Southfield has been greened but it can be even greener!

Over the past few years the local Southfield Councillors have had access to a small budget to spend on local schemes in Chiswick.

Liberal Democrats have always made efforts to not just support charitable organisations that provide help and advice for those with caring needs, but to also promote environmental projects to brighten up the area.

Photo credit: Jon Perry

Some of the projects included:

• Improvement of our three main parks which all now have Green Flag status!
• Wild meadow planted on Southfield Rec
• Over a hundred new street trees planted
• Nest boxes for swifts
• Plant beds on Southfield Rec and Acton Green
• Winning a Council recycling award after we promoted the benefits of recycling
• Greener lighting
• Successfully stopped the Conservative party from relocating the 94 bus terminus to Shepherds Bush meaning we would lose a vital bus service
• Many bus stops are now disability friendly
• Cycle training for children and adults
• Bike racks installed to help support our local shops
• Bike racks expanded opposite Turnham Green station
• Bike Hangers installed so that residents can store their cycles safely overnight at low cost
• Agreed to Car club bays to help give alternatives to those who want to give up their cars

Of course this is a good start but in seeking re-election Southfield’s three Liberal Democrat Councillors look to make more improvements to the area. Some of the key improvements we seek include:

• Much greater number of electric charging points
• Better recycling so it is free and better promoted
• Piccadilly Line tubes stopping at Turnham Green
• Better access for those with disabilities at our tube and rail stations

In the up-coming local elections which take place on 3rd May 2018 I look forward to how we can discuss more ideas from residents about how our area can be improved.

Southfield Liberal Democrats launch local election priorities

After many months of surveying the views of Southfield residents and local businesses, the three Southfield Liberal Democrat Councillors have launched their three priorities which they will campaign on in the up-coming local elections which take place on 3rd May 2018.

 1. Cleaner and Safer Southfield:

• Free from litter, fly-tips and leaves by re-introducing the weekly sweeping regime. When the Conservatives and the Labour party in Ealing Council voted for Council Tax they voted for the two reductions in street cleaning from a weekly service to once every 12 weeks. Only the Liberal Democrats have stood up for residents on this issue.
• Involve residents in gaining feedback on which streets are considered clean or dirty. We would be very tough on the contractors like Amey who have failed over many years to give residents a good service. We will get replace failing contractors or withhold monies from their payments.
• Work with the local police team (SNT) to support projects that can reduce the crime rate and help promote the benefits of Neighbourhood Watch schemes. This should help keep the crime rate at its current low level.
• Continue to work with the police and Ealing Council to reduce the incidences of speeding traffic which can lead to traffic accidents and deaths.

2. Public transport better for all:

• Campaigning for TFL to get Piccadilly Line tubes to stop at Turnham Green tube station. We have successfully persuaded TFL that Piccadilly Line tubes can stop at Turnham Green station, we just need them to upgrade the signalling.
• We want our tube and rail stations and bus stops to be accessible for those with mobility issues and have already improved a number of bus stops in Southfield in coordination with residents.
• Promote cycling and the ability to store cycles safely when people are visiting residents or whilst shopping in the area.

3. Protect Local Health Services:

• Campaigning to stop our hospitals from being downgraded or closed such as Charing Cross hospital.
• Look for ways to expand local GP doctor and dental provision in the area.

So these are the main issues residents have contacted us about. We will campaign on these plus other issues and have an action plan for each of these topics including the continues improvement of our parks which now have a Green Flag status!