Residents’ Petition for Traffic Calming Measures for Lexton Gardens SW12 0AY Dear Councillors, We, the undersigned residents, close associates and frequent users and friends  of Lexton Gardens, SW12 0AY, write to formally request that Lambeth Council take forward traffic-calming measures on our road as a matter of urgency.   Lexton Gardens is a short residential street of 26 households. It is home to families with young children, older residents, and pedestrians who use the road daily to access nearby nurseries and schools, including St Bede’s and The White House And Telferscot. It should not function as a convenient cut-through for drivers travelling between New Park Road and Kings Avenue.   Our concern is real and immediate. We have already experienced near misses involving vehicles and pedestrians. Residents are increasingly worried that, without intervention, it is only a matter of time before a child or other pedestrian is seriously injured.   Several features of Lexton Gardens make it particularly hazardous.   First, the road has an S-shaped layout, which creates blind spots and poor sight lines for both drivers and pedestrians.  Depending on where a person is standing or driving, it is not always possible to see clearly around the bend. This is especially dangerous on a residential road used by children.   Secondly, many properties have driveways, which means residents are regularly reversing in or out. Because there are fewer cars parked along the kerb, some drivers appear to treat the road as more open and wider than it really is. This encourages higher speeds and corner-cutting, despite the limited visibility. Thirdly, the gradient of the road encourages acceleration, particularly from the New Park Road end.  The overall effect is that vehicles can enter and travel along Lexton Gardens too quickly for the layout and character of the street.   The level of risk is increased further by the people who use the road every day. Many of our children are now of an age where they are beginning to walk to school independently.  We also have younger children who are naturally less danger-aware, and some children with additional needs who may be more impulsive or less attentive around traffic.  In addition, Lexton Gardens is used by many non-residents as a walking route to nearby schools and nurseries, meaning there is a regular flow of pedestrians at school-run times. Residents are particularly concerned because drivers appear to use Lexton Gardens to avoid slower travel on the surrounding main roads.  There are speed humps on New Park Road and Kings Avenue, but none on Lexton Gardens.  This makes our road attractive to drivers seeking a smoother and quicker route, despite the fact that it is a  narrow residential street with limited visibility and high pedestrian use.   We do not want to wait for a serious injury or fatality before action is taken. We have had Pet Fatalities and the recent tragic death of a schoolgirl on Garrard’s Road has brought home to many local families just how devastating the consequences of road danger can be.   Residents of Lexton Gardens are united in wanting preventative action now, before a similar tragedy occurs on our own road.   We are not asking for speed humps. On a short road such as ours, they can create additional noise and vibration when vehicles fail to slow properly.  In our view, a better and more proportionate solution would be alternating build-outs or carriageway narrowing, creating a layout that requires drivers to reduce speed and proceed with care.   This type of measure would  offer a number of important advantages. It would physically and psychologically encourage lower speeds, reduce the attractiveness of the road as a cut-through, improve pedestrian safety at blind sections of the street, avoid the repeated impact noise associated with speed humps, reduce wear on vehicles, and be less uncomfortable for cyclists.  It would also preserve a more suitable route for emergency access than more aggressive vertical calming measures.   We therefore ask the Council to:   1. Arrange an urgent site visit to Lexton Gardens during term-time and school-run hours; 2. Carry out speed and traffic-volume monitoring on the road; 3. Assess the road specifically for traffic-calming measures suited to its layout and residential character; 4. Bring forward options for a scheme, with alternating build-outs or carriageway narrowing as the preferred starting point for consideration.   This petition is accompanied by a signature schedule setting out the house numbers, names and signatures of supporting residents, demonstrating clear and direct support from households on Lexton Gardens. We are sending this letter not only to our ward councillors, but also copying it to the relevant Highways and Transport officers.  We ask that it be formally logged as a resident request for investigation and action, including a site visit during school-run hours, speed monitoring and traffic-volume assessment.   We would be grateful for written confirmation that this request has been logged, together with the name of the responsible officer and the anticipated timetable for assessment.   Lexton Gardens is a short, narrow residential road used daily by children, families and pedestrians. It should be designed and managed as one.   Yours faithfully,   The Residents of Lexton Gardens, SW12 0AY    

Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes exposed an international trafficking network involving powerful and well-connected individuals. Evidence presented in court proceedings and released documents suggests that people from multiple countries may have been involved or aware of activities connected to the network. Given the United Kingdom’s international ties and the presence of individuals with connections to Epstein who had links to the UK, many members of the public believe it is necessary to establish whether any UK citizens, institutions, or authorities were involved or failed to act when they should have done. An independent public inquiry would help ensure transparency, restore public confidence, and determine whether any investigative failures occurred. It would also demonstrate the UK’s commitment to accountability and justice for victims of trafficking and exploitation. The inquiry should be established under the Inquiries Act 2005 with full powers to compel evidence and witness testimony.

As an NHS administration worker I feel privileged to work towards helping people on their way to better health and my job has as much impact on patient care. The 3% pay rise this year, after previous years of inadequate rises against the Cost of living crisis, is pushing my position to become untenable as a single parent trying to support two kids through collage the ends just are meeting anymore. I've always considered myself lucky I'm good at creative budgeting and tightening our belts but there's nothing left to tighten, I have colleagues who already use wage advances and adhoc loans to get through the month. I don't feel I'm being unreasonable asking for a fair wage, we work hard and the strain of money worries ontop of the strain of the job is taking its toll, a decent payrise this year will go a way to alleviate some of this.

Community Petition – Downham Road, Chatburn Speeding traffic on Downham Road continues to be a serious concern for residents. Despite the 20 mph limit, many vehicles regularly exceed the speed limit, putting pedestrians, cyclists, and families at risk. We are inviting members of the community to support a petition calling for speed monitoring and traffic calming measures to make the road safer for everyone. Please sign and share the petition to help bring attention to this issue and encourage action. Your support can help make Downham Road safer.

Titanium Dioxide (E171) is a whitening agent used in everything from sweets and cakes to food supplements. In 2022, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) banned E171, concluding it can no longer be considered safe because concerns regarding genotoxicity (potential damage to DNA) could not be ruled out. While the EU, Switzerland, and Northern Ireland have removed this additive to protect their citizens, the UK Food Standards Agency has yet to follow suit for Great Britain. We believe the UK should adopt the Precautionary Principle. Consumers should not be exposed to unnecessary risks for the sake of making food look "whiter."  We urge the Government to: - Implement a ban on E171 in all food and food supplements. -Set a clear transition period for manufacturers to reformulate products. -Align UK food safety standards with the highest international protections.

12 months ago I founded The Binfluencers in Keswick as locals were fed up with folk pitching tents at the side of lakes which is illegal and then all the mess they leave also. We also noticed a huge amount of general litter and huge amounts of poo bags just been discarded throughout the national park. I decided locals voices needed to be heard and the extent of such issues needed to be shown. We do regular litter picks, especially around Derwentwater and we managed to gain media interest. This year we have been collaborating with a local filmmaker who is making a film and and a animated short information film about these issues

Pie’n’Mash Is London’s original fast food, a defining emblem of Cockney and London identity and heritage These traditional shops face challenges of falling High Street footfalls, rising costs, intense competition from international global fast-food chains, and finger‑friendly takeaway options. Yet these shops offer: • Quality, artisan, hand-crafted food, often freshly made on the premises.  • Cultural heritage dating back over 140 years with an iconic association with Cockney culture  • A fiercely loyal and passionate fan base, including more than 50,000 online supporters   • Producers who care about their product, traditions, and communities, many with a family heritage spanning up to four generations. Comedian Rob Beckett shares his passion for the food in the recently published ‘Pie’n’Mash futures’ report writing, “Enjoying Pie’n’Mash is now a way for me to remember who I am, and where I’m from, it goes back to not just my roots, but my family's before me. It has a history and a heritage that's almost unique in London now. Let’s ensure future generations can enjoy the same privilege.”    Food historian, Professor Rebecca Earle of the University of Warwick commented in the report, “Dishes from curry to fish and chips, have their roots in the cuisines and cultures of peoples from elsewhere. Pie’n’mash likewise, emerged from this fusion of cultures, from Ireland, Italy, Britain, and beyond. These foods are history on a plate.” ( Copies of the ‘Pie’n’Mash futures’ report can be obtained from the National Pie’n’Mash Week website https://www.nationalpiemashweek.org.uk/march2026 from www.moderncockneyfestival.org.uk ) 'Cockney’s' in Portobello Road is run by Ruth Phillips and her son Billy. Ruth started the business over 42 years ago by refitting a former laundrette.  Born and raised on the Portobello Road, she had her first Pie’n’Mash aged about three in Smart’s Pie’n’Mash shop (aka Renee’s) in the Goldborne Road - sadly, now closed down. With a mother-in-law who made the pies in a local Cooke’s, she learnt the traditional recipes and skills to set up her own shop. The shop exudes the traditions of Pie’n’Mash shops with its tiled interiors, no nonsense menu, and great value food.

Eat Street was launched as a 24‑hour service, but years of cutbacks and poor management have left it struggling. Food quality has declined, hot meals often ran out before the end of shifts, and night‑shift workers have been left without any hot options at all. Now management plans to close the canteen entirely between 6pm and 6am — removing a vital source of food for thousands of staff, patients, and visitors. Staff across the hospital — including nurses, HCAs, porters, doctors and many others — have raised serious concerns. People working long, demanding shifts deserve access to decent, nutritious food. Families waiting with loved ones, often for many hours in an overcrowded and understaffed hospital, also rely on Eat Street for a hot meal, a short break, and a moment of comfort. Closing the canteen overnight will make an already difficult situation worse. It would leave staff without the fuel they need to work safely through the night, and leave patients’ families with nowhere on site to get food during the hours they need it most. Protecting Eat Street as a full 24‑hour service is essential for the wellbeing of staff and the dignity and support of everyone who comes through the hospital. Please sign our petition today!

I'm a student who has to take 3 trains a day to get to school and another 3 back, this costs me £12 a day, just for one day of education. This adds up and is a significant financial burden on my family. No child should have to pay to get to school, especially at these extortionate prices. Some children I know, spend upwards of 500 pounds for a bus pass that last a single year. This money would be better spent towards necessities or extracurriculars to help develop a child's skill set.

It is vital to prevent their self-interest clouding the judgement of others & swaying or skewing votes in their favour when they may not or unlikely be representing the electorate that voted for them. Parliament are to discuss re-election of MPs who have changed sides on 16 March.

Background Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Hospital Trust (LGT) which combines Lewisham University Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich has adopted a digital tool provided by the US conglomerate - Palantir – namely the Federated Data Platform (FDP) for part of its digital systems. In response to a Freedom of Information query LGT confirmed on 21st May 2025 that: “We use only one element of FDP which is the care coordination system or inpatient module for booking theatres. We recently presented our progress to NHSE on this which is mainly around use of the tool for 6:4:2 scheduling and theatres prep processes." What is Palantir? Palantir is a shadowy US firm which provides software to combine and analyse data. It was supported by the CIA and its systems are used for government surveillance and intelligence purposes. Its systems have directly targeted and killed unarmed Palestinians. Its data also underpins the ICE surveillance and targeting of immigrant communities in the USA. Palantir and the NHS Palantir won its first NHS contract in 2020 during the Covid crisis. The deal came just one year after an undisclosed meeting between Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings and Peter Thiel in August 2019. Palantir accepted a fee of £1 for trialling its data collection services during covid. This gave Palantir a foot in the door of the NHS.    Sure enough, in November 2023 Palantir won a £330m contract to build and operate a system to hold and analyse patient data across the NHS, as part of the NHS’s plan for a Single Patient Record.    Soon after winning the election in August 2024, NHS England made it obligatory for trusts to start using the FDP within two years. NHS England says trusts must start using FDP within two years   Palantir, Epstein, Mandelson and Wes Streeting   Palantir was co-founded by Peter Thiel, who was a close business associate of Jeffrey Epstein: Epstein was a major investor in Peter Thiel’s investment fund. Peter Mandelson was a best friend of Epstein and a business associate of Peter Thiel. In 2018 Palantir hired Mandelson’s PR firm, Global Counsel.     Since 2020 Palantir has amassed 34 government contracts worth £670m. In 2025 Mandelson arranged a meeting between Keir Starmer and Peter Thiel Palantir’s Washington showroom, shortly after which Palantir secured a large MoD contract. Wes Streeting, the current Health Secretary, is the man overseeing the enforcement of the adoption of Palantir’s product across the NHS. His emails with Peter Mandelson show the two were friendly and discussed politics. Both Streeting and Peter Thiel were at this year’s Bilderberg Group meeting of the rich and powerful.  We don’t trust Palantir with our health data, we don’t trust the methods by which Palantir has secured the NHS contract and we don’t trust Palantir to respect the values of our NHS.

1. Urgent mobile speed checks and installation of speed cameras (mobile or fixed) coordinated with the Metropolitan Police and local Safer Neighbourhood Team. 2. Implementation of traffic-calming measures, which may include: • Speed humps or cushions to reduce vehicle speeds • Raised pedestrian crossings to improve visibility and safety • Chicanes or narrowing of the carriageway to slow traffic naturally • Enhanced signage, including speed limit reminders and warnings of children crossing • Improved road markings to highlight pedestrian areas and crossings • Greater awareness and communication to residents and drivers about road safety and speed limits. 1. Consultation with local residents on long-term solutions to improve safety.