Lister on Putney
News 'as bad as it gets' on Heathrow plus Robin Hood Gate and exam results
This
week's news on Heathrow was as bad as it could possibly be for people
in Putney.
- First the Government has said it will allow Heathrow to take in more flights - even without a third runway this would amount to an extra 20,000 flights a year.
- Second it has confirmed that it wants a third runway - by 2015 if they can make the pollution figures add up.
- And third it is paving the way for an increase in night flights.
No wonder the airlines are celebrating. After all with a Christmas present like this from Alistair Darling they know they won't have to go to Stansted after all.
It's not just aircraft noise that's on the increase. The rumble of traffic in Roehampton Village is also getting worse following the ill-advised decision by the Royal Parks Agency to close Richmond Park's Robin Hood gate.
As everyone predicted the displaced traffic is now being squeezed out onto roads like Roehampton Lane.
The three councils that border the park - Wandsworth, Kingston and Richmond - are all pressing for the gate to be reopened.
There is some good news though for local schools in the latest league tables. The national tests for 14 year-olds show big increases for John Paul II and Elliott. John Paul II has gone up 14 points in English and maths in the last year while Elliott recorded rises of 10 points in maths and eight points in science.
The boroughwide picture confirms the huge progress made by schools throughout the last eight years with improvements in maths and science over this period running at twice the average rate for the rest of the country.
Finally my best wishes for a safe and peaceful Christmas to everyone in Putney - and don't forget when it's all over to put those empty bottles and discarded wrapping paper in your orange sacks for recycling!
Edward Lister is the Leader of Wandsworth Council and a member for Putney's Thamesfield ward.
Edward Lister
December 18, 2003
Previous Lister Diaries
World Cup glory and South Thames College
CCTV, dealing with yobs and last orders at the Quill which is to be replaced by new housing
Barking dogs, aircraft noise, CCTV and 'twinning' Wandsworth and Islington Boroughs
Anti aircraft noise & a tribute to Mary Holben
St Cecilias, development at Whitelands site & the fate of Putney Hospital
Night flights , Putney Hospital, diseased trees & the new school
Cllr Lister pledges low taxes following re-election
Councillor walkabouts, artists in Putney & awaiting the decision on night flights
Recycling, relaunching Ashlone Wharf, extra cash for schools and closure of sub post offices
Modes of transport such as the new bus route and flight paths are all in .....Cllr Lister's Diary
"committed to keeping our bills as low as is sensibly possible"....Cllr Lister's Diary
There's not a council in the country that looks after its residents' money as carefully as Wandsworth........Cllr Lister's Diary
New school, new homes and a new-look park in 2003 ......Cllr Lister's New Year Message
A week of great achievements as both the Council and many of Putney's schools exceed in their individual grading systems. Whilst the failure of a resident management organisation (RMO) gives the Council concern.......Cllr Lister's Diary
Cllr Lister is not cheered by the Queens Speech nor the Chancellor's pre-budget statement..........Cllr Lister's Diary
Cllr Lister's Diary declares war on fly posters, and draws our attention to Connexions investment in Roehampton.
anti-third runway meeting bonfires and planning alert system.........Cllr Lister's Diary
Busy October 2002..........Cllr Lister's Diary .
Redevelopment of Roehampton Rec, the completion of Ashlone Wharf plus taking up the baton for a link between the Rail station & East Putney Tube........Cllr Lister's Diary .
Local impact of government housing policy, crime and news on Richmond Park...... Cllr Lister's Diary .
New Surgeries - a new ways to meet your councillor plus the Leader expresses his concerns over the news of gun crimes in Putney ..... Cllr Lister's Diary
Jubilee celebrations, the 3 star service offered by Social Services and name change for Lavatory Gardens ...Cllr Lister's Diary.
The state of the NHS in Putney and the fight against night flights ....Cllr Lister's Diary
Pedestrian safety - especially around schools and Neighbourhood watch .... Cllr Lister's diary
CAR TAX DODGERS DRYBURGH RD DEVELOPMENT ROBIN HOOD GATE AND NIGHT FLIGHTS..............Cllr Lister's diary
Church cheer, wharf worries and Richmond Park relief - Cllr Lister's diary.
Cllr Lister speaks against the Dryburgh Rd plans, the threat of closing Pen Ponds to traffic and litter.
The Postal Service, Richmond Park and Council Tax changes are all on Cllr Lister agenda.
Cllr Lister comments on the current planning furore, pigeon mess, cctv and policing.
Cllr Lister writes on Pensioners Freedom Passes, good news re Hotham School, development progress at Ashlone Wharf and aircraft noise from Heathrow Airport.
Cllr Lister writes on the new school for the area, housing development and Heathrow.