RESIDENTS SHOW STRONG SUPPORT FOR A MODERN WHITTON STATION
February 5, 2012
Support is growing for an overhaul of Whitton station, following proposals from a local passenger group, backed by Lib Dem councillors and GLA candidate Munira Wilson.
South West London GLA candidate and local Lib Dem councillors are calling on Richmond Council to work with the relevant authorities and prioritise Whitton Station for improvements this year. The most important issue is to make the station fully accessible, but other improvements include better drainage to prevent puddles and flooding on the walkways, re-opening of the toilets, extending canopies and aesthetic improvements to the footbridge.
Scores of local residents have already signed a Lib Dem petition in support of these proposals.
Munira Wilson said, “It’s high time we had a station in Whitton fit for the 21st century – the station is currently in a terrible state and impossible to access for the disabled or parents with pushchairs. There are plans or funding in place for improvements to other major stations in the borough and now Whitton must be made a priority.
“Local residents have already shown overwhelming support for these proposals to be implemented. Nationally there is funding available from the Department for Transport (DfT) to improve station access. I call on the Council, with South West Trains and Network Rail, to bid to the DfT so Whitton can benefit from these access funds. Whitton station must get the investment it needs to be a decent, modern station for local commuters, as well as the thousands of visitors on rugby days.”
MUNIRA & BRIAN GO ON PATROL WITH RICHMOND STREET PASTORS
February 5, 2012
South West London GLA candidate Munira Wilson and Brian Paddick, Lib Dem candidate for Mayor of London, joined the Richmond Street Pastor patrol of Richmond town centre on Friday night in early January.
The Richmond Street Pastors team was set up six months ago by volunteers from local churches who give up time and sleep on a Friday night to listen to, care for and help all those out and about late on the streets of Richmond. They have built up strong relationships with bouncers at Richmond bars and clubs, as well as the local Police who have just given them a grant of £9,000 because of their valuable work.
Lollipops are their weapons in defusing potential fights and they hand out flip flops to women who have come out of the bars and clubs having had a few too many and taken off their shoes. They remove bottles and glasses from the streets that could become weapons and befriend those who are lonely or homeless.
Munira Wilson, London Assembly candidate “The Richmond Street Pastors are doing a fantastic job and it was great to see how they have won the trust of local party-goers, residents, Police and door staff alike. It was a privilege to meet these volunteers who sacrifice their time and go into difficult situations to keep Richmond town centre peaceful for all our benefit.”
Former senior Metropolitan police officer and Lib Dem candidate for Mayor of London, Brian Paddick said,
“The Street Pastor movement is inspiring and I’d like to see even more such community-based initiatives to help make London’s streets safer. In the face of recent local neighbourhood policing cuts with potentially more to come post Olympics, the Street Pastors are fulfilling a vital role in Richmond and other town centres across the capital.”
NEIGHBOURING TORY MP CALLS FOR EXPANSION OF HEATHROW
February 5, 2012
South West London GLA candidate Munira Wilson has called for a focus on protecting runway alternation instead of re-opening the debate over a third runway at Heathrow.
Local residents were shocked to hear Tory MP for neighbouring Spelthorne constituency this week suggest that a new runway be built at one of the airports in the South East – potentially even at Heathrow.
Following years of campaigning by Liberal Democrats, local community groups and thousands of local residents, the fight to block a third runway at Heathrow was finally won when the Coalition Government took power in 2010 and scrapped Labour plans for the runway.
Now, Kwasi Kwarteng MP has called on the Government to think again.
Munira Wilson said, “After the long, costly and gruelling battle to stop the third runway at Heathrow, it’s shocking to hear that a neighbouring MP wants the debate re-opened. Residents in Richmond and Hounslow boroughs already have to suffer the effects of terrible air and noise pollution from the airport, not to mention the congestion. Our efforts should be focused on ensuring there is no permanent relaxation to the rules on runway alternation, following the Government’s current and summer pilots. Talk of a third runway should be firmly put to bed.”
MUNIRA WILSON AND LOCAL LIB DEMS CALL FOR FAIRER FARES
February 5, 2012
South West London campaigner, Munira Wilson, is calling for early-bird fares, a reinstatement of the outer London travelcard and a one hour bus ticket to make travel more affordable for local residents.
Munira was joined by Vince Cable MP and other local campaigners to talk to local commuters about their proposals outside Twickenham, Whitton and Richmond stations during the rush hours on Tuesday 10 January.
Munira said, “Many local residents have been complaining about the latest fare rises, adding to the soaring cost of living in the capital. In the face of a New Year 7% fare hike by the Mayor of London – well above inflation – Liberal Democrats are offering a series of targeted measures which will help local residents, particularly those on low pay.
“Early bird fares would encourage commuters to travel outside the normal rush hour, alleviating overcrowding and saving passengers money, whilst a one hour bus ticket would enable passengers to hop on and off buses for a flat rate over the course of an hour.
“Richmond borough residents were also hit hard by the Mayor who withdrew the zone 2-6 travelcard without notice or consultation. Why should those not travelling into Zone 1 have to pay Zone 1 fares?
“Commuters are fed up of the phoney war over fares between Boris and Ken – Lib Dem plans would make a real difference to the lives of local residents, making travel more affordable.”
110 BUS EXTENSION WELCOME BUT NOT ENOUGH
February 5, 2012
South West London campaigner, Munira Wilson, has welcomed news that the 110 bus route will now serve West Middlesex Hospital, but over 2000 residents’ wishes continue to be ignored – the bus must be re-routed via Whitton High Street.
The news is a victory for local Lib Dem councillors who have long campaigned for a direct bus from Whitton to the West Mid, to prevent residents having to change buses at Hounslow.
However, residents’ calls for the 110 to serve Whitton High Street are falling on deaf ears.
Munira said, “I’m really pleased that Whitton residents will now have a direct bus to the hospital, without the inconvenience and added expense of having to change buses. However, more than 2000 residents have signed a petition to say that the 110 should serve Whitton High Street. Local councillors have been working with council officers to find a viable route, yet the Mayor of London and Transport for London are refusing to listen.”
“The Woodlawn estate has no direct link with Whitton High Street which means local traders lose out and, since the Tories axed Heathfield Library, residents now have to take two buses if they want to use a local library (in central Whitton). There is quite clearly a demand for re-routing the 110 – it’s high time Transport for London listened to the local community.
“I will work alongside local residents and councillors to continue the campaign to get the 110 re-routed via Whitton High Street”.
LIB DEMS PICK MUNIRA WILSON TO CHALLENGE FOR LONDON ASSEMBLY
February 5, 2012
Former Twickenham councillor Munira Wilson has been selected by local Liberal Democrats to stand for the South West London constituency at next year’s Greater London Authority elections.
Munira will challenge Conservative GLA member, Tony Arbour, in May 2012 when elections to the London Assembly and for the Mayor of London will be held.
Speaking at a selection meeting with local members Munira said, “South West London has been let down – let down by an invisible Tory GLA member, and a Conservative Mayor who is more interested in his pet projects than the problems we face in Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow boroughs.”
Munira highlighted improving transport services, increasing affordable housing and protecting frontline police services as her three top priorities. After the meeting, Munira said “It’s a huge privilege to have been selected to stand for South West London. I’m looking forward to talking to local people and campaigning about the issues that really matter to them, such as the problems with their commute to work, the struggle to get on the housing ladder and how safe they feel in their neighbourhood.”
Vince Cable, MP for Twickenham, said, “I am delighted that Munira has been selected by local members to stand for South West London. As a former Twickenham councillor, Munira has a track record locally of turning promises into action”.
Ed Davey, MP for Kingston added, “I look forward to campaigning alongside her over the coming months, to ensure we get a strong voice elected who will hold the Mayor of London to account on behalf of local residents.”
Supporting charities and local community groups at HANDS fair
May 30, 2011Munira attended the HANDS (Help A Neighbour in Distress Scheme) fair on Twickenham Green today, an annual fair for charities and community groups to raise funds for and awareness of the issue they support. HANDS is a local charity which provides practical help and support for anyone in need in the Twickenham and St Margaret’s local area. Munira said, “The work that HANDS does is absolutely fantastic and provides a lifeline to many local residents. They rely on the good will of many committed local volunteers. The annual fair is particularly valued by local organisations and many families get to enjoy a fun day out in aid of excellent causes.”
FORCE (Friends of the River Crane Environment) updated Munira on the progress of the Help a London Park project at Crane Valley Park. She was also concerned to hear that s.106 funds (development monies allocated to local community projects) for improvements to the Duke of Northumberland River were still unspent, and committed to raising this with local councillors: “There’s no reason why this money should be sitting around in council bank accounts when FORCE are ready and willing with plans to improve the river environment for the benefit of all.”
Heathfield Junior School
May 24, 2011Heathfield Junior School (HJS) is going from strength to strength. As a governor, Munira was excited to hear the Headteacher’s vision this evening on how HJS can improve even further, following its recent Ofsted inspection which rated the school as “Good”.
Munira said “Four years ago when I joined the governing body, the school was struggling on a number of fronts and had recently been put on notice to improve by Ofsted. The fantastic management team, all the staff and pupils have worked incredibly hard to turn the school around, improve results and make the school a caring, welcoming environment where the kids enjoy learning. Like all Richmond schools, HJS faces challenges with growing pupil numbers and bulge classes coming through the infants, but the future certainly looks bright.”
Empty Council Homes Across London
May 15, 2011The BBC has revealed more than 6,000 council homes across London lie empty, whilst thousands of people are either homeless or live in overcrowded accommodation.
Munira is campaigning for empty homes to be identified and brought back into use, as part of the solution to London’s housing problem. Munira said, “In Richmond, Hounslow and Kingston alone, there are just approximately 4,800 empty homes.
Although only a small fraction of these are council or social housing, we need to start with bringing those properties back into use first, as they are the easiest
to tackle.
We also need to work at all levels of government – local council, GLA and central government to ensure the right regulation and incentives are in place for private landlords to bring the vast majority of empty homes back into use.”
Twickenham Station Re-Development
May 12, 2011Revised proposals for the re-development of Twickenham station have been submitted by developers Solum.
The plans, which have been scaled back from the original application, include a modern station, public square, 115 flats, a four storey Georgian terrace and a riverside walk linking the station to Moormead Gardens.
Munira said, “I’m very disappointed to see that there is no affordable housing in the new scheme, and I very much hope the council will press for affordable housing units to be included. Whilst Twickenham station is in desperate need of re-development to make it fit for purpose, especially ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, any proposal needs to be sensitive to the local environment and address community needs.”
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