Cold Callers could finally be a thing of the past on Weir Estate and the Surrounding Area due to proposals which are to be considered by Residents under the No Cold Calling Zone (NCCZ) scheme which is already in place in four other wards in the Borough.

Those living on Emmanuel, Weir and Radbourne Roads are to be consulted by the partnership set up to introduce the scheme of Lambeth Trading Standards, Community Safety and The Metropolitan Police. The partnership have agreed to bring the scheme to Thornton Ward.  The already successful zones would prevent Distraction Burglaries and Bogus Traders from calling at residents homes at any time.

The area included under the NCCZ would be clearly sign posted throughout the ward and residents would have the power to report incidents to Trading Standards and the local Police.

This would also prevent residents being bombarded by nuisance cold callers which many residents have complained has become an all too regular occurrence and would see an end to residents being duped into buying goods and services they do not want.

With support and effort from Local Labour Councillor Lib Peck, Weir Estate would be included givingresidents peace of mind and security from being door stepped by anyone selling or promotinggoods and services.

However, the scheme which has worked in the four other areas of Lambeth will only get the go ahead if following consultation residents agree to the scheme. Consultation letters and forms are being sent to residents to engage their views on the proposal in the coming few weeks.

One resident reportedly living in Thornton Ward was cheated out of Five Hundred Pounds by a bogus door step trader whose work has been described as so poorly done that it had to be quickly corrected by another trader costing the resident a further Six Hundred Pounds.

Cold Calling which can see an increase in door step crime is designed to empower residents to have more control who calls at their properties and would be a welcomed safe guard for particularly the vulnerable and elderly. Should the scheme get the go ahead residents would get an information pack explaining the scheme and how they can act should they get any cold callers.

Robert Gardner, Trading Standards Manager at Lambeth Council has said of the scheme: “This scheme sends out a warning to the rip-off merchants that they are not welcome in the neighbourhood, and that they are being watched. The best you can say about most cold callers is that they are a nuisance. At worst they can be criminals and rogue traders who prey on the vulnerable. If there is clear support from the neighbourhood for a No Cold Calling Zone in the area we will roll it out”

The Remaining Anfield Close properties which are still getting their heating from the Communal Heating System and hot water from Immersion Boilers, are to join the fourteen properties that have had combi-boilers installed in October following the leak which left many residents in the cold and other flats experiencing problems.

The communal heating system which had heated more or less all council properties on Anfield Close until last month is to be phased out as the properties that remain on the communal system will now also get combi boilers.  Many residents in higher numbered flats have experienced difficulties since the heating was restored to them in October.  Flats one to fourteen that have had the new system have been delighted so far with the new heating which brought back much needed warmth.

Lambeth Living have met to discuss the issue and it is now felt that all remaining residents would benefit and it would be more economically viable to bring in the boilers to individually heat their homes.

Communal Heating which has been around for many years throughout Lambeth, and has meant those getting this form of heating have paid for it within their rent and service charges. The Communal Boiler is typically switched off at the start of the summer and switched back on by October as the winter draws in.

This year, as the communal system was booted up a substantial leak was found and several propertieswithin the block were left without warmth as the weather got colder. Emergency plans had to be put into place to bring much needed heating to resident’s homes.

Contractor, OCO Heating Services has once again been appointed to install all remaining flats with the new heating and hot water system.

Residents living in the remaining properties will be visited by Site Supervisor, John Spinks in order that measurements and all arrangements can be made. Residents who are now enjoying warmer homes have so far been delighted with the new combination boiler system and the conduct of the contractor.

WERA’s Chair, Dave McEvoy, is working closely with Lincoln Sampson, Lambeth Living’s Principal Heating Engineer and Mr Spinks, the Supervisor from OCO to ensure that all Anfield Close residents face as little disruption and have their concerns answered.

It is hoped all remaining flats will have the new and cost effective boilers in their homes before the end of November 2009.

So far, the installations to the fourteen flats affected has been smooth and without delay.

Residents who have any questions can contact the association for guidance, by clicking here.

Lambeth’s Leader of the Council has met with WERA Chair, Dave McEvoy to discuss working together to improve services and the way Lambeth serves its residents.

The meeting which took place at Lambeth Town Hall on Thursday 6th August 2009 discussed how Lambeth is moving forward and what can be done to improve the way residents receive its service from Lambeth. Councillor Steve Reed was committed to seeing Lambeth improve and making Lambeth a better place in many areas for those living and visiting the borough.

Following the meeting, WERA Chair said “I was impressed with Councillor Reed’s vision of a better Lambeth and what role we play in making our borough a better place. We know that for many years Lambeth has suffered from bad press and a negative image as well as under investment, I get a real sense this is going to change in the future for what is a great diverse borough to live in and visit.” More >

Mobile phone operator, Vodafone have approached Lambeth Living to put new mobile phone masts on top of one the estate blocks. This has quickly been ruled out by Weir Estate Residents Association Executive Officers who are elected to represent the views of Weir Estate Residents.

Weir Estate already has a number of phone masts on a number of its blocks and this has raised concerns by those living in and around the antennas. Weir Estate has however benefited from the income generated by having the aerials, which has enabled the association to improve the area and make such projects as the Weir Link a success.

With Vodafone taking an interest in installing new aerials on the roof of Dan Bryant House, this is felt to be one mast too far and has been dismissed by officers at WERA.

WERA’s Spokesman said of the proposals “WERA’s Executive Committee are here to work for the residents on the estate. With Weir Estate’s current mobile phone masts already having caused controversy in the past, the decision was taken that the residents would not want any further masts on the estate.” More >