Thursday 9th Dec 2010, 7pm, St Paul's Church Hall
(Corner of High Road and Evering Road)
This meeting will give an update from the last full meeting on the local traffic issues (see article below). We will also be electing the committee and officers for the next year.
All residents of the LARA area welcome
Help build your community. We need residents to get involved on the committee. We want to hear your views and we need your participation to help LARA succeed
Look out for the Newsletter coming through your door!
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Sunday, 24 October 2010
Open Letter Re: Stoke Newington Gyratory
In response to an article written in the Hackney Gazette recently, here is an open letter from our chair, Jim Westwood, on behalf of the LARA Commitee and its residents:
Just a reminder about the Walkabout this coming Tuesday as part of the on going consultation for the 20mph zone on our streets. All welcome. Please see previous post.
Dear Sir/Madam
I was very interested to read your article about the Stoke Newington gyratory system. While the consultation is welcome, many residents who live within the gyratory system have been discussing this issue for some time. Leswin Area Residents Association (LARA) recently held a well attended meeting on the issues faced by residents living within the one-way system.
Your readers, and others, may be interested to note that the LARA members do not, in the first instance, see the retaining or abolition of the gyratory system as their main priority. What they do see as their main priority is taming the roads around the gyratory to make them safer and more pedestrian/cyclist friendly and improving the environment and safety of the gyratory’s internal streets. For example, more safe crossing points, traffic calming measures on the gyratory, stopping the rat running that goes on through our streets and creating a 20mph zone.
In your article, Trevor Parsons of LCC implies that reverting back to two-way traffic will cure if not all then most of the ills of the one-way system. Many of the LARA residents are not so sure. They fear that whichever traffic system we end up with, the problems our children, elderly and disabled residents face in crossing the High road and other roads will not disappear.
Stoke Newington High Road has been revitalised as a shopping centre over recent years. With the introduction of supermarkets such as Tesco’s and Sainsbury’s alongside the more established shops such as General Woodwork, their is more reason and temptation to cross the road other than at the current few and far between safe crossing points. Around the gyratory system the traffic must be slowed down by introducing traffic calming measures. We also need a lot more places where residents can cross the road in safety.
The issue of whether we stay with or reverse the gyratory system is a complex and costly one that could drag on for a long time. In the meantime, we still have cars racing at high speed along Rectory Road, Evering Road and Stoke Newington High Road as there are no deterrents in place to stop them. ‘Taming’ the gyratory system and improving the local environment within it could be achieved quickly and for a lot less money.
Just a reminder about the Walkabout this coming Tuesday as part of the on going consultation for the 20mph zone on our streets. All welcome. Please see previous post.
Dear Sir/Madam
I was very interested to read your article about the Stoke Newington gyratory system. While the consultation is welcome, many residents who live within the gyratory system have been discussing this issue for some time. Leswin Area Residents Association (LARA) recently held a well attended meeting on the issues faced by residents living within the one-way system.
Your readers, and others, may be interested to note that the LARA members do not, in the first instance, see the retaining or abolition of the gyratory system as their main priority. What they do see as their main priority is taming the roads around the gyratory to make them safer and more pedestrian/cyclist friendly and improving the environment and safety of the gyratory’s internal streets. For example, more safe crossing points, traffic calming measures on the gyratory, stopping the rat running that goes on through our streets and creating a 20mph zone.
In your article, Trevor Parsons of LCC implies that reverting back to two-way traffic will cure if not all then most of the ills of the one-way system. Many of the LARA residents are not so sure. They fear that whichever traffic system we end up with, the problems our children, elderly and disabled residents face in crossing the High road and other roads will not disappear.
Stoke Newington High Road has been revitalised as a shopping centre over recent years. With the introduction of supermarkets such as Tesco’s and Sainsbury’s alongside the more established shops such as General Woodwork, their is more reason and temptation to cross the road other than at the current few and far between safe crossing points. Around the gyratory system the traffic must be slowed down by introducing traffic calming measures. We also need a lot more places where residents can cross the road in safety.
The issue of whether we stay with or reverse the gyratory system is a complex and costly one that could drag on for a long time. In the meantime, we still have cars racing at high speed along Rectory Road, Evering Road and Stoke Newington High Road as there are no deterrents in place to stop them. ‘Taming’ the gyratory system and improving the local environment within it could be achieved quickly and for a lot less money.
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Traffic Concerns – Upcoming Consultations
There are two separate consultations happening at the moment, concerning our area:
1. Stoke Newington Gyratory Consultation October 4th 2010 until January 10, 2011: LB Hackney is currently carrying out their own appraisal of the 2009 TfL study on the Stoke Newington Gyratory; as part of this Hackney are asking residents for their views. They have published a residents’ questionnaire, which can also be completed online at www.hackney.gov.uk/sn-gyratory. it would be great to see as many people as possible, particularly LARA residents, to put their views forward!
2. Brooke Area 20mph zone: the consultation for the 20mph zone on our streets will start in January 2011 and will be implemented from April 2011; we have arranged a ‘walkabout’ with Maryann Allen, Road safety Team Leader at LB Hackney, on October 26th at 5.00pm – meeting point at 1 Darville Road (corner Darville / Evering Rd). The purpose of the walkabout is to raise those issues which we have identified following discussions with other residents (see list published by LARA), ie to make our points. We’ll also have the opportunity to hear more about Hackney’s plans for the 20mph zone in advance of the consultation. Please do join us if traffic in LARA is your concern - All welcome!
Monday, 11 October 2010
Stoke Newington Gyratory Consultation
Do we need a one way traffic system in Stoke Newington? – Have your say
Hackney Council is currently consulting residents and businesses in Stoke Newington to identify traffic and road safety issues in the area and to understand how the gyratory affects you as a resident, visitor or business owner.
How to have your say
Complete our online survey available on www.hackney.gov.uk/sn-gyratory or fill in a hard copy version set to be distributed with the 18 October edition of Hackney Today.
There will be a public exhibition in Stoke Newington Library between 18 October 2010 and 10 January 2011.
Drop in sessions:
Thursday 14 October 2010
6pm – 8pm
Stoke Newington Neighbourhood Forum
Stoke Newington Town Hall, Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0JR
Tuesday 19 October 2010
11am – 2pm
Stoke Newington Library
184 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0JS
Friday 12 November 2010
5pm – 8pm
Morrison’s Supermarket
47/49 Stamford Hill N16 5SR
Saturday 4 December 2010
10am – 2.30pm
Stoke Newington Farmers’ Market
William Patten School, Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0NX
Deadline for responses: Monday 10 January 2011
More information
For more information about this consultation, please contact the Traffic and Transportation team on 020 8356 4891 or email: consultation@hackney.gov.uk
Monday, 13 September 2010
Open Letter Re: Old Fire Station Planning Proposal
For the attention of:
Neighbour of Old Fire Station, Leswin Road N16
Regarding:
Proposed improvements to the building
Fire Station Community Nursery
61 Leswin Road, Stoke Newington, LONDON, N16 7NX
020 7249 3234
info@firestationnursery.org.uk
firestationnursery.org.uk
Dear Neighbour
As you may have heard from Hackney Borough Council, the Old Fire Station recently submitted a planning application for improvements to the building.
If you would like to know more about the proposals, you can:
•download our Design and Access Statement from www.firestationnursery.org.uk/plans
•contact me, Nick Saltmarsh, at the above email or postal address
We'd welcome your views on the proposals - and would also you to let us know how you think the building should be used in the future.
Please send any comments to me at the above email or postal address.
The current proposals
The proposed improvements consist of alterations to the entrance to the building and the erection of a raised playdeck over part of the yard at the rear of the building.
We are hoping to fund these works with capital funding for the Fire Station Community Nursery, which occupies the first floor of the Old Fire Station and will be the primary beneficiary of these improvements.
The benefits will, however, be wider: changes to the entrance will improve the building's appearance and access, removing the concrete ramp access that compromises the building's appearance and imposes on the street. The playdeck will also provide a covered area for vegetable packing by Growing Communities and possible other uses.
The Old Fire Station
The building provides a variety of spaces for hire by the community – see www.oldfirestation.org – and is used on a permanent basis by three community groups: the Fire Station Community Nursery (community-run children’snursery), Growing Communities (community food group) and Anika Patrice (providing support to carers of people with learning difficulties from ethnic minorities).
We would like to extend the current use of the building and hope to secure further funding for improvements and development work. As well as the spaces for hire, there is currently vacant space in the former flat on the 3rd floor (suitable for office use) and in the basement (ideal for use as a youth club or rehearsal space).
Please let us know your thoughts on how the building could be used for the benefit of the local community.
Yours,
Nick Saltmarsh
Treasurer, Fire Station Community Nursery parents’ committee
Director, Old Fire Station
Good quality, affordable education and day-care for children from 13 weeks to 5 years
Fire Station Community Nursery is a registered charity (Fire Station Nursery, charity number 285133)
www.firestationnursery.org.uk/plans
Neighbour of Old Fire Station, Leswin Road N16
Regarding:
Proposed improvements to the building
Fire Station Community Nursery
61 Leswin Road, Stoke Newington, LONDON, N16 7NX
020 7249 3234
info@firestationnursery.org.uk
firestationnursery.org.uk
Dear Neighbour
As you may have heard from Hackney Borough Council, the Old Fire Station recently submitted a planning application for improvements to the building.
If you would like to know more about the proposals, you can:
•download our Design and Access Statement from www.firestationnursery.org.uk/plans
•contact me, Nick Saltmarsh, at the above email or postal address
We'd welcome your views on the proposals - and would also you to let us know how you think the building should be used in the future.
Please send any comments to me at the above email or postal address.
The current proposals
The proposed improvements consist of alterations to the entrance to the building and the erection of a raised playdeck over part of the yard at the rear of the building.
We are hoping to fund these works with capital funding for the Fire Station Community Nursery, which occupies the first floor of the Old Fire Station and will be the primary beneficiary of these improvements.
The benefits will, however, be wider: changes to the entrance will improve the building's appearance and access, removing the concrete ramp access that compromises the building's appearance and imposes on the street. The playdeck will also provide a covered area for vegetable packing by Growing Communities and possible other uses.
The Old Fire Station
The building provides a variety of spaces for hire by the community – see www.oldfirestation.org – and is used on a permanent basis by three community groups: the Fire Station Community Nursery (community-run children’snursery), Growing Communities (community food group) and Anika Patrice (providing support to carers of people with learning difficulties from ethnic minorities).
We would like to extend the current use of the building and hope to secure further funding for improvements and development work. As well as the spaces for hire, there is currently vacant space in the former flat on the 3rd floor (suitable for office use) and in the basement (ideal for use as a youth club or rehearsal space).
Please let us know your thoughts on how the building could be used for the benefit of the local community.
Yours,
Nick Saltmarsh
Treasurer, Fire Station Community Nursery parents’ committee
Director, Old Fire Station
Good quality, affordable education and day-care for children from 13 weeks to 5 years
Fire Station Community Nursery is a registered charity (Fire Station Nursery, charity number 285133)
www.firestationnursery.org.uk/plans
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
More Pics from Sunday Lunch
Monday, 19 July 2010
The Big Lunch.....We did it!
From small beginnings.....
To a paint crazy, musical feast!
We even had a bar!
and a vintage car!
A day of lunching fun and just shows you what can happen on a little patch of forgotten green!
Don't forget the meeting this Thursday
Thanks to everyone for all there efforts to make this such a great day.
Friday, 16 July 2010
Join the West Hackney Recreation Ground User Group!
Click on the flyer above to find out more about the group and how to get involved.
The meeting is on Thursday 22nd July 7-9pm at St Paul's Church Hall.
For more info contact Imogen Sherwood on 020 8510 5420
imogen.sherwood@groundwork.org.uk
Don't forget to come along to our Big Lunch on Sunday 18th July and enjoy a family day out in our local park. See the plans for what this large space can become and help to bring it to reality!
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
The Big Lunch Build Up!
LARA is organising our first ever Big Lunch as part of the nationwide annual event. Friends, families and neighbours are invited to come and have fun, eat and be merry!Entrance is a plate of food to share.
We had our last meeting at the Rec tonight....That's the West Hackney Recreation Ground. It's the green space behind St. Paul's Church at the end of Leswin Road.
Kick off is at 1pm but anyone who wants to help out beforehand can meet at 11am on the day. Niall the Rector at St. Paul's is kindly lending tables and chairs, so we are hoping to set up a banquet style long table. There won't be enough chairs for everyone so it's down to you all to bring picnic blankets and deckchairs etc. and to find your spot around the park.
Bunting needs to go up, table laid and general safety check of the park as a whole before everyone arrives.
There is no money coming from anywhere, unfortunately, so at the moment it's kind donations from LARA committee members. We hope to reimburse with donations on the day or fundraising at a later date. So basically it's what we can all make of it as a neighbourhood.
The general idea is to turn up with food to share, bring your own drink, plates, cutlery, picnic blankets and anything else to add to the entertainment on the day.
Growing Communities have come up trumps with donations of delicious, local grown salad!
Gazebos and deckchairs, cushions and blankets are all welcome.
Sorry, no barbecues, dogs and unaccompanied children. We are trying to make it as safe a day as possible and want everyone to have a good time!
Please comment below if you'd like to help out or have any suggestions.
You can also contact us at Lara.n16@googlemail.com
More updates coming soon and watch out for flyers in the next few days!
Thanks to local artist, Roger Mason for the great cartoon! www.looksgoodonpaper.co.uk
TRAFFIC IN OUR AREA AND CHANGES WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE Following public meeting on June 17th, 2010
The Problems
A number of traffic issues have been identified, which are of concern to residents in the LARA area. In summary these include:
- Speeding cars along Stoke Newington High Street, Rectory Road, Manse Road and Evering Road in particular, with the LARA area effectively being cut off all surrounding areas and green spaces by fast traffic;
- Cars ‘rat running’ up and down the residential streets off the High Street, Bayston Road inparticular (this issue has been addressed in the past in Leswin Road by making part of it one-way); speed bumps are insufficient in avoiding and slowing down through traffic;
- Lack of pedestrian crossings across the High Street;
- Lack of safety of the existing crossings across the High Street; inadequate warning to drivers
- and bad traffic light phasing; this is a particular issue for people with children in William Patten school;
- Inadequate access around and into the area by bicycle, particularly on one-way stretch of Stoke Newington High St. , as well as both Brooke Rd and Evering Rd being one-way in the same direction; this leads to ‘distorted’ bicycle traffic with the result of people cycling on the footpaths to avoid longer journeys;
- Local ‘rat run’ along Lawrence Buildings and southbound drivers doing an illegal left turn onto Brooke Road in order to continue along Leswin Road;
- Inadequate access of local residents to public transport due to bus routing around one-way system;
There are other issues, which have been raised by residents’ groups of the other areas bordering the gyratory zone; these are being considered, however LARA is limiting its campaign to the area within the LARA boundaries.
The Stoke Newington Gyratory
LARA believes that many of the problems listed above are a result of the gyratory or one-way system, which has been in place for the last few decades, serving to alleviate congestion on the A10 into and out of Central London. There have been a number of campaigns in recent years for the removal of the gyratory in favour of 2-way traffic throughout.
-LCC position
In particular LARA has consulted with LCC iH (London Cycling Campaign in Hackney), who have a strong position in favour of removing the gyratory; their views are backed by experience with similar campaigns such as the Shoreditch High St. gyratory removal. Discussions with LCC also included consideration of other measures to improve accessibility to the area, including contraflow cycle lanes, and the dialogue with LCC has been particularly helpful to us in identifying possible solutions to the problems identified.
LCC’s own current position is to campaign for reinstating 2-way traffic for all road users on Stoke Newington High Street, Rectory Road, Manse Road, Northwold Road, Evering Road, and Brooke Road. Their view is that 2-way traffic is preferable to contraflow cycling lanes, being much more effective at achieving slowed down and more even traffic flow; they advised that experience has proven that contraflow cycling lanes are a second-best option to returning the streetscape to its original appearance, causing problems especially at junctions.
-TfL Study
Transport for London (TfL) has carried out a feasibility study on the removal of the gyratory which is not positive in terms of removing it. Hackney Council is currently conducting its own appraisal of the TfL study to look further into the options, results anticipated in late 2010. LB Hackney has confirmed that there will be a full consultation with local residents and stakeholders in due course, to get a more coherent sense of residents’ views on the issue. LARA welcomes the opportunity to be consulted on the matter and we shall be keeping in touch with LB Hackney in order to ensure that this happens in due course.
-LARA position
There are differing views in the area about the pros and cons of reinstating 2-way traffic in this area. LARA has consulted with residents as well as a number of other local and regional stakeholders on the matter, and, as a committee, has decided to move forward with their campaign for addressing the problems identified above, and implementing local improvements rather than pushing for the removal of the gyratory. This is considered a wider issue and too long term, and we believe that going back to 2-way traffic would even worsen some of the problems present. Further to this we want to concentrate our efforts on goals which are achievable in the short to medium term.
To summarise, our aims are to
- lessen the impact of heavy traffic on our residential area;
- discourage unnecessary speeding and rat running through our residential area;
- improve and make safer pedestrian connections within the LARA area + between the LARA
area and its surroundings, including schools, shopping facilities, public transport, green spaces and other amenities;
- create better and safer access throughout the area for cyclists;
- make the LARA area safer and more inclusively accessible for all local road users.
What would LARA like to see happen?
LARA believes that, in order to achieve our goals outlined above, measures must include:
Traffic calming measures:
- 20mph speed limit throughout residential streets, properly enforced;
- Effective speed controls to one-way portion of Stoke Newington High Street, Rectory Road and Evering / Manse Road;
- ‘filtered permeability’ measures, ie motor vehicle barriers mid-way along residential roads, Leswin, Bayston and Darville Road in particular, to ‘filter out’ traffic unsuitable as through traffic in a residential area;
- Removal of local ‘rat run’ along Lawrence Buildings and stopping southbound drivers from doing an illegal left turn onto Brooke Road in order to continue along Leswin Road;
- Increase number of pedestrian crossings across the High Street to account for better connection to shops and to schools;
- Make existing pedestrian crossings across the High Street safer by means of better warning to drivers, better traffic light placement and more pedestrian friendly phasing;
- Improve pedestrian connections to Stoke Newington Common and West Hackney Recreation Ground green spaces;
Improvements for cyclists:
- Implementation of separate , safe, cycle lanes, including contra-flow cycle traffic, to
Stoke Newington High Street, Brooke Road and Evering / Manse Road;
How can we bring about improvements?
The Roads within and around the LARA area are owned by TfL (red routes A10, Manse, Evering and Rectory Road) and Hackney Council (all other roads). LARA’s campaign must therefore now pursue its campaign with both these organisations.
LARA’s discussions to date have included Louisa Thomson, councillor Stoke Newington Central ward, as well as Andrew Cunningham, head of Streetscene (LB Hackney). No contact has yet been made with TfL – this should be our next step.
June 2010
A number of traffic issues have been identified, which are of concern to residents in the LARA area. In summary these include:
- Speeding cars along Stoke Newington High Street, Rectory Road, Manse Road and Evering Road in particular, with the LARA area effectively being cut off all surrounding areas and green spaces by fast traffic;
- Cars ‘rat running’ up and down the residential streets off the High Street, Bayston Road inparticular (this issue has been addressed in the past in Leswin Road by making part of it one-way); speed bumps are insufficient in avoiding and slowing down through traffic;
- Lack of pedestrian crossings across the High Street;
- Lack of safety of the existing crossings across the High Street; inadequate warning to drivers
- and bad traffic light phasing; this is a particular issue for people with children in William Patten school;
- Inadequate access around and into the area by bicycle, particularly on one-way stretch of Stoke Newington High St. , as well as both Brooke Rd and Evering Rd being one-way in the same direction; this leads to ‘distorted’ bicycle traffic with the result of people cycling on the footpaths to avoid longer journeys;
- Local ‘rat run’ along Lawrence Buildings and southbound drivers doing an illegal left turn onto Brooke Road in order to continue along Leswin Road;
- Inadequate access of local residents to public transport due to bus routing around one-way system;
There are other issues, which have been raised by residents’ groups of the other areas bordering the gyratory zone; these are being considered, however LARA is limiting its campaign to the area within the LARA boundaries.
The Stoke Newington Gyratory
LARA believes that many of the problems listed above are a result of the gyratory or one-way system, which has been in place for the last few decades, serving to alleviate congestion on the A10 into and out of Central London. There have been a number of campaigns in recent years for the removal of the gyratory in favour of 2-way traffic throughout.
-LCC position
In particular LARA has consulted with LCC iH (London Cycling Campaign in Hackney), who have a strong position in favour of removing the gyratory; their views are backed by experience with similar campaigns such as the Shoreditch High St. gyratory removal. Discussions with LCC also included consideration of other measures to improve accessibility to the area, including contraflow cycle lanes, and the dialogue with LCC has been particularly helpful to us in identifying possible solutions to the problems identified.
LCC’s own current position is to campaign for reinstating 2-way traffic for all road users on Stoke Newington High Street, Rectory Road, Manse Road, Northwold Road, Evering Road, and Brooke Road. Their view is that 2-way traffic is preferable to contraflow cycling lanes, being much more effective at achieving slowed down and more even traffic flow; they advised that experience has proven that contraflow cycling lanes are a second-best option to returning the streetscape to its original appearance, causing problems especially at junctions.
-TfL Study
Transport for London (TfL) has carried out a feasibility study on the removal of the gyratory which is not positive in terms of removing it. Hackney Council is currently conducting its own appraisal of the TfL study to look further into the options, results anticipated in late 2010. LB Hackney has confirmed that there will be a full consultation with local residents and stakeholders in due course, to get a more coherent sense of residents’ views on the issue. LARA welcomes the opportunity to be consulted on the matter and we shall be keeping in touch with LB Hackney in order to ensure that this happens in due course.
-LARA position
There are differing views in the area about the pros and cons of reinstating 2-way traffic in this area. LARA has consulted with residents as well as a number of other local and regional stakeholders on the matter, and, as a committee, has decided to move forward with their campaign for addressing the problems identified above, and implementing local improvements rather than pushing for the removal of the gyratory. This is considered a wider issue and too long term, and we believe that going back to 2-way traffic would even worsen some of the problems present. Further to this we want to concentrate our efforts on goals which are achievable in the short to medium term.
To summarise, our aims are to
- lessen the impact of heavy traffic on our residential area;
- discourage unnecessary speeding and rat running through our residential area;
- improve and make safer pedestrian connections within the LARA area + between the LARA
area and its surroundings, including schools, shopping facilities, public transport, green spaces and other amenities;
- create better and safer access throughout the area for cyclists;
- make the LARA area safer and more inclusively accessible for all local road users.
What would LARA like to see happen?
LARA believes that, in order to achieve our goals outlined above, measures must include:
Traffic calming measures:
- 20mph speed limit throughout residential streets, properly enforced;
- Effective speed controls to one-way portion of Stoke Newington High Street, Rectory Road and Evering / Manse Road;
- ‘filtered permeability’ measures, ie motor vehicle barriers mid-way along residential roads, Leswin, Bayston and Darville Road in particular, to ‘filter out’ traffic unsuitable as through traffic in a residential area;
- Removal of local ‘rat run’ along Lawrence Buildings and stopping southbound drivers from doing an illegal left turn onto Brooke Road in order to continue along Leswin Road;
- Increase number of pedestrian crossings across the High Street to account for better connection to shops and to schools;
- Make existing pedestrian crossings across the High Street safer by means of better warning to drivers, better traffic light placement and more pedestrian friendly phasing;
- Improve pedestrian connections to Stoke Newington Common and West Hackney Recreation Ground green spaces;
Improvements for cyclists:
- Implementation of separate , safe, cycle lanes, including contra-flow cycle traffic, to
Stoke Newington High Street, Brooke Road and Evering / Manse Road;
How can we bring about improvements?
The Roads within and around the LARA area are owned by TfL (red routes A10, Manse, Evering and Rectory Road) and Hackney Council (all other roads). LARA’s campaign must therefore now pursue its campaign with both these organisations.
LARA’s discussions to date have included Louisa Thomson, councillor Stoke Newington Central ward, as well as Andrew Cunningham, head of Streetscene (LB Hackney). No contact has yet been made with TfL – this should be our next step.
June 2010
Monday, 28 June 2010
Minutes from our Last Public Meeting
LARA meeting on June 17th 2010 was held in the Church Hall at St Pauls at 7pm and was attended by over 30 local residents.
Also present were representatives of the Council, The London Cycling Campaign, the Stoke Newington Common User Group, Stoke Newington Local Business Association and Stamford
Terrace residents’ Association.
There were two agenda items for the meeting – a local traffic strategy and the planned BIGLUNCH event to be held in the Church garden or ‘Recreation ground’ on July 18th.
The Chair (Jim Westwood – Leswin Rd) opened the meeting and thanked everyone for
attending, explaining that the retention or scrapping of the Stoke Newington one-way system
which borders the LARA area (‘the gyratory’) was not the main item for debate at the meeting. The attendees were asked to offer views and suggestions for what might be achievable in the shorter term that would reduce traffic risks to pedestrians, cyclists and local residents and their children. A paper was distributed that identified these key points.
Andrea Jung, (Darville Rd resident and traffic sub-group lead) had invited representatives of local bodies, councillors and Andrew Cunningham from Hackney council to the meeting to take part in the discussion and to give their views. She outlined the background to the Lara traffic sub-group and her own involvement which had grown out of frustrations with cycling around the traffic system to get to her home. Since then investigations of previous and ongoing work and consultations on this subject had shown that;
A representative of the Stoke Newington Local Business Association was opposed to a return to two way traffic on the grounds that business deliveries, already difficult on the red route, would become impossible if the high road became single lane in two directions. Many residents spoke of their concerns about speeding and the dangers posed to children. A 20mph zone was proposed for the LARA area and councillors and Mr Cunningham were asked why this could not be implemented immediately. Residents were also broadly in favour of contraflow cycle lanes.
Mr Cunningham explained the reasons why the new speed cameras could not be installed on Rectory Rd but would be placed on Church Street. This was a result of traffic and risk analysis which had shown that statistically, accidents were far more likely on Church Street. He explained that funding was earmarked for implementing a new traffic scheme in the next financial year ( beginning April 2011) and that a public consultation would follow on from the publication of the report in the autumn. This consultation would involve residents, businesses, shoppers and other local stakeholders
Another resident proposed that community and arts based schemes should be considered as a means of changing the local area with the goal of calming traffic flows, as well as or instead of a rules and regulatory based approach to the problem.
Air quality was thought to be a significant risk too, though some felt that congestion would worsen if the high street was returned to two way traffic.
The Chair described earlier work that the previous LARA had done to lobby for one way traffic in Leswin Road. This had been considered a qualified success as it had created similar problems in Bayston Road. This was one of the reasons why Councillor Thompson was supportive of the Council’s position regarding a more wholistic review of the problems and solutions – it was tempting to take immediate action but this could have the effect of moving the problem to other roads. LARA had proposed a more comprehensive scheme at that time but this did not have the support of the police, as the position of the station on the one way system meant that they relied on using side roads to exit the area quickly when needed. There was no representative of the police at the meeting but it was agreed that they should be involved in these discussions at the earliest opportunity.
Generally there was much support from the meeting to taking action and maintaining pressure for change. Mr Cunningham agreed that he would launch the report and consultation at the next meeting in September.
The next item was the announcement of the LARA BIG LUNCH, a community picnic event which would be held in the church ground, or ‘rec’ on 18th July. Niall Weir, the Rector of St Pauls, explained some of the history of the closure of the ground and a recent initiative to reopen it and secure heritage funding to have it restored to full accessibility and community use. The afternoon would include entertainment, music, children’s activities and a bring-a-dish meal. Volunteers to take part and help with setting up, publicity and marshalling on the day were encouraged to contact one of the committee members to get involved. Everyone will be welcome at the lunch.
The meeting closed at 8.15pm
DAJ June 2010
Also present were representatives of the Council, The London Cycling Campaign, the Stoke Newington Common User Group, Stoke Newington Local Business Association and Stamford
Terrace residents’ Association.
There were two agenda items for the meeting – a local traffic strategy and the planned BIGLUNCH event to be held in the Church garden or ‘Recreation ground’ on July 18th.
The Chair (Jim Westwood – Leswin Rd) opened the meeting and thanked everyone for
attending, explaining that the retention or scrapping of the Stoke Newington one-way system
which borders the LARA area (‘the gyratory’) was not the main item for debate at the meeting. The attendees were asked to offer views and suggestions for what might be achievable in the shorter term that would reduce traffic risks to pedestrians, cyclists and local residents and their children. A paper was distributed that identified these key points.
Andrea Jung, (Darville Rd resident and traffic sub-group lead) had invited representatives of local bodies, councillors and Andrew Cunningham from Hackney council to the meeting to take part in the discussion and to give their views. She outlined the background to the Lara traffic sub-group and her own involvement which had grown out of frustrations with cycling around the traffic system to get to her home. Since then investigations of previous and ongoing work and consultations on this subject had shown that;
- Transport for London were the body responsible for all main red route roads while the council had responsibility for all residential and side roads.
- TFL had completed a report on the gyratory which had concluded that it should remain in place.
- Hackney council were conducting their own review in response to this published report and this would be available in the Autumn
- London Cycling campaign were opposed to the continuation of the one-way system and supported a return to two way traffic on the high street
- Local opinion was not unanimous on this topic, with some residents in favour of a return to two way traffic and some opposed.
- The council were proposing to trial speed cameras in Church Street in the Autumn
A representative of the Stoke Newington Local Business Association was opposed to a return to two way traffic on the grounds that business deliveries, already difficult on the red route, would become impossible if the high road became single lane in two directions. Many residents spoke of their concerns about speeding and the dangers posed to children. A 20mph zone was proposed for the LARA area and councillors and Mr Cunningham were asked why this could not be implemented immediately. Residents were also broadly in favour of contraflow cycle lanes.
Mr Cunningham explained the reasons why the new speed cameras could not be installed on Rectory Rd but would be placed on Church Street. This was a result of traffic and risk analysis which had shown that statistically, accidents were far more likely on Church Street. He explained that funding was earmarked for implementing a new traffic scheme in the next financial year ( beginning April 2011) and that a public consultation would follow on from the publication of the report in the autumn. This consultation would involve residents, businesses, shoppers and other local stakeholders
Another resident proposed that community and arts based schemes should be considered as a means of changing the local area with the goal of calming traffic flows, as well as or instead of a rules and regulatory based approach to the problem.
Air quality was thought to be a significant risk too, though some felt that congestion would worsen if the high street was returned to two way traffic.
The Chair described earlier work that the previous LARA had done to lobby for one way traffic in Leswin Road. This had been considered a qualified success as it had created similar problems in Bayston Road. This was one of the reasons why Councillor Thompson was supportive of the Council’s position regarding a more wholistic review of the problems and solutions – it was tempting to take immediate action but this could have the effect of moving the problem to other roads. LARA had proposed a more comprehensive scheme at that time but this did not have the support of the police, as the position of the station on the one way system meant that they relied on using side roads to exit the area quickly when needed. There was no representative of the police at the meeting but it was agreed that they should be involved in these discussions at the earliest opportunity.
Generally there was much support from the meeting to taking action and maintaining pressure for change. Mr Cunningham agreed that he would launch the report and consultation at the next meeting in September.
The next item was the announcement of the LARA BIG LUNCH, a community picnic event which would be held in the church ground, or ‘rec’ on 18th July. Niall Weir, the Rector of St Pauls, explained some of the history of the closure of the ground and a recent initiative to reopen it and secure heritage funding to have it restored to full accessibility and community use. The afternoon would include entertainment, music, children’s activities and a bring-a-dish meal. Volunteers to take part and help with setting up, publicity and marshalling on the day were encouraged to contact one of the committee members to get involved. Everyone will be welcome at the lunch.
The meeting closed at 8.15pm
DAJ June 2010
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
LESWIN AREA RESIDENTS (LARA) PUBLIC MEETING
Thursday 17th June 2010
7pm
St Paul’s Hall (entrance on Evering Road, N16)
ALL WELCOME
**************************
Traffic problems in the LARA area
Are you concerned about road safety in your area?
We are hoping to have a lively discussion and hear the views of other local residents, groups and organisations on traffic, safety and accessibility in this area - so please do join us to share your views! There will be two council officers attending and answering questions on wider traffic issues in the area.
**************************
Only a month to go until the Big LARA Lunch!
LARA is organising our first ever Big Lunch as part of the nationwide annual event. Friends, families and neighbours are invited to a free picnic,
entrance is a plate of food to share.
We need lots of help to get it off the ground and ideas for games, keen face painters, barbecue superstars, gazebos, deckchairs, ice cream vans,
first aiders, party people, foodies and volunteers to help make this a fab fun event for everyone.
The Big Lunch is on Sunday 18th July 2010 from 1 – 4pm on the
West Hackney Recreation Ground, Evering Road N16
If you can help out in any way email lara.n16@googlemail.com or come along to the LARA Public Meeting on 17th June
St Paul’s Hall (entrance on Evering Road, N16)
ALL WELCOME
**************************
Traffic problems in the LARA area
Are you concerned about road safety in your area?
We are hoping to have a lively discussion and hear the views of other local residents, groups and organisations on traffic, safety and accessibility in this area - so please do join us to share your views! There will be two council officers attending and answering questions on wider traffic issues in the area.
**************************
Only a month to go until the Big LARA Lunch!
LARA is organising our first ever Big Lunch as part of the nationwide annual event. Friends, families and neighbours are invited to a free picnic,
entrance is a plate of food to share.
We need lots of help to get it off the ground and ideas for games, keen face painters, barbecue superstars, gazebos, deckchairs, ice cream vans,
first aiders, party people, foodies and volunteers to help make this a fab fun event for everyone.
The Big Lunch is on Sunday 18th July 2010 from 1 – 4pm on the
West Hackney Recreation Ground, Evering Road N16
If you can help out in any way email lara.n16@googlemail.com or come along to the LARA Public Meeting on 17th June
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
The LARA Big Lunch
What? Looking for locals to have a good old get-together.
Where? West Hackney Recreation Grounds on Evering Road
When? July 18th 2010 1pm to 4pm
How? Bring a picnic and one dish to share and you're in!
Who? Anyone living in the LARA catchment area, friends and family.
Looking for: Ideas for games, keen face painters, barbecue superstars, gazebos, deckchairs, ice cream vans, first aiders, party people, foodies, volunteers to help make this a fab fun event for everyone.
Please email lara.n16@googlemail.com, leave a comment below or come along to our public meeting on Thursday June 17th and find out how to get involved.
St Paul's Church Hall 7pm on Evering/Amhurst Road
Find out more about The Big Lunch
Monday, 24 May 2010
LARA (Leswin Area Residents’ Association) TRAFFIC IN OUR AREA AND CHANGES WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE
The Problems
A number of traffic issues have been identified, which are of concern to residents in the LARA area. In summary these include:
- Speeding cars along Stoke Newington High Street, Rectory Road, Manse Road and Evering Road in particular, with the LARA area effectively being cut off all surrounding areas and green spaces by fast traffic;
- Lack of pedestrian crossings across the High Street;
- Lack of safety of the existing crossings across the High Street; inadequate warning to drivers
- and bad traffic light phasing; this is a particular issue for people with children in William Patten school;
- Inadequate access of local residents to public transport due to bus routing around one-way system;
- Inadequate access into the area by bicycle, particularly due to both Brooke Rd and Evering Rd being one-way in the same direction;
- Cars ‘rat running’ up and down the residential streets off the High Street, Bayston Road in particular (this issue has been addressed in the past in Leswin Road by making part of it one-
way);
- Local ‘rat run’ along Lawrence Buildings and southbound drivers doing an illegal left turn onto Brooke Road in order to continue along Leswin Road;
The Gyratory
We believe that the majority of the problems listed above are caused by the gyratory or one-way system and would like to see this reviewed in light of these local issues.
We recognise that the A10 is a major artery into and out of London and we accept that this cannot be changed. Our aim however is to lessen and channel the impact of heavy traffic and unnecessary speeding through what is essentially a residential area and to improve pedestrian and cyclists’ connection between the LARA area and its surroundings, which include schools, shopping facilities, public transport, green spaces and other amenities.
LCC iH(London Cycling Campaign in Hackney) Position
LARA has consulted with LCC, who have a strong position on the above issues; their views are backed by experience with similar campaigns such as the Shoreditch High St. gyratory removal. Discussions with LCC also included consideration of other measures to improve accessibility to the area, including contraflow cycle lanes. Please see below for a summary of the LCC position.
LCC’s own current position is to reinstate 2-way traffic for all road users on Stoke Newington High Street, Rectory Road, Manse Road, Northwold Road, Evering Road, and Brooke Road. Their view is that 2-way traffic is preferable to contraflow cycling lanes, being much more effective at achieving slowed down and more even traffic flow; they advised that experience has proven that contraflow cycling lanes are a second-best option to returning the streetscape to its original appearance, causing problems especially at junctions.
In summary, some of the benefits of reintroducing 2-way traffic to the area could be:
- More continuous traffic flow generally
- No more speeding cars along the High Street, Rectory Road, Manse Road and Evering Road in particular
- Less rat-running;
- Reduction of density of traffic on the High Street at peak times;
- More local journeys undertaken on foot or by bike—the current picture is heavily distorted and not ‘normal’;
- Vastly improved access to public transport, mainly bus services, for local residents;
- Making for a more pleasant and less dangerous environment for pedestrians
- Increased retail activity as a consequence;
What would LARA like to see happen to the one way system and what other local traffic calming measures or complementary measures would we like to see put in place?
The suggestion here is a two-stage process: The removal of the gyratory, if this is agreed to be the long-term aim, must be preceded by local traffic calming measures - or In the very least local traffic calming would need to be introduced as complementary measures. The reason for this is that a reintroduction of a two-way system might increase rather than resolve some of the problems in our area, the major issue here being rat-running.
Step 1 – Local traffic calming measures, which are to include:
- 20mph speed limit throughout, properly enforced;
- ‘filtered permeability’ measures, such as ‘modal filters’ mid-way along residential roads, Leswin, Bayston and Darville Road in particular, to ‘filter out’ traffic unsuitable as through traffic in a residential area - across-the-road barriers in other words;
- Removal of local ‘rat run’ along Lawrence Buildings and stopping southbound drivers from doing an illegal left turn onto Brooke Road in order to continue along Leswin Road;
- More and safer pedestrian crossings across the High Street;
- Better traffic light placement and phasing;
Step 2 – Removal of the one-way system
The return of the gyratory to two-way operation could have the following benefits:
- Slower and more regulated motor traffic flow around the area;
- Less rat-running;
- Better pedestrian connections;
- Better permeability for cyclists (‘maximum route choice, minimum diversion’); thereby enabling more local journeys to be taken on foot or by bike;
- Improved accessibility throughout the area and to public transport;
- Less pollution and noise;
- A better public realm;
- Better access to and therefore possibly greater prosperity for local Businesses;
How can we bring about improvements and include also the views other local stakeholders?
LARA’s initial discussions have also included Louisa Thomson, councillor Stoke Newington Central ward. Louisa advised that TfL is the main organisation to be lobbied for our purpose- it is important to note that the A10, Manse, Evering and Rectory Road are all red routes and controlled by TfL.
TfL has carried out a feasibility study on the removal of the gyratory which is not positive in terms of removing it. Louisa Thomson advised that Hackney Council is currently conducting its own appraisal of the TfL study to look further into the options. The results of this are due this year and we understand there will be a full consultation with local residents and stakeholders in due course, to get a more coherent sense of residents’ views on the issue. She felt that there is an opportunity for the wider LARA meeting with local stakeholders to feed into this consultation but this would be more effective as a resident led campaign.
The subject is complex, and no doubt there are many different views and interests at stake. LARA would like to have an open discussion with interested residents and other local stakeholders, including residents’ and business associations and the local police;
We are therefore inviting the following persons, groups and organizations to a meeting on Thursday 17th June at 7.00pm at St Paul’s Church Hall to discuss their views:
- All residents of the LARA area
- Anyone living in the adjoining areas who is interested
- Living Streets
- NARG (Northwold Area Residents’ Group)
- CAAG (Cazenove Area Action Group)
- SNUG (Stoke Newington Common Users Group)
- Stoke Newington Business Association
- Stoke Newington Police
- Councillors Stoke Newington Central Ward
- Any others who have an interest in the matter
A number of traffic issues have been identified, which are of concern to residents in the LARA area. In summary these include:
- Speeding cars along Stoke Newington High Street, Rectory Road, Manse Road and Evering Road in particular, with the LARA area effectively being cut off all surrounding areas and green spaces by fast traffic;
- Lack of pedestrian crossings across the High Street;
- Lack of safety of the existing crossings across the High Street; inadequate warning to drivers
- and bad traffic light phasing; this is a particular issue for people with children in William Patten school;
- Inadequate access of local residents to public transport due to bus routing around one-way system;
- Inadequate access into the area by bicycle, particularly due to both Brooke Rd and Evering Rd being one-way in the same direction;
- Cars ‘rat running’ up and down the residential streets off the High Street, Bayston Road in particular (this issue has been addressed in the past in Leswin Road by making part of it one-
way);
- Local ‘rat run’ along Lawrence Buildings and southbound drivers doing an illegal left turn onto Brooke Road in order to continue along Leswin Road;
The Gyratory
We believe that the majority of the problems listed above are caused by the gyratory or one-way system and would like to see this reviewed in light of these local issues.
We recognise that the A10 is a major artery into and out of London and we accept that this cannot be changed. Our aim however is to lessen and channel the impact of heavy traffic and unnecessary speeding through what is essentially a residential area and to improve pedestrian and cyclists’ connection between the LARA area and its surroundings, which include schools, shopping facilities, public transport, green spaces and other amenities.
LCC iH(London Cycling Campaign in Hackney) Position
LARA has consulted with LCC, who have a strong position on the above issues; their views are backed by experience with similar campaigns such as the Shoreditch High St. gyratory removal. Discussions with LCC also included consideration of other measures to improve accessibility to the area, including contraflow cycle lanes. Please see below for a summary of the LCC position.
LCC’s own current position is to reinstate 2-way traffic for all road users on Stoke Newington High Street, Rectory Road, Manse Road, Northwold Road, Evering Road, and Brooke Road. Their view is that 2-way traffic is preferable to contraflow cycling lanes, being much more effective at achieving slowed down and more even traffic flow; they advised that experience has proven that contraflow cycling lanes are a second-best option to returning the streetscape to its original appearance, causing problems especially at junctions.
In summary, some of the benefits of reintroducing 2-way traffic to the area could be:
- More continuous traffic flow generally
- No more speeding cars along the High Street, Rectory Road, Manse Road and Evering Road in particular
- Less rat-running;
- Reduction of density of traffic on the High Street at peak times;
- More local journeys undertaken on foot or by bike—the current picture is heavily distorted and not ‘normal’;
- Vastly improved access to public transport, mainly bus services, for local residents;
- Making for a more pleasant and less dangerous environment for pedestrians
- Increased retail activity as a consequence;
What would LARA like to see happen to the one way system and what other local traffic calming measures or complementary measures would we like to see put in place?
The suggestion here is a two-stage process: The removal of the gyratory, if this is agreed to be the long-term aim, must be preceded by local traffic calming measures - or In the very least local traffic calming would need to be introduced as complementary measures. The reason for this is that a reintroduction of a two-way system might increase rather than resolve some of the problems in our area, the major issue here being rat-running.
Step 1 – Local traffic calming measures, which are to include:
- 20mph speed limit throughout, properly enforced;
- ‘filtered permeability’ measures, such as ‘modal filters’ mid-way along residential roads, Leswin, Bayston and Darville Road in particular, to ‘filter out’ traffic unsuitable as through traffic in a residential area - across-the-road barriers in other words;
- Removal of local ‘rat run’ along Lawrence Buildings and stopping southbound drivers from doing an illegal left turn onto Brooke Road in order to continue along Leswin Road;
- More and safer pedestrian crossings across the High Street;
- Better traffic light placement and phasing;
Step 2 – Removal of the one-way system
The return of the gyratory to two-way operation could have the following benefits:
- Slower and more regulated motor traffic flow around the area;
- Less rat-running;
- Better pedestrian connections;
- Better permeability for cyclists (‘maximum route choice, minimum diversion’); thereby enabling more local journeys to be taken on foot or by bike;
- Improved accessibility throughout the area and to public transport;
- Less pollution and noise;
- A better public realm;
- Better access to and therefore possibly greater prosperity for local Businesses;
How can we bring about improvements and include also the views other local stakeholders?
LARA’s initial discussions have also included Louisa Thomson, councillor Stoke Newington Central ward. Louisa advised that TfL is the main organisation to be lobbied for our purpose- it is important to note that the A10, Manse, Evering and Rectory Road are all red routes and controlled by TfL.
TfL has carried out a feasibility study on the removal of the gyratory which is not positive in terms of removing it. Louisa Thomson advised that Hackney Council is currently conducting its own appraisal of the TfL study to look further into the options. The results of this are due this year and we understand there will be a full consultation with local residents and stakeholders in due course, to get a more coherent sense of residents’ views on the issue. She felt that there is an opportunity for the wider LARA meeting with local stakeholders to feed into this consultation but this would be more effective as a resident led campaign.
The subject is complex, and no doubt there are many different views and interests at stake. LARA would like to have an open discussion with interested residents and other local stakeholders, including residents’ and business associations and the local police;
We are therefore inviting the following persons, groups and organizations to a meeting on Thursday 17th June at 7.00pm at St Paul’s Church Hall to discuss their views:
- All residents of the LARA area
- Anyone living in the adjoining areas who is interested
- Living Streets
- NARG (Northwold Area Residents’ Group)
- CAAG (Cazenove Area Action Group)
- SNUG (Stoke Newington Common Users Group)
- Stoke Newington Business Association
- Stoke Newington Police
- Councillors Stoke Newington Central Ward
- Any others who have an interest in the matter
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Leswin Area Residents Association (LARA) MINUTES
PUBLIC MEETING
7pm, Thursday 22nd April 2010
St Paul’s Hall, Evering Road, N16
Present:
Committee: Jim Westwood, Fiona Fieber, Laurie Byrne, Maureen Diffley, Helen Rawlinson, Andrea Jung
Apologies:
Anne Towndrow, Deborah James, Chris Dennis, Georgina Allen
1. Traffic Issues
We talked about advertising our next meeting as a special LARA one–off to discus the Gyratory and other issues such as:
What would LARA like to see happen to the one way system e.g. is it a good or bad thing as it stands?
What traffic related measures would we like to see put in place anyway such as traffic calming, 20mph zone, one way system or roads blocked to stop ‘rat running’, more crossing points on the high road etc? Cycle lanes?
Action: Draft a LARA position on the issues and post on the Blog. Andrea
Invite Council Officers, Police and other stakeholders to the meeting. Circulate draft to Councillors.
Meeting Date: Thursday 17th June at St Paul’s Hall
2. The Big Lunch
LARA will organise a Big Lunch picnic on the Recreation Ground to tie in with the nation-wide event being held on Sunday 18th July. Everyone welcome, bring food to share, blankets to sit on etc. Local musicians. Performers. Games. Decorations.
Fiona, Niall, Maureen, Laurie, Barbara, Helen and Mohammed agreed to help organise the Big lunch and will meet in June.
More info and ideas at http://www.thebiglunch.com/ .
We talked about the idea of ‘Special Policy Area’ status which restricts the
number of licensed premises whilst maintaining the balance of a good night’s sleep with a vibrant night time economy. Follow up at the next meeting.
4. Gardening
Share cuttings, surplus plants etc by putting them, labelled for identification, out at the front of our houses, and posting a note on the Blog.
5. AOB
6. Date of Next Public Meeting: Thursday 17th June, St Paul’s Hall
NB. This meeting will focus on Traffic Issues.
7pm, Thursday 22nd April 2010
St Paul’s Hall, Evering Road, N16
Present:
Committee: Jim Westwood, Fiona Fieber, Laurie Byrne, Maureen Diffley, Helen Rawlinson, Andrea Jung
Apologies:
Anne Towndrow, Deborah James, Chris Dennis, Georgina Allen
1. Traffic Issues
We talked about advertising our next meeting as a special LARA one–off to discus the Gyratory and other issues such as:
What would LARA like to see happen to the one way system e.g. is it a good or bad thing as it stands?
What traffic related measures would we like to see put in place anyway such as traffic calming, 20mph zone, one way system or roads blocked to stop ‘rat running’, more crossing points on the high road etc? Cycle lanes?
Action: Draft a LARA position on the issues and post on the Blog. Andrea
Invite Council Officers, Police and other stakeholders to the meeting. Circulate draft to Councillors.
Meeting Date: Thursday 17th June at St Paul’s Hall
2. The Big Lunch
LARA will organise a Big Lunch picnic on the Recreation Ground to tie in with the nation-wide event being held on Sunday 18th July. Everyone welcome, bring food to share, blankets to sit on etc. Local musicians. Performers. Games. Decorations.
Fiona, Niall, Maureen, Laurie, Barbara, Helen and Mohammed agreed to help organise the Big lunch and will meet in June.
More info and ideas at http://www.thebiglunch.com/ .
- We need help to plan and publicise. Anyone interested visit the Blog or please drop a note through one of the agreed post box doors:
- Laurie at 62b Darville Rd
- Maureen at 54 Leswin Rd
We talked about the idea of ‘Special Policy Area’ status which restricts the
number of licensed premises whilst maintaining the balance of a good night’s sleep with a vibrant night time economy. Follow up at the next meeting.
4. Gardening
Share cuttings, surplus plants etc by putting them, labelled for identification, out at the front of our houses, and posting a note on the Blog.
5. AOB
- It was suggested that when distributing the Newsletter, publicity etc it would be good to knock on doors and talk to people face to face.
- Niall presented the plans for improvements to the Recreation Ground, and told us that a funding bid was going in to the Heritage lottery Fund. Agreed there could be an info stall at the Big Lunch.
6. Date of Next Public Meeting: Thursday 17th June, St Paul’s Hall
NB. This meeting will focus on Traffic Issues.
Celebrate Hackney, 5 June: help make it a success!
It is now just one month to the biggest community gathering in Hackney for many years; Saturday 5 June and the Celebrate Hackney event, to be held at Stoke Newington School from 10.30am to 4.30pm!
We have over 50 speakers from community groups, in 15 workshops, on greening Hackney, lifelong learning, miscarriages of justice (Celia Stubbs from the Blair Peach campaign will be joining campaigns for Sam Hallam), the arts in Hackney (Roland Muldoon will have lots to say!), defending public services, new initiative to make Hackney a ‘sanctuary borough’ for migrants, Gay Pride, young people, older people, peace groups, faith groups, trade union groups.
It is going to be fantastic. There are also 30 information stalls from local groups and a further four food stalls (Thai, Turkish, Caribbean and Vegan). There will also be children’s activities. We will have a mini-film festival, entertainment from local performers and a ‘question time’ with local politicians (your chance to have your say after the elections).
For more details visit: http://www.hackneyunites.org.uk/
The event is co-ordinated by Hackney Unites, but it has grown so much bigger than we could dare to hope that we now need to ask for help to make it the success it deserves to be.
To publicise the event we are producing a tabloid paper featuring the groups who are involved, and the work they do. We are having 50,000 printed, but we need help to distribute them. We are organising a distribution meeting on 12 May, between 7pm, and 8.30pm, at the Trinity Centre, Beechwood Road , Dalston , E8 3DY .
The aim of the meeting will be to organise the distribution of the tabloid paper. We are asking you to take just 300 papers to distribute door-to-door in the streets near where you live.
We will be organising distribution on a ward-by-ward basis and encouraging teams of volunteers to work together to make it less of a chore and to maximise coverage, so please bring some friends along!
If you can help, please let us know. You can either collect papers from the Trinity Centre on 12 May (the parking restrictions are not in place after 6pm) or we can deliver them to your door. Please let us know what you can do, and how many papers you can take.
Also, if you are able to take a number of papers for display in a community centre, or are able to display them at forthcoming events, then please let us know.
If you want attend on 5 June, can I also ask you to sign up to attend the event. While it is free, we need to be able to estimate numbers (for caterers and stewarding)
http://celebratehackney.eventbrite.com/
If you are on facebook, then please also sign up the event at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=120552934622314
(and then invite your friends to attend so that people get to hear of the day).
If you have a blog, please give us a plug.
We have some great posters for the Celebrate Hackney event, if you could get them stuck up somewhere, please let us know.
Finally, please forward this email to people who you think would be interested in Hackney Unites, the tabloid, and the Celebrate Hackney event.
Thank you to everyone for your help and assistance.
John Page
Monday, 12 April 2010
Next LARA Meeting
The next LARA meeting will be on:
THURSDAY 22nd APRIL at 7pm
St Paul’s Church Hall, Stoke Newington Road, N16
Enter from the main road or via Evering Road entrance, the hall is to the rear of the Church.
Proposed Agenda:
- Licensing Issues in Hackney
- Traffic / cycling in the area
- The Big Lunch – summer event
- Gardening
All residents of the LARA area welcome
Help build your community. We want to hear your views and we need your participation to help LARA succeed.
Licensing Issues in Hackney
Hackney Council is currently reviewing its Licensing Policy and we as residents will be able to make our views known as part of the consultation process. In areas where there are many licensed premises, particularly alongside residential communities, the Council may adopt a Special Policy, which means that it can be more difficult for new licences and club premises certificates to be granted. Shoreditch is an example of this.
At the next LARA meeting we can discuss the matter.
Local Traffic + Cycling - Update
We’ve held our first meeting to discuss local traffic issues on Feb 22nd, with Trevor and Oliver from the London Cycling Campaign in Hackney, Louisa Thomson, ward councillor, and Robert Lindsay, Bayston Road resident, who has been campaigning against the gyratory / one-way system in the past. The aim was to gather information on what the most pressing issues are with regard to road safety, cycling, etc., what has happened until now, and to start (re-)forming a view point which could be supported by local residents. Please read the notes which are posted on the blog for more details. We generally feel that much could be gained for us as local residents by the removal of the gyratory and other interim measures to calm traffic locally. We would now like to take things to the next level and discuss the points in a larger forum in order to revive the campaign.
Gardening
Some people have suggested the idea of setting up a plant swap. This was mentioned in the very first meeting and we ran out of time. Now that spring is here at last it’s the perfect time to have a go at the garden, plant up window boxes and think about growing veg. Instead of throwing out unwanted plants why not share them with the neighbours? We could even have a plant swap day on the Recreation Ground where you get a ticket for each one you bring and exchange your ticket for more.
Please visit the blog for more information to be posted shortly, and to get in touch with other interested people.
We want your ideas too.
THE BIG LUNCH
LARA will be organising a summer picnic. A chance for neighbours and friends to gather, chat, eat, drink and generally have a good time. ……find out more and how to get involved at the next meeting and here on the blog.
THURSDAY 22nd APRIL at 7pm
St Paul’s Church Hall, Stoke Newington Road, N16
Enter from the main road or via Evering Road entrance, the hall is to the rear of the Church.
Proposed Agenda:
- Licensing Issues in Hackney
- Traffic / cycling in the area
- The Big Lunch – summer event
- Gardening
All residents of the LARA area welcome
Help build your community. We want to hear your views and we need your participation to help LARA succeed.
Licensing Issues in Hackney
Hackney Council is currently reviewing its Licensing Policy and we as residents will be able to make our views known as part of the consultation process. In areas where there are many licensed premises, particularly alongside residential communities, the Council may adopt a Special Policy, which means that it can be more difficult for new licences and club premises certificates to be granted. Shoreditch is an example of this.
At the next LARA meeting we can discuss the matter.
Local Traffic + Cycling - Update
We’ve held our first meeting to discuss local traffic issues on Feb 22nd, with Trevor and Oliver from the London Cycling Campaign in Hackney, Louisa Thomson, ward councillor, and Robert Lindsay, Bayston Road resident, who has been campaigning against the gyratory / one-way system in the past. The aim was to gather information on what the most pressing issues are with regard to road safety, cycling, etc., what has happened until now, and to start (re-)forming a view point which could be supported by local residents. Please read the notes which are posted on the blog for more details. We generally feel that much could be gained for us as local residents by the removal of the gyratory and other interim measures to calm traffic locally. We would now like to take things to the next level and discuss the points in a larger forum in order to revive the campaign.
Gardening
Some people have suggested the idea of setting up a plant swap. This was mentioned in the very first meeting and we ran out of time. Now that spring is here at last it’s the perfect time to have a go at the garden, plant up window boxes and think about growing veg. Instead of throwing out unwanted plants why not share them with the neighbours? We could even have a plant swap day on the Recreation Ground where you get a ticket for each one you bring and exchange your ticket for more.
Please visit the blog for more information to be posted shortly, and to get in touch with other interested people.
We want your ideas too.
THE BIG LUNCH
LARA will be organising a summer picnic. A chance for neighbours and friends to gather, chat, eat, drink and generally have a good time. ……find out more and how to get involved at the next meeting and here on the blog.
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Local Jazz Poetry Nights
Dear Lara,
I am a musician resident in the area and I run a Jazz Poetry Nights down at the Pangea. I am looking for local poets, jazz musicians who want to showcase their talent. Also if anyone wants to enjoy and be in the audience, feel free to come. Next date is Wed April 21st . Our monthly nights are beautiful and please let everyone check out blog/site at:
Many thanks
Freddy
Tel 07961 833040
Thursday, 1 April 2010
New Planning Applications
More planning applications around us www.welovestokenewington.org/2010/03/two-new-licensing-applications.html
Monday, 15 March 2010
Update on traffic
We’ve held our first meeting on local traffic issues on Feb 22nd, with Trevor and Oliver from the London Cycling Campaign in Hackney, Louisa Thomson, ward councillor, and Robert Lindsay, Bayston Road resident, who has been campaigning against the gyratory in the past.
The aim was to gather information on what has been going on up until now and to start (re-)formulating a view point. Please also read the notes which are posted on this blog. We generally feel that much could be gained by the removal of the gyratory, as well as other interim measures to calm traffic locally and would now like to take things to the next level and discuss the points in a larger forum in order to revive the campaign. We’ll post date and time and location here soon.
Meeting date:
22nd February 2010
Report date:
26th February 2010
Notes from LARA Traffic Meeting
Regarding Stoke Newington gyratory
1 Purpose of meeting
To learn about the history of the campaign against the gyratory; objectives:
- Improve accessibility for all users of the public realm
Robert Lindsay has previously campaigned against the gyratory under the name of SNOWS (scrap Stoke Newington One Way System);
Robert started when Ken Livingstone was Mayor of London. He gave an overview of his work to date. Robert is moving out of the area in the near future and would like to see the campaign continued. LARA is picking up from here.
- Wide range of support for the cause from residents, local businesses; huge hidden support for the gyratory to be discontinued;
- Different interest groups and strands which need to be brought together, including: LCC, LARA, Cazenove Area Action Group (CAAG), Stoke Newington Business Association; Stoke Newington Common Users Group;
- Another local residents group that has already publicly expressed support for scrapping the system is Cazenove Area Action Group – LARA check their website. Robert noted that Amy Erikson is one of the driving forces behind that as well as the Stoke Newington Common Users group.
- Opinions need to be sought from other groups such as NARG;
- LARA to help pull all together into unified campaign.
Robert also added the following post‐ meeting note:
“We didn't discuss this at the meeting but the most radical option, in terms of traffic reduction/calming would be to grass over Rectory Road where it runs over the common, forcing cars to use the High Street. There is a common myth that if you cut road capacity, eg by closing or narrowing a road or making it two way, the remaining roads (in this case the High Street) will become more congested. In fact evidence and experience shows that if you cut road capacity, the number of people using that particular route fall because they decide to leave their cars at home. One traffic engineer told me he expected huge tail backs when Shoreditch went two‐way ‐ in fact it never happened.”
2 Why are we campaigning for the return of the gyratory to two‐way operation?
- Slower and more regulated motor traffic flow around the area
- Better pedestrian connections
- Better access to and therefore possibly greater prosperity for local businesses
- Improved accessibility
- Less pollution and noise
- A better public realm
- To enable more local journeys to be taken on foot or by bike
- Better permeability for cyclists (‘maximum route choice, minimum diversion’)
- Less rat‐running
We fully recognise that the A10 is a major artery into and out of London and we accept that this cannot be changed. Our aim is to lessen the impact of heavy traffic and unnecessary speeding through what is essentially a residential area and to improve pedestrian and cyclists’ connection between the LARA area and its surroundings, which include schools, shopping facilities, public transport, greenspaces and other amenities.
3
3.1
LCC / Councillor Louisa Thomson’s Positions
Trevor and Oliver from the London Cycling Campaign in Hackney gave a detailed overview on the issues to do with the gyratory and how these tie with wider traffic policy issues and aims, streetscape issues, etc.
They have been campaigning for the removal of this gyratory and others (Shoreditch, Tottenham Hale) for over 10 years and the LCC in Hackney is among local organisations to be credited with the successful return of the Shoreditch High Street gyratory to two‐way operation;
There are literally dozens of options, and it’s not useful to drill down to the fine detail just yet. Options need to be discussed and agreed with all stakeholders to reflect or address interests and promote agreement, all in due course when the prospect of change becomes clearer.
LCC’s own current position is to reinstate 2‐way traffic for all road users on Stoke Newington High Street, Rectory Road, Manse Road, Northwold Road, Evering Road, and Brooke Road. Their view is that 2‐way traffic is preferable to contraflow cycling lanes, being much more effective at achieving slowed down and more even traffic flow; they advised that experience has proven that contraflow cycling lanes are a second‐best option to returning the streetscape to its original appearance, causing problems especially at junctions.
In summary, some of the benefits of reintroducing 2‐way traffic to the area could be:
- More continuous traffic flow generally
- No more speeding cars along the High Street, Rectory Road, Manse Road and Evering Road in particular
- Less rat‐running;
- Reduction of density of traffic on the High Street at peak times;
- More local journeys undertaken on foot or by bike—the current picture is heavily distorted and not ‘normal’;
- Vastly improved access to public transport, mainly bus services, for local residents;
- Making for a more pleasant and less dangerous environment for pedestrians
- Increased retail activity as a consequence;
In tandem with the removal of the gyratory, local traffic calming measures (complementary measures) must be looked at, including
- 20mph speed limit throughout
- ‘filtered permeability’ measures, such as ‘modal filters’ mid‐way along residential roads, Leswin, Bayston and Darville Road in particular, to ‘filter out’ traffic unsuitable as through traffic in a residential area;
- Removal of local ‘rat run’ along Lawrence Buildings and stopping southbound drivers from doing an illegal left turn onto Brooke Road in order to continue along Leswin Road;
- Safer pedestrian crossings to the High Street—this is a particular issue for people with children in William Patten school;
- Better traffic light placement and phasing;
Not just in LARA area but also other adjoining areas—e.g. ‘filtered permeability’ in the area south of Northwold Road and east of Rectory Road.
3.2
Louisa added some more background to this last point, stating that one of the approaches we had taken as ward councillors was to campaign for improvements on the roads that the Council does control (Bayston, Darville, Leswin, part of Evering) as this was more achievable in the short term (whilst not losing site of the long term aim of removing the gyratory). The issue was first raised with ward councillors by residents in the area who had concerns about the route to school and the safety implications for families with small children. Louisa confirmed that as a result of a
walkabout with residents and lobbying by ward councillors, the Leswin Area is next in line for a 20mph zone, but that we had stressed that this scheme needed to also look at other road safety measures at the same time. There will be a full consultation with residents over the scheme and the indicative timing for this at the moment is end of 2010/11. This will be an important opportunity to feed in ideas for improving the rat run situation and making these roads safer and shouldn’t beseen as a distraction from the main campaign against the one way system.
We have already picked up the issue of turning left illegally at the bottom of Lawrence Buildings (the Council are looking to improve the warning signs here) and the danger of the crossing outside Sainsburys (TfL control this and haven’t been positive about any improvements that can be made so far).
4 How do we go about it / What needs to be done?
There seems to be a wide range of different groups and interested parties who have a stake in this issue and have been campaigning on different levels. The aim now is to pull together as many ‘strands’ as possible in order to form a more powerful campaign. It is probably unrealistic to get all interested parties to agree on all points, however we should aim for a general consensus before starting to lobby in earnest. LARA to discuss at next committee meeting and then arrange
for wider residents’ and interest group meeting with LCCiH present – consider St. Paul’s Church Hall.
Who do we address?
LCC and Louisa advised that TfL is the main organisation to be lobbied for our purpose, as it is important to note that the A10, Manse, Evering and Rectory Road are all red routes and controlled by TfL. LCC and Louisa referred to TfL’s feasibility study on the removal of the gyratory which had not been positive in terms of removing it. Louisa added that in light of this, Hackney Council was conducting its own appraisal of the TfL study to look further into the options. The results of this are due imminently and at the moment, we understand there will be a full consultation with local residents and stakeholders to get a more coherent sense of local feeling on the issue. Louisa felt that there is an opportunity for the wider LARA meeting with local stakeholders to feed into this consultation but this would be more effective as a resident led campaign (as the Shoreditch campaign was). Due to local government purdah from the 29th March, the consultation is unlikely to happen before then.
6 Next Meeting
TBA – LARA to keep all attendees informed of next meeting date to be arranged.
Comments Please !
If you have any comments about the above notes and want to give your opinion about local traffic concerns, please respond in our comments section below. We welcome input, for and against, any of the suggestions outlined above.
The aim was to gather information on what has been going on up until now and to start (re-)formulating a view point. Please also read the notes which are posted on this blog. We generally feel that much could be gained by the removal of the gyratory, as well as other interim measures to calm traffic locally and would now like to take things to the next level and discuss the points in a larger forum in order to revive the campaign. We’ll post date and time and location here soon.
Meeting date:
22nd February 2010
Report date:
26th February 2010
Notes from LARA Traffic Meeting
Regarding Stoke Newington gyratory
1 Purpose of meeting
To learn about the history of the campaign against the gyratory; objectives:
- Improve accessibility for all users of the public realm
Robert Lindsay has previously campaigned against the gyratory under the name of SNOWS (scrap Stoke Newington One Way System);
Robert started when Ken Livingstone was Mayor of London. He gave an overview of his work to date. Robert is moving out of the area in the near future and would like to see the campaign continued. LARA is picking up from here.
- Wide range of support for the cause from residents, local businesses; huge hidden support for the gyratory to be discontinued;
- Different interest groups and strands which need to be brought together, including: LCC, LARA, Cazenove Area Action Group (CAAG), Stoke Newington Business Association; Stoke Newington Common Users Group;
- Another local residents group that has already publicly expressed support for scrapping the system is Cazenove Area Action Group – LARA check their website. Robert noted that Amy Erikson is one of the driving forces behind that as well as the Stoke Newington Common Users group.
- Opinions need to be sought from other groups such as NARG;
- LARA to help pull all together into unified campaign.
Robert also added the following post‐ meeting note:
“We didn't discuss this at the meeting but the most radical option, in terms of traffic reduction/calming would be to grass over Rectory Road where it runs over the common, forcing cars to use the High Street. There is a common myth that if you cut road capacity, eg by closing or narrowing a road or making it two way, the remaining roads (in this case the High Street) will become more congested. In fact evidence and experience shows that if you cut road capacity, the number of people using that particular route fall because they decide to leave their cars at home. One traffic engineer told me he expected huge tail backs when Shoreditch went two‐way ‐ in fact it never happened.”
2 Why are we campaigning for the return of the gyratory to two‐way operation?
- Slower and more regulated motor traffic flow around the area
- Better pedestrian connections
- Better access to and therefore possibly greater prosperity for local businesses
- Improved accessibility
- Less pollution and noise
- A better public realm
- To enable more local journeys to be taken on foot or by bike
- Better permeability for cyclists (‘maximum route choice, minimum diversion’)
- Less rat‐running
We fully recognise that the A10 is a major artery into and out of London and we accept that this cannot be changed. Our aim is to lessen the impact of heavy traffic and unnecessary speeding through what is essentially a residential area and to improve pedestrian and cyclists’ connection between the LARA area and its surroundings, which include schools, shopping facilities, public transport, greenspaces and other amenities.
3
3.1
LCC / Councillor Louisa Thomson’s Positions
Trevor and Oliver from the London Cycling Campaign in Hackney gave a detailed overview on the issues to do with the gyratory and how these tie with wider traffic policy issues and aims, streetscape issues, etc.
They have been campaigning for the removal of this gyratory and others (Shoreditch, Tottenham Hale) for over 10 years and the LCC in Hackney is among local organisations to be credited with the successful return of the Shoreditch High Street gyratory to two‐way operation;
There are literally dozens of options, and it’s not useful to drill down to the fine detail just yet. Options need to be discussed and agreed with all stakeholders to reflect or address interests and promote agreement, all in due course when the prospect of change becomes clearer.
LCC’s own current position is to reinstate 2‐way traffic for all road users on Stoke Newington High Street, Rectory Road, Manse Road, Northwold Road, Evering Road, and Brooke Road. Their view is that 2‐way traffic is preferable to contraflow cycling lanes, being much more effective at achieving slowed down and more even traffic flow; they advised that experience has proven that contraflow cycling lanes are a second‐best option to returning the streetscape to its original appearance, causing problems especially at junctions.
In summary, some of the benefits of reintroducing 2‐way traffic to the area could be:
- More continuous traffic flow generally
- No more speeding cars along the High Street, Rectory Road, Manse Road and Evering Road in particular
- Less rat‐running;
- Reduction of density of traffic on the High Street at peak times;
- More local journeys undertaken on foot or by bike—the current picture is heavily distorted and not ‘normal’;
- Vastly improved access to public transport, mainly bus services, for local residents;
- Making for a more pleasant and less dangerous environment for pedestrians
- Increased retail activity as a consequence;
In tandem with the removal of the gyratory, local traffic calming measures (complementary measures) must be looked at, including
- 20mph speed limit throughout
- ‘filtered permeability’ measures, such as ‘modal filters’ mid‐way along residential roads, Leswin, Bayston and Darville Road in particular, to ‘filter out’ traffic unsuitable as through traffic in a residential area;
- Removal of local ‘rat run’ along Lawrence Buildings and stopping southbound drivers from doing an illegal left turn onto Brooke Road in order to continue along Leswin Road;
- Safer pedestrian crossings to the High Street—this is a particular issue for people with children in William Patten school;
- Better traffic light placement and phasing;
Not just in LARA area but also other adjoining areas—e.g. ‘filtered permeability’ in the area south of Northwold Road and east of Rectory Road.
3.2
Louisa added some more background to this last point, stating that one of the approaches we had taken as ward councillors was to campaign for improvements on the roads that the Council does control (Bayston, Darville, Leswin, part of Evering) as this was more achievable in the short term (whilst not losing site of the long term aim of removing the gyratory). The issue was first raised with ward councillors by residents in the area who had concerns about the route to school and the safety implications for families with small children. Louisa confirmed that as a result of a
walkabout with residents and lobbying by ward councillors, the Leswin Area is next in line for a 20mph zone, but that we had stressed that this scheme needed to also look at other road safety measures at the same time. There will be a full consultation with residents over the scheme and the indicative timing for this at the moment is end of 2010/11. This will be an important opportunity to feed in ideas for improving the rat run situation and making these roads safer and shouldn’t beseen as a distraction from the main campaign against the one way system.
We have already picked up the issue of turning left illegally at the bottom of Lawrence Buildings (the Council are looking to improve the warning signs here) and the danger of the crossing outside Sainsburys (TfL control this and haven’t been positive about any improvements that can be made so far).
4 How do we go about it / What needs to be done?
There seems to be a wide range of different groups and interested parties who have a stake in this issue and have been campaigning on different levels. The aim now is to pull together as many ‘strands’ as possible in order to form a more powerful campaign. It is probably unrealistic to get all interested parties to agree on all points, however we should aim for a general consensus before starting to lobby in earnest. LARA to discuss at next committee meeting and then arrange
for wider residents’ and interest group meeting with LCCiH present – consider St. Paul’s Church Hall.
Who do we address?
LCC and Louisa advised that TfL is the main organisation to be lobbied for our purpose, as it is important to note that the A10, Manse, Evering and Rectory Road are all red routes and controlled by TfL. LCC and Louisa referred to TfL’s feasibility study on the removal of the gyratory which had not been positive in terms of removing it. Louisa added that in light of this, Hackney Council was conducting its own appraisal of the TfL study to look further into the options. The results of this are due imminently and at the moment, we understand there will be a full consultation with local residents and stakeholders to get a more coherent sense of local feeling on the issue. Louisa felt that there is an opportunity for the wider LARA meeting with local stakeholders to feed into this consultation but this would be more effective as a resident led campaign (as the Shoreditch campaign was). Due to local government purdah from the 29th March, the consultation is unlikely to happen before then.
6 Next Meeting
TBA – LARA to keep all attendees informed of next meeting date to be arranged.
Comments Please !
If you have any comments about the above notes and want to give your opinion about local traffic concerns, please respond in our comments section below. We welcome input, for and against, any of the suggestions outlined above.
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Growing Communities Need Plastic Bags!
A note from Growing Communities, the organic fruit and vegetable box scheme which operates from The Old Fire Station on Leswin Road:
Growing Communities
Hi all
Growing Communities is holding another bag amnesty! Our stocks of plastic bags have run down completely, so please, please, please can you bring along any bags you have lying around at home when you collect your veg this week.
Also, this year, for the first time, we’re entering the Observer Ethical Awards. We’re putting ourselves in for the Grassroots Project category but we’d also like to enter the Best Local Retailer category, which is voted for by readers.
If you’re happy with the box scheme and/or love coming to the Farmers’ Market, please could you vote for us before this Friday, 12 March, if you haven’t already done so.
Go to www.observer.co.uk/ethicalawards, register and type Growing Communities in the box for Best Local Retailer.
Everyone who votes will be entered into a draw to win food hampers, gift boxes, skincare products, an Ecover house clean, a train and bike tour of Provence.
Thanks and good luck from everyone at GC
The Old Fire Station
61 Leswin Road
London N16 7NX
61 Leswin Road
London N16 7NX
Tel: 020 7502 7588
www.growingcommunities.org
Please note that our email has changed to growcomm@growingcommunities.org
www.growingcommunities.org
Please note that our email has changed to growcomm@growingcommunities.org
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Do We Really Need Another Betting Shop?
Just heard that the new bookies has been given the go ahead - that means there are now six betting shops in Stoke Newington which is pushing it a bit I think.
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Public Meeting Minutes
Apologies for the delay! Here are the minutes from our last public meeting for LARA:
Leswin Area Residents Association (LARA)
MINUTES
PUBLIC MEETING
7pm, Thursday16th December 2009
Firestation, 61 Leswin Road N16
Present:
Committee: Jim Westwood. Fiona Fieber, Laurie Byrne, Maureen Diffley, Georgina Allen, Helen Rawlinson, Helen Ford, Deborah James, Anne Towndrow
Apologies:
Andrea Jung
LARA Constitution
The Draft Constitution was adopted, subject to amendments:
a) Public Meetings to be held four times a year.
b) £5 annual subscription per household.
The Constitution will be put up on the Blog.
Election of Officers
The following residents stood for election and were voted in by the Meeting:
Jim Westwood (Chair)
Fiona Fieber (Secretary)
Laurie (Treasurer)
Social event
An entertainments sub-committee was approved to organise LARA social events.
Communications
Helen Rawlinson presented LARA blog
Circulate the address to all residents
Reports
Traffic issues – Louisa Thompson talked about current situation regarding one way system. Changes are a long way off in the future as so huge. Ongoing process led by TFL. A detailed feasibility study being carried out on 20 mph zone, ends in 2010. Contraflow cycle lanes – council’s response fairly negative, pointing out work that’s already going on.
HCC – Hackney Cycling Campaign want to meet LARA to discuss options. PROPOSED Meeting with all partiies. Join up with other groups in the area. Liaise with Louisa Thompson.
Car Club – suggestion.
Zone E up for review 2010/11.
Paddy Power application 117-119 SN High Street. Make LARA representation with objections. ACTION Jim, Fiona
Nightclub – 92 SN High Street. Roger attend Licence meeting on behalf of Lara. Let Rita Krishna know. Action: Jim/Roger
CAP - Helen Ford. Next meeting at Somerford Community Hall 13th January 2010. Put notes onto blog.
Date of Next Public Meeting TBC
Leswin Area Residents Association (LARA)
MINUTES
PUBLIC MEETING
7pm, Thursday16th December 2009
Firestation, 61 Leswin Road N16
Present:
Committee: Jim Westwood. Fiona Fieber, Laurie Byrne, Maureen Diffley, Georgina Allen, Helen Rawlinson, Helen Ford, Deborah James, Anne Towndrow
Apologies:
Andrea Jung
LARA Constitution
The Draft Constitution was adopted, subject to amendments:
a) Public Meetings to be held four times a year.
b) £5 annual subscription per household.
The Constitution will be put up on the Blog.
Election of Officers
The following residents stood for election and were voted in by the Meeting:
Jim Westwood (Chair)
Fiona Fieber (Secretary)
Laurie (Treasurer)
Social event
An entertainments sub-committee was approved to organise LARA social events.
Communications
Helen Rawlinson presented LARA blog
Circulate the address to all residents
Reports
Traffic issues – Louisa Thompson talked about current situation regarding one way system. Changes are a long way off in the future as so huge. Ongoing process led by TFL. A detailed feasibility study being carried out on 20 mph zone, ends in 2010. Contraflow cycle lanes – council’s response fairly negative, pointing out work that’s already going on.
HCC – Hackney Cycling Campaign want to meet LARA to discuss options. PROPOSED Meeting with all partiies. Join up with other groups in the area. Liaise with Louisa Thompson.
Car Club – suggestion.
Zone E up for review 2010/11.
Paddy Power application 117-119 SN High Street. Make LARA representation with objections. ACTION Jim, Fiona
Nightclub – 92 SN High Street. Roger attend Licence meeting on behalf of Lara. Let Rita Krishna know. Action: Jim/Roger
CAP - Helen Ford. Next meeting at Somerford Community Hall 13th January 2010. Put notes onto blog.
Date of Next Public Meeting TBC
Monday, 8 February 2010
Meetings and Having Your Say!
- The next Community Advisory Panel meeting will be held at 7 o'clock on Wed 3rd March at the Somerford Grove Communuty Hall. This meeting is open to the public and gives residents the opportunity to meet local police and influence the focus of their work in the community over the following 2 months.
- Hackney Council is reviewing its parking policies .We can fill in an online survey on www.hackney.gov.uk/pep or ring 020 8356 8877 to get a copy. I haven't looked at it yet but if you feel that residents' parking is a good thing in Stoke Newington it would be important to state that.
Thanks for this update Anne
- Hackney Council is reviewing its parking policies .We can fill in an online survey on www.hackney.gov.uk/pep or ring 020 8356 8877 to get a copy. I haven't looked at it yet but if you feel that residents' parking is a good thing in Stoke Newington it would be important to state that.
Thanks for this update Anne
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Trolley Buses
It seems that Leswin Road used to be part of a trolley bus network. If anyone has any pictures/information on this please let us know. Thanks so much.
Monday, 25 January 2010
Cycling / Traffic Meeting
A note from committee member, Andrea:
Following my enquiry about cycling (and traffic) issues in the area I’ve had a good response back from the Hackney cycling campaign, from Trevor Parsons. They’d like to get in touch / meet and I think it would be worth us listening to what they have to say as they seem to have a much longer history of looking at the gyratory than we have. We’ve discussed the week commencing February 22nd for a specific traffic meeting (for those who want to get involved). This would be a good opportunity to invite the Hackney Cycling people. I’m happy to organise and suggest a date + time – those who would like to be part of this please do let me know or forward on to people who might get involved........
You can leave any comments below.
New Late License Application
No. 86 Stoke Newington High St. – located on the corner of Tyssen Road – the owner (Mr. Renk Art) has applied for a 2.00am license for a number of activities including live music, drama, performance of dance, film showing and art exhibition. A copy of the list is posted in their shop window. This may affect some of you living in the immediate vicinity. Representations can be made until February 4th, and can be made on line via the Hackney Council website.
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Foodie Blog
A quick link to a wonderful blog from a wonderful chef on Rectory Road, full of lovely stoke newington references and some great recipes - Love and a Licked Spoon/Stoke Newington
Friday, 15 January 2010
Looking for a handy man
Does anyone know of a good, reliable handyman for boring things around the house?
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