 | South Richmond Ward |
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is served by;
  
Cllr Rodney Bennett Cllr Frances Bouchier Cllr Pamela Fleming
Victorian Columns Saved
The vigilance of David Shaw, Chairman of the Parish Church of St. Mary Magdalene’s Fabric Committee saved two historic Victorian lamp columns, which otherwise would have been replaced with standard columns. After a meeting organised by Ward Councillor Pamela Fleming the programme for lighting around the Church area is to be reviewed.
She said: “The column at the West Door of the Church has been in situ since 1875. It is part of our heritage and must be restored, not replaced. This whole Town Centre project is a missed opportunity. Too much has been spent on conventional schemes and materials that can be seen in any town.
The Council should have spent more of the £4m received from TfL on creating designs unique to Richmond, designs which reflect the importance and character of our beautiful historic town.”
Residents Slam Recycling Mess
The sheer ‘mess’ caused by the recycling fiasco was one of the complaints at a lively meeting of The Alberts Residents Association in Richmond. There was a catalogue of criticism and complaints from residents who branded the service ‘careless’ and ‘sloppy’.
South Richmond Councillor Pamela Fleming said: “I sympathised with complaints that bags blew around and were not even returned to the right houses! Residents were justifiably angry that four vehicles visiting each house clogged the narrow streets, causing congestion and pollution. Trails of litter follow these visits. The current system cannot and will not provide a decent service. And this is seven months after its introduction!
We were promised a decent service – a promise that has not been kept. Residents are the victims of systemic failure in a vital service – with Council tax at its present level, they deserve better”.
Richmond Traffic Chaos: ‘No Consultation’
South Richmond Councillor Rodney Bennett has forced an admission from Liberal Traffic Boss, Councillor Trigg, that consultation with ward councillors has not been good enough. Speaking at a Council meeting Councillor Bennett complained that before the dramatic re-routing of buses round Richmond Green in March ward councillors were neither consulted nor warned.
He said: “Of course the work undertaken is essential but it was not well-planned. Ward Councillors – if they had been consulted – might have been able to suggest improvements. Instead we had unsatisfactory location of temporary bus stops, lack of shelter and inadequate signage. This shows how disastrous it would be to pedestrianise George Street and send traffic round The Green. I am pleased to have an assurance from Councillor Trigg that no such proposal is now under consideration. I will hold him to it!“
Councillor Bennett has secured an apology from Londom Buses over the way the diversion was handled in March. He said :” I complained that the best alternative route was not used when George Street was being dug up and that the signage at closed and temporary stops was unsatisfactory. They have now accepted the criticism and blamed ‘temporary shortage of staff’.
I have been assured that every effort will be made to minimise inconvenience in the future. I hope this happens when the proposed changes to George Street and The Quadrant are under way. I know that there are few satisfactory alternate routes when there is disruption in Richmond Town – but decent signage and a bit of thought can reduce inconvenience. If residents have complaints in the future, I invite them to let me know and I will raise it immediately with London Buses”.
No Late Posting In Richmond
South Richmnond Councillor Pamela Fleming has discovered that the Council has vetoed proposals to locate a new post box outside the old Post Office.
When the Post Office transferred to W H Smith, it was agreed to provide an external box for bulk postings and a later collection after the shop had closed. “The slot at the old Post Office has now been sealed. It was only after a constituent complained that I found out that the Council had quite arbitrarily decided that the box should not be sited on the corner of King Street and George Street. The alleged reason is the potential danger if drivers stop to use the post,” said Councillor Fleming.
“I have asked the Cabinet member why Ward Councillors were not consulted. I am really concerned by the delay while they consider a new site. If safety is the issue the Council should have considered this earlier. The facility for bulk posting and a later collection is important both for residents and for the many businesses in the town”.
Conservation Area Saved
Residents in Richmond’s St. Mathias Conservation area are delighted that the Planning Committee refused an application to build a large six-bedroom house with two flats opposite the Church.
South Richmond Councillor Pamela Fleming said: “The proposed development would have come within a metre of the neighbouring detached house. The design did nothing to enhance the character or appearance of the area.
The Gothic Revival listed Church by Sir Gilbert Scott is the heart of the Conservation Area. It is essential than any replacement building preserves the setting and open space around the Church. The Church and Centre, where there is a playgroup, have been concerned about pedestrian safety on this corner for many years. Now it is up to the Council to consider much-needed improvements”
Sheen Road: A Better Plan
Road safety and the concerns of shopkeepers about the effect of imposing ‘no waiting’ restrictions outside their shops were raised at the Council meeting by South Richmond Councillor Pamela Fleming. She said: “I am particularly concerned about safety at the junction with Queens Road. There are three Primary schools close by and Marshgate School also in the neighbourhood.
Over the last few months we have seen various proposals for sections of this busy road but rather than this piecemeal approach I would like to look at the whole of Sheen Road so that we can see how the changes would impact on each other. I am delighted that the Council has agreed and I will be submitting proposals which will include more short-stay parking spaces to help the shops”.
“NO” To University Expansion Plans
In just one day Hilary Denness of Queens Road collected 135 signatures from residents in the roads close to the University objecting to their plans for a new three-storey building to accommodate a further 90 students.
Councillor Pamela Fleming presented the petition to Council on Tuesday. She said: “Residents already suffer disturbance from the 300 students living on the campus and another 90 will make it far worse, particularly at night. I attended a meeting of residents, many of them with gardens backing on to the university.
This is an over-development of the site in a residential and conservation area. It is bound to create more traffic and car parking problems in an already congested area.”
 
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