What Kingston residents are saying

Coombe Hill councillor expresses concern about traffic trial being overreaction that would increase congestion and travel times, also worried about business impacts

Resident frustrated with library phone system, having to call council to listen to lengthy options just to be transferred back to Surbiton Library for book renewals

Resident calls Kingston Council a total scam, saying they take money and give nothing in return, describing them as useless and uninterested in helping residents

Surbiton resident and petition leader argues that Kingston's pension fund investments go against the council's commitment to human rights

Council leader states they have managed borough finances well over eight years and continue putting residents at heart of services while delivering quality

Business owner on Crescent Road describes incredible reduction in footfall, predicting small businesses will unfortunately close if the traffic trial continues

Local resident believes the council has handled the Crescent Road decision badly, saying residents feel a decision has been done to them not with them

Councillor wants Crescent Road to reopen fully, stating that residents are asking for this and agreeing with their position on the traffic restrictions

Welcomed the securing of funding for 112 new street trees across the borough, highlighting environmental benefits for residents and nature

Expressed pleasure at the progress of the new Kingston Leisure Centre construction and thanked everyone involved in bringing the project to life for community benefit

Defended the council's budget approach saying they have managed finances well despite challenges and continue to deliver quality services while building new council homes

Criticized poor maintenance standards including overgrown grass verges, weeds on sidewalks, overflowing bins, and bins left scattered on pavements after collections

Raised serious concerns about council staff inappropriately sharing personal information with other residents, violating data protection laws

Complained about having to phone the council and navigate multiple menu options just to renew a library book, when library staff could easily handle the task directly

Described the council as a scam that takes residents' money without providing adequate services in return, calling staff useless and uninterested in helping

Wrote to councillors about decreased air quality on Hawks Road due to traffic queues from road closures, expressing concern about children's exposure to pollution

Complained that the public consultation for traffic changes was poorly managed, with residents near Hawks Road not being properly notified while those on Albert Road were well-informed of the process

Criticized the Albert Road Low Traffic Neighbourhood, stating traffic on Hawks Road has increased by 50% and questioning whether the Liberal Democrat council should accept such drawbacks

Reports police have deployed live facial recognition technology in Kingston's crime hotspots as part of security measures

Council portfolio holder expresses satisfaction that schools are embracing green energy after securing funding for solar panels at two Kingston schools

Reports that Ed Davey launched Liberal Democrat campaign saying there's a lot in communities that need fixing and they're the party to fix them

Library user frustrated about having to phone council and navigate multiple options just to renew a library book from Surbiton Library

Resident complains council is a total scam that takes money and gives nothing in return, describing services as useless and impossible to contact

Council unanimously approves balanced budget but residents face 2.99% council tax increase plus 2% adult social care precept amid financial pressures

Campaign group warns Kingston is one of most undemocratic boroughs with Liberal Democrats holding over 90% of seats despite winning less than 44% of votes

Reports that Kingston Independent Residents group petition against traffic restrictions received 505 signatures, leading to council changes

Lead petitioner argues that formal objections to traffic restrictions were not properly discussed and some were edited before publication without proper consultation

Resident submits Freedom of Information request seeking details about which roads will be exempt from Crescent Road traffic restrictions approved by council