YOU would ordinarily expect that, in response to Councillor David Bishop's letter two weeks ago chronicling the sad decline of Northwood Hills (Bank puts nail in shops' coffin,Letters, September 10), your Letters page last week would have been filled with ripostes from Council finance people reassuring us that this area is receiving significant funding to fix the problems. Sadly, Mr Bishop's letter reflects only what any resident or visitor can see for themselves.
It is hardly surprising that companies such as Nationwide are leaving, along with many other companies in recent years. The council is not interested in funding this area.
As a local resident, I am very aware that Mr Bishop is the only councillor visible and actively trying to improve the amenities for residents, but he can't achieve any-thing if the council is determined to starve the area of funds.
Anyone who didn't know the people concerned might be surprised to learn that one of the other Northwood Hills councillors is the cabinet member responsible for finance and business services - but then he doesn't live here, he lives in Northwood, where investment is going.
The appalling lack of parking restrictions to deter commuters from the most badly affected roads around Northwood Hills station is indeed a major contributor to the decline in the area.
Every other Tube station in Hillingdon that borders residential or shopping areas has parking restrictions in the roads around the station.
Five years ago, a ridiculously wide-ranging controlled parking zone was proposed for Northwood Hills and was, quite rightly, rejected, but even the most vociferous objectors to that scheme acknowledged that there was a need for parking restrictions in the roads most badly affected by commuter parking.
465 people signed a petition that is currently with the council. That represents a lot of votes at the next election, combined with potential votes from many other residents and business owners who are noting with alarm the continuing decline of Northwood Hills.
Residents (and political candidates!) wishing to register their support for the new initiative can of course do so via the website www.northwoodhillsparking.co.uk
STEPHEN PINK,
Tolcarne Drive, Northwood Hills.
