The three Southfield Liberal Democrat Councillors have been running our monthly advice sessions for a couple of months since the Covid restrictions changed; some we ran outside to enable us to meet residents and listen to their concerns.

Since the tragedy of the MP Sir David Amess, who was murdered at his surgery, we have updated our plans to ensure that we and residents are safer but still able to meet with residents to hear problems they have with Ealing Council.

In recent surgeries we have heard a range of issues reported such as concerns that housing repairs are not being done or completed in reasonable timescales as well as others reporting that trees have not been pruned.

Since the London Mayoral elections we have been knocking on doors in Southfield and the reaction has been very positive. People want to hear from their Councillors and we updated them about some of the activities we have been doing in the last few months.

Recently we met with the Southfield Police Panel who is made up of the local police team, residents and ward Councillors. For some of the meetings we invite Council officers so they can help solve issues where there is a crossover between Council services and criminal activity such as parks or CCTV. If you would like to know more about the Police Panel or let us know of any crime or anti-social behaviour concerns please let us know at: [email protected]

Of course the Council's Fishers Lane scheme came up a lot with most people against it, including many cyclists. We have taken the views and observations of residents on this issue and we understand that some residents are considering a legal objection to Ealing Council. If they do, we will support them on this.

We can announce two proposals to help make cycling easier around Southfield Rec Grounds and near to Carlton Road. None of these involved road closures!

They will widen the alley between the Rec and Mansell Road to three metres, fence to fence by making use of a business giving up some of their land to Ealing Council.

The second is to widen part of a path, take up some of a tarmac path and replace with what is called Flexipave giving a softer surface for runners. There is also a plan to install solar lights in this path, and on the rest of the route to the Carlton Road gate, where the path is already wide enough. The lights are inset in the surface, not on columns, and provide guidance rather than illumination.

Hopefully these proposals will encourage cyclists whilst not causing issues for other users. A win-win.

Lastly when speaking to a resident yesterday on Beaumont Road, Chiswick, she said that she used to vote Labour but given how bad Ealing Council is treating people in the area and that she only ever sees the Liberal Democrats working hard in their area she will now be voting Liberal Democrat in the next local elections which take place in May 2022.