Leader's column

Monday 19 November 2007

In July we asked you what your priorities were for road and traffic improvements in our borough. The response has been fantastic – more than 3,500 replies to date – and I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to give us their views.

We will now be acting on what you have told us, and that means prioritising spending on repairing potholes, replacing pavements and easing bus route congestion as we decide where the money goes for 2008-9, and what we will be bidding for from Transport for London for 2009-10.

Our popular Making the Difference scheme is another way that residents can get involved in deciding where money should be spent to improve their local area. More than 500 proposals were put forward by residents this year, and I would urge everyone to get involved with their local Area Assemblies where the decisions are made and other matters of local interest are discussed.

The state of our streets is of course a concern for everyone. We now have new teams out tackling the worst areas for litter, and our “Clean Sweep” programme is giving different neighbourhoods in turn a major clean up, with the help of residents and businesses. Now we need everyone to take pride in where they live.

This month we also celebrate Haringey’s connection with South African leader Oliver Tambo, who lived in exile in the borough for many years while leading the fight against apartheid. You can see pictures from our Oliver Tambo Memorial Event on the Oliver Tambo Memorial Event page.

Cllr George Meehan,
Leader, Haringey Council