.30pm Stationers Park, Mayfield Road
• 4pm Sunshine Café, Stroud Green Road
• 7.30pm Lancaster Road

Sunday 8th January 2012

• 10am Stationers Park, Mayfield Road
• 1pm Angel Café, Stroud Green Road

Tuesday 10th January 2012

• 12pm Charter Court, Stroud Green Road

I’ve already responded to their consultation suggesting the top three priorities should be: safety on the Parkland Walk; preventing burglaries; and safety around the W3 bus stops.  Although Stroud Green is generally a safe place, there have been some worrying incidents in recent months.  So this initiative is a welcome opportunity for residents to speak to the police about their concerns.

I’d like to thank all the local residents who completed our W3 Bus survey, which has enabled us to tell Transport for London (TfL) what passengers think about the route.  TfL are holding a review of the route, and we have sent the results into their consultation so Stroud Green residents views are considered.

We had over 50 responses, and the results were:

• 66% think that a lack of bus countdown displays at some stops is a problem.
• 54% say that buses are too full at rush hour
• 54% want better information about big delays on the route
• 36% think that the wait between buses is too long
• 36% are concerned about anti-social behaviour on the bus
• 36% say that elderly residents are not given enough time to board and sit down.
• 22% believe that bus drivers speeding is a problem
• And 20% are fed up with all the road works on the route

As your local councillors, its incredibly useful to know what passengers’ top concerns are – so we can raise these with TfL and the bus companies at every opportunity.   The W3 is a fantastic route and we will fight to improve it further.

I am a big fan of the W3 Bus, which I use regularly as it travels the length of Stroud Green ward from Weston Park to Finsbury Park Station (so much of a fan I put it at the top of my website!).  However, I know it can sometimes be frustrating with recent road works and diversions causing delays – and buses being jammed in the morning rush hour.

The thing that really annoys me sometimes is the lack of information at Finsbury Park, particularly when there is a problem with the bus route – What’s the point of having a Tannoy in the bus station if its only ever used to tell people not to skateboard?!

Anyway, now people have a chance to have their say, because Transport for London (TfL) have announced a review of the route.  To find out people’s view Ed Butcher and I have produced a W3 Bus survey which we’ve been delivering across the ward over the last few weeks.  But if you haven’t had a copy yet then please email me, or just post your comments on the W3 on this page.

TfL’s deadline for responses is this Friday (12th) March.  Ed and I will be summarising the responses and sending them on to TfL in a few days time.

I feel very sorry for anyone trying to drive or get a bus home in Haringey this evening as there appears to be complete gridlock.  All the main roads near me appear not to have been gritted and are now at a standstill.  This picture shows Ferme Park Road which is stationary and  full of broken down W3 buses.  At the junction of Weston Park a people carrier has bashed into the back of of a W3 adding to the gridlock.

Having spoken to colleagues in other areas this picture appears to be repeated across the borough.  I’ve emailed the Council’s Chief Executive to demand to know why the main roads weren’t gritted and what the Council is planning to do to clear the roads now.  Obviously the snow was bound to cause problems – but its been forecast for days and is less than 1 inch outside my flat.   So I think this travel chaos could have been reduced with better preparation!