2010-07-01
2010-06-30
Government: Local Authorities MUST co-operate
The Localism Bill will contain an "obligation on authorities to cooperate on those parts of their policies which cross borders and boundaries, and in a way that cross-boundaries were perhaps not recognised in the regional system."
Brent Cross location from a two-and-a-half-year-old document: 
2010-06-26
Government calls on planners to lead localism 'revolution'
"Communities will help develop proposals for their neighbourhoods, rather than be consulted on 'options' that have already been prepared."
2010-06-25
Two Brent Cross Posts on "Barnet Eye" web site
Barnet Eye: "Personally I'm not sure whether our local politicians are blind, stupid or corrupt."
2010-06-24
2010-06-18
Media Coverage
Barnet Times
The Coalition is, and will continue to be, an all-party and no-party grouping. However, we will draw your attention to any web site on the issue, like this Green Party blog...
Coalition Press Release
Press Statement - Brent Cross Coalition Response to Secretary of State Failure to Call-In Application
We believe that allowing the current plans to go ahead will destroy communities and cause great harm to local town centres across North West London and beyond. The scheme should have been called in by the Secretary of State on those grounds alone.
The plans are discredited, out-dated and green-washed, with high-rise rabbit-hutch housing of poor environmental standards and a gasifying incinerator as the only supposedly “renewable” energy source. This predominantly car-based scheme will exacerbate air pollution at a time when the Government has already been given final notice by the EU for breaching air quality standards, and will also destroy any chance of a sustainable light-rail scheme across this part of outer London.
This ill-conceived decision by the Secretary of State does not bode well for future planning decisions, and is completely at odds with new Conservative Party policies on planning, and the recent Coalition Government planning statement. It rides roughshod over widespread local opposition from tens of thousands of people, which must now be heard at a public inquiry.
We will continue to fight this regressive, unpopular scheme, to replace it with a sustainable development that meets both 21st century standards and the needs and aspirations of the whole community.
We believe that allowing the current plans to go ahead will destroy communities and cause great harm to local town centres across North West London and beyond. The scheme should have been called in by the Secretary of State on those grounds alone.
The plans are discredited, out-dated and green-washed, with high-rise rabbit-hutch housing of poor environmental standards and a gasifying incinerator as the only supposedly “renewable” energy source. This predominantly car-based scheme will exacerbate air pollution at a time when the Government has already been given final notice by the EU for breaching air quality standards, and will also destroy any chance of a sustainable light-rail scheme across this part of outer London.
This ill-conceived decision by the Secretary of State does not bode well for future planning decisions, and is completely at odds with new Conservative Party policies on planning, and the recent Coalition Government planning statement. It rides roughshod over widespread local opposition from tens of thousands of people, which must now be heard at a public inquiry.
We will continue to fight this regressive, unpopular scheme, to replace it with a sustainable development that meets both 21st century standards and the needs and aspirations of the whole community.
2010-06-14
2010-06-03
Barnet predicts over 29,000 extra cars daily at Brent Cross / West Hendon (Road traffic causes 80% of air pollution)...
UK given final warning over London air quality
The UK has been issued a written warning by Europe to clean London's air or face fines of up to £300m
(click on picture for Guardian web site)
UK receives 'final warning' over air pollution
The European Commission has threatened to take the UK to the European Court of Justice over air quality breaches.
(click on picture for BBC News web site)
Barnet Council's report on transport:
A better alternative...
Proposed light railway's relationship with North Circular Road and other major roads
Hammerson: You Couldn't Make it Up!
"Hammerson acknowledged for sustainability"!
(Winner of our Journalism Brown Nose Award?)
2010-05-28
Ham and High, and Barnet Times
Ham and High: "So what is the future of transport in Barnet?"
was accidentally changed by a sub-editor to "So what is the future of transport in Brent?"
2010-05-24
Barnet Council states transport priorities
The Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Lynne Hillan, has announced her new cabinet.
Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Brian Coleman said:
"My priorities are roads, roads, roads and roads."
2010-05-20
Possible change in light-rail scheme assessments?
Here is the transport section:
30. TRANSPORT
The Government believes that a modern transport infrastructure is essential for a dynamic and entrepreneurial economy, as well as to improve well-being and quality of life. We need to make the transport sector greener and more sustainable, with tougher emission standards and support for new transport technologies.
We will mandate a national recharging network for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
We will grant longer rail franchises in order to give operators the incentive to invest in the improvements passengers want – like better services, better stations, longer trains and better rolling stock.
We will reform the way decisions are made on which transport projects to prioritise, so that the benefits of low carbon proposals (including light rail schemes) are fully recognised.
We will make Network Rail more accountable to its customers.
We will establish a high speed rail network as part of our programme of measures to fulfil our joint ambitions for creating a low carbon economy. Our vision is of a truly national high speed rail network for the whole of Britain. Given financial constraints, we will have to achieve this in phases.
We support Crossrail and further electrification of the rail network.
We will turn the rail regulator into a powerful passenger champion.
We will support sustainable travel initiatives, including the promotion of cycling and walking, and will encourage joint working between bus operators and local authorities.
We are committed to fair pricing for rail travel.
We will work towards the introduction of a new system of HGV road user charging to ensure a fairer arrangement for UK hauliers.
We will stop central government funding for new fixed speed cameras and switch to more effective ways of making our roads safer, including authorising ‘drugalyser’ technology.
We will tackle rogue private sector wheel clampers.
Secretary of State for Transport, Philip Hammond
2010-05-14
New Conservative Party Chair admires "transport-oriented developments"
In a 2006 BBC Newsnight's series on finding the best public services in the world, Conservative Party Vice Chair Sayeeda Warsi - just appointed to the Cabinet, and as Conservative Party Chair by David Cameron - reported on efforts to overhaul public transport in one US city...
"PORTLAND, OREGON isn't just about successfully getting people out of their cars. What's really clear, is the extent to which transport is the absolute bedrock of community development.
"The city is an international pioneer in transit-orientated developments, high-density, residential and business units around light-rail stops and transit centres.
"Portland's Transportation Commissioner, Sam Adams, puts the city's success down to three main factors:
the marriage of transportation and land use issues,
public and private partnership,
clear results."
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