The Jericho Residents’ Association

Since the last edition of the 'Echo1, the JRA Committee has continued to meet at the Canal Street Institute every two or three weeks to discuss a succession of major threats and minor irritations to our lives in Jericho.

Jericho residents have been fighting for twenty years to keep Jericho as a residential area for people of all ages, and to keep it properly supplied with necessary shops, amenities and small businesses. Property speculators continue to be a major problem. Companies, colleges and individuals frequently seek to convert family houses to multi-occupancy use, either by demolition and rebuilding, or by 'change of use1, with or without planning permission! 'Educational' and 'entertainment' interests are another threat to property here.

A recent case was that of 39 Cranham Street, which was transformed into a tutorial college science laboratory. In spite of a neighbourhood protest, a letter of objection from the J.R.A. and a final appeal to the planning committee from 'beside the chair', retroactive permission was granted!

Parking is another problem frequently raised.Residents near the Walton Street/Little Clarendon Street area have a particularly difficult time finding parking places and. of coursej the situation would be further aggravated with the provision of additional attractions -£or visitors by way of more clubs and restaurants.The experimental temporary parking permit scheme for residents' visitors seems to be working well and without abuse so far. Pollution, industrial pollution - and the offenders know who they are - is a frequent subject of complaint, as are over-flowing, lidless dustbins left out on streets and those uncontrolled Jericho dogs. (Where, by the way, are the signs promised by the City Engineer in the last edition?)

Unnecessarily loud amplified music and motorbikes come a close second to the pollution issue. Albert Street and Victor Street have been promised new signs by the City Engineer, and Cranham Terrace is to be labelled .Cardigan Street now has a sign saying that the road continues on the other side of the school.

The following were elected to the Committee in May:Edwin Ardener (Chairman)73 Walton Street, Tel:59845, Christine Cowham (Secretary), 15 Guy's Court, Tel:559Ol, Cynthia Bates, Sally Foord — Kelcey, Simon Gedge, Charles Gordon, Carole Guberman, Ted Harris, Sue Hearne, Paul Hornby, Wendy Matthews, Barbara Porter, Wendy Scanlon, George Slack, David Smart, Jane Turner, Dennis Wise, Fr.Michael Wright.

If you have any problems let us know.You are welcome to attend committee meetings and if you get in touch with the chairman, secretary or any member of the committee they should be able to let you know when and (while the Institute is closed for renovation) hopefully where the next meeting is to be held.