Chuka welcomes government plans to improve security and services at train stations across Streatham and South London.

The Department for Transport has announced that all trains running on the South London rail network are to have CCTV cameras installed on them to increase safety for users. In addition, rail stations, including Streatham, Streatham Hill, Tulse Hill and Streatham Common, are to be staffed at night, and an extra 1,500 secure cycle bays will be provided to stations across the network.

The measures have been written into the criteria of the new franchise agreement for the South Central rail network – currently operated by Southern - which covers stations across South London and parts of Southern England. They were developed after consultation with rail user groups to improve services for commuters.

The operator that wins the bid to run the South Central network between 2009 and 2015 will be required to implement the security measures, and increase services running through South London. Late night services will run until 12.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at least 11pm all other nights of the week.

Chuka welcomed the recent government announcement:
“Improving our transport links and services to the Streatham constituency is an absolute priority and we are doing just that with these moves to increase safety on our stations and extend running times.”

Chuka is currently campaigning to maintain Thameslink services to Streatham rail stations, click here to find out more information and to join the campaign.

Carys Afoko

Chuka and local residents were joined by London Assembly Member Val Shawcross in a campaign to bring a bus route to Leigham Vale.

Leigham Vale currently has no bus service, meaning residents face a long uphill walk to transport links in Tulse Hill, or buses running through Leigham Court Road. After hearing about the inconvenience this posed not only to commuters but elderly residents needing to access to local amenities, Chuka and Streatham Wells Labour party lobbied Transport for London to bring a bus route to the Vale.

After bringing TfL representatives to the area to discuss the possibility of a bus service earlier in the year, a petition of local residents was formally presented to Val Shawcross, Labour’s London Assembly Member for Lambeth & Southwark and Chair of the London Assembly’s Transport Committee. Val delivered the petition to Boris Johnson at Mayor’s question time this week.

As part of the proposal, Chuka and Val wish to see parking arrangements improved along Leigham Vale, for example by allowing cars to park on the pavement on the rail side of the road, a proposal which has proved popular with residents.

Carys Afoko

Streatham Hill is host to ASC studios, home to more than 40 artists and a hot bed of talent. I had the pleasure of meeting many of the artists there and enjoying what they have to offer on Friday. Never one to miss the opportunity to promote what Streatham, Balham, Brixton, Clapham and Tulse Hill have to offer, I have posted a selection of photos from the Open Studios event held there over the weekend below.

The works of Ann Pownall, the photographer - www.annpownall.com.

Chatting with Urban Art top honcho, Tim Sutton in his studio, surrounded by his paintings of the patrons and staff of the Streatham Bingo Hall - www.timothysutton.com.

Admiring the work of Shiroma Ratne - www.shiromaratne.com.

(more…)

The Streatham Artists Summer Open Studios 2008 gives you the rare opportunity to buy work direct from the best of local up-and-coming contemporary artists.  Work on show at 47c Streatham Hill will include paintings, photographs, print making and sculpture.

Streatham Artists Open Studios are always eagerly anticipated, and this summer there is a whole weekend of opportunity to see this diverse range of contemporary creativity.

Chuka Umunna is proud to support this exciting local event and will be attending the preview, to which everyone is welcome, on Friday evening between 6 and 8:30pm.  If you can’t make it then, don’t worry - the studios are also open this Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm.

With all kinds of artwork included, from the pretty to the provocative and from landscapes to strange shapes, there is definitely something for everyone in the heart of Streatham Hill.  For more information visit the Streatham Artists website.  So see you there!

Gareth Williams