Agenda item

Report of the Park Manager – To update the Committee on forthcoming events and works within the Park.

The Chair asked for a brief introduction of the report.

In a succinct introduction to the circulated report Mr Evison gave a brief update of recent activities carried out in Alexandra Park and answered points of clarification.

The Committee then raised the following points of concern;

·        The difficulties with the Thames Water work at the Bedford road end of the lower road and the resultant difficulties with traffic movement etc and the expected completion of the works the following day;

·        issues relating to pathway surfaces and the preference to gravel as opposed to the use of tarmac (being visually un-natural in landscaping terms);

·        the problem with drainage in the general vicinity of the upper part of the Lower Road with running off of water , and issues of drainage blocking and urban flooding in the vicinity of the Park, and also across the  Borough, and in London as a whole;

·        the issue of restricting speed of vehicles across the Park given the number of vehicles exceeding speed limits, including buses , and the need for some clear indication of the Park entrances now that the gantrys no longer were at each end, and the need for signage at both ends of the Park stating ‘you are entering/leaving the Park’ to celebrate the fact that a Park was what was being driven through, as well as clear speed restrictions of 20 mph;

·        the usage of the road as a cut through, and its status as a private or public road and the consequential maintenance/upkeep costs and whether such cost should be met solely by the Trust, or with a contribution by the Mayor of London/TfL;

·        the proposed  expansion of deer enclosure which would require planning permission, and the issue of the increase in ‘Lime Disease’ which can be contracted from Deer and the need to ensure regular checks by vets to ensure prevention;

·        the absence of byelaws on the notices boards around the Park and whether these could be placed on notice boards;

·        Discussions in relation to pros and cons of the proposals by Warner Estate Residents Association in respect of a proposal for a all-weather path to replace the present informal, and very muddy, desire line from the top of Park Avenue North across the Redston Road playing fields and the old race-course to join the Lower Road at the eastern end of the car park, and the Committee’s discussion in relation to ‘desire lines’ for the path across the particular area, and the Committee’s endorsement ( on a vote of 7 for, and 6 against) of this proposal for recommending to the Board, noting that the proposal will be considered by the Alexandra Palace and Park Board on 24 February 2009, and endorsed by the Alexandra Park and Palace Advisory Committee on 10 February 2009;

There being no further discussion it was:

RESOLVED

i.                    that the report and discussions be noted;

ii.                  that the Park Manager be asked to investigate the possibility of for signage at both ends of the Park stating ‘you are entering/leaving the Park’ to celebrate the fact that a Park was what was being driven through, as well as clear speed restrictions of 20 mph;

iii.                that the proposals by Warner Estate Residents Association in respect of a proposal for a all-weather path to replace the present informal, and very muddy, desire line from the top of Park Avenue North across the Redston Road playing fields and the old race-course to join the Lower Road at the eastern end of the car park, be endorsement for recommendation to the Alexandra Palace and Park Board on 24 February 2009.