I have just heard from Martin Linton's web team, who tell me that they have fixed the problems that they had with domain names. This means that martinlinton.org.uk now points at the new site at martinlinton.squarespace.com - so you can use either address.
And, as a bonus, the links in their web feeds will have started to work correctly too.
The official site continues to publish broken RSS feeds, so I've corrected the links below.
We find the 'missing' affordable flats - Martin Linton publishes the results of research into the sale of "affordable" accommodation at Chelsea Bridge Wharf for higher prices than most key workers can afford. We have previously covered this story on this site.
Overwhelming vote for Battersea hospital - A survey has shown that people are overwhelmingly opposed to moving facilities at the Bolingbroke Hospital out of Battersea.
Ban junk food ads - A proposal to ban advertising for ‘unhealthy’ food during television programmes that appeal to children has the backing of Battersea’s Labour MP Martin Linton.
Two more stories from the official site (which continues to broken RSS feeds - the links below have been fixed).
Prosecution could follow crane incident - A Government minister has told Battersea MP Martin Linton that a “general safety alert†was issued to tower crane operators last month setting out simple guidelines for erection and operation. The safety alert highlighted general issues such as the importance of proper maintenance and ensuring operators are competent.
Lifts at last for Clapham Junction - Lift access will be provided to all platforms at Clapham Junction – that promise was made by Network Rail Chief Executive John Armitt this week to Battersea MP Martin Linton.
Two new stories from the official site about the Northcote Road campaign.
Post Office promises to restore service - The Post Office have told Martin Linton that they are doing all they can to replace the recently closed Northcote Road office.
Northcote residents have their say - Martin Linton held a public meeting for residents south of Clapham Junction on Saturday
Two news stories from the official site. both of which we've already covered here.
Crane safety raised in Commons talks about this discussion and goes to to say that Martin Linton has written to the health and safety minister, Anne McGuire.
Northcote fights back talks about the campaign to help the traders in Northcote Road who are in danger of being evicted due to rent increases.
Note: The links to newstories in the web feeds published by Martin Linton's official site are still broken. The links refer to martinlinton.org.uk, but that server isn't correctly redirecting requests to the new site at martinlinton.squarespace.com. The links I've provided above have been fixed.
Following a debate on the Civil Aviation Bill, Martin Linton issued a statement, which you can read on his official web site.
There's a story on the official site about Martin Linton joining the All-Party Group for Small Shops which exists to highlight the problems of the small retailer and to draw attention to their social as well as commercial role. Martin Linton is particularly in Battersea's Northcote Road and he says:
Northcote Road is one of the nicest shopping streets in the country and we all want to keep it so. The question is how? The law gives us very limited opportunities to influence what kind of shops we get in a particular street. I’ll be working with the council to see what we can do with existing planning powers to help the independently-owned shops who are so important to the success of Northcote Road.
Unfortunately landlords are often very short-sighted, pushing up the rents when the street becomes more popular without realising that they may be pushing out the very independently-owned shops that make the street popular in the first place. This is a classic case of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.
It would be good if the council had powers to limit the multiples to St John’s Road and keep Northcote Road for independently-owned shops, but the law can’t make those distinctions. I want to see through the All-Party Group if there are ways we can change the law to give councils the tools to help areas like this.
A quick roundup of news stories from the official site.
6th form artists see Battersea in fresh light
Martin Linton MP was thrilled to open Battersea Technology College’s art exhibition last Wednesday. The work on show, by key stage 3, 4 and 5 pupils, was of a very high quality.
Council shelves nursery closure plan
Balham children will stay at their Endlesham Road nursery following a campaign by governors, MPs and Labour councillors.
'London's Larder' breaks loose from ancient law
After a legal battle by New Covent Garden Market that lasted 33 months the House of Lords ruled against the City of London who had tried to enforce a medieval law preventing any fish or meat markets within seven miles of Billingsgate or Smithfield.
MP joins last appeal by special school
Martin Linton, Battersea’s Labour MP, joined in a last-ditch attempt to persuade Wandsworth Council not to close the Vines special school this week.
Over on the official web site there's a story about the successful campaign to keep a night bus running to North Battersea. Martin Linton says:
I made the strongest case I could for the retention of a night bus for Nine Elms Lane and Battersea Park Road. There are hundreds of shift workers and over a thousand residents in the area. Passenger group London TravelWatch took up the cause as well. I’ve now heard that the N44 will be diverted but the 344 will run overnight instead, twice an hour, and that’s a really good result.
On Martin Linton's official web site there's a story about government plans to reduce night flights to and from Heathrow.
Martin Linton is quoted as saying:
This reduction will be a blessed relief to many people in Battersea who have their sleep disrupted by night flights. I should have preferred a sharper reduction in the noise limits, in fact I should have preferred a complete ban on night-flights. But at least the airlines have been told that they have to reduce night-flight noise.
The Government has also announced a ban on aircraft above 96 decibels, such as DC10s, taking off or landing before 6 am. This formalises a voluntary ban that the airlines were already operating at Heathrow.
The Government has also announced a change in the noise-bands which ensures that quieter aircraft, such as the Airbus A319, will be covered by the night-flight limits. A new noise band, known as Quota Count 0.25, will apply to aircraft which typically generate 84-87 decibels on arrival such as the A319.
