Save Ealing Centre public meeting

Angie was invited to speak at a crowded meeting at the Town Hall organised by Save Ealing Centre (SEC) to discuss the future of Ealing Town Centre. She was part of a panel of Parliamentary Candidates and Councillors from the three main parties. The evening was chaired by BBC Correspondent, Stephen Sackur, who is also an Ealing resident.

She opened by telling the gathering that while she believes Ealing faces a major challenge, it also has huge opportunities. To Angie, the prospect of Crossrail, along with a new station at Ealing Broadway and the planned development of the adjacent Arcadia site - which is also awaiting new development plans - are opportunities that could bring enormous benefits to the centre of Ealing. She spoke about the working group that she has set up to provide a forum for local transport groups and SEC to discuss Ealing's needs with Network Rail, First Great Western and Transport for London who will share responsibility for the new Crossrail station. She was, though, surprised to hear Bassam Mafhouz suggest the imposition of a local Congestion Charge to pay for Ealing Broadway Station when 70% of Londoners had already voted against the western extension of the London Congestion Charge! She outlined her view that this would not help revive the centre of Ealing.

Angie agreed that better retail would be a key component in attracting more people to spend their money in Ealing. But, she also called for a better coordinated Arts programme that built upon the two week summer programme in Walpole Park and offered a winter programme that made use of the Town Hall's facilities and kept the Town Centre alive during the darker month of February.

She ended by talking about housing in Ealing. She said that she didn't accept the high housing figure for the borough in the London Plan and urged the Council to negotiate a more realistic number. But, she did suggest that Ealing will need to see some expansion, both because of Crossrail and because many local families want family members to stay in the area when they leave home. She said that blocks of single bedroom flats wouldn't be right for Ealing and that what was needed was family housing to help maintain a balanced community. She finished by saying that Ealing's green spaces must be protected and that, above all, local services must be expanded to meet the additional demand.

Afterwards Angie said "It was an excellent evening, well organised and briskly chaired by Stephen Sackur. I was delighted to be invited to take part and felt that the event provided a useful opportunity for Ealing residents to put forward their often very trenchant views on the future of the Town Centre which will affect us all."

"Let's talk about Transport"

Angie has been overwhelmed by the massive response to her transport survey that was sent last October to 30,000 homes across Ealing and Acton. She asked detailed questions about local public transport, preferred modes of transport, safety on public transport, local road management and the plans for further expansion at Heathrow airport.

Two issues stand out clearly: 51% of those who responded support the Conservative pledge to scrap the Heathrow expansion, while 22% oppose it. On Crossrail, 69% agree with Angie's statement that it is vital for the future of Ealing, while only 7% disagree. Commenting on the scale of the responses Angie says, "I am really excited by the huge response to this survey. It just proves how important the issue of transport is locally and the information I have got back will really help to direct my transport campaigns."

Photo caption: Angie with volunteer, Hugo Sutherland, working on some of the transport survey responses

Cuts to the Overground train services in Acton

Angie was one of a large gathering in the room above the Rocket pub in Churchfield Road to discuss cuts in the Overland train service between Richmond and Stratford while the line is upgraded. This will affect the service which covers both Acton Central and South Acton stations. The plan is for no trains at all to run on Sundays on this part of the Northern Line. TFL and Network Rail representatives explained that the upgrade will improve the service eventually: there will be four-carriage trains running four times an hour, a more reliable service with improved stations. But passengers will have to live with restrictions on the line in the meantime. Those with travel cards and Oyster cards will get refunds for using alternative routes to their destinations, including the cost of going through Zone One. Some bus routes will also get refunded. Angie pointed out at the meeting that so far the only bus routes on which a refund has been arranged are the 228 and 220 buses running through Shepherds Bush, which is not much use for Acton residents. She has suggested they review this and consider extending the refund to the 266 bus route which runs through Acton towards Willesden Junction. TFL has promised to consider this.

Photo caption: Angie getting some feedback from Acton Central Station users

Angie goes to see Twyford High School production of 'Oliver!'

Angie enjoyed a night out taking in "Oliver!" the musical at Twyford High School and was bowled over by the talent on display there. The school ran the show for four nights and each one was a sell-out. On the night she was there, Benjamin Schumm played Oliver, Melanie Philips was Nancy, Jamie Naylor a very scarey Bill Sykes and Adam Rust almost stole the show as Fagin. Angie said afterwards, "The whole cast was brilliant, as was the orchestra. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. 'Oliver!' is one of my favourite musicals and I was incredibly impressed by the quality of the production. I am already hoping I get invited to the next one!"

Angie pays tribute to those who lost their lives in the Holocaust

On 27th January Angie joined Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Barbara Yerolemou, Leader of Ealing Council, Councillor Jason Stacey and other local Councillors at a tree planting ceremony outside Ealing Town Hall to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. On the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Councillor Stacey spoke to those gathered and called the new tree a symbol of renewal. Recalling the terrible murder of millions of innocent Jews, he outlined the importance of learning from history and invited everyone to take their turn in helping to plant the tree.

Afterwards Angie commented, "I was so pleased I was there to pay my respects to those who lost their lives and also to the survivors, who still bear the scars of those appalling events."

Photo caption: Ealing Mayor, Councillor Barbara Yerolemou, planting the tree outside Perceval House

Photo courtesy of Ealing Gazette

Acton residents press for "Green Corridor" on A40

Angie joined East Acton Conservative Councillors, John Ross and Jim Randall and Conservative Council Candidate for East Acton, Kieran Mullan, on a demonstration organised by Acton residents on the A40. They were launching a petition and protesting against the continuing block on developing a "Green Corridor" between residential housing and the busy Western Avenue.

Some years back Transport for London (TfL) compulsorily purchased housing on the road in order to knock it down to allow the road to be widened. The project was then cancelled but TfL still hopes to sell the land onto developers. Residents, however, believe the space should turn into a mini green belt, a "Green Corridor", to help reduce the noise and pollution generated by A40 traffic. Angie said, "This has been dragging on for some time and I think it is unforgivable of TfL to deny local residents the opportunity to get some relief from the A40 traffic pollution. As I understand it, Ealing Council want to help but cannot do so while TfL continues to hold on the land in question. I hope that this campaign will eventually be taken to City Hall where it will be possible to alert the Mayor, Boris Johnson, to the problems being caused by TfL of which he is Chairman."

Photo caption: Angie with East Acton Councillors, Jim Randall and John Ross, Council Candidate Kieran Mullan and East Acton resident

Twyford Abbey redevelopment

There are new proposals to develop the Twyford Abbey site in West Twyford. Angie went along to the one-day exhibition to discuss them with the architect, Nigel Butcher. She said afterwards that they are interesting plans with the potential to save the crumbling Twyford Abbey building.

However, as ever with these developments, her concerns lie chiefly around the issues of over-stretching of local public services

"West Twyford residents lost their nearby GP surgery when it was closed at the Central Middlesex Hospital back in 2007 and there is still no replacement. The new development would bring in more residents who would also need a local GP as well as school places for their children and other services. The Council, as well as other local service providers, will need to consider this carefully when the application is put before them."

Photo caption: Angie with Nigel Butcher, the architect for the development

Rejection of Arcadia redevelopment plans

Commenting on the news that Glenkerrin has failed to get the go-ahead for its plans in central Ealing, Angie said, "Now that the Glenkerrin proposals for the Arcadia site have been turned down, it gives us all more time to consider what would benefit us most in that location. It is very clear that Ealing town centre is in much need of regeneration if it is to continue as a viable and attractive place for both shoppers and visitors alike.

What we now need are plans to give us that boost, but in a way that works with the character of Ealing. We must hope that we don't have to wait too long though as the last thing we need is for the site to be neglected, as that could leave a mess in the middle of the town centre."

Photo caption: Angie discussing the Arcadia development with an Ealing resident

Remembrance Sunday Service in Ealing

Angie and her partner Nigel attended the annual Remembrance Sunday service outside Pitzhanger Manor.

Angie commented, "I was delighted to attend the service, especially as I recently had the opportunity to meet the Royal British Legion at the Conservative Conference in Manchester. I was then presented with a copy of the Legion's manifesto for the next General Election. I think it is very important for the next Government to heed the calls made in the Royal British Legion's manifesto, especially with regard to tackling poverty among veterans and widows and providing far better NHS support to those injured while on service. Whilst we are struggling to get through a recession, we must never forget the sacrifice made by our soldiers and treat them with the respect they deserve. "

Photo caption: Angie with Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Barbara Yerolemou and Dr Charles Tannock MEP at the Sunday Remembrance Service

Our young volunteers

Ealing & Acton Conservatives are delighted to have two young volunteers, Sanjiv Walia and Hugo Sutherland, who are giving up their time to come and help in our busy constituency office. Here is what they say:

Hugo says, "Volunteering in the Ealing and Acton office has been a great experience. It has certainly opened my eyes to the realities of political campaigning and shown me just how hard everyone has to continue to work to ensure that the Party gains this important new seat. As a local resident myself I'm delighted to be helping a Candidate who really understands the people of our constituency and who has taken such a proactive and positive approach to addressing our problems. Having witnessed first-hand her energy in promoting practical solutions to our key issues of transport, crime and the regeneration of our dated town centres, I'm convinced that Angie is by far the best person to be representing us in Westminster."

Sanjiv says, "I'm proud to be part of the Ealing Conservative campaign. I'm giving up my time to help make this campaign successful because I believe Angie Bray can make this constituency a beautiful place to live in"

Photo caption: Sanjiv and Hugo on their way to the Post Office