Greenwich Liberal Democrats have today launched their first ever Party Political Broadcast ahead of the May 22nd, 2014 local elections.

With much attention focused on Greenwich Council and Transport for London's desire for two new bores at North Greenwich to form a new Silvertown Tunnel you could be forgiven for not knowing about plans for the east of our borough.

After intensive lobbying from Labour-controlled Greenwichand Newham councils through their 2012-13 "Bridge the Gap" campaign, TfL are set to launch a new consultation on options for a replacement of the Woolwich Ferry with a fixed-link crossing between Thamesmead and Gallions Reach at the top of the list.

After several months of local party consultation, culminating in an executive committee summit over the weekend, Greenwich Borough Liberal Democrats (GBLD) have issued a detailed policy response to the TfL proposals for new river crossings in Greenwich Borough. GBLD have come out in strong opposition to any new road or ferry crossings in Greenwich Borough itself, whilst agreeing that crossings further east may be necessary if evidence is found to support a case for them. They support new ferries at Woolwich, rush hour tolling at Blackwall, increased use of traffic management measures and a raft of public transport initiatives as alternative solutions. 

Local residents, particularly those who use bikes, have been alarmed at the news that Greenwich may not benefit from Boris Johnson's cycling infrastructure project. This is because Greenwich Labour councillors refuse to speak to journalist Andrew Gilligan who has been appointed as the Mayor of London's cycling commissioner. 

Local Liberal Democrats have urged London Fire Brigade not to proceed with its plan to close Woolwich Fire Station. Local campaigner Stewart Christie says, "London Fire Brigade attended nearly 1200 fires in Greenwich in 2011-12. Their own figures acknowledge that average response times in the Borough are likely to increase by 30 seconds if Woolwich Fire Station is closed and by much more than this in Woolwich itself."

"This could mean the difference between life and death in some cases. The proposed closure of Woolwich Fire Station is particularly worrying in view of the large population increase projected for the area."

Greenwich Lib Dems have joined the campaign to open up the Reserves to retired Gurkhas, so that they can lead the way in making the future Reserve forces more skilled and stronger than ever. 

Local Liberal Democrats have criticised Greenwich Council for considering building on open space in Sutcliffe Park.

There have been recent reports that an indoor athletics centre may be built in the south-west of the Park between the running track and Kidbrooke Park Rd. Council Leader Chris Roberts refused to rule this out when asked at a Council meeting on 29th March.

Local Liberal Democrats have accused Greenwich Council of showing excessive deference to developers, Berkeley Homes, with the risk that residents in areas next to the Kidbrooke development will have to walk further to catch a bus.