15/04/2014 BBC London News

to condemn it. Now it is time to join the news teams where you are.

Tonight on BBC London News... Revealed ` the boroughs raising the

most money by using CCTV to fine motorists. Campaigners say they're

being fleeced. Councils say the fines make the roads safer. I won't

pay these people, I will never pay them. I will fight. The officers

responsible for that, I will drag them over the culls in a court case.

Councils say the fines make roads safer.

Also tonight... The family firm refusing to move to make way for the

multi`million pound`redevelopment of White Hart Lane.

The row over whether this pub should be turned into a mosque.

And from impressionist to actor ` Rory Bremner tells us about his West

End debut in a Noel Coward comedy. When Trevor Nunn says, I think you

can do this play, you think, really? OK. You couldn't be in

better hands. Good evening and welcome to the

programme. London's councils have used CCTV to

fine motorists more than ?280 million pounds over the past five

years. According to data compiled by a campaign group, one borough alone

has raised more than ?30 million. The Government says it'll clamp down

on what it is says is an abuse of the technology. But councils say the

cameras improve safety and deny they're using them just to raise

money. It has been well publicised that

county councils are not allowed to use them money they raise from CCTV

traffic cameras for revenue, but questions are being asked not about

what the money is being used for, but what seems to be raised. It is

going into hundreds of millions. Drivers are being told that if they

do get a fine through their letterbox, they should double`check

whether they have to pay it. We are used to being filmed in London. You

figure is sure these cameras have made us more useful for paying

fines. There is one man in Camden who has decided he is not going to

pay a penny more. One council has called him a parking terrorist. The

bailiff that two clamps on. I said, why two? He said, because I know who

you are. Richard's building firm gets around 1000 parking tickets per

year and he says he successfully appealed all but about 50. He treats

each case with determination. I will fight these and the officers

responsible, I will drag them over the calls in a court case. Richard

has helped one woman who now chooses two wields over four after she got

caught out. I was shocked because I did not realise I did do anything

wrong. I drove through the restriction because I thought the

middle that was restricted. I thought it was OK to drive through

them. Councils claim cameras are a deterrent, not eight moneyspinner,

but that they bring revenue. The top 20 money earning authorities can be

found in the capital. The oink fairies. `` the amount varies. The

scale of the income at the moment seems to be extremely high. What we

have been clear about is that they should not be using parking charges

and fines as a source of revenue, that goes against natural justice

and is not what the law allows for. Some councils, like Westminster,

have cut the number of their cameras like two thirds. `` by two thirds.

Where there is a need for CCTV we will use it, but it is only in

exceptional circumstances where there is a legitimate reason and all

other avenues have been dismissed. Until that happens, drivers had

better keep their eyes peeled if they are to keep old of their cash.

We have spoken to Camden Council and they say they have raised all that

money, but they comply with all the codes of practice and legal

guidelines associated with collecting CCTV traffic revenue. We

have also spoken to the Local Government Association and they

maintain there is a need for CCTV picking up traffic problems, because

schools, safety campaigners and pedestrian Association is also it

makes the streets safer. `` pedestrian associations.

Lots more to come including... The latest house prices figures show

they're continuing to soar. How long will it go on?

A family who own a sheet metal factory based next to Tottenham

Football Club is refusing to relocate, meaning a scheme to

improve White Hart Lane could be jeopardised. The plans, which

involve redeveloping the area around the club, have clashed with the

manufacturing firm's own plans to expand. Many millions of pounds of

development funds are now at stake, as Warren Nettleford reports.

Archway Sheet Metals have been operating for more than 30 years. If

you have had a late`night kebab one of their machines probably cooked it

for you. They are in the shadow of this Spurs ground but if the club

have their way they could be forced to move. The reason is the scale of

Todman's ambition, a new stadium, new homes and retail space. It does

not show that if the factory state where it is, it would be in the

middle of the pitch. This site is derelict, but there were other

factories and industrial units. The company have plans of their own.

They employ 20 people and want to expand and say they have planning

permission. They are regenerating and taking away jobs as well as

creating jobs. This is our home and we are already here. We can give

local people the choice to work in Tottenham. We don't object to them

developing their stadium, but we wanted to be fair, that's all.

Tottenham are waiting on the result of a public consultation which began

last year. Haringey Council's attempt to use a compulsory purchase

order has been reviewed by the Communities Secretary who says a

decision will be made in due course. Spurs say the demands are excessive

and the new stadium is considered crucial to kick`start the

regeneration of the area. The solicitor representing the family

has reservations. The role of CPO, compulsory purchase, is not to

stifle good, young businesses. The role of CPO is not to support

wealthy commercial enterprises like Spurs. It is here to support the

public interest. Tottenham CV 's expansion plans as vital for them to

challenge the top clubs in Europe. `` Tottenham see these. If this plan

is not backed, it could be on hold. Human bones have been discovered

buried under a driveway in South London. The skeletal remains,

including what are believed to be part of a skull, were found by

workmen in Purley yesterday. The remains were discovered in

Riddlesdown Road and after being confirmed as human, the bones were

sent to anthropologists to determine how old they are.

A mother sentenced to a minimum of 14 years in prison for murdering her

11`month`old son has had her sentence increased to 17 years,

after the original decision was deemed too lenient. Emma Wilson's

son Callum died from a brain injury after she beat and blinded him at

their home in Windsor three years ago.

A top athlete from Sierra Leone who went missing after competing in the

London Marathon still hasn't been located. 24`year`old Mahmi Konneh

Lahun failed to return to her accommodation in Greenwich and

missed her flight home yesterday. Following the story for us is

Richard Slee. What do the police have to say? They have told us that

detectives from the missing persons unit in Greenwich are actively

looking for Mahmi Konneh Lahun, but they do not believe she has any

contacts in the UK and they do not believe she has a mobile phone

either. She arrived in the country last Monday. She was due to fly home

yesterday afternoon. The last time she was seen was in the athletes'

warm down area at the end of the Marys on in London on Sunday, `` the

Marathon on Sunday. She is an accomplished athlete and last year

won the marathon in her own country, where she is a record holder. It is

a mystery why she is now. Staying with the marathon, the race was

marred by the death of the 42`year`old runner who collapsed at

the finish line. I gathered that Robert Berry had complained about

struggling for breath? On his blog he made a number of comments about

breathing problems during his training in the weeks leading up to

Sunday's marathon. In one blog he says, I have used my inhaler three

times in the last week whereas I might use it three times in a year.

Two days started out very slowly, he says, and breathing was a struggle.

He had hoped to raise ?1700 for his chosen charity, the National

Osteoporosis Society, and when we looked a while ago the figure had

already surpassed ?50,000, with most of that donated today.

An appeal has been heard to date over whether an historic pub in

Waltham Forest should be converted into a mosque. The proposal has

split the local community, with critics worried about the effect of

traffic on nearby residents. Others argue a mosque will be an

improvement on a pub that was open until two in the morning. Alex

Bushill reports. Which building should be at the

heart of your community? This pub was once and maybe again in the

future. There has been a pub on the site for over 160 years. It is now

the subject of a tug`of`war big green those who want to have it

remain as a pub and those who wanted to have a spiritual use. `` talk of

yard `` tug`of`war between those. A local community have had their

planning application rejected. Today they appealed the decision and

appealed for support from all communities. There are only 16

mosques. There is not enough. It is not just a place of worship, it is a

place of education and integration with the community and social

activities. 16 mosques for 56,000 population is not enough. We have

residential properties to the side and the rear so it is inappropriate

for a mosque. The council accept another mosque is needed, not here.

Use it would be noisy, but I cannot my Sirte `` myself think because of

the busy road. Surely a mosque is less noisy than a pub? We are

talking about more cars coming to the site and hours that are not

always sociable for people trying to get rest in their homes. The mosque

supporters argue a place of worship is an improvement as it will not

attract the anti`social behaviour that a pub doors with a late

licence. Not so, according to this campaign. In our area we have lost

52% of our public houses. Today, pubs are a social gathering for you

have book clubs, you have gatherings from mothers and toddlers, coughing

mornings. It is also somewhere for people to get together and have a

chat. The appeal began today and an independent planning inspector will

decide, but not for a few more weeks at least.

A fire on a building site in Tooting has been brought under control by

more than 30 firefighters. London Fire Brigade says the three storey

building in Mitcham Road partly collapsed after the fire broke out

just after five o clock this morning. No`one was hurt and the

cause is being investigated. Still to come... The games are

continuing here. Find out how these young Londoners have been spending

their Easter holidays later in the programme.

Rory Bremner tells us about his West End debut in a Noel Coward comedy.

Figures out today show that house prices in London have risen by their

fastest rate for nearly seven years. Over the last 12 months the cost of

a house in the capital has increased by an average of 17.7%, the highest

rate since July, 2007, and nearly double the average UK average of

9.1%. So how long can these rises go on for? Joining us now is Matthew

Pointon, housing economist at Capital Economics and property agent

Nicholas Ayre. Welcome to the programme. Matthew,

are we heading for a crash? Not at the moment. The reason prices are

going up so fast is there are a lot of first`time buyers, a lot of

demand and that has pushed prices up and that is the case at the minute.

Longer term to seek a crash in prices need a shock to the market

and we do not see anything like that on the horizon at the moment. The

economy is growing again and interest rates will eventually

rise, but it will not happen until 2015. So they can carry on going up

and up? At this rate, no it is not sustainable. But our central view is

the rate of increase. Slow down and earnings will start to catch up. You

are a property Finder for people. What do you think about the market?

I concur with what you have just said about the fact we have a

limited supply and huge demand. When I am with my clients we are looking

for value, so we are not prepared to pay any old price that a vendor

might demand of us. How much of a problem is it for your clients that

the prices seem to be going up and up? They have a finite amount of

capital. Indeed they do, whether you are spending ?500,000 or 1.5

million. If somebody demands a huge amount of money, we decide we do not

want to pay it. We do not move forward with that transaction. So, I

these price rises sustainable? Longer term, I do not think they

are. Buyers like my clients and others will eventually say we do not

want to pay it. Are we talking about two different types of market in

London? Presumably some people are looking for property in central

London, but do you think the outer suburbs will see a crash and sooner?

Well, they have not experienced the same games. Some boroughs like

Harrow are gaining by 5%, but Hackney is taking off and where

there are bubble`like conditions. Those areas are less at risk. Will

those areas see prices rise even further as people realise? The

ripple effect can happen. People who cannot afford to buy in central

London will start to move out to the other boroughs. We expect them to

catch up with the centre. Prime areas like Kensington are starting

to slow down now, because the pound is not such good value to overseas

buyers. Will this demand ever tailed off? What. Your clients in their

tracks? People need to live somewhere and my clients want to

live in central London, they either work here or they have family here.

Longer term I do not see anything of the driver to put a halt to it.

Matthew, do you think something will have to be done? Will the Government

have to intervene? A recent poll out today says this is the number`1

concern for Londoners, it has surpassed transport. It is prices.

Will they have to step in? What can they do? Building more houses is a

prime thing they can do and we are seeing high`rises being approved at

the minute. But also the taxation of property could go up. Labour and the

Lib Dems are saying they will put a mansion tax on houses of high value.

We have to leave it there. The 2012 Paralympic games was

described as a huge inspiration for young people with disabilities and

today more than 100 children from east London are being given a

special opportunity to try out a sport that they have not experienced

before. Today more than 100 children from east London are being given a

special opportunity. It is taking place at the Stoke Mandeville

Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement. Tara Welsh is

there for us now. What have people been up to?

What have they not been doing? We have seen all sorts. Judo,

swimming, wheelchair basketball, and now they are back out playing

tennis. They have had dinner and they are staying here for three

knights. They have all been chosen to come to this specialist sports

camp. Liam lost his sight when he was six,

but retained his passion for sport. He may be riding bikes today, but it

is a different talent he hopes will get him to the Olympics. I have

loved playing football my whole life. I hoped to represent England

in Rio in 2016 and carry on from there. The dream is not so far away,

the young people get to play alongside Paralympian is even if it

is not their speciality. Sometimes I think I cannot do this, I cannot do

that, whereas days like this and projects like this highlight there

is so much you can do. And there are all sorts of spores to try. All of

these young people are from the Olympic boroughs, not far from

where" won a medal for judo. His job is to get more people into sport.

There are far more opportunities to find a spot, whether it is disabled

or non`disabled. There are opportunities all over the place.

But this centre is particularly accessible and young people do not

get to use facilities like this every day. It is not your particular

club or programme, it is really good because you meet lots of different

people. I really think it is brilliant. When you are in a

mainstream school may be the opportunity is not there to provide

support for children with disabilities. Sometimes it is the

cost of providing these opportunities and that is why it is

important. Whether it is about trying something

new or training for a future career, everybody seems to be having a good

time. As you can imagine it takes lots of

different pots of money and different organisations to put

things like this together. Martin is one of those organisers. Tell me the

significance of holding it here. Stoke Mandeville is the birthplace

of the Paralympic movement and where better to inspire young people after

the spectacular London 2012 to take up sport and have fun? When they go

back to their boroughs like new and Tower Hamlets, I think is different

for disabled people in London since the games? Through various

programmes and events we have been able to provide the opportunities

for youngsters, not only here instead Mandeville, but back in

London boroughs. We work with them to perform clubs. The new club is

behind us playing tennis. That is the way they will continue to enjoy

a healthy life way after the games and it is the real legacy of

London, 2012. It is fantastic they are here at Stoke Mandeville being

inspired to play sport. We want them to do it all the time. We have

already met Liam and some other Paralympic hopefuls here this week.

Next, Rory Bremner, famous for his impressions of course and no

stranger to the stage, but now he's making his debut as an actor in the

West End. He is among the stars of the Noel

Coward comedy Relative Values and who better to give him some tips

than his co`star, the award`winning comedy actress Caroline Quentin? Our

arts correspondent Brenda Emmanus went to meet him. You have been with

the family longer than I have, but you do not seem to mind this

terrible thing, you make jokes about it. Set in the early 1950s, Caroline

Quentin, Patricia Hodge and Rory Bremner reprise their roles in

Relative Values. Directed by Trevor Nunn it is one of several of Noel

Carra's works that continues to delight audiences, but this cast had

a confession to make. I had never seen a Noel Coward play until I was

in this one and it was really embarrassing. People say he is such

a great writer. Is he not all about cigarette holders? But actually he

is a truly genius writer and the jokes are as funny as they would

have been in 1951. What were you doing in my room? You asked me to

get your work basket. This march your West End debut. I did some

stand`up about ten years ago, but not just the West End because I have

not acted before. I did some at university, but Caroline and

Patricia have taught me a lot and also Trevor Nunn. I want you to do

this play. You think, really? You could not be in better hands.

Dealing with issues of culture and snobbery, Relative Values was first

seen at the Savoy Theatre in 1951. It has had several stage revivals

and the cast believe it is one of those plays that will resonate with

contemporary audiences. I assumed we would only have middle`aged people

coming to see this play, but a lot of young people are coming. That is

interesting because they seem to really get it. This satire of

snobbery has come from a successful tour to hit the west end which

brings an added challenge. There is something about to ring because you

get to know each other as they cast and you start bonding and then you

get into the west end and you feel the stakes are high. They will all

be raising their game at the Harold Pinter Theatre until June.

Now let's take a look at the weather. Another lovely day.

You can see what a glorious day it was, not a bit of cloud in the sky.

The big picture, we have got high pressure dominating our weather.

Today the high pressure has been allowed in the North Sea. It is a

subtle change and it has changed the wind direction across the London

area and has led to changes for our temperatures. Yesterday we were one

of the warmest sports in the country, but with the change in the

position of the high`pressure, the closer you got to the Thames, the

colder it got. Pretty much cooler across the board by a couple of

degrees. Overnight we keep the light winds and in rural parts we are

looking at a cold night with a touch of frost is developing. It will be a

cold start to tomorrow morning, but tomorrow we have more sunshine and

the wins will be coming in from the south`east, so it will be a little

bit warmer by a degree or two. Very little cloud bubbling up through the

rest of the day. Just like today, if you are out in the sunshine, it

might be worth taking a bit of sunshine. `` suncream. Looking at

the weather on Thursday a week whether Frank is trying to move down

from the north and the West, so make the most of the early morning

sunshine on Thursday because it clouds over in the afternoon. There

could be an odd spot of rain in the chilled tones. It could be even

warmer and we could see highs of 18 or 20 degrees. In the run`up to the

Easter weekend it is not a bad start, but things could turn

unsettled perhaps on Sunday or Monday.

The main news headlines: Thousands had gathered in Liverpool to mark

the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in which 96

Liverpool fans died. One minute's silence was held at the exact moment

when the match was abandoned. West Midlands police have publicly

criticised the Government's decision to bring in the former national head

of counterterrorism to head an investigation into Birmingham

schools. London's councils have used CCTV to

fine motorists more than ?280 million over the past five years.

The Government says it will clamp down on the practice.

I will be back later on the ten o'clock news. Have a lovely evening.

..but there are goodies galore in Shrek Forever After.