Parliament petitioned on Acton allotments

Crossrail accused on not keeping residents informed

Gary Malcolm, Lib Dem Environment spokesperson and Acton resident has handed in a petition to Parliament in an attempt to protect the allotments in Acton that will be compulsory purchased if the Crossrail project goes ahead.

Gary Malcolm said to write and present the petition it took much time and effort including adding text in Latin. He added that here are so many barriers that most people who will be affected are not going to be able to make their case to save the allotments. To draft the petition it was necessary to read the whole of the very complex and lengthy Crossrail Bill and quote extensively from it.

Cllr Gary Malcolm said: “Even though Crossrail is a good thing it is not satisfactory to get rid of the allotments in Acton. I am campaigning to stop Crossrail bosses from getting hold of this land, as allotments are an important part of our community. There is other land they can use.”

Gary added: “It is a scandal that people have to go through so much time and effort to have their opinions heard. Parliament should want more people to have a say in the things that affect them. The Crossrail bosses have not informed residents properly so most do not know about the issues.”

On 21 June 2005 Cllr Malcolm presented the Ealing Mayor with a petition from local residents and Great Western allotment holders opposing the compulsory purchase of local sporting fields and the Great Western Allotments. All the allotment sites in Acton are full currently and have waiting lists. Gary is on the waiting list for the allotment at the end of his road, the Great Western Allotments.

September 9, 2005