Lynne Featherstone

Straight into surgery at Muswell Hill Library. There is still no disabled access to the upstairs – which means this isn’t an ideal venue for me to use to let members of the public come and meet me. But as I hold most of my surgeries in the more accessible Wood Green Library, I do sometimes also use venues like this one – which means I can get round to the various parts of the constituency, not all of which have a perfect venue.

But this morning one constituent reminded me (inadvertently) how pressing it is for buildings to be accessible. He had no legs – so had to walk up the stairs (almost impossible on the prosthetics) – but also carrying his seven-year old severely autistic and non-walking son. Of course, had he let us know in advance, I would have made special arrangements such as a home visit. He was more worried about going downstairs carrying his son after the appointment so I got a very kind guy from the library to help and carry the boy down the stairs.

I mention this incident because it is years now since Haringey Council first made promises and talked about restoring and renovating the building and making it properly accessible – but all words and no seeming action (other than the bizarre incident a few years ago where they put in a new ramp – but, as you can see from the photo, it had steps!).

So, I will again – as they say – make enquiries. Last time I went to a meeting about the library’s future the plans were big (bigger than needed) for a restaurant and an extension – and all-singing, all-dancing – but I haven’t heard anything since.