Campaigns
Campaign to close down Hampstead's Business Improvement District (BID)
Campaign Status: Successful
After five years of campaigning hard to get rid of the BID, a company which forced other businesses to pay for its various vanity projects against their wills, the Hampstead Village Voice is delighted to announce that the Hampstead BID folded. In the full knowledge the organisation was to be trounced in an election, Hampstead Village BID Ltd decided to bottle its own ballot in May 2021.
For full details of why the BID was so abhorrent and why we fought so hard to remove it, read this: Hampstead Bid Defeated
SAVE THE OLD WHITE BEAR
Campaign Status: Successful
The renewal of it's ACV and therefore it's eventual reopening was in no small part down to the overwhelming response from the pub's amazing supporters. Over 800 of people responded to the survey sent out in December 2014 asking if they would return to the pub if it were to re-open (98.2% of you said Yes!). In addition, just under 600 people wrote persuasive responses as to why the pub continues to matter so much to the local community.
We also have to thank our three local Councillors who submitted a very powerful letter of support which convincingly argued that, despite being closed for five years, the pub is still essential to Hampstead village.
Finally, we are very grateful for strong press support from the Camden New Journal, Ham & High and the Hampstead Village Voice (see below for recent coverage).
Stop Tesco Breaking the Law
Campaign Status: Ongoing
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-tesco-breaking-the-law
Dangerous: Tesco's lorry parks illegally on a cycle lane in West Hampstead. Photo: Sebastian Wocker
OUR OBJECTIVES:
We want Tesco's heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) cease parking illegally on Heath Street, England's Lane and West End Lane and that Camden Council and/or the Mayor of London/TfL take effective action to force them to do so. There is a purpose built delivery area, previously used by the Express Dairy and Hampstead Foodhall, to the side of Tesco which it refuses to use.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Tesco's huge delivery trucks repeatedly break the law on a daily basis. This forces traffic onto the wrong side of the road endangering other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. It also causes congestion slowing down and hindering emergency vehicles and public transport.
Camden Council's current policy of fining the company is simply not credible nor is it effective and action needs to be taken to ensure Tesco HGVs are no longer a serious risk or hinderance to the lives of citizens.
Heath Street, Hampstead: clearly too wide, the Tesco truck forces buses, ambulances and all other traffic onto the wrong side of the road. Photo: Sebastian Wocker
CLICK HERE TO SIGN: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-tesco-breaking-the-law
Stop the Dams on Hampstead Heath
Campaign Status: Failed. Death Toll: 174 trees.
This petition received 6,000 signatures and was handed to Tulip Siddiq MP on Thursday the 24th of September 2015 and sent to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Elizabeth Truss who wrote back to Tulip Siddiq. The contents of her reply to our MP was published in the 2016 Spring edition of the Hampstead Village Voice. Needless to say, Ms. Truss evaded, ducked and dived and tried to place all responsibilty with Camden Council and the City of London Corporation. I think they call it not taking responsibility. Frankly she was useless and I dare say rather happy that Bam Nuttall, Atkins and AECOM made loads of dosh to parkify the Heath. And now there are a load of pointless dams and a stupid looking island... Oh, and a curb at the Vale of Health. Try not to trip over it. We hope Elizabeth Truss does!
ASBLOW: CAMPAIGN TO BAN LEAF/DUST BLOWING MACHINES
Campaign Status: ONGOING (OVER 2,000 signatures so far)
Click here to sign: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/asblow-campaign-to-outlaw-noisy-polluting-leaf-blowers
OUR OBJECTIVES:
1. We are calling for legislation to ban noisy and polluting leaf blowing machines from being used in streets, public areas, near schools, hospitals or in private gardens/driveways anywhere in the UK.
2. We are asking gardeners not to use these loud, petrol or diesel run antisocial machines and that those who employ them to hire only 'blower free' gardeners or insist their current gardeners desist from using them.
Why is this important?
There are several reasons why leaf blowing machines should be banned. Firstly they are ridiculously loud. This causes distress, not only to people (babies, children, the sick, the elderly or anyone trying to work from or simply enjoy the peace and quiet of their homes) but also to pets and wildlife (birds, rabbits, hedgehogs and the creepy crawlies they eat). Secondly, leaf blowing machines needlessly blow dust into the atmosphere causing various problems for small children or those with allergies. You may be at work all day and oblivious to the discomfort and distress they are causing in your neighbourhood. The use of loud blowing machines is inconsiderate, anti-social and detrimental to the quality of life of many citizens. Until the late 1980s these highly inefficient, frankly, stupid machines were non-existent so it is possible to keep a tidy garden or forecourt without them. Please do your bit and sign this petition and if your gardener uses a leaf blower please insist they stop... or, if needs be, get another gardener.
Campaign Status: Not 100% solved but we have noticed an increasing number of gardeners are now using electric blowers... so one small step for serenity in our time. Still a way to go!
Sign here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/asblow-campaign-to-outlaw-noisy-polluting-leaf-blowers