St. Mary's

Click here to go to this wards local website.

Emily Fieran-Reed (emily.fieran-reed@islington.gov.uk)

James Kempton (James.Kempton@islington.gov.uk)

Surgery details: Cllrs Fieran-Reed or Kempton second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 6.00pm to 7.00pm at Town Hall, Upper Street, N1 2UD. There are no surgeries in August.

Focus on St. Mary's Ward

Summer 2008

Bright Future for St. Mary Magdalene Church Gardens

St. Mary Magdalene Church Gardens is to get a makeover in the very near future. This is the result of a sustained campaign by your local Lib Dems team with the support of hundreds of local residents.

A petition has been running for several months, with the first batch of signatures submitted to the Council in April. Why not sign up to get regular news on the campaign at http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/stmarymagdalene

Listening to Residents

The Lib Dems on the Council have been listening to local residents' concerns about the issues affecting our area. Postcards have been sent to hundreds of neighbouring properties aking for their top three priorities for future Council work. Local off licences and business have also been written to, asking them to get involved in taking responsibility for the area. As ever, if there's anything you'd like to bring to your Councillor's attention, please don't hesitate to email us.

Cleaning Up

Already the gardens have been given a dedicated day for a thorough spring clean from top to bottom. An environmental and visual audit (EVA) has taken place at the gardens. It is hoped that physical improvements such as improved lighting can now go ahead. A small area for fencing off has been identified to make it safer for residents.

Now money has been set aside to invest in sprucing up this important space. The next round of works will be launched in style, with a huge party in the gardens on the 25th June, celebrating the transition to a Cleaner, Greener and Safer place. There will be activities for school children, and lots of service providers available to answer questions. And local residents are all invited!

There are many other events planned to encourage residents back into the space this summer and beyond. From gardening activities to responsible dog ownership courses, there will be something for everyone.

Lib Dem Councillor Emily Fieran-Reed said, "This is just what is needed to give the place a boost. It's a beautiful green space. I'm glad our hard work is paying off with some real money going in."

'Release the Results', Demand Lib Dems

Your local Lib Dem councillors are appealing to Boris Johnson to release the results of the public consultation on the redevelopment of Highbury Corner.

The results were due to be published last month, but are being 'sat on' by the new Mayor's office for undisclosed reasons. Cllr. James Kempton said, "Everyone agrees that Highbury Corner is in desperate need of improvement. It is already one of the busiest road junctions and passenger interchanges in London, and is set to get even busier.

"Come on Boris, get your act together. People didn't vote for more of the same old excuses, delays and foot-dragging. Tell Islington residents what the consultation said about Highbury Corner. Only then can we make the improvements residents and visitor's rightly want to see."

Where There Once Was Grey - Let There Be Green!

Islington's latest pocket garden has recently been created at the end of Comption Terrace. Once there was concrete paving with a couple of grim concrete plant tubs.

Cllr. James Kempton said, "Now we have a brilliant new garden full of shrubs and adding some greenery to one of the busiest roundabouts in the Borough. I've heard so many positive comments since it was planted."

James added, "This is the latest project in our campaign to make Islington a greener place."

This follows the recent addition of flower baskets to Essex Road, after local traders requested measures to improve the look of the area."

If you know of any other forgotten corners that need a similar makeover, please write to the your local Lib Dem Councillors using the contacts above.

Bendy Buses Still with Us

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has now admitted that his plans to replace bendy buses are an aspiration rather than a firm commitment, following questions from London Lib Dems.

Local campaigner Bridget Fox says, "Islington residents hate bendy buses. They are dangeorus, encourage fare-dodging, and take up too much space on our roads. Boris made big promises about the buses; now he has to deliver."

You can sign Bridget's petition against bendy buses online at: http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/nomorebendybuses