Cllr Farooq Qureshi and myself are holding a meeting at :

The Corner Stone

Essex Road

On

Wednesday 10th February 2010

At

6:30pm

This meeting is to call all of you who can help the Liberal Democrats win the Election in 2010,                                                                                       

All of you who can help and support in any way,

Any great ideas are welcomed.

Please do attend!!!!

Lib Dems working hard for you the community!!!!

You may remember back in September Cllr Qureshi and my self approached the council for Bakers Arms to become a dispersal zone for anti social behavior.

A dispersal order will provide the police with additional powers to disperse groups of two or more people where the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that their presence or behaviour has resulted, or is likely to result, in a member of the public from being harassed, intimidated, alarmed or distressed. Once asked to disperse it will be a criminal offence for that person to return to the dispersal area for a 24-hour period.

If a young person under the age of sixteen is stopped in the area after 9pm and is not accompanied by an adult the police can escort them to their home address, if they are either:                

• At risk or vulnerable from anti-social behaviour, crime etc
• Causing, or at risk of causing, anti-social behaviour

Well a dispersal order has been put in place and commenced from 12noon on 23 November 2009 and will end at 11.59am on 22 May 2010 after which the council will review this again.

Lib Dems working hard for the community!!!!!!

Following guidance from the Health Protection Agency, Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust has remained closed from most activity to enable the norovirus to clear, but will now begin the process of reopening parts of the hospital.

The A&E department reopened to ambulances on Friday 30 January 2010 and 10 wards are now back working normally.

The Maternity, Paediatrics and the Outpatients departments continue to operate as usual, as does the Emergency and Urgent Care Centre.

Elective surgery, where patients would require an in-patient stay after a procedure, remains closed at this stage.  

There continues to be no visitor access to any of the wards at Whipps Cross due to heightened infection control precautions and these will remain until further notice.

For the Maternity Department only, one birth partner will be permitted onto a ward during this time – no children will be allowed.

For Children’s services only one parent per child will be allowed.

Individual patient’s needs can be discussed with the ward Sister, who can grant permission to access in exceptional circumstances.

Security are present at entrances and their role is to question the need for access to the site.

Strict infection control safety measures remain in place and have been taken in closing the shops, restaurant and Jobs Junctions to the general public.                        

Norovirus is a common winter ailment, which can be highly contagious and causes symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea.

Cllrs Farooq Qureshi, Samina Safdar and the Focus team are angry to learn that the proposed one-way system in Knotts Green Road has been delayed, yet once again.

The officers of the Highways Department have informed Cllr Qureshi and Cllr Safdar that the proposed one-way system in Knotts Green Road has been put on hold because Transport for London (TfL) have not carried out the alterations at the junction of Leyton Green Road and Lea Bridge Road. The traffic arrangements at this junction were to be altered to allow a left turn into Lea Bridge Road. This work was due to complete by the end of 2009. Now, TfL have told the council that these works have been postponed until the next financial year.

The Focus Team have carried out their own survey of the road to find out if the residents want to wait for TfL to carry out the proposed alterations at the top of Leyton Green Road before turning Knotts Green Road into one-way, or, if they want the one-way to go ahead now.

The result of the survey is as follows:

I would like the one-way system to go ahead NOW before Transport for London has done the works at Leyton Green/Lea Brodge Road junction.

            Yes                                 No                             No Reply

            47                                    15                                  23

The Focus Team have passed on the information to the Highways Dept and says:

WE WANT ACTION NOW

Following a disappointing response from London underground, regarding Leyton underground station, Councillor Farooq Qureshi has written to the Mayor of London, Director of Transport for Olympic Delivery Authority and Transport for London to review the situation at the said station.

We have called upon the relevant authorities to act now and arrange for fresh consultation and re-asses the situation to ease the peak-time congestion at the east-bound platform.

LEYTON UNDERGROUND STATION IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF ATTENTION

Cllr Farooq Qureshi, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Leyton and wanstead is fighting to make Leyton underground station disabled friendly and ease congestion during peak hours.

Please visit:                 www.walthamstow.today.co.uk 

Leyton & Wanstead Liberal Democrats Focus Teams have started a series of street advice surgeries across the constituency.

First street advice surgery was held last Saturday, outside WFD on High Road Leyton. Residents signed our petition, calling for more Police officers on our streets.

Next advice surgery will be held out the parade of shops on Francis Road in Leyton, between 2PM to 4PM. If you have any issues you need to discuss or any problem that you need help with, then please come and visit us.

For further dates and venues, please watch this space.  

At the meeting with Transport For London (TFL) Liberal Democrats Parliamentary candidate for Leyton & Wanstead, Cllr Farooq Qureshi and Cllr Keith Rayner discussed the peak time congestion at Leyton tube station. Similar concerns were raised by the residents in Leyton & Whipps Cross community council meeting.

Our inquiries in the matter have revealed that:

In November 2008, The Transport Liaison group of London Borough of Waltham Forest visited Leyton underground station. This visit was arranged by London underground’s (LU) Liaison Manager. The visit looked at crowding issues at the station and the possibility of opening the secondary staircase on the east bound platform. It also considered the role of the station during 2012 Olympics. The London underground’s response was:

The staircase is opened only when LU anticipate large numbers exiting the station, such as during certain football games, and again only when there is supervision by additional staff (very often by British Transport Police Officers). On these occasions, the large volumes of passengers (sometimes up-to 5000 in an hour) justifies the need to open an additional entrance and extra resources to manage it.

However, the occasional need to use this staircase is not sufficient to warrant bringing it into daily operation. The staircase is open to the elements and substantial work would be required to enable it for everyday use. This would include overhead protection, CCTV, lighting, public address system and other customer safety provisions. There are also no oyster readers installed at this secondary staircase. This would mean that customers with oyster pay as you go cards would not be able to complete their journeys and could be charged an exes fare.

While LU recognise that there has been an increase in customers using Leyton over the past several years, station management is confident that there are no safety issues with the current customer flow conditions. The available capacity allows the safe movement of the current volume of customers through the platforms and station. There have been no accidents reported at Leyton, related to over crowding.

The role of Leyton station during Olympics was also discussed. As part of the ODA’s transport strategy for the Olympic park, three stations have been identified as ’Olympic Park Gateway Stations’. They are: Stratford Regional station, Stratford International station and West Ham station. Leyton station was reviewed as part of the transport plan, however these other stations were preferred because of a verity of strategic reasons.

The Liberal Democrats Parliamentary candidate for Leyton & Wanstead, Cllr Farooq Qureshi says:

I have my reservations about this response. Lu and the ODA need to re-think their strategy and consider the possibility of including Leyton tube station in their list of ‘Olympic Park Gateway Stations’. I also call upon the LU to improve the access for disabled passengers which is non existent at Leyton underground station.

Liberal Democrat councillor and Parliamentary candidate for Leyton & Wanstead Farooq Qureshi accompanied by Cllr Keith Rayner held a meeting with representatives from Transport for London (TFL) to discuss how they are working with the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) to secure transport improvements for the area in the build up to the 2012 Olympic games.

A number of issues regarding transport infrastructure were discussed. The Lib Dem councillors were positive about the meeting and the awareness from TFL of customer concerns.

Historically at the top of the local transport agenda, The Hall Farm Curve rail link was discussed. Despite the confirmation that the restoration of the service was not part of the immediate plans, TFL representatives said that, as a service partner for the Olympics, it would be prepared to work with the ODA if the 2012 body wanted to investigate the Hall Farm Curve as part of the Olympic infrastructure. But, for this to materialise,the local council has to make a convincing case.

Other issues discussed included:

• Easing of “exit” congestion at Leyton and Leytonstone underground stations by opening up additional exits in peak periods.
• Improved accessibility for disabled passengers at Leyton Tube Station.
• The need for better and more frequent bus routes for both Leyton and Leytonstone High Roads, including improved connections with the rest of the borough and improved services to and from Stratford.
• The refurbishment of Leyton Midland and Leytonstone High Road Stations on the Barking and Gospel Oak lines, including better lighting and platform information systems.

After the meeting Cllr Qureshi said:  “I am very pleased that TFL were prepared to listen to residents concerns about our local transport infrastructure and what benefits 2012 could provide for local transport links. Good and easily accessible transport is vital for a sustainable economy in Leyton and Wanstead. It will play an enormous part in efforts to bring much needed economic prosperity to our area.”

Representatives of TFL promised to arrange further meetings between TFL and ODA which will include ward councillors and special interest groups so that they can have an input into priority transport improvement in the area.

Liberal Democrats Parliamentary candidate for Leyton & wanstead Cllr Farooq Qureshi, alongside other members of Finance Overview and Scrutiny sub committee went on a tour of the Olympic park, led by a guide from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), the organisation responsible for building the Olympic park.

It was fascinating to see the once run down area of the east end of London being transformed into a high quality sports arena, which will be the focus of attention for the whole world.

The visiting group was told that the building program is progressing according to schedule and is on course to complete by 2011 for the rehearsals to begin. Special attention is being focused on all the small details. The ODA have made sure to include even the praying facilities in the Olympic village.

Following the tour of the park, there was an informal reception hosted by ODA in one of their specially built flats that over looks the Olympic park.

Speaking about the post-games plans, Cllr Qureshi said: “I know that a lengthy and thorough assessment was carried out about what legacy the Olympic games will leave behind. I hope that the residents of Leyton & Wanstead will receive their fair share of the benefits by way of a legacy“.

Council officers are currently working on several bus priority schemes across the Borough. As a part of this process, it has been identified that vehicles parked in the vicinity of Whipps Cross Road/James Lane junction are causing access difficulties to buses. This is most evident at busy times.

In order to reduce delays to buses, the officers are proposing to introduce additional traffic managment measures. It is proposed that additional 24-hour loading/waiting restriction along both arms of James Lane is introduced to remove the likelihood of blue badge parking on the existing double yellow lines. In addition, extra signage will be erected along Whipps Cross Road to reinforce the existing `No Stopping restriction.

Cllrs Farooq Qureshi, Bob Sullivan, James O`Rourke and Samina Safdar enjoyed a day out at the Waltham Forest annual Asian Mela. Lib Dem Focus team member Mahmood Faiz was also at the Mela raising funds for a charity. Cllr Safdar was accompanied by her children.

Thousands of people from across the Borough and beyond enjoyed a day out. There were fun rides for the children and plenty of food stall for every one to enjoy. This Council funded event has become an important event in the Borough calender.

Leyton and Wanstead Liberal Democrats held a stall at the Noor ul Islam`s annual summer fair at the leyton youth centre. This fun packed day was attended by thousands of people from all over the Borough. Food, clothes and other goods were on sale. Children took part in races and enjoyed the fun fair rides.

Safer Neighbourhood Teams, Whipps Cross Hospital`s Big Push appeal and other voluntary organisations were also there to offer help and advice.

Liberal Democrats Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Leyton and Wanstead Cllr Farooq Qureshi, Cllr Bob Sullivan, Cllr Naheed Qureshi, Cllr Winnie Smith and Mahmood Faiz managed the Lib Dem stall. Hundreds of people signed our petition calling on the Government to hold the Iraq war inquiry in public and not behind closed doors.

Cllrs Farooq Qureshi, Samina Safder and Bob Sullivan  attended the launch of a new community cafe in St Andrews Church in Colworth Road, Leytonstone.

This is an excellent venue to meet the local community and enjoy the tasty recipes of Elliot Joseph.

Opening hours are Tuesday and Saturday 10am to 5pm and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 12 noon to 5pm.

Great to see the sun shine through to Epsom Road Ally at last.  After a long battle we get the trees in Nursery Terrace pruned back to give some light to the ally.

Its all looking nice and bright another job well done!!!!!!

Well done to our local Forest Safer Neighbourhood Team who have sucsessfully raided a house in Knotts Green Road which was being used as an illegal DVD factory. 

Over 20,000 illegal DVDs were seized, and one male was arrested.

A job well done!!!

April 16th, 2009 by Samina Safdar
Comment?

Leytonstone United Free Church is planning to give their adopted garden a face lift by erecting a mosaic.  Students from the Sixth Form College have offered to design the mosaic.

Funding is currently being sought to meet the cost.  If you can help in any way please contact the Leytonstone United Free church please.

The Forest Safer Neighbourhood Team, together with the Youth Panel at Leyton Sixth Form College, has identified a major problem around the College and surrounding streets of spitting in the streets.  This is disgusting, makes the area look bad and can be a health hazard.

“So please help keep our area clean.”

Good News!!!!!

Following pressure from Lib Dem Councillors of Forest Ward the trees at the back of Nursery Terrace are to be  pruned back.  The overgrown trees have dominated the front of most of the Epsom Road houses and have  cut out their light.

We are very pleased to see that the temporary portacabins at Leyton 6th Form College are now up and running. These have been put in place to enable major works to be done on the main building.

When the work is finished the cabins will be taken down and the green field will be re-instated.  We will keep you informed of the developments.

Lately many people are wondering how they will make ends meet in an ever deepening crisis.  With this in mind Lib Dems have asked the council to look at ways to help people with the financial problems people are facing.  The good news is that the Council is planning to keep Council Tax increases to below 2% next year and will let people pay 12 instalments rather the 10. 

The Council will also settle their bills with local businesses with in 10 days.  It is important that we keep looking for ways to help.

As the Lib Dems say ” Actions are far better the words.”

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.  Lets hope 2009 bring us all great happiness and joy.

December 5th, 2008 by Samina Safdar

Councillor Farooq Qureshi and my self run a surgery at the Waltham Forest Direct Shop opposite the bus garage every Saturday from 10 - 12pm. 

The local safer neighbours police attend the surgeries to offer help and advice to residents on graffiti, cycling on the pavement, Dogs mess and any anti social behaviour problems residents may have.

The local police are very interested in local problems, you can contact them on 020 8721 2645    or     020 8721 5005

You may remember during the by election in June Peterbrough Road was looking very unsightly due to graffiti.

Well looking good now all the graffiti has been cleared and lets keep in that way.

On the same note walking round the ward we see the council have cleared a lot of overgrown shrubs and vegetation. 

If you do see any shrubs that need cutting back or trees that need pruning please let me know.