Councillor Lister Writes to Wandsworth Town

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Concerns over charging for parking in Richmond Park & Heathrow

One of the great things about living in Wandsworth is we are so close to Richmond Park.The only problem is you have to take your car as transport to the park is just about non-existent.It’s like a trip out to the country without having to drive down to Surrey.

Until now it's been one of those few remaining pleasures that can be enjoyed for free.But all that's set to change with the news that the Government wants to charge for bringing your car to the park.

We think it’s hard for a government body to justify this new levy when they haven’t even begun to put in place any public transport alternatives.We’ll be going to see the parks minister Barbara Follett and working with other boroughs to get these charges overturned.

I get more and more complaints these days from people in the central Wandsworth area who are concerned by aircraft noise overhead.The proposals now approved by minsters will mean more take offs over Southfields and more night flights over the town centre.

The council is a part of a 22-strong group of local authorities in London opposing expansion – it shows just how widely spread is the nuisance from aircraft noise.

Our campaign ahs included developing plans for UK-wide high speed network. This could make it attractive for people to switch to rail for around a quarter of the flights currently operating out of Heathrow.It’s nonsense to claim there is no alternative to a third runway.  It’s time the Government started invetsigating the economic benefits for the whole country from investing in fast rail links.  

February is the month when councils start to finalise their budgets for the year ahead. We will be announcing our new tax levels on February 20. Wandsworth sets the lowest council tax levels in the country and we will be looking at very possible way in which we can continue to protect our residents from the recession.

Councillor Edward Lister
Leader of the Council

May 25, 2010