Transport for London's Streetspace Programme, announced on Wednesday, is intended to rapidly transform the capital's streets to accommodate a possible ten-fold increase in cycling and five-fold increase in walking when lockdown restrictions are eased. Many boroughs have already started on their own similar schemes - Enfield's was announced on Tuesday. Measures of this kind have already been endorsed by the prime minister and business secretary.
Enfield Council and its partners have set up a dedicated domestic abuse hub to help tackle increasing numbers of cases caused by the COVID-19 lockdown. The free phone number 0800 923 9009 is available Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm.
The sixth St Harmonica's lock-down playlist has been compiled by John Crowther and features music by people who have played at St Harmonica's - including a performance commissioned specially for Virtual St Harmonica's (recorded at the musicians' home, of course)..
Enfield Council's Fostering Service team has launched an urgent appeal for foster carers, as the Covid-19 outbreak has resulted in more vulnerable children of all ages being in need of foster care.
The Building Bloqs open workshop in Edmonton is being used by Helpful Engineering UK to produce visors for staff at several hospitals and care homes, police officers and other key workers at a rate of up to 500 a day. Everyone involved is an unpaid volunteer. Helpful Engineering UK have launched a funding appeal on the Go Fund Me website to raise money to buy materials.
The May issue of Enfield Dispatch is now available in print or online. The prospects for the paper surviving the coronavirus pandemic are looking brighter.
Fox Lane & District Residents Association has updated and expanded its list of local shops,restaurants and other businesses that are providing services during lockdown.
A report launched at the end of April claims that there are are an estimated 125,000 homes in London with no-one living in them. It calls for a robust register of residential property ownership and usage and effective regulation of second homes and short-term lets and says that local authorities should be given planning powers and resources to ensure homes are built for residential use rather than as wealth investments.
Four weeks ago Barry and June Smitherman put out an urgent appeal for donations to help cover the cost of feeding and caring for the animals looked after by the Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) at the Trent Park Animal Centre. With its cafe and animal centre closed because of the coronavirus lockdown, the charity's main source of income has disappeared. Barry says that the donations received so far will keep the centre open until some time in June, but if the lockdown goes on much longer it will have to close, as it needs about £10,000 a month to survive.
Hidden behind the front window blinds of a house in a Palmers Green street is the centre of a discussion network that is international in scope, but never forgets that global issues are always felt locally.
