Heathfield Winter 2007/8 Report

1.52.00pm GMT Mon 28th Jan 2008

By councillors John Coombs, Bob King and Bill Treble . .

.• January 2008: £2m ENVIRONMENTAL improvements planned for five areas of the borough: Richmond Council's Cabinet is being recommended to approve spending of £2 million on the schemes over the next three years at its meeting on January 14. Shopping parades and other public spaces have been identified as the priorities for the five areas: Castelnau; Mortlake; Ham; the Hampton Nurserylands; and HEATHFIELD. These have been identified in the Community Plan as being the borough's five areas of relative deprivation.

Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Martin Elengorn, said: "The proposed spending is intended to upgrade the physical environment in these parts of the borough and improve the quality of life of local residents. Tired shopping areas will be revitalised and the general street scene improved. The schemes range from upgrading street furniture and lighting to tree planting and new paving. They will have a significant impact." Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Stephen Knight, commented: "They represent further investment in local shopping parades and provide the opportunity to improve safety and access for disabled people. As with all Council projects of this kind, sustainability is vital. And these schemes will promote greener modes of travel by improving and increasing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. There will be thorough public consultation to ensure that the views of all sections of the community are taken into account."

• NEW Children's Centre for Heathfield: Work has commenced on the construction of a Children's' Centre on the site of the disused caretaker's house in the grounds of the infant and junior schools. This is one of three to be created in the borough, the other two being in Ham and Barnes. Two of them are funded by the Government and one by the local authority. These Centres are designed to provide flexible services in communities that meet the needs of young children and their families. For parents and carers this can also include help with finding a job and training opportunities The new Centre will be a 'one-stop centre' that will provide: neighbourhood nurseries; out of school clubs; extended schools; and for children with special needs. A complete rebuild of the very popular Heathfield Nursery is included in the project which is expected to be completed by April 2008. In the meantime the nursery will be accommodated in an existing classroom in the Junior school with existing play equipment being fully utilised.

• HEATHFIELD Library: Recent rumours regarding the selling of Heathfield Library site being sold should be firmly discounted. The library site is being looked at by the local NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT) who want to find a location for a new health centre. The PCT want to move the services provided at the present Whitton Clinic, together with local GP and dental services to a centre that would have all these facilities under one roof . The new centre would also treat patients for a variety of complaints currently requiring attendance at hospital. The local Council would not sell this land to the PCT unless it received enough money to provide a new library near to the present one. The Council is working hard with its partners to complete negotiations before the very tight deadlines for the availability of Government money are reached. John, Bob and Bill very much welcome the possibility of a 'One-Stop Primary Care Centre staffed by a wide range of healthcare professionals and are doing what they can to move the scheme along.

• RECENTLY, a representative of London Buses accompanied Bob and John in Hospital Bridge Road and Powder Mill Lane together with an officer from Richmond Council, to examine at first hand the problems that have been raised by residents. The position of Hospital Bridge Road bus stops were examined and discussed. Your ward councillors suggested the re-positioning of one particular bus stop, be made permanent away from front doors of properties. Requests from residents have also been received for additional stops to be provided in Powder Mill Lane with particular reference to residents living a considerable distance away from a stop on the Woodlawn Park estate.

More at: http://www.richmond.libdems.org.uk/pages/Heathfield.html