November 2002 Newsletter

CARA’s next open committee meeting will be held at Hawker Leisure at 8 pm on Monday 9th December 2002

What’s to become of the Canbury Gardens Bowling Pavilion ? As some of you may be aware, since the application to convert the Bowling Pavilion in Canbury Gardens into a private nursery was rejected, the fate of the site has been a little uncertain. Some local residents have been working with our Councillors and the Council to save the Pavilion, to restore and run it, on a voluntary non-profit basis, as a resource for the local community. The vision is for the Pavilion to be used as a drop-in centre for Park Rangers and our local Police Officers, for Councillors to run their neighbourhood surgeries, for art exhibitions, drama classes and even for CARA meetings ! We’d welcome your feedback on this project, positive or negative, along with any other ideas you might have for activities that could take place in the Pavilion.

Council to Consider CARA’s comments on Green Fair We are pleased to report that the Kingston Town Neighbourhood Committee Meeting of 10th October resolved to forward CARA’s comments on the Green Fair to the Executive for their consideration. The main points we made were: * To close surrounding roads to traffic (except residents and authorised vehicles) to avoid dangerous congestion and ensure emergency vehicles could access the fair and residents * To provide more toilet facilities * To consider the environmental impact of the fair on the Gardens – some residents suggested the Fairfield would be more appropriate * To see greater transparency and public accountability regarding the cost of the Green Fair to the Borough of Kingston * This year there was less noise and disruption but this may have been due to fewer numbers attending the fair We also said CARA would be pleased to be involved in any consultation and planning regarding the future of the Green Fair.

Keep those Bus Shelters clean Transport for London has just awarded a contract for the cleaning of Kingston’s bus shelters, so if you notice graffiti or other damage, please do give them a call on 0800 731 3699.

Environmental enhancements to Lower Ham Road
Following an extremely positive response to recent consultation, Kingston town Neighbourhood Committee has voted in favour of the improvements to Lower Ham Road. Work should start early in 2003 including a raised platform outside Leander Scouts and Albany Sailing, extra humps in the southern end of the road and a raised platform outside Canbury Gardens playground. A 20mph zone will also be introduced. If extra money can be found by the Council, an additional speed cushion may also be introduced into Woodside, Chestnut and Eastbury roads.

Planning Update
Here is the current status of the various new and proposed developments in the area:
Planning permission has been granted for the hotel and multi-storey carpark on Skerne Road and development is will start imminently, as well as on the north/south link road.
Planning permission has also been granted for a large development of flats on the former Rockware Plastics site and 191 flats around the substation on Skerne Road.
A planning application has been lodged to build a new block of flats on the Richmond Road on the site of Bartons Electricals (the empty block by the parade of shops). The council is having discussions with the applicants with a view to modifying the design so it is more in keeping with the surroundings. The reference number is 02/12050, should you wish to view the plans or comment.
The Esso application to extend the retail component on the site is still under consideration, pending traffic, environmental and retail studies. The reference number is 02/06116.

Kingston Theatre – a jewel in Kingston’s crown
Thank you to everyone who came to our AGM on 17th October, which was very well attended. We are very grateful to Michael Holden, the consultant to the new Kingston Theatre, who came and presented the plans for the theatre and its current status. He really made the project come alive for us and we realised just how exciting it is and that Kingston will have something really to be proud of. If you would like to find out more, you can contact the theatre at Kingston Theatre Friends, Room 117, Guildhall 2, Kingston KT1 1EU
Telephone 8547 5257
Email: ktt@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
Web: www.kingstontheatre.org

Membership
Over 40% of households in the CARA area are members – support which is much valued and gives us a louder voice. Renewal is due 1st November for 2002/3 unless you have paid in advance – please do renew or consider joining.

To: Huw Rees Membership Secretary CARA, 12 Woodside Road

I enclose my membership subscription of £5 per household to CARA for 2002-2003
I do/do not require a receipt.

Name: 

Signed and dated:

Address and phone (and email)