cllr.pallen@richmond.gov.uk · · · cllr.mhassam@richmond.gov.uk · · · cllr.hlee-parsons@richmond.gov.uk · · · supported by local campaigner Jennifer Churchill 73 Harrowdene Gardens 8977 4541 jennifer.churchill@talk21.com . . Please scroll down the page for full details of roles, biographies, etc.. Surgery Details:First Saturday of every month 10.30-11.30am; Community centre on Meadway (outside Trafalgar School). No need to book an appointment.

• 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]: KNELLER Gardens has been a hive of activity since the start of September, with the council hard at work to complete the refurbishment of the pavilion before Christmas and install a new cycle path and Kingfisher Bridge over the River Crane. The new pavilion will include a café kiosk for the many visitors to the park and play areas. Interest has already been expressed by a local youth charity, with the support of Friends of Kneller Gardens, to make this a base for youth activities. The youth centre would provide a safe, secure space for older children and young people. Cllr Piers Allen commented: "Many residents want more activities for young people in the area, so this is a welcome initiative that is receiving good support from young people and park users - the Lib Dem team will do all we can to make this happen."

• Traffic Speeding in CROSS ROADS: The results of a recent survey highlights a reduction in traffic speeds across the Cross Roads area since the introduction of new traffic calming measures. There has been a marked reduction in speeds recorded in First Cross Road and a small reduction in Fifth Cross Road, the two most affected roads. The scheme as a whole has helped heighten drivers' awareness that they are entering a residential area and has helped to contribute to lower vehicle speeds. 85 per cent of traffic is now recorded at speeds of less than 25 mph. This is particularly encouraging given the number of schools in the vicinity. The team are continuing to campaign for the area to be designated a 20 mph zone to reduce vehicle speeds further for the benefits of residents and school children. If you have any views on this let us know.

• A316 Underpass Victory: VINCE Cable MP has won a clear undertaking from Transport for London (TfL) to replace the underpass under the A316 Chertsey Road, which was the scene of a horrific crime, with a toucan crossing between Meadway and Jubilee Avenue. TfL will be consulting residents on the placing of the Toucan crossing in the coming months and hope the work will take place in 2010/11. The underpass will then be sealed up.

• Former Mayor Raises £26,000 for Charity: Local Councillor HELEN LEE-PARSONS, Mayor during 2008-9, has presented cheques for £10,483 each to the Alzheimer's Society, and Richmond Homes for Life Trust. £5,241 was also donated to the REACT charity. "We had a very successful year fundraising and intend to continue our efforts into the future, " said Helen. Helen also facilitates Richmond Homes' "Look & Plan Club", which is for people with learning difficulties and special needs.

• Lib Dems secure £1.1 million of investment for playgrounds: KNELLER GARDENS is one of 11 parks to receive a share in £1.1 million investment in borough playgrounds as part of the Government's Play Builder Programme to improve natural play spaces for children and young people. Money will be used to enhance the exciting play area and create new adventurous play facilities using natural materials such as wood, water and sand. Consultation with community groups is currently underway: find out more and have your say at: http://www.richmondplaybuilderconsultation.co.uk

• Further consultation on HOSPITAL BRIDGE ROAD: Additional measures for stage 2 of the improvements to reduce vehicle speeds in the Hospital Bridge Road slip road will shortly be going out to residents and local businesses - Contact Helen, Piers or Munira if you have any concerns to share.

From Comments Summer 2009: • OUR last issue of Comments urged local residents to vote for Crane Valley Park to win funding from the Mayor of London's Priority Parks Programme. With over 6,000 votes, Crane Valley Park received the highest number of votes out of the 47 parks nominated for 10 grants. The park will receive £400,000 which will help fund river restoration works and the creation of a bridge to link the two boroughs of Richmond upon Thames and Hounslow within the park. New paths, bins and signage will also be introduced, along with continuation of the existing "carved bench project". The grant will also contribute towards the funding of two new cross-borough roles of Park Development Officer and Park Ranger.

Cllr Piers Allen said, "We are absolutely delighted with the result and are very excited about the improvements this fantastic cash boost will deliver for Crane Valley Park". Cllr Munira Wilson added, "Thank you to all the residents who voted for the park and a particularly special thank you to FORCE - Friends of the River Crane Environment - for all their hard work in making this bid a success." Richmond will be working closely with Hounslow on the project and initial discussions are already underway. Cash boost for Crane Park Thank you for supporting our local area

• CPZ consultation starting soon: Following complaints about pressure on parking on rugby and other event days at the RFU, residents in the following roads will shortly be consulted on whether they would like an event day controlled parking zone: Mereway, Andover, Camac, Briar, Meadway, College Crescent, Post Lane, College Close; Devon Ave, Dorset Way, Wiltshire Gardens, Lincoln Avenue, Selkirk Road, Hereford Gardens, Gloucester Rd. At the same time, residents will be asked whether they would also like their road to be considered for a daytime CPZ, and if so, their preferred hours of operation.

Event day parking permits are currently free of charge. Daytime CPZs have a cost attached to the permits, depending on the hours of operation and the CO2 emissions of the car for which a permit is purchased. Please note that this is a consultation, and progress on plans for either the event day or daytime CPZ will be dependent on the outcome. If the majority of residents in any particular road wish to have a daytime CPZ, there will be a second stage consultation to firm up hours of operation and zone boundaries.

• Local councillors have secured traffic calming measures for the treacherous slip road at the junction of Hospital Bridge Road and Staines Road, whilst ensuring trade to the Fulwell Park parade shops is not affected. Initial plans to improve safety included a proposal to make part of the slip road by the shops one way, which could have had a negative impact on trade. Councillors made sure both residents' and traders' views were represented at a meeting of the Transport Consultative Group where traffic schemes are discussed. It was decided to install the proposed speed cushions to slow down traffic but the slip road will remain two way.

Cllr Munira Wilson said, "I am delighted that our long campaign to make the slip road safer has finally paid off. For too long, residents and shoppers have felt unsafe as cars have cut through at high speed. The speed humps, as well as the future planned improvements to the junction, will deter rat-runners and cut speed without harming trade". Further proposals to improve traffic flow at the Staines Road/Hospital Bridge Road/Sixth Cross Road junction will be consulted on later this year. The traffic lights are also due to be upgraded.

• UPDATE: Kneller Gardens Improvements: The refurbishment of the pavilion in Kneller Gardens is due for completion later this summer. A community-sponsored consultation process is due to get underway shortly to explore what youth activities could be developed in the Kneller Gardens/Crane Park area. Consultation with park users is being conducted by Friends of Kneller Gardens and Richmond Youth Partnership - both questionnaires will shortly be available at www.richmondyouth.org.uk.

Cllr Piers Allen commented: "I would urge park users and residents, and especially young people, to show their interest in the possible youth activities that could be run from the site - these could include sport and environmental activity sessions run with RYP youth workers and a drop-in centre for young people". Cllr Piers Allen added, "The council is always being asked to develop more activities for young people in the Twickenham area - here's your chance to have your say and help make it happen!".

• Local police liaison group The next chances to raise community safety and policing issues with the Safer Neighbourhood Team will be on 9th September and 9th December at 7.30 pm at Waldegrave School.

• Area Consultation Meeting: A public meeting with the West Twickenham councillors to discuss local issues raised by residents, including feedback on community priorities raised at the last ACM: the provisional date is 3rd December 2009 starting at 7:15 pm, in Rivermeads Hall, Staines Road, Twickenham (near Shell petrol station).

• [From COMMENTS Winter 2008-9]: CRANE Valley Park, which runs through the heart of Twickenham, is on a shortlist for Mayoral funding. There are 47 parks on the shortlist, but it will be cut to 10. Only the parks that receive the most public votes will get the grants of up to £400,000. West Twickenham Lib Dem councillors are urging residents to cast their vote for the park to secure the cash injection. Cllr Munira Wilson said, "I've already texted in my vote. The much-needed money will help improve safety, signage, footpaths & cycle paths and the wildlife habitat. A new footbridge across the river and carved benches will also be funded. This is a fantastic opportunity for residents to secure improvements for our park."

• POSSIBLE ice rink on Twickenham Green? There were requests for a temporary ice rink on the Green in January. Many local residents contacted councillors after the suggestion was made by a local business. Cllr Munira Wilson said, "Local councillors supported residents who thought an ice rink would be a good idea. However there were concerns raised about the conditions of the grass after the damage caused by the heavy rain after the circus event last year". It was decided to wait adequate time for the green to recover and local residents to be consulted fully.

• IMPROVING safety on the Glebe Estate : Following vandalism of cars in the poorly lit turning circle on Glebe Way in the Glebe Gardens estate, local councillors have secured funding for a new lamppost. It will shortly be installed, and will be trialled for an energy efficiency scheme that will see the light dimmed between 1 am and 5 am. Councillors are also working with the local Safer Neighbourhood Team following deliberate fires in the bin sheds during the firework season. If you have a local crime hotspot or safety issue in your area, and would like some help trying to tackle it, please get in touch with your local councillors. Making our area safer is one of our top priorities. Please get in touch using the details below.

• STAINES Road repaved: Election promise delivered: Local councillors promised residents that the footway along Staines Road between Court Close Avenue and Glebe Way would be re-paved - the pavement on the residential side is in a general state of disrepair. After years of campaigning for funds, local councillors have secured money for a complete resurfacing, with work scheduled to start in February. The surface will match the new pavement on the golf course side of the road. Cllr Munira Wilson said, "I'm delighted that we have finally secured the re-paving work. The footway is in a terrible state, with the elderly and those with pushchairs often struggling to walk on the uneven and cracked slabs and tarmac". Safety Scheme A safety scheme was installed last year to improve road users safety on Staines Road between the Shell garage and the Amida leisure centre. The Council will formally review the measures in March. Please give us your feedback on whether or not you feel the scheme has improved safety and why.

• JUNCTION to get safety makeover: The Hospital Bridge Road/Staines Road junction and slip road is to be made safer for all. Local Lib Dem councillors have been campaigning long and hard with residents for the safety measures. The measures will be installed on the dangerous slip road by the parade of shops on the corner of Hospital Bridge Road and Staines Road. Along with a raised table, part of the slip road is to be made one-way to stop impatient drivers using it as a rat-run and making the road safer for pedestrians. The council is also proposing to make the whole junction safer for motorists by separating the opposed right turn movements from Sixth Cross Road and Hospital Bridge Road from other traffic movements. Cyclists will benefit from improvements with better access to existing crossing facilities at the traffic lights and the provision of cycle stands in the slip- road. Consultation with local residents took place in November and December. Residents' views will be taken into account and plans will be reviewed accordingly. The proposals will then go before the Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking (Cllr Trigg) at a public meeting, at which members of the public and councillors can make representations. If you have concerns or queries that you would like addressed or want to comment on the scheme, please do get in touch with Piers, Munira or Helen.

• KNELLER Gardens: The refurbishment of the pavilion is now moving ahead. Builders are expected to be on site in March, with completion of the works in May, including new lavatories, changing rooms with showers, and a refreshment kiosk. The Friends of Kneller Gardens have worked closely with the Council's Parks Department and ward Councillors to bring this scheme to fruition, together with other enhancements to the park, including new benches, spring bulb planting and a tree replacement programme.

• RECYCLING: There have been changes to the recycling scheme. These changes have been introduced after problems with bags blowing away and increased litter after collections. "We are always looking at ways to increase levels of recycling. Richmond Council now recycle over 40% of waste, "said Cllr Piers Allen.

• MONTHLY Council Surgeries: The West Twickenham councillors hold monthly surgeries for constituents to come and raise issues on a one to one, confidential basis. 11th April 10.30-11.30 am: Cricket Pavilion, Twickenham Green.

• [Feb 16]: Twickenham Riverside Consultation Dates

• [Jan 30]: Councillors Deliver Road Safety Whilst Protecting Local Businesses

[Sep 01]: • STAINES Road Safety Scheme Delivered As Promised: Local Liberal Democrats' campaign to make Staines Road safer has paid off as contractors put the finishing touches to a local safety scheme. West Twickenham councillors and local MP Vincent Cable have been campaigning for a number of years, along with residents, to make Staines Road safer. In the last three years, there have been two fatalities along the stretch between the Shell garage (at the Hospital Bridge Road junction) and the Amida golf & leisure club. Working with residents, local councillors have pushed through a scheme that has recently been installed, including a mini-roundabout, traffic islands, narrowing of the carriageway and a shared cycle/pedestrian path on the golf course side of the road.

Cllr Munira Wilson said, "We are delighted to be able to deliver one of our key election pledges to local residents of improving safety on this dangerous stretch of road. Despite calls from residents to make this road safer, our Conservative predecessors were not prepared to take any action to slow down traffic. Many residents in the Rivermeads estate and on Staines Road have already told us how much the scheme has improved the traffic, slowing down cars and making it easier to turn out of the estate. The traffic islands provide easier crossing points for pedestrians, and cyclists feel much safer on the shared footpath."

Local Liberal Democrat councillors and Vincent Cable MP are continuing their campaign for a zebra crossing by the junction of Court Close Avenue, which many local people have asked for. Cllr David Trigg, Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport & Parking said, "At the moment, we do not meet the Transport for London criteria for such a crossing but we hope that the new scheme will help us meet the criteria. Officers will be reviewing the safety scheme after six months and if enough people are crossing at the new traffic islands, we will make a strong bid for a zebra crossing at that site."

• LOCAL councillors have welcomed the decision by the Liberal Democrat administration to prioritise the refurbishment of the pavilion in Kneller Gardens. Friends of Kneller Gardens have been working hard with Cllr Piers Allen to ensure that the council pushes ahead with the project. Plans had stalled after the £60,000 funds earmarked by the previous Conservative administration proved insufficient to carry out the works. Hard work by local people Cllr Piers Allen commented: "I am delighted this long-awaited decision has been taken - the Friends of Kneller Gardens have been working closely with council officers on other improvements in the park (including installation of the shelter and fitness unit, benches, planting and tree replacement), but the pavilion was always going to be the most prominent improvement for the park and at last this is now set to go ahead, on a realistic funding basis." The building will be refurbished to include public toilets and a café kiosk.

• LOCAL councillor becomes Mayor: Local councillor and Fielding Avenue resident Helen Lee-Parsons was elected as Mayor of Richmond upon Thames for 2008/2009. Mayor Helen Lee- Parsons said, "I am thrilled and honoured to be proposed for the role of Mayor for the coming year. There are so many voluntary organisations working to improve the quality of people's lives and I will use my mayoralty to encourage ever stronger links between them, the council and local businesses". As Mayor, Helen gets to select three charities which she will support over the course of the year. Helen added "I have selected what I believe are three excellent charities - both national and local - and a host of events throughout the year will raise much-needed money for them. The Alzheimer's Society is particularly close to my heart as my family and I know first-hand the value of its tremendous work."

• THE Common Post Office closed - despite protests Post Office Ltd has closed the Staines Road Post Office branch, ignoring protests from residents, your councillors and local MP Vincent Cable. Cllr Munira 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 Piers Allen said, "From April next year you will be able to pay your council tax and most other council bills at any local post office branch". The Conservatives failed on two separate occasions to support motions, proposed by West Twickenham councillors at full Council, condemning the closure. West Twickenham councillors and Vincent Cable MP campaigned to save The Common Post Office, but were ignored by Post Office Ltd.

• CROSS Roads: Construction work has started on the Cross Roads safety scheme, which will result in the area being a 20 mph zone. The work includes upgrading the existing traffic calming measures in Fifth Cross Road and installing new ones in First Cross Road. The contractor anticipates that the works will be finished by the end of the summer holidays. The junctions bounded by Hampton and Staines Road will also have measures installed. Cllr Piers Allen commented: "I am pleased this scheme is going ahead and that officers were able to reflect residents' views in the revised plans, following consultation. Plans for Third Cross Road are still under review, after residents expressed concern that a one-way road might increase traffic speeds."

• COUNCILLORS secure McClean up: Local Liberal Democrat councillors are working with McDonalds management at the Apex Corner Drive-Thru to clean up litter generated by the fast food restaurant. Following complaints from residents and strong objections to plans for extended opening hours, Cllr Munira Wilson met with McDonalds and secured the following measures: New and improved litter-picking schedule in the roads around McDonalds Proposals for a new litter bin Subject to agreement from residents, a commitment to litter-pick from private gardens Cllr Munira Wilson said, "I'm pleased that McDonalds is taking these steps to improve the local environment for residents. I will be keeping a close eye on the situation to make sure they stick to these pledges and litter decreases."

• STAINES Road/ Hospital Bridge Road/Sixth Cross Road junction: a local safety scheme study is due to start shortly at the Staines Road/ Hospital Bridge Road Junction, to include the slip lane adjacent to the parade of shops. "This is great news" said Cllr Helen Lee- Parsons, "we've campaigned hard with local residents and shopkeepers to have their concerns about rat running in the service road addressed: I am looking forward to working with officers and residents to see the best solution put into action as soon as possible".

• THE West Twickenham Safer Neighbourhood Police Team will be hosting a Police Liaison Group meeting on Monday 8th September at Waldegrave School at 7 pm. All members of the public are invited to share their views on the priorities for the SNT team over the coming months. If you have any issues to raise at the meeting, please contact the West Twickenham PLG Chair, Ray Williams (ray_g_williams16@tiscali.co.uk) or contact one of the councillors.

• TWICKENHAM Green funfair: Following the repair and re-seeding work needed on Twickenham Green after the damage caused due to heavy rain during Zippo's Circus, the August Bank Holiday funfair on Twickenham Green has been cancelled. The council is working with the company that runs the fair to find an alternative location in the borough for the fair.

• MAKING parking clearer in Fulwell Park: Following feedback from residents in a survey earlier this year and when we spoke to you on the doorsteps, the white parking lines are being repainted and signage renewed in the Fulwell Park estate.

• THE next Area Consultation Meeting will take place at Trafalgar Junior School on Wednesday 8th October 2008 at 7.30pm. Members of the public are invited to attend and put issues on the agenda.

• RIVERSIDE councillors make the case for the River Centre on Twickenham Riverside

• THE closure of our local post offices was condemned by the Liberal Democrat council at the full council meeting held on Tuesday 4th March. Cllr Munira Wilson and Cllr Stephen Knight proposed a motion which not only condemned the planned closures, but also asked the council to make strong representations on behalf of local residents to Post Office Ltd against the planned closures. Cllr Munira Wilson said, "The post offices earmarked for closure - three within the borough and one just over the border in Hounslow - are at the heart of their local communities. Many local people, particularly the elderly and frail, but also the self-employed and small local businesses, as well as mothers with young children, will be hit very hard by these closures. Councillors and Vincent Cable MP have been inundated by the response to their surveys and petitions against the closures. We will make sure their views are heard but it's important that as many local residents as possible also respond to the Post Office consultation."

In a bizarre turn of events, the Conservative opposition chose not to participate in or vote on the post office motion. They had walked out of the council meeting knowing that this important item was on the agenda. Cllr Stephen Knight who seconded the motion said, "The Conservatives have turned their backs on the local post offices that are under threat and the thousands of residents that use them. I don't understand how they could knowingly do this. Their actions show contempt for residents and could send a worrying signal to Post Office Ltd that these post offices are not important. After all, it was the last Conservative government that started closing down post offices - some 3500 under their watch. I can assure the people of Twickenham, Teddington and Whitton that the Liberal Democrats would have stayed in the council chamber all night to fight for these post offices". The deadline for the consultation period is 2 April. Views should be sent to Network Development Manager, c/o National Consultation Team, Freepost Consultation Team or e-mail: consultation@postoffice.co.uk before the deadline closes. Cllr Munira Wilson added, "We need to send a strong signal to Post Office Ltd that these post offices are at the heart of our community and the threat of closure should be withdrawn immediately".

Cllr Piers Allen

Tel: 8898 1540 E-mail: cllr.pallen@richmond.gov.uk

Roles: Assistant Cabinet member for Child Protection and Children & Families; Co-ordination, Finance and Performance Commission; Regulatory Committee; Richmond Music Trust.

Cllr Munira Wilson [nee Hassam]

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

Roles: Children's Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee; Governor - Heathfield Junior School

Cllr Helen Lee-Parsons

Tel: 8287 7094 E-mail: cllr.hlee-parsons@richmond.gov.uk

Roles: Mayor for the year 2008/09; Health, Housing and Social Care; Planning Committee.

Piers Ronald Allen Liberal Democrat 1610 Elected

Doreen Edith Helen Lee-Parsons Liberal Democrat 1524 Elected

Munira Sherali Hassam Liberal Democrat 1497 Elected

Lance Charles Quantrill The Conservative Party Candidate 1403

James Jeffrey Duckenfield The Conservative Party Candidate 1335

Alan David Butler The Conservative Party Candidate 1321

Damien James Egan The Labour Party Candidate 472

Christian Richmond The Labour Party Candidate 407

Matthew Patrick O'Mullane The Labour Party Candidate 402