Shop size a core issue

• COUNCILLOR Ursula Woolley wonders why Better Archway Forum thinks she and other councillors are “trying to attract a big retail scheme” to Archway (MP warns: Stop looking for a quick fix in Archway, January 8). I can tell you precisely why many people think that: because the Lib Dems (unopposed by Labour) approved the so-called core strategy for planning in Islington with the policy in it that allows for “widening the range of sizes of retail units”. This means that large stores are invited to move into Islington. Small and medium-size shops do not want extra-large premises and are positively damaged by them. So is the quality of life of the people who live in the area.
Councillors who campaign locally against large stores and then approve the legal document that lets them in show a peculiar kind of logic. Well done to councillors Katie Dawson (Green) and Andrew Cornwell (Independent) for opposing the current formulation of the core strategy.
Since Cllr Woolley claims to oppose big retail units at Archway, will she explain to us exactly how she is going to change the core strategy that provides for larger stores in Islington?
ANITA FRIZZARIN
Wedmore Gardens, N19

• WE support the council’s efforts to make long overdue improvements to the Archway area, but first there must be genuine consultation with those affected.
Archway residents have been subjected to three rounds of so-called consultation, but the key new proposal for large-scale retail development at Archway, buried in the latest draft of the core strategy, has never been the subject of consultation. Residents are concerned that the proposal will exacerbate existing traffic problems and cause damage to the environment.
A better approach would be for the council to listen to local people, stop pushing big retail developments, and work with the community on solutions that will benefit everyone – not just big retailers. They could start by improving the environment for pedestrians, which would directly benefit all shops and businesses.
EMMA DIXON
Green Party parliamentary candidate, Islington North

• I WELCOME the U-turn by the Liberal Democrat administration, which will allow up to two hours free parking in the Archway area.
Nearly two years ago, I moved a motion at a council meeting pointing out that restrictions on Saturday parking at Archway were having an especially pronounced effect on our local economy.
I asked that there should be consultation on easing parking restrictions in the area around Junction Road on Saturdays. 
This was rejected; the Lib Dems said Archway should be car free and people encouraged to go on foot or by public transport to shop there. Of course, this should be done, but there is a significant amount of shopping carried out by people using cars, perhaps because they are disabled and/or elderly or even live in one of those few places not easily accessible to Archway by public transport.
Since then, Archway Town Centre Management Group has campaigned to ease parking restrictions on Saturdays and has given evidence to the sustainability review committee looking into parking at shopping centres with a view to helping businesses – a Labour initiative.
The two-hour free parking ends in May. Why? Cynics might say the Lib Dems are going for a populist measure in the few months until the council elections. I prefer to think my two years of campaigning on this issue have paid off.
CLLR JANET BURGESS
Labour, Junction ward