Richmond Park MP, Sarah Olney, offers a monthly update to constituents and Nub News readers.

Richmond News

Richmond Council has published the first draft of the new Local Plan, which sets out a 15-year strategic vision to guide development across the borough. When finalised, the Local Plan will be the main document against which planning applications are assessed.

At the heart of the draft Local Plan is the concept of a 20-minute neighbourhood – the idea that our towns and villages should be complete, compact, and connected neighbourhoods where most of the things we need for shopping or visiting are an easy walk or cycle away.

This concept enables communities and residents to 'live locally', which improves the quality of life, bringing benefits such as healthier lifestyles, cleaner air, stronger local economies and a better resilience against climate change.

The draft Local Plan also takes a stronger approach to addressing the Climate Emergency, and to implementing requirements for affordable housing alongside all new homes.

The Council wants to hear from residents about whether the plan reflects what they want to see for the future.

The consultation is open to everyone until 31 January 2022. Once it closes, Richmond Council will make changes to the Local Plan, taking account of the feedback where appropriate. There will be a further consultation, and, following examination by an independent Inspector, it is expected that the new Local Plan will be adopted in 2024.

Visit the website for more information and to share your comments.

Covid-19

Martin Machray, London's NHS Chief Nurse, wrote to me this week to ask me to urge my constituents to make sure they are up to date on their Covid-19 vaccinations.

He says: "One dose is better than none, two is another step in the right direction, but all three are a 'gamechanger' in protecting against the worst effects of the new variant."

Opening hours for local vaccine centres are being extended and the number of appointments available are being increased.

Harlequins rugby stadium has reopened as a vaccination site and other sites include RHACC in Richmond town centre and the Boots pharmacies in Kew Retail Park and Kingston Town Centre.

If you have been put off by a fear of needles, please be assured that you are not alone. NHS vaccination teams have lots of experience of helping nervous patients get their jabs and have produced this advice page about it. Be sure to let the staff at the vaccination centre know you are nervous and they will reassure you. If you have a history of fainting from vaccinations, please let them know that as well.

You can book an appointment online.

More information about walk-in centres in southwest London here.

Hammersmith Bridge

Last year, my Liberal Democrat colleague, Caroline Pidgeon AM submitted a Mayoral Question to City Hall to find out how much money has been spent on the Hammersmith Bridge ferry service since the Bridge was partially reopened to pedestrians and cyclists last summer.

It transpires that the Taskforce, under the instruction of the Department for Transport (DfT), requested in August that options be developed for how the service could be retained on a standby basis. Combined with additional holding costs related to the infrastructure, this – according to City Hall – has come to £80,000 every four weeks. I estimate this to be approximately £400,000 in total since August.

Once the Bridge was reopened to pedestrians and cyclists, and assurances were given that it would not be closed for extended periods of time, it was clear to almost everyone that the ferry service would no longer be required. To hear that, despite this, the DfT spent nearly half a million pounds on retaining a service that will never see the light of day, is incredibly frustrating.

This is money which could have gone to improving the local bus services that my constituents have been relying on in the Bridge's absence, or into installing a rickshaw service that would have benefited the elderly and disabled. In my view this is another sign of the Government's mismanagement of the entire situation.

Indoor Fires

Residents with real coal fires or wood burning appliances are asked to ensure they are compliant with smoke control legislation. Better still, they are being encouraged not to burn, to help reduce dangerous air pollution.

Wood burning stoves and coal fires are the single largest source of the pollutant 'PM2.5' in the UK – a form of pollution that can cause respiratory and cardiovascular illness and has been linked to cognitive disorders such as dementia. The World Health Organisation has identified it as the most serious air pollutant for human health and recent research shows that long-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with a higher risk of ICU treatment for people with COVID-19.

The Council is working to tackle air pollution as part of its Climate Emergency Strategy. If you need to burn wood for heating your home, you could apply for the Green Grant for Homes to help with insulation. Additionally, if you are experiencing fuel poverty and have to resort to wood burning, you may be eligible for a Fuel Grant.

Virtual Coffee Morning

I have restarted my Virtual Coffee Mornings. I have greatly enjoyed being able to connect with my constituents this way, and look forward to discussing local, national and international events with attendees.

If you would like to join me for a brief update on my work representing you followed by informal conversation among attendees, please sign up here.

Mental Health Crisis Line

With Covid-19 causing renewed anxiety and disruption for people, I wanted to remind my constituents of the southwest London 24/7 mental health crisis line, which concerned residents can access 24 hours per day if they feel that someone they know is in crisis. The number is 0800 028 8000

30 Day Drink Less programme

The 30-Day Drink Less Programme could help change your drinking habits for good. The course is delivered by DrinkChecker in partnership with Richmond Council, and has been written by expert alcohol counsellors with over 30 years of experience of supporting people to reduce their alcohol intake.

The programme involves spending 5 to 10 minutes a day reading an email and carrying out short evidence-based exercises to help you understand and manage your drinking. The course is designed specifically for you and will teach you how to stick to consuming lower levels of alcohol to support a happier and healthier lifestyle.

Sign up today for free here.