Green Lanes mews a concern for neighbourhood watch

Thank you for such a comprehensive report of this meeting! May I add to some of the topics you have reported?

With such a small Police presence for the whole of Palmers Green ward, we need to involve our ward councillors, and I suggested the newly-elected ones (possibly Mary Maguire, who hasn't previously served as a councillor to my knowledge) should be invited to attend our meetings, hear what people think, and take this up at Council level on our behalf. That's what our ward councillors are for!

As well as the problems relating to the mews on the north side of Park Avenue is the loitering and drinking in the area opposite, behind Gatehouse, where there was a lot of verbal abuse aimed at passers-by last year, as described at the meeting by a neighbour whose flat overlooks the area. Lack of a Police presence only encourages use of this area.

The people who extend their gardens over the alleys are breaking the law, no doubt about it, for whether the alleys are still a public right of way or not, now that many of them have security gates, is neither here nor there: they are still intended to provide rear access to gardens and anyone preventing this by encroachment is clearly breaking if not the law then certainly local by-laws. If people look at the Land Registry documents relating to their properties the position of these alleys is clearly stated. We all need access to the rear of our properties - I can't take garden rubbish through my house, my new washing machine could only be got in through the back entrance, tree surgeons pruning my elder tree gained access and removed branches via the back gate and along the alley. This is why the alleys need to be kept clear and accessible for every house.

The alleys behind the shops are intended as service roads for the shops, for delivery of goods, disposal of waste, etc., and are almost certainly 'public' - i.e., maintained by the council at public expense just like any other thoroughfare. The public also has the right to walk along them, but I wouldn't, given the current situation. Undoubtedly a large-scale Ordnance Survey map would show all these features and their status, and might prove to be an essential tool in resolving all manner of issues the Neighbourhood Watch might come up against.

From my bit of Park Avenue, we also relate to adjacent houses in Lightcliffe Road and Kingsley Road, who share the same rear alleys, rather than to New River Crescent, but I realize that a line has to be drawn somewhere. Pity though ...

Pamela also reported someone who had suggested a Controlled Parking Zone! This was proposed by the Council several years ago and we opposed it fiercely (and won) - it went to a hearing before an inspector. The point is that it would only operate during the day when there is normally no parking problem in Park Avenue/New River Crescent, but wouldn't apply in the evenings. Also, people resented having to pay to park in front of their own homes! That's a non-starter, NOT to be encouraged! The Council would seize on the idea (it would make money for them) so please don't suggest it.

A street party might be a good idea, but I'm fiercely opposed to barbecues because of the pollution thrown into the atmosphere and the carcinogenic poisons (heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) that result from animal fats falling on hot coals. See http://blog.doctoroz.com/oz-experts/the-hidden-dangers-of-grilling. So, have a party if you must, but can the food be prepared another way?

Finally (and apologies for this long post), the daft idea of closing off the bottom of Park Avenue: just imagine all the car turning that would have to take place for the cars to get out again. I bet the people who made this suggestion never thought of that! Or the constant bumping of cars over speed humps 24 hours a day. No, No, No!