New Malden Matters New Malden Residents’ Association On 9th November, the NMRA held its AGM and were pleased that James Berry, our M.P. attended the meeting. The Minutes of the Meeting will be posted on our website. Liz Meerabeau took over the role of Chairperson following the resignation of Frances Marsh, and we think that Liz is an ideal candidate to take the Association on into 2017. We had two resignations from the Committee and one new member. We do have a strong Committee whose members are all very active, and some of whom have a wealth of experience with local issues, Councillors and Council workings. We also now have a very informative and widely praised website and Facebook Page (can be accessed from the website) and I would urge you to make use of both means of communication. We are always on the lookout for committee members who think they have something to offer both the Association and Committee. newmaldenresidents@ gmail.com This past year has been very busy with Council Consultations, Conversations and proposed developments in the centre of New Malden which could have a far reaching effect on our town. I think we all realise that change has to come about, but it is how this change is handled and how it affects communities will be paramount in how residents view it. The Fountain Roundabout is a point in question. Whilst there was support for changes to be made to the Roundabout, most people were against the model to be used. A petition to call in the decision that had been made at the Residents Committee on 14th September attracted over 800 supporters and together with the results of the consultation, saw the Council reverse this decision and admit that the proposals did not have “sufficient public support.” The next Go Cycle consultation which closed on 17th November is asking for our say on Kingston to New Malden. It remains to be seen what happens to this consultation, but we are concerned that many of the objectives set out in the consultation document would just not be possible along this very busy road. Many people use the 131 and X26 bus routes and closing sections of the bus lane is unthinkable. The Association is sending in its own response to
40
the consultation setting out our concerns about the scheme. kingston-go-cycle-kingston-to-new-malden Following the Public Meeting on Air Quality In September of this year, the Speaker being Professor Kelly, Chair in Environmental Health at King’s College London, where he is Director of the Analytical & Environmental Sciences Division, we decided to conduct our own air quality trial which took place over one month from 24th September to 21st October. The test tubes were placed in ten locations around New Malden, and some of the results did give rise for concern. The highest reading we obtained was on the corner of Blagdon Road and the High Street, followed closely by the Fountain Roundabout and then outside Burlington School. All of the roads around the Fountain Roundabout are extremely busy with traffic and our concern is that with the proposed developments around Cocks Crescent and in Coombe Road (between the station and Alric Avenue), the traffic in these roads could give rise to even higher pollution levels. The results of this air quality trial will be shown on our website and we are conducting further trials in January at four of the most worrying sites. Cocks Crescent in still on the agenda and we are hoping that the amendments proposed to the SPD which will be discussed at the Growth Committee on 23rd November (7.30pm at the Guildhall) will be more forthcoming than the document which formed the basis of the consultation this year. The Conservative motion to the Council at the Full Council Meeting on 18th October, requires the Growth Committee on 23rd November “be required to give explicit reference in the adopted brief to the “provision of a new public swimming pool” as part of the leisure facility, to include sports and other community facilites as appropriate and financially sustainable. (not sure about the financially sustainable bit!!). We want an assurance from Kingston Council that the Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool will be publicaly owned. Litter - For the past few months, we have been Litter Picking around and about New Malden. This initiative was started by Mike Freeman, a Committee Member and the volunteers have so far picked up 32 bags of rubbish from 23 hours of picking. Cigarette butts are a major blight on our streets and In this respect we are looking at a new initiative - the Ballot Bin. The Ballot Bin is a customisable bespoke ashtray that aims to tackle the issue of cigarette butt litter. A voting system encourages use of the ashtray, allowing the user to vote by choosing one of two receptacles to dispose of their cigarette butt. Where this system has been used, it has reduced cigarette butt litter by 46%. There is a cost attached to the Boxes but we are making enquiries as
Please remember to mention the Village Voice when you speak to our advertisers