Michael Wilson, David Trigg and Denise Carr: councillors for Twickenham Riverside

cllr.mwilson@richmond.gov.uk . . cllr.dtrigg@richmond.gov.uk . . cllr.dcarr@richmond.gov.uk Please scroll down the page for full details of roles, biographies, etc..

• 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.

• 17 places in TWICKENHAM and ST MARGARET'S have joined the scheme: Alexander Pope; Arthur's on The Green; Barmy Arms; Bloomsbury; Cabbage Patch; Cambridge Gardens Café; Civic Centre; Cricket Pavilion; Crown; The George; Kentucky Fried Chicken; Orleans Garden Café (summer only); Orleans House Gallery; St Margarets Public House; Twickenham Library; Waitrose; and the York House Gardens urinals.

• The Borough's 90 Community Toilets

• [From Comments Winter 2009-10] River Centre: The Lib Dem Council will put a plan to renew and regenerate TWICKENHAM RIVERSIDE to the people next year. The plan includes the riverside opened up, improved public space, a community River Centre with cafe and public toilets operated by the Environment Trust and supported by Sir David Attenborough, improved street furniture and an improved and permanent playground. The Environment Trust is taking advantage of the delay in signing the development contract for the riverside site to focus on the education and leisure opportunities the new River Centre could provide and to seek residents' views and preferences. Cllr Denise Carr said, "We want the River Centre to be a buzzing hub of activity, with a cafe/restaurant overlooking the new children's playground and the river, an aquarium, exhibitions on river ecology, and leaning activities ranging from sustainability forums for adults, rowing, fishing and boat-building qualifications for youngsters". To contribute your views, please visit http://www.RiverCentre.org.uk

Cllr Denise Carr said, "This is a fantastic scheme which will see the site transformed into a thriving, accessible space after nearly 30 years of waste. Pressures on Council finances mean that the plans must be self-financing, and this will be achieved through a small amount of housing at the rear and on Wharf Lane, which will have the added benefit of building in security to a site that has been plagued by petty crime and anti-social behaviour. A win-win for local residents, businesses and Council Tax payers". Cllr David Trigg said, "There are a number of myths and lies being circulated about our scheme, but we believe this is the best opportunity we've had in a generation to improve the site and bring regeneration to the town centre". Cllr Michael Wilson added, "The Council will not sign the plan until after the local elections. This will give people a full and democratic say over the council scheme. The improvements seen at the other end of the embankment are only the first step to a complete renewal".

• The TWICKENHAM EMBANKMENT works are now complete, with an avenue of beautiful pin oaks, hard and soft landscaping, new benches and bins with tops and curtains to deter the birds! The railings and lamp posts have been painted and an Eel Pie Legends board highlights the musical history of the island. Funded by Arcadia in the City, the Council and local residents, this part of the Embankment is now a real pleasure to sit and chill out in.

• We have been working with the local POLICE team to tackle town centre disturbances and anti-social behaviour hot spots. Cllr Denise Carr said, "Our Twickenham Riverside ward Police Safer Neighbourhood Team, led by Sergeant Tony Lovegrove and PC Phil Ure, ask local residents to be particularly careful in the run-up to Christmas to prevent the opportunistic theft of Christmas presents". At a recent meeting of the ward Police Liaison Group, residents were asked not to leave these valuable items on display in cars or in front rooms which might attract attention from passers by. Cllr David Trigg said, "The Team will also be patrolling the town centre and keeping a close eye on the pubs and clubs as alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour remains one of the 3 priorities which local residents want the police to address. The other priorities are tackling burglaries and preventing robbery and personal safety".

Cllr Michael Wilson added "Your ward councillors work closely with the police and are delighted that the team who know our patch so well will be on duty on New Year's Eve to ensure that all of us have a happy and safe time as 2010 dawns - contact them on 07768-178989". The date of the next Police Liaison Group meeting on Wednesday 3 March, 7 pm in York House. • Local police officer Rupinder Dusanjh and Council Area Champion Carol Lee joined Cllrs Denise Carr and David Trigg to walk the ward. This is to identify issues for improvement from graffiti to pavements, trees to chewing gum, parking to lighting and much more. This is part of the regular ward walks we do to ensure that environmental issues are picked up and addressed as quickly as possible.

• FLAT recycling: Cllr Michael Wilson wants to hear from residents in flats about how we can help them to improve their recycling. Cllr Michael Wilson said, "Although we've rolled out an improved recycling scheme for residents in houses, a lot of residents in our area including myself live in flats. I would like to hear from those people who would like to see an improvement in recycling facilities available to people who live in flats".

• YORK House - following repair and repainting of the frontage last year, a specification for the rear of the house is being finalised and works should be completed by Spring 2010. In addition, York House Gardens won Green Flag status again this year (one of 7 in the borough) and there is an active management plan to continue to improve these beautiful gardens.

• TWICKENHAM Town Centre - the effects of the recession are plain to see in the empty shop units and bars in the town centre. We are monitoring this and working with landlords on temporary uses; have introduced free bank holiday parking; have improved the area at the junction of Arragon Road/Amyand Park Road; and are developing a Marketing Pack to attract quality businesses.

• WARREN Footpath - new, bat and human friendly lighting has been installed along this scenic towpath as part of the Arcadia in the City works. The lights give a more even light distribution for pedestrians and cyclists, reduce light pollution and save money as they use 40% less energy and can be dimmed down at night.

• The Lib Dem Council has restored RICHMOND BRIDGE at a cost of £360,000. Cllrs Carr, Trigg and Wilson recently visited to see the work being completed. Cllr Michael Wilson said, "This is an important bridge, both in terms of access and history, and this investment was need to repair and improve the bridge stonework".

• RICHMONDCARDS are free till January 2010 - for cheaper parking and no need to fiddle around looking for change, residents and businesses should apply now for the new RichmondCard. Discounts of up to 60 % are available for low CO2 emitting vehicles at all street parking meters.

From Comments Summer 2009:• LOCAL green groups back riverside plan Riverside plans set to renew derelict site and provide economic boost for town centre: The Lib Dems have been working in partnership with the Environment Trust, local residents and community groups on the future of Twickenham Riverside. The Council have now selected the scheme submitted by Countryside Properties and Eel Pie Island architect Clive Chapman. There will be a River Centre, with a boathouse, café, public toilets, and community facilities offering a range of education and opportunities for all ages.

There will be a children's playground, river-themed and overlooked by the café. For the first time in nearly 30 years, there will be quality, public open space, including a swath of green running up and over the River Centre and offering spectacular views of the river and the busy working riverside at the heart of the town. And there will be dedicated space for craft markets and other community events, created by the removal of some of the car parking on the riverfront to the rear of the site.

Cllr Denise Carr says "Priority has been given to pedestrian use and quality landscaping, with no loss of parking; public open space is maximised; and the stunning River Centre will be an exemplar of sustainable development. A mix of houses and flats at the rear and the Wharf Lane end of the site will build-in safety and deliver over £4m of public gain, including the shell of the River Centre, the public open space and playground, and improvements to the Embankment and river front, at no additional cost to the Council taxpayer.

Cllr David Trigg adds "The Twickenham Society has given its support and the Twickenham Town Centre Management Board sees the redevelopment of this site as the key regeneration opportunity in the town centre which will bring much benefit to businesses and residents. Cllr Michael Wilson adds "Sir David Attenborough is an enthusiastic supporter of the River Centre. A free, fun and informative community building which is a beacon of sustainability will bring so many benefits to the town and its residents and will help everyone to understand and enjoy the river."

• WARREN Footpath consultation: Local residents have responded positively to plans for new lighting on the Warren Footpath (the river tow path by Marble Hill Park). All the existing columns will be removed and new columns with LED lighting will be placed at regular intervals along the path. Cllr Carr says "These lights will be turned off at less busy times of the night, but the intelligent lighting technology will respond to human movement and switch on if needed while ignoring wind blown branches or wildlife movement . The path will be safer for pedestrians and cyclists alike." Cllr Wilson added "This lighting will save energy and is funded as part of the Arcadia in the City scheme which has benefited so many parts of the borough a win-win all round."

• AS well continuing to roll out the Council's CO2 emission based parking to on street car parking and car parks the Council has also introduced over 70 new car club bays across the borough. Cllr Denise Carr added, "The 4 new bays in our area and 6 more across Twickenham from City Car Club will increase the number of street car bays to 14 across our area including St Margaret's and Twickenham." The new bays are located on Strafford Road, Cambridge Road, Sion Road and Arlington Road. There are a further 5 in St Margaret's and one more in Twickenham. Car Club Contacts: http://www.citycarclub.co.uk/ http://www.streetcar.co.uk/ http://zipcar.co.uk/

• The Liberal Democrats have been working hard to improve the local environment across Twickenham. The areas upgraded include an area by Twickenham Riverside known as Champions Wharf, an area by St Mary's Primary School on Arragon Road and new facilities in Cambridge Gardens. Cllr Denise Carr said, "These new enhancements show just how much of a priority improving our local environment is for the Liberal Democrats". The features include new plants and shrubbery, more trees, better paving, additional cycle stands and new equipment like the Fit Point in Cambridge Gardens. Cllr Michael Wilson added, "We are always looking for ways to improve our local area and we will continue to push for extra funding to do so. The environment is a top priority for us."

• CAMBRIDGE Gardens: The demolition of the derelict toilet block in Cambridge Gardens is scheduled to begin on Monday 8th June. The work is set to be completed on Friday 3rd July. Cllr Denise Carr said, "Once the block has been demolished the site will be landscaped to make the area even nicer".

• Councillor Allowances: The Lib Dems have frozen councillors' allowances this year. At this difficult economic time, we do not think allowances should increase.

• [From COMMENTS Summer 2008]: LIB Dems renewing the riverside for local people: Over the last year, the Council has been in consultation with local residents, community groups and businesses on plans to regenerate the Twickenham riverside site which has been derelict for so long. With the Environment Trust's exciting River Centre at the heart of these plans, we have been looking in detail at open space, community use, traffic, parking, flooding and the Embankment itself - and the type of residential/commercial development required to fund the scheme at no cost to council tax payers. In April, the Council agreed a Development Brief for the site. This includes a preferred option for the layout including the scale and location of the River Centre, the enabling residential development (19 % of the site), high quality, sustainable build and landscaping, and improved traffic and parking - which includes removing the bulk of the current Embankment parking to the rear of the site. Improving and repairing the Embankment In addition, a £1m Embankment project, covering the riverfront from Wharf Lane to Champions Wharf, will be progressed to ensure integrated improvement of the whole frontage.

Cllr Denise Carr said, "A small number of houses and flats (3 storey houses on the rear service road and 3 or 4 storey flats on Wharf Lane) is expected to raise £4m. This will be used to fund the shell of the River Centre (£2.5m) and the other infrastructure/open space improvements (£1.5m) to the site. The enabling development will take up about 19% of the site, and we are committed to maximising the amount of open space and to re-providing the playground". The Environment Trust is responsible for funding the fitting out of the River Centre. The Council and the Environment Trust are working hard to make sure the plans for the overall project and the River Centre are financially sound. The Council is determined to renew this site but at no cost to the taxpayer.

Cllr David Trigg added, ""The next step is to find the right potential developers. We must make sure that they understand residents' concerns that the size and scale of the enabling residential development be kept to the minimum and that the highest standards of quality and sustainability are built into any scheme. Applications have been invited with a view to selecting the best developers to be invited to submit site plans. These will then be presented for full public consultation next Spring." Although the Conservatives began the Twickenham Challenge which eventually led to the Liberal Democrats selecting the River Centre for the site, they are now trying to wreck these plans.

Cllr Michael Wilson added, "The Conservatives have announced a unfunded and uncosted plan which demotes the River Centre to a 'boathouse'. They have also attacked the hard work by local volunteers of the Environment Trust to score political points. This is particularly hypocritical given that they were going to sell off land as part the Twickenham Challenge process. We will continue to work with local people, amenity groups and the Environment Trust to finally renew this site". How the riverside will be divided up: 25 % new open space; 34 % improved open space (including improved roadway); 9 % river centre footprint; 19 % residential footprint, including private garden areas; and 13 % for the new service road & car parking to the rear of the site.

• Twickenham Riverside: The Council's principal development objectives

• Twickenham River Centre

• Environment Trust for Richmond upon Thames

• NEW crossing at St Stephen's: A new pedestrian refuge on Richmond Road by St Stephen's Church has just been completed in an attempt to make crossing the road safer. The refuge, which has involved slight changes to the position of the bus stops, will make it safer for people crossing the road at this point. Cllr David Trigg said, "A lot of people cross at this point to get to the Church or the Crossway Hall and with bends at either side on this road it is always very dangerous, especially for the elderly or those people with children". Cllr Denise Carr added, "This pedestrian refuge will give people the chance to cross safely. It may also help to slow traffic down at this corner. We have worked with local residents to slightly re-position the bus stops as well as adding some double yellow lines to reduce unsafe parking near the refuge and bus stops.

• CAMBRIDGE Parade Post Office Closed - despite protests Post Office Ltd has closed the Cambridge Park Post Office branch, ignoring protests from residents, your councillors and local MP Vincent Cable. Cllr Michael Wilson said: "Post Office Ltd shamefully ignored all our protests and clearly had no intention of listening to local people." Your councillors are now looking at ways the Council can support the remaining branches across the borough, to prevent any further closures. Cllr David Trigg added, "From April next year you will be able to pay your council tax and most other council bills at any local post office branch". Twice the Conservatives failed to support motions at Council condemning these closures. The Lib Dems were disappointed not to have cross-party support on this issue.

• GOING, Going, Gone! The derelict toilet block in Cambridge Gardens is going to be demolished and the green space will be protected by a new 'Friends of Cambridge Gardens' group. Despite attempts by a local cafe owner to use the block and some of the land for a new cafe, many local residents felt the plans were inappropriate. They worked with local Councillors to get the toilet block pulled down for good. Cllr Denise Carr said, "I am delighted that this derelict building which has become such an eyesore is to be pulled down. A new Friends group for these beautiful, riverside gardens will help to build on the improvements made to the pathways and planting under the Arcadia in the City scheme and with the help of local volunteers. They will be supported by the Richmond Environment Network which promotes environmental activity, bio- diversity and sustainability in the borough." For more information, contact Colin Cooper at REN: 8831-6142 or www.richenvironmentnet.org.uk

• PROBLEMS with pubs, clubs or other anti- social behaviour? The best thing local residents can do if they are experiencing anti- social behaviour is to report it to your local Safer Neighbourhood Police Team. Details for the police team are below. The weekend noise service offered by the council which operates on Friday and Saturday 10 pm - 3 am can be reached on 07944 038495. Cllr Michael Wilson said, "If residents experience repeated problems the best things to do are to report it and keep a record of it in a diary form." Your Lib Dem councillors are committed to tackling all forms of anti-social behaviour in our area. Please remember in the event of an emergency to always dial 999.

• TWICKENHAM Town Centre Manager: Esther Worboys has left her position as the TCM. We are now looking to recruit for her position. This post, which in part looks after all of the festivals and other community events and the general economic well being of the town centre. Could you be the new Twickenham Town Centre Manager? For more information about the work of the Town Centre Management Board and the role of the Manager, see www.twickenhamtown.co.uk or contact Cllr Denise Carr for a chat. Many thanks must go to Esther and the Town Centre Management board for all their hard work over the years.

• COMMUNITY TV comes to Twickenham - have you seen it yet?: 10 plasma screens have been installed at locations across the borough, including the Civic Centre and Twickenham and Richmond Stations. They broadcast sound-free community messages from the Council, the police, the PCT (Primary Care Trust) and local community groups. Important information on crime reduction, community action, local emergencies, weather and much more for residents and visitors. Let us know what you think.

• GREEN Flag award for York House Gardens: The Council has been awarded 4 prestigious Green Flags by The Civic Trust this year, including one for the public gardens at the rear of the York House Council offices. Green flags recognise the best green spaces in the country - which are welcoming, well- maintained, safe and encourage community involvement. Visit these magical gardens soon while the sun is still shining.

• NEW Pelican Crossing outside York House Cllr David Trigg says "In response to complaints from residents about safety, the Council has replaced the dog-leg/bus gate crossing with a new pelican crossing and improved the paving in front of the York House gates. Pedestrian safety is a priority along the busy Richmond Rd and we are committed to improving provision wherever possible."

• THE next Area Consultation Meeting will take place in The Salon at York House on 14th October 2008 at 7.30pm. Members of the public are invited to come and meet your local councillors and raise any issue of concern.

Cllr Denise Carr

Tel: 8891 2482 E-mail: cllr.dcarr@richmond.gov.uk

Roles: Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing; London Councils (formerly ALG) - Health and Social Care Forum; National Council of Domiciliary Care Services; Richmond Primary Care Trust Board; Richmond Upon Thames Council for Voluntary Service; The Octagon Trust; Twickenham Town Centre Management Committee.

Cllr David Trigg

Tel: 8898 9032 E-mail: cllr.dtrigg@richmond.gov.uk

Roles: Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking; Planning Committee; Transport Consultative Group (Chair); London Councils (formerly ALG) - Transport & Environment Committee; Richmond Upon Thames College; The Octagon Trust; Twickenham Town Centre Management Committee; Twickenham United Charities.

Cllr Michael Wilson

E-mail: cllr.mwilson@richmond.gov.uk

Roles: Assistant Cabinet Member with responsibilities including press, equalities and human resources; Co-ordination, Finance and Performance Commission; London Councils (formerly ALG) - Greater London Provincial Council; Twickenham Town Centre Management Committee.

Mary Denise Catherine Carr Liberal Democrat 1838 Elected

David Stanley Francis Trigg Liberal Democrat 1728 Elected

Michael Robert Wilson Liberal Democrat 1600 Elected

Joe James Broughton The Conservative Party Candidate 992

Stuart Nigel Leamy The Conservative Party Candidate 950

Anatole Weinberger Pang The Conservative Party Candidate 855

Gillian Clara Thomas Green Party 440

James Richard Page Green Party 392

Henry Boscawen Leveson Gower Green Party 321

John Wanklyn Herring Grant The Labour Party Candidate 159

Sheila Doris Nixon The Labour Party Candidate 141

Andrew James Constantine UK Independence Party 106