I work for Highways England as a Traffic Officer and the M25/ M11/ A1(M) is part of my patrol route. Following an incident last week a little reminder to people to check what recovery coverage they have when provided through the insurance.

I had to attend a broken down vehicle on the M25 at 9.30 pm as the young lady was getting a little flustered when trying to arrange a collection of her car following a puncture. Upon arrival, we ascertained that the car (Seat) did not have a spare wheel, but one of the puncture repair cans which squirts a liquid into the tyre seals the hole and inflates the tyre. Fine if the hole is small but this was a gash.

I was asked to contact her insurers, who provide the recovery as part of her premium, on her behalf as she did not know what to do. The number she gave was to the windscreen repair department. Luckily, we carry telephone numbers of all insurance companies and I managed to get through.

Now, this is where people need to make note.

She wanted to get to Stanstead to collect her mother. The cover she had would only recover her vehicle to a location of her choice within a 10 mile radius from where she was and that's it. No tyre change, take to an address of her choice etc.

I agreed with the recovery agent when he turned up to take her to Bullsmoor Lane. She would have to make arrangements for a friend to collect and take her to Stansted and also need to make alternative arrangements to either get her tyre replaced (huge cost as out of hours) or recover her car to Egham where she lived.

So, please do check the level of cover you will get in the event of a breakdown and also put the correct telephone number in your contacts!

And make sure you have enough fuel to complete your journey, many do not and I have to tow them off the motorway, after stopping ALL of the traffic.

Be aware of this scam re-emerging. Had to deal with one yesterday. This is how it works.
You enter the on slip road of the M25 and a car is on the hard shoulder with someone who flags you down. 'I need petrol, can you help?' is the question. They get into your car and off you go, no doubt illegally reversing up the slip lane, but that's another thing. On the way you find out he has no money but has this gold ring which you can have for the petrol. You fill up the petrol can return to the car, fill the car and off they go. Now, this ring is big and chunky and you think 'this is too good to be true'. There you are. It is too good to be true as it's a piece of junk and you have been conned. Be aware, just drive by, they are close enough to leave the motorway and get the petrol themselves. The reason they park just on the slip road is so they can make a quick get away onto the motorway. You have been warned.

From Monday 22 July until November 2019, Ringway Jacobs on behalf of London Borough of Enfield will be carrying out works on Hertford Road as part of the A1010N Cycle Enfield Scheme.

As a result, a number of buses will be diverted or stop short of their destination.

Please use the TfL journey planner to plan your journey.

I am passing this on from the Southgate District Civic Trust, in case people are not aware.

"Thank you to everyone who has already sent in comments about the proposed development of Southgate Office Village (SOV). This mail is to give you an update on the application.

Firstly and importantly, the consultation period has been extended until 22nd July.

If you have not yet sent in a comment, there is still time. It is important to ensure the views of the community both positive and negative are included, being as specific as possible, giving focussed reasons.

Please note: The application has been updated to include new documents. These provide additional visualisations of the development to show the impact on Southgate Station. A screen shot of one of the visuals View Point is attached.
You can view the full planning application for Southgate Office Village via the London Borough of Enfield Planning Portal: https://planningandbuildingcontrol.enfield.gov.uk/online-applications/. The reference is: 19/01941/FUL.

We suggest, you send your comments via e-mail to planning.decisions@enfield.gov.uk quoting as your reference 19/01941/FUL and request confirmation that your response will be logged for this application. We also suggest you copy both your local councillors and SDCT when sending in responses.

Councillor e-mail addresses are:
Cllr Charith Gunawardena: cllr.charith.gunawardena@enfield.gov.uk
Cllr Stephanos Ioannou: Cllr.Stephanos.Ioannou@enfield.gov.uk
Cllr Derek Levy: Cllr.Derek.Levy@enfield.gov.uk

What ever you think of the development, if approved it will change Southgate for ever and set a precedent for high rise buildings in Enfield and transport hubs around London.

The Maze Inn/Rising Sun pub: this building in the Southgate Circus conservation area, has been demolished without planning permission. This is currently under investigation by Enfield Council’s Planning Enforcement Team. SDCT’s Planning Group will be watching this with interest, particularly as there is always the possibility the owners are waiting to see the outcome of SOV, in case it sets a precedent for high-rise buildings in Southgate.

Pass this on: please pass on this mail to all your friends, family and neighbours to ensure everyone has an opportunity to comment on the SOV application

Regards
Jane

Jane Maggs
Vice Chair
Southgate District Civic Trust

E-mail: info@southgatedistrictcivictrust.org.uk
Web: www.southgatedistrictcivictrust.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/southgatedistrictcivictrust
Twitter: www.twitter.com/southgatetrust@southgatetrust

I suspect people in Enfield are already aware that despite petitions and numerous objections Enfield are introducing an optional paid for garden waste service – Autumn 2019. What I have only just found out is that you sign up by November you will receive 5 months free.

'The new paid for garden waste collection service is due to begin in November 2019 and will replace your current food and garden waste service.

This service will be a fortnightly collection of household garden waste in your existing green lidded bin. If you currently have a smaller green lidded bin, this can be exchanged for a larger one free of charge at the start of the new service.

The annual cost for this service is £65 and will run between 1 April and 31 March. If you sign up by November 2019, you will receive five months free.'

The link gives more information plus details of other changes to rubbish and recycling, as well as a link where you can express an interest in the green bin service.
https://new.enfield.gov.uk/services/rubbish-and-recycling/rubbish-and-recycling-collections/#4

Lincoln Road is hut for bridge repairs to be carried out by Network Rail.

It will be closed till mid March. The 377 bus route will be diverted in this time period.

Just spotted on https://www.facebook.com/pg/ClockhouseNursery.co.uk/posts/?ref=notifFacebook.

"Good morning and welcome to a particularly wet start to the week. Today is our first 'shop fit' day when the new shelves begin to be installed on our lovely shiny floor. Once this is complete we can start re-stocking sundries including #tools, #garden chemicals, #birdcare, #watering and other #gardening related incidentals.

To celebrate, we are offering an AMAZING 50% off, of marked prices, on all existing Gardman Ltd birdcare before new stock arrives. S...o do not delay if you would like to grab a #bargain. The offer will stop when we run out or when new the items arrive.

Just in case people are not aware M&S are no longer running a card collection scheme. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) have taken up the mantle of Christmas card recycling and will be collecting your Christmas cards for recycling with collecting boxes in branches of Sainsburys.

They will also be collecting used wrapping paper and defunct fairy lights as well.

But you will have to act quickly - the collecting boxes will only be available from Boxing Day until 8 January 2018.

Just back from Barrowell Green recycling centre where I am often saddened with the amount of perfectly good and useable items that are simply discarded. I was really delighted today to see a RE-USE shop opened up where people can take items that still have plenty of life in them and purchase items for a nominal fee.

Looked like a charity shop but things really are at rock bottom prices. Most expensive item we saw was a large wooden dresser priced at £5.00.

I picked up three fairly largish terracotta pots all for £1.00

The company (SUEZ) are aiming to stop so much unnecessary waste going to landfill by recovering goods and products that can still have plenty of life left in them to use again.

They also offer a locate service for £5.00 where they will try and locate spares/ etc for appliances etc.

Although this scheme has not yet been advertised please do have a look and spread the word for this worthwhile project. They hope that if the scheme takes off, to make regular donations to a regulated charity.

Win-Win for all!

Well a good day was had by all at Enfield RoadWatch, who are raising awareness of the threats to Green Belt land in not only Enfield but London as a whole. Many more signatures from supporters and a lot of Chillies and plants sold to raise funds for the campaign.

A highlight for me was two of my chillies, entered into the Horticultural event won 1st (Yellow chilli) and Second (Orange chilli) and also got Best of Show. Photo attached.

The Horticultural Show is now being run by volunteers who desperately need help for next year. So if you can spend some time helping with the organisation or on the day itself contact them on:
enfieldtownshowhorticulturaltent@aol.co.uk

There are sections for Children, flower arranging, fruit and vegetables and they do need help.

Has anyone noticed the number of small road works being undertaken across Enfield?
This is not strange in itself, but the thing I find annoying is the placement of the signs used to show the following;
- the Road Narrows,
- there are Road Works and
- there are Traffic Lights in operation.

In all cases recently they have been spaced out along the road to warn motorists, with the first sign 'Road Works' possibly 15 meters from the cones, the next sign 'Road Narrows', 10 meters from the cones and the 'Traffic Light' Sign 5 meters away from the cones.

Very helpful, but the signs are not needed as you can see the roadworks which are right in front of you!!

Should the signs be placed further away so motorists can get advance notice or are the placed so the workers do not have to walk so far, possible H&S issue "Strain due to lifting and carrying notice signage prevention"?

I know of at least three people who have had their spare tyre stolen from their Range Rovers. The wheels and tyres cost approx. £1k to replace so it's worth the crooks time and effort. They were taken from the Potters Bar area and else where in Enfield (sorry don't know exactly).

So, keep and eye out and check yours if you have a Range Rover or similar car where the wheel is suspended under the boot area.

There is a consultation currently running which is looking at ways of saving money by closing Police Stations and front offices. Enfield Town Police Station, next to the Civic Centre, is in the firing line with all services being moved to Edmonton Police Station which will become the ONLY Police Station in the Borough of Enfield.

There is a public meeting for Enfield Residents;

on 20/9/17 from 19.00 - 21.00 hrs

at -

Bridport Room

Millfield House

Silver Street

N18 1TJ

Barnet Residents have a meeting today at 18.30hrs at Hendon Town Hall, The Burroughs, NW4 4BG

Have a look at the following link and complete the questionnaire. It is vital your thoughts are made known to the Police Authority.

https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/mayors-office-policing-and-crime-mopac/mopac-consultations/share-your-views-accessing-met

For those who enjoy the cycle lane debates of past, here is a game to liven things up. Some may have already seen this post elsewhere, but hey, why not get it out there.

The Traffic lights at the Junction of Lincoln Road and Ponders End High St. (A1010) have been removed as part of the cycle lane initiative and replaced with two roundabouts to serve the junction mentioned above and also Derby Road and South St.

They are there honest.

I drove over them recently and was reminded of the part in the Jungle Book when the snake tried to hypnotise Mowgli there was no defined distinction between the Road and the Roundabout, they had both been constructed with bricks, which went round and round and round. Mind boggling.

I have just welcomed eight more members, so folks have a post, introduce yourself and make this platform big.

It would appear that Enfield is to increase the size of the CPZ serving Lavender Hill. Have a look at the Enfield Independent or go to Enfield's fantastic website to have a look. Some who currently do not pay for a permit will do in the future. And don't forget, it's based on engine size now; the bigger the engine, the bigger the charge.

As the threats to Green Belt here in Enfield and elsewhere continue to increase at an alarming rate. It is crucial that we continue raising awareness, not only to Enfield’s parts of London Green Belt but also Green Belt sites across London and elsewhere, gather more support and raise funds for our campaign. We are a very small dedicated group, but we need help getting the word out.
Enfield RoadWatch will have our own stall and are looking for volunteers. Logistically it is easier for us if volunteers can commit to a longer slot of say 2-3 hours, however we appreciate you are giving up your time, and would value any time that you can offer.
The role will be to hand out information, explaining what we are doing and why, gathering names for our petition and email addresses for our supporter list and helping with the plants that are being offered for a donation. A Committee member will always be present to assist. We can’t guarantee the weather but can promise a fun enjoyable day!
Venue and Times
Palmers Green Festival. 12.00 noon till 18.30pm and is free to enter
http://www.palmersgreenfestival.org.uk/palmers…/Welcome.html.
I want to help, what do I need to do? Just PM me with the slot you are able to do and a contact email.

Just found this, may be of interest to some.

Details of a meeting held recently.

1. Despite the Hybrid Application being unanimously rejected by the planning committee on 22nd June, it is still the case that the developers – The Comer Group – have now sent the application - in virtually the same shape as I understand it - to The London Mayor’s office for it to be reviewed.

2. According to Andrew Dillon - Principal Planning Officer at Barnet Council - the scheduled date for the reconsideration of this plan is scheduled for 23rd August. I say scheduled because there is always the possibility that it could be cancelled and debated, behind closed doors, at a slightly later date.

3. However, in spite of this possibility, I think every effort needs to be taken to raise whatever individual concerns one has well in advance of this date. Although I have no doubt that everyone has the correct contact details, I am including them here just to avoid any delay.



Sadiq Khan mayor@london.gov.uk
Head of planning Fiona.fletcher-smith@london.gov.uk
Deputy Mayor for housing jules.pipe@london.gov.uk



Just to be clear at this point, I think everyone accepts that there is clearly a need for more housing within the borough. The key within Barnet is housing stock being created within the boundary of due proportion and consideration for both the future and current population. To simply build without any aforethought for the existing community or environment is only going to end up having a detrimental effect for everyone - especially when it comes to health & safety. A balanced building control programme must surely be the guiding factor throughout this process.



However, the main points of concern that came out of the meeting last night are ones that persist in the public’s mind and these are as follows:



Density, Height, Access: vehicle (inc. emergency services) and pedestrian, Parking, Air Pollution, Climate change and control/distribution of energy, Traffic - greatly increased, Infrastructure - impact on the local area, the fact that only 10% will be ‘affordable housing’, the fact that of the proposed 1350 homes only 17.5% are 1 – 2 bedroom properties. The rest – 82.5% – will be 3 bedroom units. The main requirement from Barnet Council – 4 bedroom units – is given 100% NO CONSIDERATION. The scale of this site as it stands, would wreck the community. It is worth bearing in mind the core of this site would be made up of 8 storey tower blocks, and that the original plan was for 1200 properties. This then went up to 1350. What’s to stop the developers elevating this figure, in time, to 1500 or 1750? It could well open up the gates for yet more buy-to-let landlords or foreign investors whose sole intention would to capitalise on these properties which, clearly, will end up serving the few at the expense of the many. They would have very little consideration for the genuine, local community. Not everything should be about financial gain - especially when some tenants struggle to keep up with rent demands that end up becoming totally unaffordable.

Can someone help please.
I did try Google but they do not translate Town Planner speak.

I was reading the riveting Enfield Town Centre -Draft Framework Masterplan and came across the following;

"Enfield Town Station is an important commuter link into central London, including Liverpool Street".

OK, got that. It then goes on with

"It has a coarse and less permeable urban grain characterised by taller buildings"

A what and what and what?

Can any one translate this please?

To the citizens of the United States of America from Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

In light of your failure to nominate competent candidates for President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately.

Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (except North Dakota, which she does not fancy).

Our new Prime Minister, Theresa May, will appoint a Governor for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed.

To aid in the transition to a British Crown dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:

1. The letter 'U' will be reinstated in words such as 'colour,' 'favour,' 'labour' and 'neighbour.' Likewise, you will learn to spell 'doughnut' without skipping half the letters, and the suffix '-ize' will be replaced by the suffix '-ise.' Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. (look up 'vocabulary').

2. Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises such as ''like' and 'you know' is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication. There is no such thing as U.S. English. We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take into account the reinstated letter 'u'' and the elimination of '-ize.'

3. July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday.

4. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers, or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not quite ready to be independent. Guns should only be used for shooting grouse. If you can't sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist, then you're not ready to shoot grouse.

5. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. Although a permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

6. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left side with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables. Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.

7. The former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you have been calling gasoline) of roughly $10/US gallon. Get used to it.

8. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat, and dressed not with catsup but with vinegar.

9. The cold, tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager. American brands will be referred to as Near-Frozen Gnat's Urine, so that all can be sold without risk of further confusion.

10. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters. Watching Andie Macdowell attempt English dialect in Four Weddings and a Funeral was an experience akin to having one's ears removed with a cheese grater.

11. You will cease playing American football. There is only one kind of proper football; you call it soccer. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American football, but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies).

12. Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the World Series for a game which is not played outside of America. Since only 2.1% of you are aware there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable. You will learn cricket.

13. You must tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us mad.

14. An internal revenue agent (i.e. tax collector) from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all monies due (backdated to 1776).

15. Daily Tea Time begins promptly at 4 p.m. with proper cups, with saucers, and never mugs, with high quality biscuits (cookies) and cakes; plus strawberries (with cream) when in season.

Any chance it being adopted?

People may recall that last week a number of OBIkes were deposited on the streets of Enfield. These bikes are a new initiative to promote cycling but unlike the Boris bike, they are dockless; you locate them, release them and pay via an APP.

However they did not ask the Council or TFL who were not happy bunnies and they were hastily removed.

I think that this constitutes fly tipping and the Cllr Anderson, who has spoken out about fly tipping, should take action and fine the OBike people - the bikes were dumped (left) on the streets of Enfield without permission.

As an aside, not all OBikes were collected. I attended the launch of the Enfield Master Plan consultation drop in session last Thursday and found in the Council car park below the Silver (or Ivory) Tower one of the beasts. Perhaps it's going to be dissected to see how it works.

And here it is......

PS I'm from Oakwood not Cockfosters

Hello one and all who may remember me from SL. Happy to be here and it would be nice to see familiar names appear.

Thank you Lisa M for letting me know about this site, good to see some familiar names. Looking forward to hearing from people and what's going on.