LIBERAL DEMOCRAT BUDGET RESPONSE

Today the Conservative chancellor slipped his way out AGAIN of making clear that the £3.5bn of ‘efficiency savings’ are in fact another £3.5bn of cuts.

This means less money for our children’s centres, less money for our libraries and less funds for fixing our crumbling roads.

It is that simple but Osborne is ducking the truth.

The Chancellor is choosing to pursue the idea of austerity, at the expense of our services and our community.

He says we must trust he is making the right decisions, but he is risking the future of many local services that we all rely on.

The last time we trusted George to make the right decision, he chose to cut benefits for the disabled by £30 a week and give tax breaks to higher earners!

His priorities are wrong. His plan is not working. Only the Lib Dems are providing the real opposition this country needs after another abysmal Tory budget.

If you oppose the Conservative budget, hitting the vulnerable whilst giving tax cuts to the wealthy, it is time to become a Liberal Democrat – and join Britain’s only real opposition.

CANN HALL FOCUS NEWSLETTER 277

The latest issue of the Cann Hall FOCUS Newsletter has just gone to press and will be delivered across the ward free of charge by our team of volunteers.

The FOCUS Team would like to hear from you if you would like to help deliver FOCUS near your home, and keep local people informed. A round usually takes about 45 minutes, every 6 – 8 weeks.

Please contact Clyde Kitson on (020) 8534 2947 if you would like to help, thank you.

You can see a copy of FOCUS here: Cann Hall 277

HIGH POLLUTION RATES RECORDED IN WALTHAM FOREST

High pollution rates recorded in Waltham Forest

Last year it was recorded that cancer causing nitrogen oxide dust particles in the air in Waltham Forest were at the highest levels since records began. Recent tests for nitrogen dioxide showed that Waltham Forest far exceeded EU recommendations. Results in October showed that Hoe Street was nearly double the EU limit. Sixty-five per cent of this pollution comes from traffic.

Focus says: We are waiting for the results of new tests planned for early this year. It will be interesting to see the results following the forced increase in traffic onto the borough’s main roads.

DOGS IN ENGLAND MUST BE MICROCHIPPED FROM APRIL

FOCUS Team member Rupert Alexander has become aware that under Government legislation, intended to curb a rise in strays, from April 6 2016 owners need to arrange for their dogs to be microchipped. The procedure involves inserting a sterile chip the size of a grain of rice (which contains the owners’ details) between a dog’s shoulder blades.

To have your dog microchipped contact the council by e mail: dogteam@walthamforest.gov.uk or call 0208 496 3000.

BARKING – GOSPEL OAK LINE TO CLOSE FOR 8 MONTHS

Artist impresssion of the electric units on order

Preparing for Electrification

The line will be closed continuously between Barking and South Tottenham on 4th June 2016 until February 2017. During this period train services will continue to operate, on weekdays only, between Gospel Oak and South Tottenham and from 24th September 2016 the whole line will be closed.

When it reopens to traffic in early February, the Overhead Line Equipment (OHLE) and power supply systems will still be under
test and commissioning, requiring continuing weekend closures and are not expected to be available for electric trains to use until June 2017. Passenger services will continue to be provided by the existing 2-car diesel trains on the same timetable until spring 2018 when new 4-car electric trains are delivered.

The footbridge across Walthamstow Queen’s Road station will be closed to pedestrians from 4th June 2016 until early February 2017.

CHANGES TO RAIL REPLACEMENT BUS SERVICES

TfL has decided to change the routing of the two existing rail replacement bus services to shorten journey times and reduce the effects of traffic congestion, but these alterations will leave several stations without a rail replacement bus service. It is understood that TfL is putting the revised services out to tender around now with the commencement date being 4th June.

Revised Rail Replacement Bus Route ‘T’ Barking – Walthamstow Central
Daily from Saturday 4th June 2016, every 15 minutes, but every 10 minutes in peak periods.
 Barking Station
 Woodgrange Park station
 Wanstead Park station
 Harrow Green, Leytonstone (for Leytonstone High Road station)
 Leyton Midland Road station
 Walthamstow Central, Selborne Road RRB bus stops
Buses will then run out of service to and from their layover point at St. James Street bus station in Courtenay Mews.

Revised Rail Replacement Bus Service ‘J’ Gospel Oak – Seven Sisters
Weekends from Saturday 4th June 2016, then daily from 24th September. Double deck buses running every 15 minutes, but every 10 minutes at peak times.
 Highgate Road (for Gospel Oak station)
 Upper Holloway station
 Hornsey Road, junction with Hanley Road (for Crouch Hill station)
 Finsbury Park station
 Harringay Green Lanes station
 Seven Sisters station (High Road bus stops by Victoria Line entrance/exits)
Buses will then run out of service to and from their layover point at Ashley Road & Burdock Road by Tottenham Hale station.

TfL justifies providing no bus service between Walthamstow Central and South Tottenham by stating that the Victoria Line between Walthamstow Central and Seven Sisters is quicker.

This overlooks the fact that while the weekday Gospel Oak – South Tottenham train service is running (6th June – 23rd September) passengers will have a 5-7 minute walk and a 8-10 minute Underground journey to link up with the Barking bus and vice versa.

BARKING – GOSPEL OAK USER GROUP’S INITIAL VIEWS

BGORUG’s initial thoughts are that the Barking bus (Route ‘T’) should:
 Have an additional stop for Leyton Underground station (Warren Road/Grove Green Road)
 Be extended, on days when the Gospel Oak – South Tottenham train service is running, to South Tottenham station and on other days to Tottenham Hale to connect with an extended Route ‘J’ and also call at:
o Walthamstow South Grove (for Walthamstow Queen’s Road station)
o Blackhorse Road station
The Gospel Oak bus (Route ‘J’) should be extended in service from Seven Sisters to Tottenham Hale to provide a connection with an extended Barking bus (Route ‘T’).

TfL have told Stella Creasy MP that affected passengers will be allowed to pass through Zone 1 without additional charge.
BGORUG also thinks Crouch Hill passengers should also be granted free travel on bus routes 210, W3 & W7. We also think that a Monday – Friday express bus linking Barking with Tottenham Hale would be useful for passengers. Running from Barking every 30 minutes 06:00 – 10:30 and every 30 minutes from Tottenham Hale 15:30 – 20:00. What do you think?

YOUR VIEWS ARE WANTED

BGORUG wants to hear passengers’ views.

Should affected passengers be given free travel on other bus routes or Underground lines? They are meeting TfL on 10th March so please let them know what you think. Either email direct  to info@barking-gospeloak.org.uk or post on their website www.barking-gospeloak.org.uk at the Have Your Say! message board.

CANN HALL FOCUS NEWSLETTER 276

The latest issue of the Cann Hall FOCUS Newsletter has just gone to press and will be delivered across the ward free of charge by our team of volunteers.

The FOCUS Team would like to hear from you if you would like to help deliver FOCUS near your home, and keep local people informed. A round usually takes about 45 minutes, every 6 – 8 weeks.

Please contact Clyde Kitson on (020) 8534 2947 if you would like to help, thank you.

You can see a copy of FOCUS here: Cann Hall 276

CHRISTMAS REFUSE/RECYCLING COLLECTIONS

The revised schedule for Christmas and the New Year has been announced:

Usual collection date Revised collection date
Friday 25 December 2015 Monday 28 December 2015
Monday 28 December 2015 Tuesday 29 December 2015
Tuesday 29 December 2015 Wednesday 30 December 2015
Wednesday 30 December 2015 Thursday 31 December 2015
Thursday 31 December 2015 Saturday 2 January 2016
Friday 1 January 2016 Monday 4 January 2016
Monday 4  January 2016 Tuesday 5 January 2016
Tuesday 5 January 2016 Wednesday 6 January 2016
Wednesday 6 January 2016 Thursday 7 January 2016
Thursday 7 January 2016 Friday 8 January 2016
Friday 8 January 2016 Saturday 9 January 2016

Normal collections will resume from Monday 11 January 2016.

A SAFER CHRISTMAS

A Safer Christmas

 

With the festive season nearly upon us, FOCUS Team member Rupert Alexander comments,

It’s timely to remind ourselves of crime prevention and safety advice if we are at home or away.

 

  • Ask a trusted neighbour or relative to ensure that all mail and leaflets are pushed through your letter box and that wheelie bins are in their usual place after collection
  • Use a timer to switch on lights at different times of the day and night and to switch on the radio
  • Beware of pickpockets on public transport, stores and markets
  • Ensure your bags are zipped up especially backpacks
  • Check on elderly and vulnerable neighbours
  • Lock all doors and windows
  • After Christmas – dispose of cardboard boxes carefully so items bought/ given are not known
  • Mark all new electrical goods with a security marker pen – so if item stolen and recovered, the owner can be traced
  • Have a Safe Christmas and New Year

LEA BRIDGE ROAD CONSULTATION

Transport for London (TfL) is working in partnership with the London Borough of Waltham Forest and would like your views on a number of proposed changes to Lea Bridge Road. These changes would alter some bus stops and the road layout to provide segregated cycle tracks.

For full details, and to share your views, please click here to visit the London Borough of Waltham Forest’s website.

This consultation will run until Wednesday 2 December.