• YOUR local Lib Dem team: Jane Dodds 20 Rosedale Road 8940 0835 TW9 2SX] · · · • · · · Celia Hodges [11 Larkfield Road TW9 2PG 8940 3734]

• May 2010 Election %s: C 46.9; LD 43.7; L 9.4; G 0; I 0. C gain 3. Please scroll down for details of Jane Dodds and Celia Hodges

• NORTH Sheen footbridge plans: Plans for the new footbridge at North Sheen have been submitted to Richmond Council. Network Rail agreed to build the footbridge after a long campaign by the Lib Dem team and local residents. Councillor Celia Hodges said, "This will be such a relief to local residents who have regularly seen people risking their lives by climbing over the barriers here." The plans for the bridge have now been submitted to the Council, and local residents will already have received a letter informing them of the plans. You can view the plans online at www.richmond.gov.uk, reference10/0648/FUL. They will also be on display at Richmond Reference Library and the Civic Centre.

• THANKS to your Lib Dem Council, the Windham Road, Raleigh Road Recreation area is having a makeover. The Council is developing a state of the art play area in North Richmond, which will be ready for April 1st this year. Work on the paths, landscaping and dry river bed has already been completed at the play area next to the Croft Centre. It will soon also have a large next-swing, wheelchair see-saw and dry river bed. Councillor Celia Hodges said, "So far, the installations look amazing, and once the work is completed it will be a lovely area for families to bring children."

• NEW youth facilities planned for Richmond The Lib Dem Council is working on plans for a new dedicated youth facility in Richmond town centre. James Bertin said, "The Lib Dems made investing in youth services a priority since they took over at the town hall, and increased youth funding to the London average." "It will be great to see a youth centre accessible to young people from North Richmond." A potential site has been identified, and consultation with young people and other stakeholders is now taking place. It is hoped that the venue will be up and running in late 2010.

• LOCAL people let down: Conservatives refuse to back bid to kill off parking charges in Richmond Park for good. Conservatives in the House of Lords refused to support a Lib Dem 'fatal motion' that was the only way to stop the Government's legislation. Local MP Susan Kramer said, "It was great to see so many people come to Westminster to make their voices heard. "But I am saddened that the Conservatives refused to join us to stop these charges once and for all. "I want local people to know that I'll keep on fighting tooth and nail to stop these plans.

• COMMUNITY toilet scheme: One of the popular initiatives started by the Liberal Democrats on Richmond Council has been the Community Toilet Scheme. 90 toilets in pubs, cafés, and offices around the borough are now open to the public. The Council pays the venue £600 a year to allow unrestricted access to the toilets. This is very much cheaper, and offers many more toilets, than the traditional public toilets, which are very expensive to maintain. Just look for the Community Toilet sign outside.

• 14 places in RICHMOND have joined the scheme: Angel; Buccleuch Gardens; Hollyhock Cafe; House of Fraser; O'Neill's; Old Town Hall; Pizza al Rollo; Pizza Express; Red Cow; Richmond Arms; Roebuck; Slug and Lettuce; Tea Box; and Tide Tables. In KEW, Kew Gardens Hotel, Marks & Spencers, St Luke's in the Avenue, The Coach and Horses and The Railway have joined the scheme. In HAM the New Inn, the Hand and Flower, and Ham Clinic have joined the scheme.

• The Borough's 90 Community Toilets

• POOL NEWS: Significant improvements have taken place at Pools on the Park in North Richmond. The indoor pool has been re-tiled and the new café - Austin's - continues to serve excellent food and drinks to the centre's users. Additionally, the 490 bus goes to the pool, and, at the other end, to Heathrow Terminal 5. This provides an efficient public transport services for staff, residents and users of the pool. Local campaigner James Bertin said "Pools on the Park is a wonderful resource for the whole of the Borough and is based in North Richmond. "Residents are able to use the pools, café, gym and other facilities, as well as the 490 bus.

• BUS news: North Richmond Lib Dems are calling on London Mayor Boris Johnson to stop the endless delays and get work started to moving the 371 bus stop to Sainsburys. The Lib Dem team have received repeated assurances that the work would be completed. But nothing has happened! Lib Dem GLA Member Caroline Pidgeon raised the issue directly with the London Mayor, only to be told that residents would be waiting until April 2010 for the work to be completed. As Comments went to print there was still no clear date for work to begin. Cllr Celia Hodges said, "We have had promises made and broken time and time again on this issue. "We fully share the frustration of residents around Dee Road who are still suffering noisy buses day and night and have been waiting far too long for work to start."

• CAR Club Success: The Council's innovative Car Club scheme is going from strength to strength with over 2000 people signing up as members. In North Richmond, the car club bays in Selwyn Avenue, Old Deer Park and Manor Park have been very successful. An additional bay is proposed for Tangier Road. Cllr Jane Dodds said, "The Car Club success has shown that residents, particularly those in North Richmond, are committed to looking at ways of reducing their carbon emissions as well as saving money during the recession."

• ROAD news: improvement works update Improvement works at Richmond Circus, Kew Road, Lower Mortlake Road and Clifford Avenue are progressing well. The improvement works at Richmond Circus to date have provided excellent facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as much improved traffic signage around the roundabout. Cllr Jane Dodds said, "It is anticipated that the works will be totally complete by the end of December."

• BRIDGE news: North Sheen footbridge Network Rail are working on potential designs for the new footbridge at North Sheen station. Network Rail agreed to build a new footbridge after a long campaign by the Liberal Democrat team in response to residents' concerns about safety. We will keep you updated on developments.

• Richmond Town Centre: Improvements between The Quadrant and Church Road (including the railway station) [8th Nov]

• From Comments Summer 2009: RICHMOND Circus Roadworks: Local residents will be aware that extensive roadworks are now ongoing on Richmond Circus at the end of Kew Road, Twickenham Road and Lower Richmond Road. Works on the roundabout and the Kew-bound pavement will result in a much improved traffic- flow and safer routes for cyclists. Every effort is being made to keep disruption to a minimum, but please do contact your local councillors or Susan Kramer MP should there be any problems you would like them to take up. The Lib Dem team want to make sure disruption is kept to a minimum during the Richmond Circus roadworks. You can express your views by writing to Transport and Works Act Orders Unit, Zone 9/09, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DT or emailing transportandworksact@dft.gov.uk

• SHENE School: The Council is re- opening its search for a new sponsor for the academy at Shene School. The Government has made it clear that unless the decision on the new sponsor is made quickly, the money for Shene will not be safeguarded. Local MP Susan Kramer wants to make sure that the community is fully engaged in the way forward for Shene. "The new sponsor needs to earn the trust of the community and parents," said the MP "I will be stressing to the new sponsor, that they must reach out to parents, governors and the wider community to listen to their views." The Lib Dem team will keep you posted on the latest news and progress on the academies plan. • Airtrack plans latest BAA has announced that it intends to push ahead with plans for a high speed link between Heathrow and Waterloo. The plans mean that level crossings in our area will be down for up to 45 minutes in an hour. Cllr Celia Hodges said, "This will have a terrible effect on already congested traffic in our area." It is vital that people object to the plans during the consultation period.

• CAR Clubs come to Richmond: The Lib Dem team are pleased at the success of the car club scheme in the borough. Car clubs were introduced in the spring and allow people to book a car to use when they need it. Local campaigner Martin Pierce said "Bookings can be for an hour, for 2 to 3 days or longer and is cheaper than conventional car hire." You can book online or by phone, and payment is by the hour and/or miles travelled. Further Car Clubs spaces in the ward are at Manor Park, Selwyn Avenue, The Avenue (near Thornycroft Court) and Old Deer Park Gardens and further information on Car Clubs can be found by e-mailing: highwaysandtransport@richmon d.gov.uk

• AFTER a long campaign by the Lib Dem team, there is now a bus route that goes to Pools on the Park. Cllr Jane Dodds said, "It is excellent that people will now be able to use the bus to get to the pool quickly and easily." On June 16th, the No. 490 bus, which goes all the way to Heathrow Terminal 5, started operating from the new bus stand in Pools on the Park. Bus to Pools on the Park at last! Cllr Jane Dodds, Martin Pierce and Celia Hodges with one of the buses that now stops at Pools on the Park.

• CLIFFORD Avenue Roadworks Work to replace Victorian water mains on Clifford Avenue is due to start on 27th July. The roadworks are due to last four weeks. During this time Clifford Avenue will be one-way traffic (East Sheen to Kew), with traffic from the Kew direction diverted across Chiswick Bridge. Lorries will be diverted from Chalkers Corner via Chiswick, Fulham, and Putney. Please do contact the Lib Dem team if you have any problems during this time.

• NORTH Sheen footbridge update Network Rail has secured funding for the footbridge, and is now working on plans for the footbridge and its location. It is anticipated that the bridge will be sited at the Manor Road side of the station. The Lib Dem team will keep you updated as we find out more detail about the plans.

• POOLS on the Park: Work to resurface the Pools on the Park car park has now been completed. The project also created a much a much needed bus service directly to Richmond's swimming pool. A bus will be going straight into the car park, making it much easier for local residents to access this valued leisure facility. The next stage of the work will start very soon to create a safe junction with the A316 to the swimming pool.

• CAFE Matthiae: Your local Liberal Democrat Councillors and activists are keeping an eye on the progress with the development of this iconic listed building in North Richmond. Café Matthiae has lain derelict and abandoned for over 8 years. Last year planning permission was granted to develop it into residential and café/restaurant use. We are making sure that Art Deco features are maintained and that its development will not increase car parking pressure in the area.