 Dear
Resident,
You may well have heard something about proposals to 'improve' the
Parkland Walk. I want to let you know what is happening and to
encourage you to have your say on what you think (if anything) should
be done to improve this wonderful haven of nature, peace and
tranquillity in our borough.
Labour-run Haringey Council has obtained funding from Transport for
London for improvements to the Parkland Walk and to two other routes
which are to be designated 'green ways' for the use of cyclists and
pedestrians. At a meeting of the Stroud Green, Crouch End and Hornsey
Area Assembly in early May, which was attended by over 150
residents and Parkland Walk users, it transpired that the money for
these improvements has come directly from Transport for London's
Cycling Excellence Centre for improvements for cyclists. Residents and
walk users attending the meeting were extremely concerned about this -
the consensus of the meeting was that the Parkland Walk is first and
foremost a conservation area and a Walk and that it should remain so.
The deep concern is that the Council will resurface the meandering,
rough path to a smooth surface which will then encourage commuter
cyclists to use the walk at speed to get to Finsbury Park Station which
has a bike stand where commuters can leave their bikes safe and sound.
Haringey Liberal Democrats share these concerns, while we want to
encourage cycling we believe that what is needed are better cycle lanes
on roads for commuters. The Parkland Walk is currently used by a mix of
pedestrians, dog-walkers, joggers and recreational cyclists,
Whilst officers at the meeting tried to reassure the public that the
improvements would not 'widen' the path, the meanders would be left in
and that there would be no attempt to create a 'smooth cycle way' but
only patching the path where necessary - local people were not
completely reassured and representatives from Haringey Council could
not say whether the money can only be used for cycle related
improvements. I have written to Transport for London asking what they expect Haringey's bid to cover - we need reassurance in black and white that the object is not to increase commuter cycle usage.
Those who attended the meeting did come
up with some things which they thought could be improved, including
improving drainage in some places to make it more accessible and to
prevent widening of the path where users step round to avoid the
puddles, improved signage onto the walk, provision of more litter bins
(and more frequent emptying of those already in place) and improving
access for people with disabilities and mothers with babies and
pushchairs. It also became clear from listening to an ecology expert
appointed by the Council to advice on the project that there are lots
of exciting things which could be done to improve the ecology of the
Walk.
We would very much like to hear your views
Kind Regards,
Lynne
Featherstone MP
Liberal Democrat Member
of Parliament for Hornsey and
Wood Green.
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