Changes to local roads

After seeking our views last year, Camden Council is making some changes to roads around Mill Lane.  These are intended to make things safer for pedestrians - particularly children going to school.

Mill Lane itself is to get two new zebra crossings.  Work to install these has already begun - adding to the density of roadworks already happening in the area thanks to the Thames Water excavations.

A 20 mph speed limit is to be imposed on the roads around Beckford School - Dornfell Street, Broomsleigh Street, Glastonbury Street and Ravenshaw Street.  80 per cent of the 186 respondents to Camden's survey supported this measure.  But only 48 per cent expressed support for raising the junction - bringing the road level to that of the pavement - where Dornfell Street meets Ravenshaw Street.  So this proposal will not proceed.

New councillor elected for Fortune Green

So Nancy Jirira won the Fortune Green by-election, maintaining the Liberal Democrats' long-standing dominance of West Hampstead.  Camden council's website has the full results.

Many thanks to all the candidates who answered our questionnaire.

Answers from Tulip Siddiq, Labour candidate for Fortune Green

Less than a week to go until the Fortune Green by-election.  Tulip Siddiq, the Labour candidate, has sent in answers to the Northwest 6 questionnaire.

You can also read answers from Heather Downham  and Nancy Jirira.

     

1.  What would you say is at stake in this council by-election?

A risk of further disengagement in the community. I've been canvassing a lot recently and communication between the Fortune Green councillors and the residents who live in the ward could be a lot better. I feel so strongly about it that I even made a video on my website, explaining how I would go about fixing it. Politics should be a two-way street, not a blind alley!

2.  What has motivated you personally to put yourself forward for election?

The desire to represent local residents. I want to voice the concerns of all residents, not just a selected few. I want proper consultation on topics that are important to locals, not just to the councillors. My website has had more than 2,500 visitors since the election began and constituents of all different ages and backgrounds have contacted me with their ideas. This is a clear sign that people are looking for different ways to communicate, but their voices aren't being heard.

3.  What impact would you say the change of control of Camden council has had in the two years since the last local elections?

Since the last local election, there has been a real lack of direction from the Liberal Democrat/Conservative council. Although it appears that there is a Liberal Democrat majority, the Conservatives seem to be running the show, so constituents are not really being represented by the people they elected. Also I am struggling to see what changes the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives have made to West Hampstead since they've been in power. Most of the local improvements have taken place because of Labour's work on issues such as developing public transport and increasing local police.

4.  What would you say are the two or three most pressing issues for people in Fortune Green?

Where do I start!

1) Planning and Development - The current council's failure to control the major developments in West End Lane and the likely large scale developments in Maygrove Road and Fordwych Road make me think that local peoples' interests are not being considered. The Liberal Democrat/Conservative council needs to start listening to the residents whose lives will be directly affected by these planning and development proposals.

2) Environment - I'm concerned that recycling is taking a backseat with the present Liberal Democrat/Conservative coalition. There are fears that recycling is being taken away from council estates in Camden generally. In Fortune Green we lost our garden waste collection. There is also an urgent need for a waste recycling facility in north west London. Residents have told me that they are tired of driving across the borough to recycle big items.

3) Transport - Under the Labour council, the public transport system improved dramatically in West Hampstead. More bus stops have been placed outside stations, the old Silverlink has become part of London Overground which means that I can now use my Oyster card on all railway services. I take the Jubilee line to work every day and the trains are always frequent which makes my journey very simple.

 
5.  What are your views on the following:

School provision for families who live in the ward?

Emmanuel School and Beckford school are both very good schools for our younger residents in Fortune Green. Hampstead School, a secondary school in the ward, is being improved thanks to a Labour government initiative.

The quality of play and recreational spaces for children in the ward?

The quality is simply not good enough. I've been to look at these play areas first-hand and was shocked by their disrepair and neglect. Many of the play areas for children in the ward are either unusable, locked up or ignored. We must concentrate on improving and maintaining the areas we have before we start planning new projects.

The state of Fortune Green itself (the park not the ward)?

It's a bit dilapidated and threatened by the large development nearby. Section 106 money has been given by developers to improve local community facilities and open spaces but we have had no voice in what is being spent. I suspect that it's not being spent in this area at all.

 

The problem of dog mess in parks and on pavements - particularly the railway path between Broomsleigh Street and West End Lane?

This issue needs managing. The previous council used to provide more pooper bags and bins but this has been reduced in the last two years. This is probably due to the number of cuts that the council has made to public services.

 

The way parking controls are administered by Camden council?

You may have seen my letter in the Camden New Journal about this topic. I'm seriously concerned about how parking has gotten so much worse under the current council, and yet their income from fines has risen. You can view all my concerns here.

 

The congestion, pollution and other difficulties caused by the installation of traffic lights at the junction of Mill Lane and Fortune Green Road?

This is actually a dangerous problem. The Lib Dem council said they would 'sort it out' but nothing has been done about it since they took power. This is typical of a complacent administration that makes false promises before an election and then doesn't deliver afterwards.

 

The impending arrival of Tesco in West Hampstead?

Small businesses may suffer as a result of this, but there is clearly a demand by some local residents for this type of shop in the local area. It is the job of our local councillors to make sure that any objections from locals are acted on before developments are given the green light. It is just not good enough to act like they are powerless, they need to stand up for our rights. That is what they have been elected for.

Answers from Nancy Jirira, Liberal Democrat candidate for Fortune Green

Northwest 6 asked all candidates in the Fortune Green by-election to answer a questionnaire. 

We've heard already from Heather Downham, the Conservatives' candidate.  Now it's the turn of the Liberal Democrats' Nancy Jirira.

   

1.  What would you say is at stake in this council by-election?

One of the things I think is important is to maintain a hardworking team for Fortune Green with a strong, local community based voice.

2.  What has motivated you personally to put yourself forward for election?

I met popular former Councillor Jane Schopflin many years ago at the old Community Health Council. She enthused me with her passion for public services and fighting for the local community. I’d be really honoured to follow in her footsteps. I’ve long been involved in local community issues – but have only recently put my name next to a party label as this is the best way to get issues heard on the council.

3.  What impact would you say the change of control of Camden council has had in the two years since the last local elections?

I’ve noticed a real change since May 2006. To be honest, although Labour neglected the area, I never thought they’d be voted out across Camden after so many years. There has been a new approach to issues which were forgotten by the former Labour administration such as housing repairs, the parking regime, the streets seem cleaner and the council has generally become more responsive. Almost best of all – our West End Green toilets were reopened and they seem much cleaner and better looked after!

4.  What would you say are the two or three most pressing issues for people in Fortune Green?

Its been clear from going around talking to people that there are big concerns about the potential closure of local post offices such as Mill Lane and Cricklewood. The response to the campaign has been overwhelming with hundreds of signatures and lots of envelopes hand-posted every day through my door.

The management of traffic and parking is also important to local people – such as the Mill Lane traffic lights; and there are ongoing concerns about large or inappropriate developments that threaten the character of the area.

5.  What are your views on the following:

School provision for families who live in the ward?

I know many families from my daughter’s primary school had to make massive changes in their life in order to secure a place at a good secondary school. The stress and worry of that time really takes its toll. From my work as a school governor I know that the problem has been just as bad in recent years. Children at the five local primary schools have no guaranteed secondary place in a Camden school. So I’m pleased the council has finally noticed that families living here need more school places. I welcome the planned new secondary school for north Camden and the major investment proposed for Hampstead School.

The quality of play and recreational spaces for children in the ward?

Much of our area has always suffered from a lack of open space – for example, if you live at the top of Richborough Road there is literally nowhere local to take children to play!  West End Sidings and Templar House are both provided with Sure Start (as well as play areas) and I would like to see Fortune Green itself have its own Sure Start. Meanwhile, the play area on Fortune Green will be improved later this year.

The state of Fortune Green itself (the park not the ward)?

When the work on the Sager development is finished, work will be carried out to restore that side of the Green.   But more is needed. It is certainly better looked after than it was, say, ten years ago and looked very good at the time of last year’s Jester Festival. I was sad that the replanting with Japanese shrubs a year or so ago didn’t seem to last - many shrubs being dug up or trampled on. I welcome the newly formed 'Friends of Fortune Green' and I look forward to working with them.

The problem of dog mess in parks and on pavements - particularly the railway path between Broomsleigh Street and West End Lane?

The problem lies with dog owners – not with dogs. We need to encourage owners to become more aware of their responsibilities or the problem – with all its attendant health risks – will simply continue. With reference to the 'Black Path', the Spotlight team have asked the Council to make special efforts to keep it clean.

The way parking controls are administered by Camden council?

When I worked as a health visitor I got a huge number of parking tickets from parking wardens who missed the ‘heatlh emergency badge’ that I always carefully displayed. I paid hundreds (if not thousands!) in unfair charges.  I was particularly pleased that on-street clamping was abolished by the Lib Dem-led administration and that it’s now easier to find out about parking suspensions. I shall be keeping a watchful eye to make sure that the parking regime doesn’t slip back into its bad old ways.

 

The congestion, pollution and other difficulties caused by the installation of traffic lights at the junction of Mill Lane and Fortune Green Road?

I have received countless complaints about this from local residents, particularly those with children and those attending Emmanuel school. This scheme, installed by the last labour Council and paid for largely by Transport for London, has been a disaster from the outset. I know the local councillors Flick Rea and Keith Moffitt have been trying to find ways to get it changed ever since. I promise to add my voice to this to secure changes.

 

The impending arrival of Tesco in West Hampstead?

Whilst some may welcome the proposed Tesco store, I am concerned for the future of our small local shops just when West End Lane shopping seemed to be at the beginning of a renaissance. I’m worried about the prospect of identikit high street chains filling West Hampstead. A councillor’s powers in respect of this proposal are limited. Tesco does not need permission for 'change of use', as it was already a retail shop, but the council can look into conditions to deal with the likely problems of parking, loading and unloading and traffic congestion that other areas in Camden have experienced. I will certainly use whatever influence I have to make the Council do all it can.

Answers from Heather Downham, Conservative candidate for Fortune Green

 

Answers have started arriving to the questionnaire sent by Northwest 6 to all candidates in the Fortune Green by-election.

First up, Heather Downham - who's standing for the Conservatives.

 

 1.  What would you say is at stake in this council by-election?

West Hampstead and Fortune Green have a very particular quality. They are very comfortable and relaxing areas in which to live. The future of our area is at stake, because of the ongoing battle to stop inappropriate planning applications succeeding, and thus devastating our green open spaces, play areas, and over-populating the area, with all the ensuing consequences, i.e. lack of places at schools, no policing, and an increase in crime. We must be vigilant.

2.  What has motivated you personally to put yourself forward for election?

As I said before, I want to preserve the character of our area, and I want the necessary changes to be good for all of us. I have lived here for over 25 years, and I want to fight to keep our amenities, i.e. the post offices, to preserve dust bin and recycling collections on at least a weekly basis, and to try and improve the parking problems. I have a wide experience of life, and know how to deal with a lot of day-to-day problems, i.e. noisy neighbours and rogue freeholders and developers and I should like to help others in the neighbourhood who are finding their own problems difficult to solve.

3.  What impact would you say the change of control of Camden council has had in the two years since the last local elections?

I think the change of control at Camden council is having a very positive impact.

i) Parking problems are now much better handled. No clamping, and more realistic notices of parking suspensions.

ii) Libraries open much longer.

iii) Plans for a new secondary school in Swiss Cottage, and improvement to Hampstead School.

iv) The free removal of graffiti, an excellent idea.

It seems to work having a Liberal/Conservative partnership – different ideas and thinking.

4.  What would you say are the two or three most pressing issues for people in Fortune Green?

i) Control of inappropriate planning applications.

ii) Crime is rising again in Fortune Green, so more police patrols, and if possible dog patrols in the cemetery.

iii) Fight to make sure post offices and the police station remain open.

5.  What are your views on the following:

School provision for families who live in the ward?

Two very good primaries – Emmanuel School and Beckford school – which get very good OFSTED results. Both very high teaching standards. In terms of secondary schools, Hampstead School is about to be improved by the council with new facilities for sport, science and drama, and I am sure it will continue to improve.

The quality of play and recreational spaces for children in the ward?

There is a shortage of play areas in the ward. Fortune Green is there, but in the west and north of the ward there is no park or play area – it is much needed.

The state of Fortune Green itself (the park not the ward)?

Fortune Green has lost a lot of its appeal since the Sager Building has gone up. It needs some refurbishing with new trees and maybe flower beds. In summer there is always a problem with football players interfering with peaceful people.

The problem of dog mess in parks and on pavements - particularly the railway path between Broomsleigh Street and West End Lane?

On the pavements most people now clean up after their dogs, or the street cleaners do a wonderful job of removing dog mess. It is still in the parks, you have to be careful, but maybe a few fines could stop the nuisance. I must have walked down the path from Broomsleigh Street to West End Lane on a good day as there was no obvious mess, but I am very aware of the problem and I want the council to use the new fixed penalty powers it now has available.

The way parking controls are administered by Camden council?

The administration of parking controls has improved. Now that clamping has been banned, it stops cars being targeted. Also, clarification of ‘a day’ – now 8.30-18.30 – has saved much trouble. Attendants now seem to be more reasonable in their attitude.

 

The congestion, pollution and other difficulties caused by the installation of traffic lights at the junction of Mill Lane and Fortune Green Road?

The traffic lights at the junction of Mill Lane and Fortune Green Road are a disaster. They cause pollution in the Emmanuel School playground, and affect the pedestrians waiting to cross the road, and waiting parents. The traffic jams are extraordinary. The traffic backs up down Mill Lane, you can waste an extra five minutes, the 139 bus gets stuck, the C11 gets stuck as well, and the 139 should not even be in Mill Lane. It also has created a ‘rat run’ down Hillfield Road, where traffic is moving much too fast for the area.

The lights are a menace; they do no good, and cause havoc going south and north along Fortune Green Road and West End Lane. But we must make sure there are safe crossings, so it’s not an easy question – I would want the council to look at this afresh together with local residents and see what all the options are.

 

The impending arrival of Tesco in West Hampstead?

Tesco is a difficult question and I know there are different views locally on this – and of course the council’s powers are limited as there is no planning ‘change of use’.  Although we want to keep West End Lane unique, with diverse shops, wine bars and speciality boutiques, bakers etc, there are a lot of young people living in the area, students and more elderly folk whom I think have suffered from the lack of affordable food. We have some wonderful delicatessens and specialist bakers, but the existing supermarkets are expensive, and do not have a huge range of goods. We have a lot of charity shops in the High Street, and the site Tesco will occupy is not very convenient. It is close to the station, but people in the north of the ward will still shop at their local corner shop. The sad thing is that the existing traders have left a gap in the market, which Tesco has been able to exploit. I wish this was not so, but it is unfortunately a fact.

Fortune Green by-election

In the local elections of 2006, Northwest 6 sent a questionnaire to all the parties contesting the two West Hampstead wards - and received a pretty good response with all but the Green Party replying.

We're repeating the exercise again for the Fortune Green by-election.  Responses will be published as (and if) they are received.

More candidates for the Fortune Green by-election

Tulip Siddiq has been chosen as the Labour Party candidate for the Fortune Green council by-election.  She tells Northwest 6:

"I am 25 years old and I live on Finchley Road. My main concern is that the current council have stopped listening to the residents in Fortune Green and in Camden as a whole. I'm going to work hard to make sure this changes."

She has a campaign website at tulipsiddiq.com.

The Greens' candidate has been named as Tim Wilmott, who lives in the ward.

Candidates for the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives were announced previously.

Two candidates named for Fortune Green by-election

The Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives have confirmed their candidates for the Fortune Green by-election - to be held on 21 February.  Both have picked people who live in the ward and who have been active in the community for some time.

The Liberal Democrats - defending the seat - have chosen Nancy Jirira who is a health visitor and a governor at St Mary's primary school (presumably the state school in Kilburn and not the fee-paying school with the same name in Hampstead).

The Conservatives are fielding Heather Downham, an actress, who stood for the party in Fortune Green in the 2006  council election and who is also a school governor, at Beckford primary school in Dornfell Street.

There is no word yet on who Labour are putting up or whether there will be other candidates.

The by-election is generating interest beyond West Hampstead. You can find blog commentary on the campaign here and here. There's even been coverage in Zimbabwe.

Parking in Ravenshaw, Broomsleigh, Glastonbury and Dornfell Streets

Controlled zone
Originally uploaded by Grievous Angel.

You may have seen in the latest edition of Spotlight - the Liberal Democrats' local newsletter - that Camden will review the operation of the controlled parking zone in the four streets around Beckford School (Ravenshaw, Broomsleigh, Glastonbury and Dornfell Streets). The council will seek the opinions of residents.  There's also to be further consultation on the parking zone in the Greek roads north of Mill Lane (Achilles Road, Agamemnon Road, etc.)

One of the questions likely to be put to residents is whether the controlled hours in these streets should be extended to all day, as is already the case on Mill Lane and elsewhere in West Hampstead.

This development follows the completion of last year's consultation on parking controls across the borough.  A report on the results of the consultation was considered by councillors in November.  Referring to the streets south of Mill Lane, the report draws attention to campaigning activity undertaken in the neighbourhood at the time of the consultation:

"The consultation results show that opinion is divided about hours of control. A ‘survey’ was undertaken by some residents in this sub-area indicating an interest in longer hours, though this was not undertaken as a formal petition with signatures. Correspondence was received from residents in this area questioning the motives behind those undertaking the survey, who had misrepresented the Council’s own consultation, claiming that the Council was going to split the zone. Given concerns that the ‘survey’ may be biased the detailed findings are not included here."

Based on this information, and a petition from residents of the Greek roads seeking longer controlled hours, councillors decided that further consultation was appropriate in the CA-P(c) area which covers the Greek roads and some of the streets south of Mill Lane. (See earlier post for a map of the zone.)  The report says this further consultation will cost council tax payers £25,000.

The council will discuss the likely shape of the consultation with local groups before sending a questionnaire to homes in the area.  Councillor Flick Rea has told Northwest 6 that it will be several months before we receive the survey:

"It will not be until early summer at earliest.  A notice will be sent round by Camden - as before to set up a Steering Committee which will decide the terms of the consultation. Then every household will receive a consultation form.  The terms are likely to be the introduction of all day restrictions in common with most of the rest of West Hampstead."

The council may also undertake parking occupancy surveys in order to inform the final decision.

Fortune Green by-election

A notice has been issued advertising the vacant seat on Camden council following the death of our local councillor, Jane Schopflin.

This is the first formal step in inviting candidates to put the names forward.  The most likely date for the by-election is Thursday 21st February, but this hasn't yet been confirmed.

Jane Schopflin

One of our councillors, Jane Schopflin, passed away over the Christmas period.  She'd represented Fortune Green since 1990.

Her colleague in the Liberal Democrats, Ed Fordham, has posted an obituary which charts a life given to journalism and public service.

Are our recycling collections any good?

Trash One
Originally uploaded by blech.

One of the earliest posts on Northwest 6 concerned the way all material collected for recycling is mashed up together in a traditional dustcart.

Camden justified this practice by saying that although it was more costly to sort out materials after collection, it encouraged more people to recycle things.

Now a new national campaign is trying to call time on this approach.   According to the Campaign for Real Recycling:

Collection systems that gather a range of different materials in one bag or bin and then compact them could permanently undermine the environmental and financial benefits of recycling.

The Observer investigated the issue and reported that mixing and mashing materials for recycling reduces the environmental benefits significantly:

If you happen to participate in a co-mingled scheme, it is thought that somewhere between one tenth and one fifth of your waste could end up in a landfill, forming part of a noxious stew belching methane into the atmosphere. By contrast, less than 1 per cent of all materials collected through source-separated systems is wasted.

The waste contractor Veolia is quoted in the article as contesting the amount wasted through co-mingling - putting it at between five and eight per cent.  Veolia says part of this is caused by people putting household waste in their recycling bins.

If you are concerned about this issue, the Campaign for Real Recycling suggests you should lobby your local council.  To do this locally, depending on where you live, you should contact either Fortune Green councillors or West Hampstead councillors.

Alternatively, you could make sure that your recycling waste is clean before you put it out for collection.

Changes proposed for local roads

Camden Council is seeking your views on plans aimed at making local roads safer for pedestrians.  There would be a 20mph speed limit in the roads around Beckford School (Broomsleigh, Dornfell, Glastonbury and Ravenshaw Streets) and a raised junction at the end of Dornfell Street where it meets Ravenshaw Street.

It is also proposed to add two new zebra crossings to Mill Lane.

If you live in this area of West Hampstead, you should already have received a consultation pack.  You have until 11 January  2008 to submit your views.

Are changes proposed for CA-P controlled parking zone?

Leaflets have been distributed to houses in Ravenshaw, Broomsleigh, Glastonbury and Dornfell Streets warning of changes to the local controlled parking zone which would severely restrict where residents of these streets could park in West Hampstead.

As far as I can tell, this is a significant misreading of the situation.

The leaflet is put out in the name of the "Support Our Play Streets Residents' Association" - an organisation of which I have never heard. It has raised the alarm apparently in response to a consultation which Camden council is currently conducting on controlled parking zones across the borough.

This consultation is seeking the public's views on issues such as the size of zones, when they operate and arrangements for motorcycles and electric vehicles. In fact, the explanatory notes on Camden's websites explicitly rule out "significant changes to the zone boundaries and hours/days operation in the short-term".

Confusion may have been caused by a map published as part of the consultation, which shows our zone - called CA-P - split into three sub-zones (click on map above). This reflects the current implementation of the CA-P - whereby parking restrictions are enforced at different times in different parts of the zone.

So while the controlled hours in Ravenshaw, Broomsleigh, Glastonbury and Dornfell Streets - part of CA-P (c) - are between 1000 and 1200 Monday to Friday, the controlled hours in West End Lane - part of CA-P (a) - are between 0830 and 1830 Monday to Friday. These hours affect when people who don't have a CA-P parking permit can park in the zone, but residents with a CA-P permit displayed on their vehicle can park anywhere in the zone at any time.

There is - at this stage - no proposal to change this arrangement. Were such a proposal to be forthcoming, Camden would be obliged to consult on it.

Camden's consultation document on controlled parking zones runs to 12 pages. You have until Friday 22 June to submit your views to the council.

Rear terrace proposed for The Alliance pub

The Alliance pub is seeking planning permission for developments to the building including the installation of a terrace at first floor level at the back of the pub. The plans - which you can see on Camden Council's website - include an awning over the terrace, which would overlook the top end of Ravenshaw Street. You have until this Thursday 17th May to submit comments.

Across the other side of Mill Lane from The Alliance, there's a proposal for seven flats on the site of one house and three garages in Gondar Gardens. You can see detailed plans. One neighbour has emailed Northwest 6 describing this as a dense and unwelcome proposal. Camden is inviting comments until 30th May.

Development proposal for Ravenshaw Street

Site for proposed four-storey block of flats
Originally uploaded by Grievous Angel.


A four-storey block of flats could be built in Ravenshaw Street, if plans submitted to Camden Council are approved.

Under the proposals, the existing end of terrace building at 23 Ravenshaw Street, and the surrounding car park, would be replaced by a new building which would fill in the current gap in the terrace.

Camden's planning department has published details of the proposal. The plans include this artist's impression of how the street would look.




One neighbour has already contacted Northwest 6 to express concern. He describes the scheme as a "monstrosity" and says that 12 flats are too many for the site.

What's your view? Camden Council is inviting comments from residents until Tuesday 15 May.

You can also leave comments here on Northwest 6 for neighbours to read.

Going native?

It's almost a year since Labour lost control of Camden council after decades in power. Part of the reason was residents' anger at the authoritarian nature of parking controls in the borough. The incoming Liberal Democrat and Conservative coalition promised to take a more sensitive approach.

A year on, how are they doing?

A recent report in the Ham & High suggests parking controls are as extreme as ever. A resident of Fitzjohn's Avenue returned from a trip abroad to discover that the council had removed and crushed her car after suspending a parking bay while she was away.

Far from seeking to ensure that officials take a more sensitive approach, the Conservative councillor in charge of parking, Mike Greene, gives the impression of condoning such behaviour. As quoted by the Ham & High, he did not appear to regard crushing a car, which was displaying a valid permit, as an extreme and reasonable sanction seeking. Instead he sought to blame the owner of the car. He said residents should get a neighbour to check on their car whenever they are away - as if inner-city London was some halcyon idyll where people are intimately familiar with their neighbours and in the habit of leaving their car keys with them.

Closer to home, residents of Westbere Road recently found that they had been given about fourteen hours notice of a parking bay suspension. That is to say, notice was given at around 6pm the day before the suspension was to come into effect. By this time many people had retired to their homes for the evening and were unaware of the need to move their cars. Parking officials were out early the next morning ticketing vehicles and preparing to tow them away. One resident, who reached her car just in time, found the officials rude and abrasive and not at all concerned that insufficient notice of the suspension had been given.

A more sensitive approach to parking control? You have three years - until the next local elections - to make up your mind.

What do you think of Camden's recycling service?

Camden Friends of the Earth are seeking your views on the council's recycling service. You can leave comments on their blog.

One of the issues of concern is why different types of materials - like metals, plastic and paper - are all mixed up together by collectors, and not sorted at source. Northwest 6 looked into this some time ago, so if you want you can remind yourself of the council's thinking on this before responding to Friends of the Earth.

West Hampstead round-up

Apologies if you've missed the lack of postings on Northwest 6 since Christmas. The nasty cold virus that's been knocking around kept me away from the computer.

As it happens, there's not been much to report from our neck of the woods. But there have been some noteworthy developments in West Hampstead more generally.

Such as the story of the woman who lives in St. Cuthbert's Road, off Fordwych Road, who was told that residents' bays are not for parking in. According to the Ham & High:

Sarah Bailey from West Hampstead went away for a weekend and left her car in a bay outside her house.

On the Monday Ms Bailey, who is eight months' pregnant, returned to her car and found the bay had been suspended the day she left and she had been ticketed.

Ms Bailey appealed against the ticket on the grounds that three days' notice was insufficient.

But heartless parking chiefs turned down the appeal and council officer Pat Egan responded: "Residents' bays are not primarily intended for long-term parking and I believe that the advance warning given in this instance was sufficient."

Down at the other end of West Hampstead, a decision by Kingsgate School to serve halal meat has prompted an ugly row. The school took the decision to meet the needs of Muslim children, who make up around three quarters of its pupils. But if you want to serve halal, it is very difficult also to provide a non-halal meat alternative. So now some non-Muslim parents feel their needs are not being met. One of the parents protesting about the decision, Jacqueline Gomm, tells the Ham & High:

"I'm absolutely furious, I feel that I cannot let this happen. I sent my kids to this school because I don't want them to be affected by religion."

While a Muslim Liberal Democrat councillor, Faruque Ansari, says:

"There should not be any issue here. We should all be flexible and try to understand each other. It's just the same meat at the end of the day."

One of the curiosities about this story is that a number of other schools in Camden have switched to halal without prompting similar furore. At Kingsgate, parents feel they weren't consulted properly. According to the Camden New Journal, while 91 per cent those who responded to a questionnaire sent to parents said they wanted halal meat or didn't object, only a third of parents actually participated in the consultation. The ripples of this story have reached the national newspapers, with The Sun among those covering it.

Today's H&H reports that West End Lane is suffering a "retail exodus" as traders flee the combination of high rents and parking restrictions which are driving away customers. This story is prompted by the closure of Nicolas, the wine merchant, whose manager is quoted as saying:

"The rent has increased quite substantially over the last seven years but business has not increased so much. It is always with great sadness that we close. West Hampstead is a nice area, exactly the sort of area with a village feel that we like."

Not exactly an area in crisis then? But wait, the H&H says the closure of Nicolas comes hot on the heels of the departure of Audio T (the hi-fi shop), that funny leather and gifts shop near the library, and the newsagent whose premises were taken over by the friendly and popular David's Deli.

We could do with a few decent food shops. But there's life in West End Lane yet.

New council

The local election results are available on the Camden website. Liberal Democrats took all six seats in our two wards: Fortune Green and West Hampstead. Your new councillors are:

Fortune Green: Flick Rea, Jane Schopflin and Russell Eagling
West Hampstead: Keith Moffitt, John Bryant and Duncan Greenland

What is more, Keith Moffitt - who leads the Liberal Democrats in Camden - looks like he will also be the new council leader. For the first time in 35 years, Labour has lost over-all control of Camden. The Liberal Democrats emerge as the biggest party and are likely to be calling the shots - unless, as is theoretically possible but hard to imagine, the Conservatives go into coalition with Labour.

The contest in our neighbourhood didn't quite turn out to be the two-way fight between Labour and the Liberal Democrats that I had predicted. While Labour came second to the Lib Dems in West Hampstead, they were pushed into third place by the Conservatives in Fortune Green. The Greens, who stood candidates but did not campaign in the area, came fourth in both wards.

So what does the change of control at the town hall mean? While media analysis this morning has portrayed Labour's loss of Camden as a function of the party's national problems, it's worth remembering that there were local issues at work too. Camden has a reputation as one of the most authoritarian enforcers of parking controls and there were at least three campaigns running in the borough critical of Labour's handling of this issue. The Liberal Democrats, in a pre-election survey, picked up that people wanted a more sensitive, more listening council. They emphasised both these themes - together with cutting local bureaucracy and care for the local environment - in their answers to questions put by Northwest 6 at the start of the campaign. Another of their themes was the need for a new secondary school west of the Finchley Road.

More resident-friendly parking controls, a more listening council and sufficient school places for families living in West Hampstead. You know what the Lib Dems have promised. Now watch to see if the new largest party on the council can deliver without over-all control.