Poll call for Highgate to go it alone

Shoppers demand more variety

FOUR out of five residents think life would be better if Highgate was an independent borough, according to a poll.
Responsibility for Highgate is shared between the boroughs of Camden, Islington, Haringey and Barnet. The boundary between Haringey and Camden runs up the middle of Highgate High Street.
The poll findings were part of a survey on what would make the village a better place to live and work in, which was conducted by residents’ group the Highgate Society to mark its 40th anniversary this year.
The results were revealed at the first of three debates on the subject held at the society’s Pond Square headquarters yesterday (Wednesday).
Top concern of residents was the lack of variety for High Street shoppers.
Many complained that there were too many estate agents and charity shops and not enough specialist shops. They would like to see a fishmonger, delicatessen and health food shop.
A number of those polled complained about the Tesco Express store in the High Street, with several annoyed at the supermarket’s delivery lorries jamming the road up.
Others suggested that more should be done to brighten up Pond Square, including re-turfing the area, re-opening the public toilet and staging more activities there. Suggestions ranged from a farmers’ market and concerts to art fairs and a café.
Residents felt streets and pavements should be cleaned more often, with some complaining that rubbish was left out on pavements for too long and that there was too much dog fouling in the street.
Other suggested improvements included a greater police presence, better street lighting and more traffic restrictions. Some suggested banning buses and lorries from the village completely.
Others felt bus services could be improved with links to Hampstead and Muswell Hill.
In a separate poll in which residents were asked to rank issues in order of importance, conserving the historic nature of the area came top of residents’ wish-list.
More than 160 residents responded to the survey, which was distributed through newsagents and posted on the Highgate Society’s website.
Liz Morris, from the society, said: “We had a very good response, which for the first time gives us hard evidence about the concerns which really matter to people here.
“It means we can pick the crucial issues to campaign on, knowing that the community is behind us.”