🍂 Hornsey Councillors – September Update

It’s been another busy few weeks for us in Hornsey. Since our last newsletter we’ve held five surgeries, spoken with over 100 residents on the doorsteps of Miles Road, Rathcoole Avenue, Rathcoole Gardens, Linzee Road and Newland Road, and dealt with dozens of pieces of casework.

Thank you to everyone who has shared concerns, ideas, and feedback – as ever, it helps us keep pushing for improvements across our community. 🙏

📚 Muswell Hill Library – Nearly There!

The long-awaited refurbishment of Muswell Hill Library is almost complete. A soft launch is expected in late September, with a full reopening in October.

The Friends group toured the site recently and gave it a big 👍. Works include:

• 🚻 Two brand-new toilets

• ♿ A lift for accessibility

• 👩‍🎓 A new youth study space

• 📖 Refreshed reference stock

We’re also developing a new Library Service Strategy to make sure libraries deliver services fit for the future. Want to get involved? 👉 Find out more here

🏗 Planning Matters

It’s been a month of planning applications! Many of you have raised concerns with us, and we’ve been doing our best to make sure your views are heard.

We’re pleased that a recent application for a poorly thought-out car wash on Tottenham Lane was rejected 🚫. We’re also engaging with officers about a number of other sites across the ward, including the Lotus Building plans.

Please do keep feeding into formal consultations – that’s the best way to make your voice count. And of course, if you’d like to discuss any specific issue with us, we’re always here.

📱 New Traffic Text Service

You can now sign up to receive live traffic alerts direct from the Council – covering:

• 🚧 Road closures

• 🚲 LTN suspensions

• 🎶 Spurs, Ally Pally & Finsbury Park event disruptions

Sign up here 👉 Traffic Text service

♿ Accessible Access at the Kurdish Advice Centre

We’re delighted that a new drop kerb has been installed outside the Kurdish Advice Centre, making it much easier for wheelchair users, parents with buggies, and others with mobility needs to access this vital service. It also improves accessibility along Eastfield Road.

If you know of other spots in Hornsey where dropped kerbs or accessibility upgrades are needed, please do get in touch.

🏆 Awards & Recognition

This summer, Haringey Council has been recognised nationally for the hard work of our teams:

• 🏘 Our Planning & Housing Delivery Teams won two Secured by Design awards for excellence in safe, sustainable housing as part of our Council Housebuilding programme.

• 👩‍💼 Samantha Jones, Senior Housing Delivery Project Manager, was named Local Authority Woman of the Year 2025 for leading delivery of over 350 new council homes.

• 🏅 At the MJ Awards:

  • Children’s Services won Innovation in Children’s and Adult’s Services for pioneering safeguarding work.

  • Public Health won Reducing Health Inequalities for tackling gambling harms.

These awards are a great reminder that, despite challenges, Haringey has brilliant people delivering brilliant results. We often hear the negatives about the Council – but it’s just as important to recognise and celebrate the fantastic staff making a real difference every day.

That’s all from us this month. As always, thank you for being engaged, raising issues, and sharing your ideas. Together we’ll keep making Hornsey greener, safer, and stronger. 🌳💚

Adam, Dana and Elin

Labour Councillors for Hornsey Ward