Richard Wilson

I’ve now been informed about the Council’s timeline for expanding the Stroud Green Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) north from Ridge Road into Nelson, Inderwick, Mayfield, Denton and Uplands Roads as well as the remaining part of Weston Park.  Below is what I’ve received from the Council officers in charge of the project:

Programme of implementation for Crouch End A and Stroud Green CPZ

I am writing to inform you that Councillor Canver has approved the attached delegated report recommending the extension of the Crouch End A and Stroud Green CPZ to the agreed roads within your wards, as per statutory notification.

Please refer to the following key milestones for the delivery of these extensions.

• Drafting and printing of works notice: Finalised by 1 November
• Distribution of works notices to community: 1-3  November
• Publication of Notice of Making: 3 November
• Start of site works: 7 November
• Go live date for extensions: 12 December

I’ve been pressing the Council to implement the extension as quickly as possible – because many residents are telling me that the parking situation is getting worse and worse, and making life increasingly difficult.

Programme of implementation for Crouch End A and Stroud Green CPZ

I am writing to inform you that Councillor Canver has approved the attached delegated report recommending the extension of the Crouch End A and Stroud Green CPZ to the agreed roads within your wards, as per statutory notification.

Please refer to the following key milestones for the delivery of these extensions.

Drafting and printing of works notice                      Finalised by 1 November

Distribution of works notices to community            1-3  November

Publication of Notice of Making-                             3 November

Start of site works-                                                    7 November

Go live date for extensions                                      12 December

Council officers have revealed the results of the consultation to extend the Stroud Green Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) into the vale roads north of Ridge Road.   54% of respondents were in favour of the expansion with 42% against (and 4% unsure).  There were 186 responses.

The parking officials have now recommended to Cllr Canver, the Labour Councillor in charge of parking in Haringey, that the Stroud Green CPZ is extended to cover the entire consultation zone (Nelson, Inderwick, Mayfeild, Denton and Uplands Road and Weston Park).  Although there were strong pockets of objections in some streets, the officers believe they have ‘broad support’ to implement the CPZ expansion.  The decision is now with Cllr Canver.

As local councillors we worked hard to make sure this consultation took place, and then to try to make sure everyone could have their say – whether for or against parking controls.  We have pressed the Council to listen to residents and go for the decision backed by the most people.  I’ve also said that if they decide to expand the CPZ they should implement the extension as quickly as possible to help residents being effected by displacement parking.

I’ve been contacted by a number of residents concerned about new proposals to change the parliamentary constituency boundaries in our area. The Boundary Commission has suggested moving Stroud Green ward from the Hornsey and Wood Green constituency to the the Tottenham constituency.

This would mean that in the next General Election residents in Stroud Green ward would not have a say in who is MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, but would instead vote for who represents Tottenham. Local elections would remain the same, with Stroud Green remaining in the London Borough of Haringey.

The proposals in the Commission’s report would divide our area from Crouch End and Hornsey.  Streets such as Weston Park, Nelson Road, Inderwick Road, Ferme Park Road and Mount View Road would be spilt, with one half in Hornsey Constituency and the other in Tottenham. However, this proposal is not set in stone, and could change if residents in Stroud Green argue against moving to Tottenham constituency.  The Commission’s proposals are supposed to protect local community ties, and not divide areas where communities are strongly connected.

We want know what residents think of this proposal and have therefore set up a survey to find out your views.  Please fill out this survey to help us put residents’ views to the Boundary Commission.

The Council’s consultation on whether or not to extend resident’s parking controls into the Hornsey Vale area closes in the next few days. Therefore, I’m urging all residents on the affected roads to have their say on this controversial issue.

In September, the Stroud Green Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) will be extended up to and including Ridge Road, and will operate 12 noon until 2pm Monday-Friday.  Many residents are concerned that this will make parking more difficult in the roads just to the north, and after pressure from your local councillors and a public meeting organised by local residents, the Council agreed to hold a consultation.

If residents are in favour, then the Stroud Green CPZ will be extended further to Inderwick, Nelson, Mayfield, Denton and Uplands Roads, as well as part of Weston Park.  This extension could happen as early as October this year.

The consultation ends on the 14th September so residents of these roads only have a few more days to have your say. It’s really important that all residents respond – whether you support or object to the proposed CPZ – so that the Council can find out what people want to happen.

If you haven’t received the consultation document then you can call the Council on 020 8489 1326 to get a copy, or it can be found online here.  Please do have your say.

On Tuesday evening I met with the Haringey Council Cabinet Member in charge of parking, and with parking officers, to put the case for residents of roads north Ridge Road to be consulted on parking problems.  I had previously written to the Council demanding a consultation – and residents had held a public meeting in the Hornsey Vale Community Centre to demand action from the Council (see previous post).  Residents’ fear parking problems caused by new Controlled Parking Zone (CPZs) nearby.

The Council had previous said that a consultation was a possibility in January 2012, if enough residents  demanded one.  But at the meeting they agreed to hold a consultation as soon as possible – either in the Summer or September.  This would be a ‘fast track’ consultation to see if there is support for being included in the proposed new Stroud Green CPZ, which would operate weekdays 12noon-2pm.

It is proposed that the consultation covers all of Nelson, Inderwick, Mayfield, Denton and Uplands Roads, and Weston Park (between Ferme Park and Uplands),  If residents are in favour of joining the Stroud Green CPZ then controls could be implemented from November at the earliest.    Of course, if residents are against the proposal then roads can remain outside the CPZ.

I know many residents are not naturally keen on CPZs – but at least this consultation will give everyone in the area their say.  As ward councillors Ed, Katherine and I will do all we can to encourage all residents to respond.  At the meeting I also raised the need for the shops, schools, park, community centre and Abysinnia Court to be considered in any proposal that comes forward.

The Council want to set up a focus group to discuss the proposed consultation and get resident input on the week commencing 20th June.  If you want to join the focus group but haven’t volunteered yet then please get in touch.

Local residents have set up a public meeting at 7pm tomorrow (Friday 20th) night in the Hornsey Vale Community Centre on Mayfield Road to demand action on local parking problems.  Ever since the Crouch End Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) was extended east to Ferme Park Road residents have been complaining that parking has become very difficult in streets just outside the extended Zone.

The proposed extension of the Finsbury Park CPZ up to Ridge Road in September could make the situation much worse, which is why since at least October 2010, I have been calling for the Council to hold a parking consultation in the ‘Hornsey Vale’ roads (Nelson, Inderwick, Mayfield, Denton and Uplands Roads and the eastern section of Weston Park).  The consultation should find out if residents now want a CPZ or not.  I get the sense that although many people are not natural supporters of CPZs they are now reluctantly coming to the view they are unavoidable.

The Council did initially give the impression that they would prioritise a consultation in these roads in this financial year.  But they are now saying that they will only take action if enough residents complain.  Therefore Ed, Katherine and I are writing to everyone in the area to encourage them to complain to the Council if they want action on parking.  We have also encouraged residents to get together petitions if they are in favour of a parking consultation.  This public meeting is another excellent way of mobilising action.

Ed, Katherine and I have also formally written to the Labour Cabinet Member in charge of parking saying we are in favour of an urgent consultation in these roads.  We have asked the Council to explain if the area can be ‘fast tracked’ into either of the nearby CPZs or not.  Along with councillors from the nearby Hornsey Ward, I’ll be attending this public meeting to find out what the Council’s response is.

As I previewed in my last post, at Thursday night’s Council budget meeting, I seconded the Lib Dem amendments to try to stop the closure of older people’s luncheon clubs, cuts to the voluntary sector and a 75% reduction in youth services (details here). Sadly our opportunity to debate these important issues was shortened by a small minority of protesters breaking into the Council chamber and delaying the meeting for several hours.

However, even more depressing was the actions of the ruling Labour Group who voted down our proposals to reduce back office IT, communications and management costs, instead of making front line cuts. They even ignored last-minute pleas from a delegation of young people who spoke to the meeting about how much they benefit from youth clubs.  Astonishingly, Labour councillors cheered and clapped as they voted down our amendments and pushed through the cuts, and seemed more interested in making party political points than making the best choices for Haringey residents.  But you can judge for yourself by watching the webcast of the meeting here.

We plan to continue the fight to save services like the Abyssinia Court older people’s luncheon club, and to persuade the Labour Council to think again.  Officially the Council is still consulting on the closures and so there is still time to make the case for services that really help vulnerable people in our communities.  Many local people have signed our paper and online petition to save the older people’s lunch clubs.  If you haven’t done so yet please sign up to the campaign.

Obviously this is a really tough year for local authorities, with central grants falling as Government focuses on reducing the deficit. In these tough times it is even more vital that Haringey spends its remaining £280 million budget on the most important priorities, and cuts spending on back office costs.