Question time for Acton election candidates

Prospective Councillors give their vision for the area 

All parties taking part in the election were sent the same questions and asked to give brief responses. Below we publish the responses we received.

Phil Portwood - Labour Councillor for East Acton ward

1. Are you for or against the tram ?

Labour Councillors and candidates have stood up for Acton 's interests on Transport for London 's (TfL) possible tram scheme by :

-  opposing � and ensuring that the Council opposed - the daft Transport for London  proposals for potential tram depots at Twyford High School, Acton Park and Shepherds Bush Cricket Club.  

-  demanding that the TfL provide and pay for means to prevent rat-running by vehicles diverted away from the possible tram route

Like many local people, we think a tram is in principle part of a solution to the transport problems of Acton , but only if :

-  Acton 's quality of life and particularly green spaces are protected from knock-on damage

-  it is integrated with essential public transport improvements like Crossrail (whilst avoiding that scheme taking any green space), more stopping trains at Acton Main Line, and better north-south bus provision in Acton

2. What would be the first thing you would change or improve in Acton

Continue the work to improve the local environment. 

This will involve the new £2.7 million that the Council is spending on expanded anti-dumping and anti-graffiti teams, and more effective enforcement against litter, abandoned cars, dog fouling, fly-tipping and graffiti.  This applies equally to streets, parks and housing estates.

The other and equally important side of the local environment is recycling � the carrot to the stick of enforcement.  We will extend the new door step food waste recycling scheme to all of Acton by July, introduce cardboard recycling next year, and plastics recycling within four years.

3. What's the best thing about living in Acton ?

Our diversity, and the community life it brings.  Acton is no tired, boring suburb - at our best, we are a great place for people and families of all backgrounds and ages to live as a real community.

1. Are you for or against the Tram project?

The Liberal Democrats would scrap the tram and would spend the money on Crossrail. We believe that the 207/607/427 bus network can be massively improved by ensuring bus lanes are free from parked vehicles. Buses will go faster and there will be no need for a tram.

There are too many negatives with the tram including the diversion of traffic onto residential roads; the gap between tram stops will be twice as far as between bus stops are so the elderly will suffer; local businesses will be ruined when the High Street is dug up during construction. Also buses are more flexible if a disaster strikes Acton (e.g. burst water mains) and the tram does not link in with many local train and tube stations like Acton Central and Acton Town so it will not be used much.

2. What would be the first thing you would change or improve in Acton?

The Lib Dems would make Acton a better place to live and work in. Lib Dems want residents to feel proud of their area when they walk out of their home. We would do a number of things to achieve this:

•       Initially each street would be inspected and faulty items (streets lights, litter, graffiti, broken pavements or street signs) would be repaired or removed speedily.

•       Make a ‘clean sweep’ of Acton by actively making sure that contractors clean the streets properly or sack them if they fail.

•       Reverse the police cuts in South Acton so residents can feel secure.

•       Build active links with members of the community so we receive feedback on Council plans or ideas so people are more involved.

•       Introduce the recycling of cardboard and plastics ASAP.

3. What do you like most about Acton?

I like the variety of parks, small and large, which makes Acton more welcoming. Some of the smaller areas, at Twyford Crescent for example, need attention to reduce litter which spoils an area.

Also I like Acton’s diversity of culture. There are so many nationalities and cultures, you can always find a new type of food or music that keeps life interesting.

1. Are you for or against the Tram project?

The first act of a Conservative administration on Ealing Council will be to reverse the Labour's policy on the West London Tram. We strongly believe that a tram along Uxbridge Road will be disastrous for the people of Ealing and will make congestion worse, not better, in the borough. Despite a clear rejection of the proposals by the people of Ealing through the public consultation, the Labour administration has supported it nonetheless. This will be changed immediately.

2. What would be the first thing you would change or improve in Acton?

The High Street. We would like to see a cleaner more attractive shopping centre in order to attract a better range of shops into the area. The Council can encourage this process by ensuring the streets are kept clean, improving street furniture and other amenities, and maintaining car parks with affordable charges.

3. What do you like most about Acton?

The people, the turn of the century architecture houses and its parks.

Ken White, Independent Candidate for Acton Central

1. Are you for or against the Tram project?

I think trams are essentially a good idea, they are clean, quiet and environmentaly friendly. However, putting trams through Acton High Street is just not a good idea as the area is far too narrow and there is no reasonable or sensitive route for displaced traffic to use.

In its present form, the proposals for a tram through Acton & Ealing are ill-conceived.  Before any such scheme is considered, Acton High Street deserves a long overdue facelift and redevelopment.

2. What would be the first thing you would change or improve in Acton?

The first thing I would imrprove would be to get rid of all grafitti and rubbish in Acton such as that at Acton Central station.  It’s an absolute eyesore and ruins the look of the area.  I would call this stepped-up iniaitive “The Big Sweep”.  Let’s get Acton looking as smart as its neighbours Chiswick and Ealing.  With a little bit of a polish, Acton would be a jewel in the crown of West London.

3. What do you like most about Acton?

Acton is ideally placed for the West End, has easyand direct access out of London , the public transport links are excellent and plentiful and major roads are easily accessible.  It’s an ideal location.

May 3, 2006