Lister on Putney
"pay as you park", shopping trends, mock disasters and anti social behaviour......
The
new pay-by-phone scheme for parking in Putney has certainly caught the
media's imagination.
TV crews
descended on our town centre to find out more about this
ground-breaking service which is being launched in the UK for the first
time
on February 2. Instead
of carrying cash, you can now start and finish your parking stay with
two quick calls on your mobile.
With a host
of other boroughs attending the official launch it could be a
case of where Putney leads today the rest of the country follows tomorrow!
Putney was
also the choice for Radio 4's PM programme when they carried a
story on high street shopping trends. Listeners
heard how our town centre stores had seen a big rise in customers over
the Christmas period compared to the previous year. Putney was
prospering because it offered a good mix of shopping in a safe and clean
environment..
The council's planning chairman Ravi Govindia was also on the programme explaining just how important it was for local authorities to protect their town centres by resisting major retail developments in outlying areas.
A major chemical spillage at the junction of Putney Hill and the High Street was the test scenario prepared for the council's emergency services at a special exercise this week. Officers from every council department worked alongside police, fire and ambulance colleagues to test their response to the 'incident' which included the evacuation of the town centre and the withdrawal of power supplies across a wide area.
All councils are required these days to make sure their emergency plans are effective and up to date. We have to be well-prepared. Within days there was a real-life test when workmen drilled through a gas pipe in central Wandsworth - causing 144 homes to be evacuated and town centre traffic rerouted.
Finally, I was delighted to hear our Borough Commander Martin Jauch announced at this week's State of the Borough debate that tackling anti-social behaviour was going to be his top priority during the coming year.
The council and the police now have a joint unit which has already made its mark issuing 10 anti-social behaviour orders. These are a new device for cracking down on the activities of known troublemakers and have recently proved effective at dealing with problems involving large groups of young people in another part of the borough.
Edward Lister is the Leader of Wandsworth Council and a member for Putney's Thamesfield ward.
Edward Lister
January 30, 2004
Previous Lister Diaries
Heathrow as "bad as it gets", Robin Hood gate & exams!
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.