Fulwell & Hampton Hill Winter 2007/8 Report

1.47.03pm GMT Mon 28th Jan 2008

By councillors Jeremy Elloy, Malcolm Eady and Jonathan Cardy . .

• PLANNING Victories: Your local councillors, acting with committed local residents, have scored two notable victories. An application to build an office block in the sunken garden of the old Haymarket Offices in Hampton Road, and to extend the Office block itself, was rejected. Residents are keen to protect the sunken gardens- which provides a beautiful green space in an area already short of open space. The developers have made clear their intention to fight on by chopping down the trees surrounding the sunken garden. They have appealed against the decision on the office extension, and this is currently being considered by the planning inspectors. They have also submitted a new design for the extension and the planning committee will consider this on 15th November Councillors Malcolm Eady & Jonathan Cardy, together with residents and traders on Hampton Hill High Street, argued persuasively against Sainsbury's application to open a pharmacy on their St Claire's site (Uxbridge Road). The Planning Committee rejected the application, accepting that the vitality of the High Street would be endangered by this new venture, and that local shopping streets and parades needed protection. Sainsbury have since gone to appeal and your Councillors are amongst those who have written to the Inspector asking him to uphold the Council's decision.

• GOODBYE Garages : The Texaco garage on Hampton Hill High Street has received planning permission for conversion to restaurant and commercial use. The former Jet Garage on Stanley Road, Teddington has received planning permission for a mixed development of flats and office. The earlier application for a supermarket had problems for access for lorries. The Council has decided to redevelop two lockup garage sites in Shacklegate Lane and Railway Road, Teddington. Councillor Cardy has been assured that this will be subject to a "parking review" of those areas.

• MIND That Hole! : Your councillors have put pressure on Network Rail to fix the large hole in Eastbank Road, Hampton Hill, where the road is crumbling into the railway cutting. The summer rains worsened the situation and unless Network Rail undertakes repairs a section of the road could collapse. "Network Rail has been alerted to this problem", said local councillor Jonathan Cardy, "but hasn't responded properly. We have chased them up, as the hole is already very deep and hazardous. The whole area has had to be fenced off. This is dangerous and local residents are gravely concerned at Network Rail's indifference."

• FLOODING Problems: Councillors Jonathan Cardy and Malcolm Eady, local residents, and MP Vincent Cable, have been busy trying to sort out flooding problems in our area. In Railway Road, the council have repaired the gullies but Thames Water have only repaired only part of the drainage system. We have kept up the pressure and Thames Water has agreed to complete the work. At the Burtons Road end new culvert gratings (less prone to blockage) have been installed in the ditch. Thames Water has improved their drain under Park Road, largely solving the problem. In the heavy summer rains there were flooding problems in York Road and Gloucester Road , we are now seeking a solution. Given the severity of the flooding the Council has set up a Task Group to examine how to improve matters in the future.

• NEW Library for Hampton Hill: Recognising that Hampton Hill Library is, sadly, no longer fit for purpose and would cost too much to modernise, the Council had decided to look for new premises. High on the list is Thames House, the vacant office building on the eastern side of the High Street. The Council has embarked upon a consultation exercise, but has agreed to keep its options open and look at other possibilities elsewhere in the High Street. Watch out for developments!

• NEW Police Sergeant Sergeant Suzanne Pearce has joined our Safer Neighbourhood Team, replacing Gavin Ellis. Suzanne now leads a team of 5, comprising our two PCs, Andy Hodgson and Bob Frith, and our three PCSOs, Doug Whitear, Stuart England and Faye Style. You can contact the team by telephone - 020 8247 5816, by mobile - 07879 431 303 or by Email at Fulwell.HamptonHill.fnpsnt@met.police.uk

• DANGEROUS Traffic: Residents on the Hampton Road, between Broad Street and the High Street, have alerted the Council to the danger of cars speeding down this stretch of road. Councillors have arranged for temporary speed traps on the road. A meeting is being arranged with Council Highways engineers to find a solution.

• PAVEMENTS: After a long wait the Hampton Road pavements have been renewed. As part of the project some trees will be planted to mitigate the high level of vehicle pollution on this road between Teddington and Hampton Hill. The scheme will also introduce a new "table" at the entrance to Coleshill Road, to slow traffic entering the 20 mph zone.

• ALPHA Road - Playground?: Councillors Jerry Elloy and Malcolm Eady have been pressing for the Alpha Road Park to have a small playground for children. Funds have been earmarked for the 2009/10 budget year. The next step is to design the scheme and consult with local residents, so that work can begin as soon as the funds are available.

• STANLEY Road: Reacting to pressure from your local councillors the Council has taken enforcement action against the owners of the site at the corner of Prince's Road and Stanley Road, and removed their advertising hoardings.

More at: http://www.richmond.libdems.org.uk/pages/Fulwell.html