What Kingston residents are saying

The council leader defended the budget saying they've managed borough finances well despite challenges and continue delivering quality services while putting residents at the heart of decisions.

A resident complained about poor basic services including overgrown grass verges, weeds on sidewalks, overflowing bins, and bins left scattered after collections.

A resident described the council as a total scam that takes money and gives nothing back, calling it useless, lazy, and completely uninterested in helping residents.

A councillor criticized the Signal Park development as verging on overdevelopment and more suited to Central London than the local area.

A resident expressed concern that the council handled traffic restrictions on Crescent Road badly, saying residents feel decisions were made to them rather than with them.

Opposition councillor expressed delight that Liberal Democrat councillors broke ranks to agree to review the yellow boxes, but speculated the move might be party political with elections approaching.

A resident told councillors that the current yellow box setup hasn't made things safer or smoother but has made the junction more stressful and confusing while punishing ordinary drivers.

A resident told a council meeting that yellow boxes extend beyond junctions and any justice for people caught there needs reviewing to ensure fair treatment.

A 72-year-old driver is threatening legal action against the council over yellow box junctions, claiming they extend beyond actual junctions and trap motorists unfairly.

A butcher shop owner described the yellow box junction as purely a money-making scheme rather than traffic control, saying the local government won't change it because it generates revenue.

Announced community priorities remain burglary, theft from motor vehicles, and anti-social behavior including drugs, neighbor disputes, and speeding issues

250 residents signed petition demanding council rule out removing Fountain Roundabout entirely, wanting alternative safety solutions explored instead of complete removal

Raised concerns about Houses in Multiple Occupation impacting community cohesion, parking availability, and waste management issues in their neighborhood

Sharing updates about revised Canbury Gardens playground designs after taking community feedback into account, asking residents to attend engagement events

Urged council to immediately recruit replacement for departing Biodiversity Officer, warning about maintaining momentum of greener focus and concerns about planning decisions lacking ecology expert input

Expressed frustration at being asked to make traffic management decisions with only five hours left in consultation period, feeling like councillors were being bounced into decisions

Gathered 505 signatures opposing traffic restrictions on Crescent Road, arguing the council handled the decision badly and residents felt decisions were made to them not with them

Expressed delight that Liberal Democrat councillors broke ranks to agree to review the controversial yellow box junctions, speculating the move may be politically motivated before May elections

Expressed concern that the Tolworth development scheme is verging on overdevelopment and more suited to Central London rather than the local area

Council leader says they've managed finances well despite challenges and continue putting residents first while delivering quality services as highlighted in peer review

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