Lib Dem Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Bob Belam, announced a new scheme telling drivers exactly where CCTV enforcement vehicles will be deployed.

The initiative, believed to be the first of its kind in the Country, aims to promote safer driving, reduce road accidents and lower the number of penalty charge notices issued to motorists for transgressions such as stopping in a box junction.

Details of where the boroughs five CCTV enforcement vehicles will be are available for viewing on the Waltham Forest Council website at www.walthamforest.gov.uk.

CCTV vehicles are deployed in the identified areas because residents have complained about congestion, accidents and other issues in their vicinity,

Cllr Bob Belam, said: “The main aim of our traffic enforcement team is to improve safety for all of Waltham Forest’s roads users. It is not about making money at the expense of motorists.

“We hope this scheme will encourage people to drive more carefully, especially at the locations where we issue most of our penalty charge notices, and help us to improve traffic flow and reduce accidents.

Waltham Forest Council’s CCTV vehicles are responsible for recording moving traffic violations, such as stopping in box junctions, driving in bus lanes and making banned turns. They are also used for parking enforcement purposes.

The statutory penalty charge for a moving traffic violation is £120, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.

Lib Dem Councillors joined local residents in calling for the former St James Street Library to be brought back for community use at the Walthamstow West Community Council last night.

A question from a High Street campaign group triggered the Chair of the Community Council to put the proposal to the vote. All nine Lib Dem Councillors in attendance voted in favour and the two Labour Councillors did not vote at all.

It seems that the Labour Councillors did not vote because the Leader of the Council, Cllr Chris Robbins, still wants to sell the building after his plans for a Drugs Centre was thwarted last year.

Cllr Johar Khan said: “Lib Dems are supporting local groups to access the Community Builders Fund to bring this building back into use to benefit the local residents.”

“Here is a classic example of how Lib Dem policy for Local Management Boards can work. Councils need to be smarter about how they manage their assets. This proposal allows the Council to work with local experts and tap into funding not available to Councils.”

“We thank the Councils Chief Executive for agreeing to meet with the lead organisation and Cllr Macklin for allowing the groups to have access to the building to enable them to make their bid.” he concluded.

Click here to find out more about the Community Builders Fund.

Liberal Democrats throughout London are launching their campaign, Better Stations, to tackle London’s neglected rail stations.

The campaign includes a five-point plan to improve our rail stations:

1. Ensure stations are staffed throughout the hours trains are running;
2. Keep all available station entrances open during these hours;
3. Deep-clean all stations and remove “grot-spots”;
4. Launch a website where you can easily report any problem with your station;
5. Invest in making stations fully accessible. 

Cllr Johar Khan said: “We simply shouldn’t tolerate reduced staffing hours or entrances being closed at our rail stations. Our stations need to be cleaner and better cared for as many stations, railway bridges and embankments are often littered with graffiti and rubbish and are an eyesore for commuters and local residents. Reporting these problems should also be quick and simple.”

Our railway stations must be safe, clean and accessible. Please join our campaign by signing our petition on line now at www.ourcampaign.org.uk/betterstations

Waltham Forest Liberal Democrat Councillors ensured green spaces and playing fields are properly reflected in Council policies and practices despite Labour attempts to water down a Lib Dem motion at the last Full Council meeting.

People from across the borough told Lib Dem Councillors that they felt their open spaces and sports facilities were under threat and that the Council did not represent their concerns in protecting these facilities.

Cllr Johar Khan said: “We were not surprised that the Labour party tried to play down the risk by making a poor amendment to our original motion by saying there was not a ‘threat’ to our green spaces.”

“Clearly, Labour are not in tune with the residents of Waltham Forest who are definitely concerned for the future of our green spaces and sports facilities.” he added.

Labour’s attempt to weaken the motions wording was voted down and the Lib Dem motion to protect our playing fields, green spaces and sports facilities was unanimously passed.