Government's latest claim on emissions

I was disgusted by the Government's move at the weekend to try and evade it's responsibilities over renewables - see news release here - also today I commented on the Heathrow protests last week here and haven't mentioned comment re seals last week here - but for this blog more on emissions....

Photo: Larch trees in Standish woods

The Government is claiming (again) it has made great strides towards reducing emissions with the provisional figures for 2007 showing a reduction in the Kyoto basket of gases and CO2 of (both) 2%. If these reductions prove to be confirmed, it is clearly welcome. However, there is little for Labour to jump up and down about.

Firstly, the figures are provisional and tucked away at the end of the Government's press release is a note that this year's figures are unusually uncertain.

Secondly, if the reduction proves real, it means that UK CO2 emissions (CO2 being the most important greenhouse gas) has fallen by just 0.8% since Labour came to power in 1997.

Thirdly, a large proportion of the 2007 fall is due to switching fuel supplies in powers stations from coal to gas ie it is not a structural change in the economy.

Finally, what is much more significant is that the figures that the Government continues to use are highly inaccurate. The National Audit Office recently produced a report criticising the accurancy of the figures used by the Government. The figures exclude international aviation, shipping and UK imports. FoE estimate that the missing CO2 from international aviation alone is depressing the total artificially by a range (varies year to year) of 20 to 40 million tonnes per annum.

Indeed the National Audit Office investigation shows Britain's climate change emissions may be 12% higher than officially stated. They also strongly criticised the government for using two different carbon accounting systems - saying there is "insufficient consistency and coordination" in the government's approach. See more here.

In addition to the NAO paper, there's another couple of very readable academic papers worth a quick read on this topic - they look at carbon emissions from a consumption point of view and suggest that the UK's supposed carbon cuts are significantly to do with the fact that we use a production-based accounting convention at the same time as offshoring all our manufacturing - so it looks like our carbon's falling because it now shows up in China's totals where all our goods are now produced. That shows how ridiculous it is when people trot out the old line about the UK only being responsible for 2% of emissions and claim that it therefore doesn't matter what action we take to cut carbon emissions here.

The papers are at
http://www.dieterhelm.co.uk/publications/Carbon_record_2007.pdf and
http://www.fcrn.org.uk/researchLib/PDFs/druckman_paper.pdf

Also while I am on this topic - transport is a very large producer of CO2 and is growing fast as car use rises (outside London) and lorry activity continues to grow at large rates - see my previous post today on the cuts to the no.46 bus service. Some have said to me, that well now there are lower carbon fuels and better engines (e.g. 120g/km of CO2) - however we need to remember that trends like longer distances to shop and work and reducing average vehicle occupancy can cancel out CO2 gains. Consumption defeats technology.

The Lancaster bypass will generate 24,000 tonnes of CO2 each year. New roads, extra lanes etc add to the problem. We have a massive road building programme that locks us into a carbon-rich future

Aviation is clearly one key area that we need to tackle - dozens of blog entries on this topic - also shipping which as noted gets neglected - but we need to be careful about just having the high speed train substitution for aviation as some have argued. If we get people out of aircraft and onto trains this frees up slots at airports that can be used for more flights to the Seychelles or air freight

If we had a "decent" carbon audit linked to budgets we would find that this dreadful government gives preference to spending that increases CO2 rather than the other way round......enough for now - need a cup of tea....

Dr Newton's way gets a make-over

For many years the underpass below Dr Newton’s Way at Wallbridge has been blighted by graffiti, often using offensive language. Indeed last year I chatted to several of the 'artists' and asked them about whether having permission for a mural would be good - some were cagey, a couple said it would be a good thing - certainly evidence from other areas is that it is positive move - see my previous blogs on the topic...

Photo: mural

It is great to hear that the Town Council working with others plus a group of four street artists have in three days transformed the entire underpass - go see it! Apparently almost 100 cans of paint have been used for the mural - and local businessman Oliver Jelf, proprietor of the Illustration Gallery in Middle Street, co-ordinated the team. He is quoted saying: “These are renowned street artists, as this was a really difficult thing to produce. It takes years of practice to be skilled enough to do this sort of very detailed work. I think people will be surprised at what they see.”

Stroud Mayor John Marjoram said: "Standing next to the canal, and alongside the cycle trail, this forms a key gateway into the town for hundreds of people every day. A top priority for local residents is to make Stroud a cleaner, safer place. We hope this will be a good example of how this can be achieved."

Colin Peake, anti-social behaviour co-ordinator for the Stroud Safer Stronger Community Partnership, is keen to find more sites to turn the people into better artists - contact him on 01453 754297.

Latest on number 46 bus cuts

First up is the county response to my letter re the cuts - also had one from the Cabinet member - then below is my response to their letters.

For many years there was no evening service on route 46. With the opening of the Stroud cinema complex we were asked to consider putting some evening journeys on so, in partnership with Stagecoach, we organised the current service, which started in November 2005. We realise that it takes a little while for new travel opportunities to become well used but, sadly, the service is only carrying an average of 3 passengers per journey and it is therefore difficult to justify its continuation especially when the operation costs continue to rise.

The cost of the current contract is £46K and that is fixed price, meaning Stagecoach keeps the revenue. To renew the contract would have cost in the region of £60k. I take your point about the diversionary route but even before last July floods loadings were poor, for example in June 07 the average loading was 5 passengers per trip. You would have though an evening service from Nailsworth - Stroud - Painswick to Cheltenham would be well supported; unfortunately the patronage has been very disappointing.

We have a finite budget available for bus service support and it is important that we focus these resources on journeys, which carry and thus benefit significant numbers of users. At the present time it is difficult to justify providing an evening service.

Public Transport Planner, Integrated Transport Unit, Gloucestershire County Council

Here's my reply:
Thanks for reply. I have a number of queries below, but first I give a huge welcome to your plans to look to see if a Night Bus service can be included on this route. I accept that the withdrawal of the rural transport grants by the Government and the poor handling of the free pass scheme for the elderly have greatly contributed to the problems facing the County. However while I understand resources are limited, the County is also not doing enough to improve the bus services to encourage greater usage.

Stroud 'Bus Station' for example remains an unpleasant place to wait, while routes and timetables could be significantly better advertised. When the Randwick village service was stopped it took several phone calls and over two weeks before timetables were changed: residents were left waiting for buses that never turned up. Another example I have raised before is the failure in my view to capitalise on the closure of the A46 to encourage greater public transport use.

I know you know that the more services are cut, the more it makes it difficult to use the remaining services - I have only used the evening service twice in the last year - both times when I was late from a meeting in Cheltenham. I will have to think now about whether to use the bus at all if there is a possibility I will be delayed. We urgently need the County to engage with community groups, local councillors and more to increase usage of public transport.

I am sure you will have seen the work of the Campaign for Better Transport - see their key aims. One you will note is the need for routes to have evening services.

1. I would welcome your analysis re these cuts. It seems strange on the basis of your passenger figures to be cutting all three evening services. At the very least why not cut one service? But before even that why are you not using the media and other resources to publicise the bus better? Painswick Parish made that point in the SNJ.

2. I would welcome further information on how you have consulted. The publicity re the cuts has been minimal - my brief conversation with two Parish Councils suggests they have not had the info long enough to discuss at a meeting (most only meet once a month) and the first press coverage was last Wednesday in the SNJ. Several other councillors note they have not had any information. Two local residents phoned me yesterday after I sent out some info - both have used the route in the past and had no idea it was being stopped in the evening.

3. The County is making progress in some limited areas regarding transport but overall there is very much more needed if we are to cut our CO2 emissions by 80% as latest research indicates. Transport is the fastest growing source of climate change gases in the UK; road transport alone now accounts for 26% of emissions. I would welcome understanding more about how the County is planning to put public transport at the heart of their transport policies as at present I do not see enough evidence of this. The Campaign for Better Transport has many good examples of good practice - I would love to see more of these applied locally.

I wish you well in your efforts to find ways to continue and expand this service - all the best - Philip

Motion to Council on Post Offices

Full Council on 17th April so councillors have been trying to agree a motion re post offices - unfortunately as the deadline is noon today it appears a couple of motions are going in that are very similar - emails and phone calls have been flying around - hopefully still a chance to sort, possibly into one motion or at least one statement...Tomorrow's Scrutiny will be discussing the issue and I can make part of that meeting - it might even get a mention on Thursday's scrutiny as well which I will also be at....we'll see...

Scary photo: putting up more of those posters

The motion below is a draft of John Marjoram's which I am signing along with other Greens and others who have already offered their support. Labour have put in another motion which I would also support - it is well put together but only focuses on the issue of getting Councils to support post offices like in Essex - to me the wider picture is v important....anyhow here is the draft...

Draft Post Office closure motion to the District Council

Recognising that this council is:
1, Committed to the sustainability and social cohesion of all the local communities within the District
2, Working to cut social deprivation of all people within the District
3, Committed through our Environmental strategy to cut C02 emmisions within the District

This Council will take the further action by:
1, Sending a letter or delegation to the Secretary of State condemning the Government in their action of directing Post Office Ltd to close 2500 within the country and with special reference to the Post Offices in the District, namely Ebley Stroud, Forest Green Nailsworth, Highfield Dursley, Horsley nr Nailsworth, Sharpness, South Wodchester,Uplands and Uplands Stroud and the effect it will have on current outreach services.
The rational for this representation is that it contravenes the stated objectives of our District, as above and the Government’s overall stated policy objectives
2, That we send a letter of congratulation to our MP, David Drew in voting against the closure of post offices in the debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 19th March.
3,That the Chief Executive makes contact with the other five District Councils in Gloucestershire stating our representation and encouraging them to take similar action
4, That this Council works with the County Council (who have already passed a resolution opposing closure of 39 Post Offices within Gloucestershire)
5, That a cross party Councillor’s working group with administrative support, be set up forthwith to investigate a support programme for Post offices under threat in this District and to open up discussions with Post Office Ltd to find options of retaining these current services.

Easter art sessions for children

I've just been sent details of these sessions in Paganhill - Mon 7 – Fri 11 April - 9.30-12.30 & 1.30-4.30. 6-12yr olds £8 per session £7 3+ sessions. Book now for a place Val 01453 759296
vsaunders@toucansurf.com

Learn new skills & have fun!

Photo: Randwick woods last month

Tibet update

Many of us have seen the terrible images of violence and repression in Chinese-occupied Tibet - today I was sent a link from a Canadian news service claiming Britain's GCHQ (the government communications agency that electronically monitors half the world from space) has confirmed the claim by the Dalai Lama that agents of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, the PLA, posing as monks, triggered the riots that have left hundreds of Tibetans dead or injured.

Photo: This was taken from the report - it is apparently not an uncommon 'tactical move' from the Chinese government as could be seen from the 2003 annual TCHRD Report

GCHQ analysts, according to this report, believe the decision was deliberately calculated by the Beijing leadership to provide an excuse to stamp out the simmering unrest in the region, which is already attracting unwelcome world attention in the run-up to the Olympic Games this summer. I have found it hard to confirm this report - there is lots on the web about it but little in the way of sources....nevertheless this fits with other evidence and the photo is interesting and indeed chilling in itself if it really is what it looks like...there is indeed lots of hard evidence of the shocking Chinese tactics - see the Free Tibet and Amnesty websites.

It was however great to read that the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, yesterday became the first world leader to decide not to attend the Olympics in Beijing. European leaders have rightly condemned human rights abuses in Burma and Zimbabwe, but it seems that it is increasingly difficult not to conclude that the desire not to upset trading relations with China is persuading the West to put money before morality.

In 1986 I spent a month in Tibet that was very special indeed - and two months in China. I have taken a keen interest in this issue since then and strongly consider that we need to hear our governments using every possible political and diplomatic instrument to change China's policy in Tibet. We need an end to violence in Chinese-occupied Tibet, and the recognition of Tibet’s right to self determination.

People supporting China's hosting of the Olympics have argued that it gives us leverage to influence China on human rights. If that is the case, we need to use that lever and be prepared to boycott aspects of the Games unless China acts. The Chinese government must end human rights abuses, release political prisoners, and allow full media access within Tibet.

Still a chance for a referendum on EU Treaty?

There is still a chance we can get a referendum on the EU Treaty - slim but a chance - it only takes 30 seconds to try and stop a Lib Dem U-turn...and below why Greens are for a referendum...

Following the debate in the House of Commons, in which most MPs voted against a referendum on the EU Lisbon Treaty, the I Want a Referendum campaign has turned its attention to the House of Lords, where the parliamentary arithmetic is more favourable to a referendum. The Lords are expected to vote on whether or not there should be a referendum in early June, and will discuss the issue for the first time on Tuesday 1 April.

In the House of Lords, the key to winning the referendum vote lies with the Liberal Democrats. If they stick to the line they took in the Commons and abstain from the vote in the Lords, then the referendum vote could well be won. There are 216 Labour peers, most of whom are likely to vote against a referendum, 202 Conservative peers, many of whom will vote for a referendum, and 196 crossbenchers, around half of whom may vote for a referendum. So that means that if the 78 Lib Dem peers abstain, there could well be a majority to trigger a referendum. It could be that the one Green peer, Lord Beaumont, will play a central role in this as the voting margins will be tight.

Lib Dem U-turn threatened

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg is coming under pressure from anti-referendum peers like Shirley Williams to allow them to vote against a referendum, rather than abstain. And there are rumours that Nick Clegg will cave in to this pressure, which would torpedo the prospects of a referendum. Please email Nick Clegg to urge him to stick to the line he took during the vote in the House of Commons - it took me less than a minute. Tell him that:

1) The Liberal Democrats should really be voting for the referendum which they promised at the last election.
2) At the very least Nick Clegg must not allow his peers to vote against the referendum, which nine out of ten people in Britain want.
3) It would be hypocritical to do one thing in the Commons,and then do something completely different in the Lords.

You can contact Nick Clegg by email: cleggn@parliament.uk. If you can, please copy in susannah@iwantareferendum.com Read more at: www.iwantareferendum.com

Green view (adapted from Caroline Lucas)

It is ‘perfectly possible’ to take a progressive pro-European stance in the debate over the Treaty of Lisbon while at the same time opposing the Treaty itself. Political leaders throughout the EU have shown extraordinary arrogance and disregard towards their citizens in refusing to hold referenda on the Treaty, as well as in trying to pass off what is essentially a repackaged Constitution as a new ‘Lisbon Treaty’.

Even one of the key architects of the original text, Valery Giscard D'Estaing, has admitted that the proposals in the original constitutional treaty are practically unchanged. As he says, “they have simply been dispersed through the old treaties in the form of amendments.

I don't oppose the principle of a constitution. But I oppose this particular one – and the Treaty which reproduces it. While the Treaty of Lisbon includes some positive measures these are outweighed by negative ones - the further militarisation of the EU, for example, as well as measures to promote increased free trade and economic liberalisation. Worse still, it squanders a unique opportunity to put sustainability and climate security genuinely at the heart of the Union, and fails to bring the EU institutions closer to European citizens.

The Green Party's vision of the European Union is one based on peace, democracy, and social justice. We have a vision of a Green Europe, which enforces ambitious policies for a more sustainable future, and which allows for rich cultural and social exchange between nations and regions.

Boycott Heinz?

Heinz can keep their "Farmers' Market" brand name despite protests - see previous blogs on this here.

Yesterday the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) rejected 25 complaints, including mine, that Heinz TV and press adverts implied the soups' ingredients came from farmers' markets. Stroud Farmers' Market organiser Clare Gerbrands is quoted in The Citizen saying: "How disappointing. I still think it (the Heinz soups) is nothing to do with farmers' markets. Farmers' markets are direct from the producer to the customer. Maybe the law needs changing?"

Nineteen members of the public (see my complaint on previous blogs) joined food and farming organisations, including Hampshire Farmers' Markets Ltd and The Real Jam and Chutney Co, in complaining to the ASA. But the ASA said the adverts, inviting the public to "taste the countryside", had been unlikely to mislead. Heinz apparently had lent clarity to the nature of the ingredients used by stating that they were sourced in the UK and other countries. The panel concluded: "We noted that, although one respondent thought that the soups were inspired by farmers' markets, none of the respondents had expressed confusion about the source of the product's ingredients. We considered that most viewers would understand that it was unlikely that a canned product, distributed on a national scale by Heinz, would be made from ingredients sourced locally from farmers' markets."

As Clare says, the law needs changing - farmers' markets are about fresh and local, this soup is neither and not even made or sold in farmers' markets. A marketing gimmick that makes a mockery of labeling products. I don't buy Heinz stuff anyway - at least I can't think of anything - but their attitude leaves a nasty taste that will no doubt guide me well away from their products in future!

Ethical politician of the year comes to Stroud

Caroline Lucas to speak at Sub Rooms in Stroud on 11th April on 'The Future of Food'

Stroud District Green Party were delighted to announce today that Dr. Caroline Lucas, Member of the European Parliament and a Green Party Principal Speaker, will be visiting Stroud for the first time on Friday, April 11th. She is brill and I strongly recommend people don't miss her! Here is the press release I've just sent out - do please pass this onto others.

Dr. Lucas, is also the Parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion and has an excellent chance of becoming one of the Party’s first MPs at the next General Election. During the day, she will highlight the closure of local Post Offices in Nailsworth and in Stroud, while in the evening she will speak at a public meeting at the Subscription Rooms along with Stroud’s own Parliamentary candidate Cllr Martin Whiteside and Nick Weir from Stroud Community Supported Agriculture. They will talk on ‘The Future of Food’, covering many aspects of this subject from a local, national and international perspective, and with reference to the largely rural nature of Stroud constituency.

Martin Whiteside said: “The Future of Food concerns us all; Climate Change and Peak Oil pose massive challenges to feeding the World - already far too many people go to bed hungry. If we don’t act now this could get much worse, with wars over food, mass migration and chaos that will affect us all.”

DETAILS: 'The Future of Food' will be at the Subscription Rooms, Stroud at 7.30pm on 11th April 2008. Free entry but donation to cover costs welcomed.

Caroline Lucas was first elected to the European Parliament in 1999 and was re-elected in 2004. Several recent polls have named her as a leading opinion maker and among the country’s most influential politicians. In last year's Observer Ethical Awards she was named Politician of the Year and this January was named one of the Guardian’s ‘Top 50 eco heroes’.

Her many successes include forcing the European Commission to undertake legal investigations into the British nuclear industry, and the promotion of safe renewable energy as its alternative. One of the Green Party’s most charismatic figures, she affirms that its aims are, “To be progressive, to be competent, and to bring honesty and integrity back into politics.” She has worked with numerous charities and other NGOs, including the RSPCA, Oxfam and CND. Read more at: http://www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk/

Stroud Town Mayor and District Councillor John Marjoram said, “Caroline has chosen to come to Stroud because she recognises it as a significant place in which a Green MP could be elected, and because it is a hugely important centre for Green Party activity.”

For more information or to arrange interview contact: Rosie Reed 01285-760508

Protest at loss of evening bus service 46

A resident this morning has alerted me to the fact that Gloucestershire County Council are proposing to withdraw the evening service for 46, currently financially supported by Gloucestershire County Council.

This is what they wrote on their website: "When we introduced the evening service in 2005 it was well supported. However recent analysis of the route has been disappointing indicating poor passenger support over the last six months. We therefore cannot justify continuing to fund the evening service balanced against passenger usage. The last day of operation of the evening service will be 29th March 2008."

Please email your protests to:
busconsultation@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Or telephone:
01452 425985

Here is what I wrote just now:

News that the County are planning to stop all three of the number 46 evening bus services between Nailsworth, Stroud and Cheltenham is a serious blow. Apparently passenger numbers which have been good, have dropped over the last six months. Interestingly this period coincides with the A46 closure and the poor publicity of re-timetabling which may well have added to problems, but it is also an indication that our County needs to do much more to promote public transport.

Our rural bus is an increasingly endangered species. Nationally research reveals the hidden problem of rural bus cuts and the devastating impact the cuts have on people and communities: elderly villagers left isolated, hospital visitors and workers without a public transport option, schoolchildren without school buses and tourists inconvenienced by rerouted buses (i).

This is a wrong decision by our County Council, but our Government is also to blame. They should be seeking to revive and strengthen the fragile and endangered rural bus by giving local authorities more powers over buses, creating a more stable and secure funding regime and establishing a bus passenger watchdog.

Our countryside is increasingly becoming a ghetto for the rich, completely inaccessible for those without cars. Good rural buses need to be an alternative for people with cars as well as a lifeline for those without. Please think again before stopping these buses.

Philip Booth

(i) Case studies, covering every region of England: http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/system/files/Rural_buses_case_studies_0.pdf

Report: http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/system/files/rural_buses.pdf

Gully cleaning lorry in Ruscombe on Tues

Since my last blog on drains I've been having further correspondence with Highways and the GCC Cabinet member responsible. Infact strictly speaking we are talking road gullies not drains (see below).

I'm still pushing for SUDs (see previous blogs/label below), but also for a review - maintenance is at best poor and many need redesigning or improving to cope with the short sharp quantities of water - apparently Highways will be looking at the issue.

Photo: Gully cleaning lorry in Ruscombe on Tues

I've also now heard that our call for action on Humphreys End has been accepted - although there is no date yet - this is great as flooding there can get bad - several times this year it has been more than 20cm deep.

Lastly I made a note of several blocked gullies over the weekend and was going to phone on Tuesday after work - as I drove back, there was the lorry cleaning all the drains through Ruscombe and more - they are now perhaps anticipating my moves??! Don't forget if you see a Gully blocked you can call the emergency gully clearance service on 08000 514514.

What is a Gully? Road gullies allow water to drain away from roads and pavements. They consist of a gully grating and a gully pot underneath, and are situated at the side of the road by the kerb. They are meant to be a quick and efficient removal of rainwater from the highway. See more from SDC here on drains and from GCC on gullies here.

Whiteshill Playgroup raise money for shop

Great to read in Stroud Life about Whiteshill folk raising money for our village shop - see article reproduced below:

Youngsters are helping their arson-hit village shop get back on its feet. Whiteshill Playgroup children pulled on their wellies for a sponsored walk around the village - and raised £400 to boot. "It was fantastic," said play leader Sarah Vines. "We raised £400, which is a lot for 20 children." The Whiteshill and Ruscombe Village Shop suffered around £8,000 damage in November last year in an arson attack. The temporary building in Lower Street suffered around £2,000- damage and the toilets next door, which have disabled facilities, need £5,000 to £6,000 spending on them to out right the damage.

The playgroup is next door in the Scout hut and wanted to help out. Mrs Vines said the children did the walks on four different days.

"We had great fun - some of the children wore oversize wellies and everyone got into the spirit.

"What happened to the shop was awful and we wanted to help out," added Sarah.

Tory leaflet fails to recognise others role in A46

I have to say I was a little miffed by Neil Carmichael again claiming credit for traffic calming measures in Whiteshill - this time in his fancy newspaper delivered to all homes in the area - as far as I know he only attended one meeting there and didn't even talk to the Parish Council - and the local County Councillor has not been seen once by Parish councillors at any meeting. Anyhow I wrote (see below) to Neil, the County councillor and the Cabinet member Stan Waddington - the latter was at least in regular contact with the village and worked hard to help put in place measures.

It is a pity that you have not recognised in this leaflet the work others have done to tackle traffic in Whiteshill - I had at least three onsite meetings with Highways and local councillors regarding this matter. Various others including David Drew and staff at the school also put in time. The Parish Council led the local campaign and even held an open morning to look at traffic issues.

The County did indeed respond well with emergency measures to the serious challenge the A46 closure created but I was deeply disappointed that more was not done to promote alternatives to the car at that time. This would have been a perfect opportunity to get people out of their cars permanently and reduce congestion. I made a number of suggestions re advertising the car share scheme on the route, better bus time tabling, reduced fares and more. None of this translated into action. I also wrote several times to First Great Western who eventually responded positively by producing reduced peak fare rail tickets - but all too late.

I would welcome news that if such a road closure occurs again, alternatives to the car will be looked seriously at as a matter of priority. I also hope that we can count on your support for further important traffic calming measures in the village? The situation has clearly improved with the reopening of the A46 but serious traffic problems still persist. Already a number of measures have been proposed and there is particular support for 20 mph - the speed that not only saves lives but also leads to an increase in cycling and walking.

As I've been quoted saying before, we want our village back and an end to it being a transport corridor.

All the best - Philip

Sign up for Councils email alerts?

If you want to know about jobs at the District Council, planning applications that may affect you, Council news and events (incl Sub Rooms, museum etc) then you can sign up to their new email service:
www.stroud.gov.uk/alerts

Photo: Nailsworth in snow on Saturday - shame it didn't settle - itching to get on sledge again this year!

Volunteer Car Drivers needed

The Village Agent Judith Newman asks: "Would anyone be prepared to offer their voluntary services as a car driver for the elderly and infirm? This would be on a non-profit-making basis, the drivers acting as good neighbours. There are many elderly people living in Randwick, Ruscombe and Whiteshill who have to rely on infrequent bus services and have no other means of getting around. This is even a problem for those wanting to get to events in the village or the surrounding area, a difficulty increased by the hilly nature of the villages and the scattered housing which exists in its upper reaches."

Photo: Red egg at Easter - representing the blood of Christ and rebirth. I still have loads of choccie ones to eat.

If anyone feels they could generously offer their time and service please would they contact me, Judith Newman, your Village Agent on 07776245791

Climate Change is a symptom

A letter sent to 'Stroud Life' below hopefully for next week's edition - plus a cartoon from Russ in response to Martin Kirby and others seeming denial of climate change...

...indeed in today's Citizen Martin Kirby is again having a go at Greens for seeing every extreme weather event as climate change - infact I said the exact opposite - see here - he perhaps does have a point if that were the case but he has clearly failed to read what I had actually written - extraordinary that the editor allows it to be printed - at least they did print my letter last week and today another strongly criticising Martin Kirby's view.

It is views such as Mr Kirby's that damage the case being made for action on climate change. Does he not see that? Or perhaps he doesn't believe the scientists that climate change is real? Even if he does have doubts is it really a risk he wants us to take? He has the privilege of a nearly a whole page in a daily paper every week and instead of using it for good he tries to ridicule those trying to achieve positive change. I don't understand - if you are reading this Mr Kirby let's meet and talk?

Many of us are trying to live greener lifestyles, but we must also challenge our political establishment who are trying to inhabit two parallel worlds. It simply isn't possible to infinitely increase economic growth and simultaneously reduce carbon emissions to safeguard our future.

Climate change is a symptom of our economic system that is based on increased work, consumption and inequality. Our economics encourages rampant consumerism that we use to distract ourselves from meaningless lives that no longer connect to the rhythms and abundance of the natural world. While many have higher 'standards of living', almost all of us are poorer, when it comes to quality of life. Indeed Oliver James's book 'The Selfish Capitalist' shows how our obsession with economic growth has led to extraordinary increases in people's insecurity and unhappiness.

We need to move away from the obsession with free markets, privatisation and accumulation of material wealth to safeguard not just the environment, but also our physical, emotional and mental welfare. It is exciting to see more of us seeking ways to challenge our current economic system. Transition Stroud, our Farmers Market, local currencies and local food initiatives are some examples. Let us hope such visions gain ground to coalesce into a critical mass in time to divert a catastrophe.

A zero carbon future doesn’t have to be a future shivering around a candle in a cave – it can be a comfortable and a more secure one. We need to push for some serious political will for real change and to use the best science to build a secure future for all rather than profit for the few.

Philip Booth

Let's get a real debate going on climate change

Let's Talk, Gordon is a new grassroots campaign urging the Prime Minister to make a televised address to the nation on climate change. They believe that an address from Gordon Brown would be the ideal way to start a national debate on climate change, and through that debate, Britain could develop an effective action plan responding to this threat in which Government, business and normal people all play a full and active role. I'll support almost anything positive that is trying to wake this Government up to climate change although I fear it could end up with yet more spin from them - talking they are good at, action is what we need. However with a real debate and dialogue action can often follow - we have not had those conversations we need.

It was good to see Chas Fellows, Leader of Stroud District Council start a debate on wind power this last week (see my blog on 20th March 08) - it is a debate Greens have long called for - indeed the Environment Green paper consultation was hugely lacking because it failed to address issues like that. Anyway to find out more re this new campaign visit www.letstalkgordon.org.uk or to sign up, go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/letstalk

Caroline Lucas on The Transition Handbook

The Transition Handbook, was launched at an event that was also Green Books‘ 21st birthday party. Caroline Lucas MEP sent a DVD as she couldn't be there in person. In it she describes the Transition movement as “the most exciting, most hopeful, most inspirational movement happening in Britain today”. It is worth a look as she also covers the latest on Peak Oil and how the EU are failing to tackle it.




At least Peak Oil is now getting talked about a little more - even Sir Richard Branson acknowledges it - although in an interview he told journalist David Strahan that aviation could be made “truly sustainable” at the launch of test flight fuelled in part by coconut oil. He did though concede that meaningful supplies of alternative fuel might not be available before the advent of peak oil, which he said could happen within six years. See more here.

Cinderford in Tesco offer free parking!!!!

I've long opposed Tesco plans for a store in Cinderford - see for example here when we thought the proposals were to be thrown out - and here - of course these mega companies are pretty persistent - I now read in today's Citizen that councillors are welcoming Tesco's offer of free parking to the rest of the town.

Photo: Homemade hot cross buns yesterday - not from Tesco

Here is the comment I left on the Citizen website: "Tesco's offer of their parking free to Cinderford is not so generous as councillors suggest. If they ever get to open their town-destroying store, there will be no other businesses left in a few years to need parking."

Another example of Big Brother Britain

In this week's SchNEWS there is aother worrying report about Big Brother Britain - now I don't always go along with the style of SchNEWS but they do bring news that others don't report - read below about these two campaigners stopped under Terrorism laws.

Cartoon: ID card cartoon from Russell (remember Eminem?) and photo below Mist over Ruscombe valley

As they travelled through the City of London on private business on 31st July 2005, two peace campaigners - John Catt, an 80 year old pensioner at the time and his daughter Linda (with no criminal record between them) - were stopped and their vehicle searched under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 by City of London police. They were both threatened with arrest if they refused to answer police questions.

Unbeknown to them the vehicle in which they were travelling had triggered an alert as it passed an automatic vehicle number plate recognition camera - part of the cops' 'Ring of steel' around the City of London.

After they made a complaint about both the manner and the circumstances in which they were stopped, it was revealed that it had resulted from a police marker being placed against their vehicle on the Police National Computer (PNC) by Sussex Police.

A follow-up formal complaint to Sussex Police discovered that the PNC marker had been placed against their vehicle as a result of being spotted near EDO MBM demonstrations in Brighton. The marker stated "OF INTEREST TO PUBLIC ORDER UNIT SUSSEX".

Sussex Police justified the big brothering stance on the grounds that the vehicle had been seen at three demos outside the arms factory, which "were associated with a campaign which gives rise to crime, disorder and the deployment of significant resources. Sightings of the vehicle may give rise to crime, disorder and the investigation, prevention and detection of crime" . A damning verdict indeed. The complaint was rejected - guilt by association is all in a days work.

Last week their appeal to the IPCC has also fallen on deaf ears with the independent body ruling that this type of harassment is just the ticket for Supreme Leader Gordon Brown's busy bobbies. You have been warned.

Will petition just shift lorries elsewhere? No to mega trucks

A number of locals have been supporting the petition in Painswick to stop the HGVs going through the town. I've already sent off a page of signatures and given out other forms for folks to complete, but one key issue has been raised several times...

Photos: Megatruck that the Government threatens to unleash on our roads and below lorry in Stroud

Aren't we just shifting the problem? The petition originally didn't include concerns of neighbours - new wording was added "In order that the problems of the A46 are not merely shifted, the A4173 (Stroud Road, Edge) and B4070 (Slad Road) must also become subject to weight restrictions." However one person summarised concerns: "but are you not in danger of just increasing the road miles of freight transport when we are supposed to be reducing it?"

Indeed to me the focus would probably have been better on reducing HGV altogether - see below various proposals that sadly have still largely not been adopted. Many HGVs use routes to cut through, however without figures I could not say if this was the case in Painswick. Nevertheless it is true if HGV use longer routes that will mean more emissions as I doubt it will (at the moment) lead to a rethink and make them use alternatives - however if many roads ban HGV it may lead to the rethink needed? I am not sure! What is needed is a strong message to Government that communities are fed up with HGV....

It is essential to cut HGV and slow traffic on the roads identified (and many more) as those are two reasons identified by research that discourages pedestrians and cycling - so cutting HGV could cut emissions if more stop using the car. I have read of research showing this from a group of Dutch towns - clearly any plan would need to ensure the trouble is not just shifted someplace else..

Worse still is that there are now plans for even larger trucks which Greens are fighting in EU - see more below...

Lightening the Load: Green HGV traffic reduction action plan

Britain lags way behind Europe in terms of HGV traffic reduction. Each 40 tonne truck causes tens of thousands of pounds more damage than the average car and is often half full or empty - yet the Government has allowed HGV traffic to increase by 38% over the last 10 years. The Green party produced a report a couple of years ago that demonstrates how a few Green local authority measures - like those implemented in European cities - can bring Real Progress in HGV traffic reduction. Green local authority measures in Kassel, Germany, for example led to a 70% reduction in vehicle kilometres travelled. If UK local authorities followed suit - and implemented the Green HGV traffic reduction plan - we could see this kind of progress in our cities.

The plan includes:
* Setting up loading and redistribution centres outside cities - and send fuel efficient vehicles into city centres to deliver the goods instead
* Promoting partnerships and "chains" between companies to cut down on unnecessary trips
* Provide "Best practice" manuals to companies, so that they can maximise loads and minimise journey times

See report here.

The Threat of mega trucks

An opportunity for the European Parliament to make clear its opposition to the use of 60-tonne 'monster' trucks was lost last year when MEPs voted to adopt rules under which the lorries could, in future, be allowed to operate. Considering a report on improving freight logistics across the EU, MEPs in Strasbourg failed to reject provisions which stated that 60-tonne trucks could be allowed to cross EU borders only with the agreement of the country
concerned - and where roads and other infrastructure allow. But the Greens had argued the proposed clause should be scrapped, as it opens the way for future relaxation of the maximum size rules, which currently limit trans-European fright trucks' weight to 40 tonnes.

At the time Caroline Lucas, Green MEP for South-East England, said: "While it's important that the EU establishes minimum standards of efficiency and sustainability for Europe's logistics, there can be no role for monster trucks thundering up and down our roads, guzzling fuel, damaging infrastructure as they do so. We felt the clause about 60-tonne trucks opened the door to their use on Europe's roads in future - and therefore demanded it be voted upon separately. I am somewhat surprised and deeply disappointed my colleagues in other parties wanted to support the introduction of these monster trucks in their regions: it marks a real missed opportunity to make a statement about the role of the EU in shifting freight off the roads - and onto our railways."

The group 'Freight on Rail', perhaps unsurprisingly with a name like that, also believes that these longer and heavier lorries (LHVs) are totally unsuited to our roads on a number of safety and environmental grounds and should therefore be rejected on the following grounds. See more here.
• LHVs will mean more lorry-miles not fewer because demand will be stimulated if transport becomes cheaper at point of use
• Seriously damage rail freight, a low carbon option, resulting in major modal shift from rail to road leading to more road congestion and carbon emissions as lorries replace trains - Freight trains emit five times less carbon dioxide per tonne mile than road haulage
• LHVs have safety dangers due to their size and lack of manoeuvrability
• The claimed environmental benefits rely on very high levels of load utilisation – in excess of that routinely achieved within the haulage sector. At lower levels of utilisation the environmental performance is worse
• Restricting LHVs to dual-carriageways and motorways simply will not work as there is no mechanism to keep them to this. The reality is that these vehicles will need local access to distribution hubs
• The poor record of compliance with existing road regulations needs to be factored into any decision on increasing the existing weight and lengths of HGVs
• A national Opinion Poll (NOP) survey in August 2007 shows that 75% of the general public is opposed to the introduction of ‘super trucks – known as LHVs – onto UK Roads. The survey further revealed that 80% of the general public favoured the Government encouraging more freight to go by rail instead of by road

At a time when the Government claims to be committed to reducing carbon emissions it seems perverse for them to now be considering allowing trials of these travelling warehouses which will cause such problems and are so unwanted. Already many HGVs are not following existing road regulations, ranging from exceeding speed, weight and drivers' hours limits, thus putting the public at extra risk.

The fast route to reducing transport’s carbon footprint is surely to increase rail freight - what about longer heavier trains instead?

Parish meeting, Easter Service and mast update

The day started very nicely in Star Anise cafe discussing SDC Regeneration policies with another Green councillor, then catching up on emails before the Randwick School Easter Service and fair then this evening's Parish meeting...read on for more info re that and the latest on the mast proposal.

Photo: Easter Service

The Easter service included a recorder group, the infants choir, singing and a play by class 3 of the Easter story - also it was announced that Head mistress Mrs Montecute has got to the finals in the SW best head teacher competition - huge applause erupted around the church - this was followed by an easter egg hunt - all the school children managed to find one each - then it was a fund raising fair in the school - wind too strong outside - I was once again on the "Play Your Cards Right" stall - at 20p a go we raised £5 on the stall.

Later in the evening I was nearly late for the Randwick Parish Council meeting - 12 residents came and asked questions about the traffic calming proposals and there were several strong objections to the proposed mast - see below. The rest of the meeting I was able to raise issues like grit bins (investigations underway about replacements), watercourse wardens (Parish have now appointed Jane Godsell), free running (my hopes for Stratford Park course and more locally), the cultural services review and more - the Parish covered many other issues - heard from Mort re the great news re the village hall possibly being the first carbon neutral hall in the District maybe even region - anyway they will be writing a report.

Mast proposals

See my blogs on 4th, 11th and 17th March - or click on Label below. Firstly I have to make a correction - a big one - the mast is not where I thought it was!! This is partly because I did not receive the map that others got. In my first blog on this topic I had a photo of the map where the entrance was - I assumed the mast was there - in fact it is much further away - see new map.

Photo: Map of mast site - Ash Lane is still marked there but the mast is in the fields

The good news is that it is further away from homes than I had thought - although we still do not know the direction of the beam - however none of this makes my objections any different. I still do not think it is in the right place - it is still visually intrusive.

This evening several residents made objections - the Parish had had 4 letters objecting but 3 verbal comments saying they did not mind. I noted my objections. When the Parish came to discuss the mast later in the meeting there was a lengthy discussion - noting that health concerns could not really be taken into account - a proposal to object to the mast was not accepted - a counter proposal was put forward - much less strong noting they want to see improvements to the designs (some masts are like trees), planning gain like a foot path and a more attractive entrance.

Photo: Taken from earlier blog - rather than showing mast site it shows changes proposed to the gateway

I was disappointed this was passed although I do not believe it completely rules out an objection in the future. I also emphasised concerns that a new gateway off Ash Lane could lead to people stopping there at night to eat their burgers, drink their lager and whatever else - sadly this occurs at several other similar sites - it would be better to gate up to the road and make vehicles stop in the road and then open the gate.

Anyway we now await Orange's decision - some residents tell me they are still thinking of starting a wider campaign to stop this mast - they are still very unhappy. For now we still want questions answered re alternative sites, direction of the beam etc.

Crumbs cafe gets to keep pavement tables

Crumbs cafe in Stroud (see photo) was threatened with losing some of it's tables - Highways had a complaint from the Stroud Access Group - however rather than suggest tables should be positioned better they said the number of tables should be reduced - after meetings with John Marjoram on the Town Council a compromise was made but temporary barriers are needed around the tables.

In my view tables can easily be placed to ensure access for push chairs and people with disabilities on that wide pavement. The temporary barrier around tables is unnecessary - a point I made to The Citizen. Pavement cafes have been shown to act as a traffic calming measure and increase the sense of vitality of an area. We should be doing more to support such businesses not making it harder for them.

Freddie calls for politicians to listen to young

It was great to see Youth Council leader Freddie Whittaker who lives locally and was involved with the Ruscombe Brook Action Group in it's early days, in the SNJ yesterday. He is keen to make politicians listen more to young people.

Photo: taken from review of Cuckoo Row here

Great stuff - Stroud is fortunate with the Youth Council and the active role it plays - but too many of us 'older' councillors have not got as involved as we perhaps could. Yes I've met with several classes at schools and various other youth groups but most of my contact with the Youth Council has been via SDC Officers. Indeed for example one issue I am currently supporting is Parkour/Free Running - see previous blogs on this - I'm hoping the Youth Council will be able to support the local young people who have ideas about a taster day, poss film and maybe sessions at Stratford Park - anyhow more of that another time I must dash now - the SNJ article on Freddie reads:

Freddie Whittaker wants to make adult politicians to sit up and listen to youngsters not yet able to vote. The 18-year-old heads a body of members from schools, colleges and youth forums who ensure youngsters are involved in decisions in Stroud.

"We're a bridge between young people and Stroud District Council," he said. "If you see litter on the streets in a certain place, maybe the youth council could ask some questions about it. Maybe if you think there are certain places that can be improved or if you think you aren't getting a good enough bus service, then we can help."

The councillors also control an £8,000 youth initiative grant for youth groups, a sports grant for budding Olympians and has received £20,000 to install and run litter recycling bins around Stroud. The council of 11- to 18-year-olds, which meets each fortnight in Stroud Youth Centre, has shadow member for each adult cabinet member, from regeneration and tourism to community safety through to environment and rural affairs.

Freddie said: "Young people would probably not approach the district council and councillors would probably not listen to young people because they're not tax payers, so that's where we can help."

The Archway School pupil, who is studying A-levels in music, music technology and English literature, is the longest serving youth councillor after being elected by his school for four academic years.

"I liked the idea I would be be representing every person in the school," he said. "I've always liked having my say and I wanted to take that to a democratic level. I then realised that I liked taking leader rolls. I liked organising and delegating."

But Freddie, who plays saxophone in the Five Valleys Senior Orchestra and guitar in the band CuckooRow (see elsewhere on this blog for more on Cuckoo Row), wants a career in journalism rather than politics.

"Journalism and politics are very closely linked," he explained.

To contact your youth councillor, you can approach them directly, email them on youth@stroud.gov.uk or fill in the form on www.youth.stroud.gov.uk

London Labour/Green pact

I am supportive of the Labour/Green election pact in the coming London Mayor elections.

Photo: Berry and Livingstone

Green party candidate for London Mayor, Cheltenham born, Siân Berry yesterday unveiled an election pact urging Green supporters to join forces with Labour in an attempt to defeat the Tory candidate, Boris Johnson. Siân Berry, asked those who planned to vote for her on May 1 to pick Livingstone as their number-two choice, while at the same press conference the mayor urged his voters to put the Green party candidate second.

Here is my comment on it: "London's progressive and environmental agendas are under threat from Johnson. London must continue to be in the forefront of tackling climate change for the sake of everyone's future. Ken Livingstone and Siân Berry alone are committed to implement of further environmental initiatives such as the £25-a-day CO2 charge on gas-guzzlers. We cannot afford to let Johnson who supported George W Bush in opposing the Kyoto treaty take on this important role."

Ken Livingstone has by no means been 'green' but is streets and streets ahead of Johnson - he is taking many of the measures necessary to lead on climate change in a way that our Government is failing dismally. See our local Green party news release here. See Green party London Assembly member Cllr Darren Johnson's comment on this move here.

Join Facebook Forest and help plant a tree

Ecotopia.co.uk, who have been based in Stroud and supported the first leaflet by Ruscombe Brook Action Group want folk to join their Facebook Forest group. They are planting a tree for every 50 members of its Facebook Forest group and another tree for every 50 customers.

The first Facebook Forest is being planted on a small plot of land just outside Minchinhampton (see the site on Google Earth) on the edge of what is to be the first carbon neutral market garden. This is the first of many planned sites where Ecotopia will be helping to create new woodlands in the UK. They are hoping to find more projects to get involved in. Steve Jones, director of Ecotopia says, “We are delighted to establish our first forest. By planting indigenous species, forests can support themselves and after a short period of time will begin to support an entire ecosystem which will benefit the local countryside. We would be delighted to hear from any organisations and groups who would be interested in benefiting from having their own small Facebook Forest.”

Wind power in the local news this week

Several local items on wind...

Photo: Nympsfield Turbine near Nailsworth

Turbine to be repaired
Several people have asked after the Ecotricity Nympsfield turbine (more below re turbine). The blades had stopped turning more than a month ago.

An Ecotricity spokesman in the SNJ has responded saying: "The turbine was damaged in a recent storm when the wind reached speeds of more than 60mph. Sophisticated sensors detected a possible crack in the main carrier, which a visual examination confirmed. We have new parts and cranes to fit them on order and are expecting to compete the work and have it back up and running by the end of this month. This machine has been working day in and day out for the last 11 years. In fact it works more hours per year than a typical car does in a 20 year lifetime. The odd breakdown in effectively 220 years of car lifetime equivalent is perhaps to be expected. Wind turbines are amazing machines when compared to any other machine in the modern world. This one has another 20 years left in it, once we get it fixed."

Wycliffe College turbine
The college is one step closer to having a wind turbine after Stonehouse Town Council supported their planning application. The trouble is, it is only going to power a lap top - we need the big ones.

Views on turbines sought
Chas Fellows, Leader of Stroud District Council has asked for views on wind turbines in the latest issue of The Citizen's "Stroud Life" you can respond to his article by leaving a comment or emailing: stroudlife@glosmedia.co.uk

Here is what I left: "No secret that I'd love to see more wind turbines. The UK has a terrible record on renewable energy. Let Stroud take a lead. The simple reality is that reducing CO2 emissions and increasingly expensive fossil fuels require us to use less energy and switch to renewables. Wind is clean, safe, economic and in many cases beautiful. It has to be part of the answer."

Randwick Wind
This week I spoke with a local householder re the project to open homes for people to look at renewables - see 7th Jan blog - like all the households I've spoken to they were very positive about taking part. I'm now looking at funding for leaflets etc and hope to establish a website - someone has already kindly offered to help with that. Are there any other homes in the District with renewables that people could view - we are talking 13th/14th September this year.

More on the Nympsfield turbine
The single 42m turbine generates enough electricity to meet the requirements of approximately 400 homes ie between half and one percent of all residences in Stroud district. It was constructed in 1996 after 4 years of planning. In 2001 an application was made to add a further 4 turbines - a 1998 survey shows 70% of locals supported the idea but the Council voted against. Since then support for wind has grown stronger than ever - I am hoping the time is right for some more turbines in the District soon.

Drains and climate change denial letter

I came home from work and amongst the 97 emails (all today) waiting was an email that the two drains at the bottom of Red House Lane were blocked, as are the two drains at the bottom of Ruscombe Road/Bread Street. They have apparently been blocked since the weekend - so this does not seem to fit with the statement that after rains the drains are cleared each time in key locations (see previous blogs and photos by putting drains into search facility!). Highways have been informed - we await with interest.

Photo: Ruscombe valley

Meanwhile I've just dashed off a reply to The Citizen re the correspondent Martin Kirby - sometimes he is spot on but articles like the one this week are seriously damaging - too many people today still don't believe climate change exists - how on earth can we begin to tackle it when that view is widely held? Anyhow here is my letter:

Martin Kirby had another go at Greens on Monday calling us the 'loopy league' for reiterating what the scientists are saying about climate change (17/03/08). In a comment piece, that Mr Kirby seems to deny climate change exists, he dismisses concerns about recent weather. I'm not so sure others would agree; like perhaps Longford residents whose homes were flooded again or the businesses that lost many thousands of pounds at Cheltenham races?

No one is pretending that the science around climate change is fully understood or that every piece of bad weather is a sign of climate change. Indeed it is also important to note that our vulnerability to flooding is going up mainly due to flood plain developments.

However the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and it's analysis by 2,500 of the world's top climate scientists shows our role in causing global warming and that our weather is set to become more extreme. They paint a scary future if we don't act. Furthermore not one of the 928 climate change-related articles published in peer-reviewed journals in ten years has doubted the cause of global warming, yet more than half of the published articles in the popular press have done just that.

We need responsible journalism. Climate change is deadly serious and critically urgent. We can tackle it together, but the longer we leave it the more devastating are the consequences.

Philip Booth

International Day of Action For Rivers: brook leaflets now out

Last Friday was International Day of Action For Rivers and I've had emails from various actions around the world - sadly we missed organising anything for the Ruscombe Brook Action Group (RBAG) - but we have now completed delivering virtually all the 4,000 leaflets we had printed (see pic).

Please let me know if you are in the ward or neighbour the brook and have not had one of our leaflets (kindly paid for by Severn Trent Water). Anyhow here's a couple of actions that I've tried to support:

- Saving Iceland built a small dam in front of Landsvirkjuns office entrance so the workers had either to step over the dam to get inside or use a different entrance. With this peaceful demonstration Saving Iceland wanted to protest upcoming three dams that Landsvirkjun,
the national energy company, hopes to build in lower Þjórsá river. It the first time International Day of Action For Rivers was celebrated in Iceland. Read more here.

- Jean Lambert, a Green MEP, called on the Turkish Government to halt the development of the controversial Ilisu dam project which will devastate the local environment and communities. 78,000 people are likely to be displaced, the historic town of Hasankey will be lost forever and serious pollution is expected to be produced. There are other ways to meet energy needs than this. It isd outrageous that European countries are supporting it. Read more here.

Say no to £5bn M25 widening

The Department for Transport has just confirmed that the Highways Agency will push ahead with a £5 billion road-widening scheme of the M25 rather than a greener scheme to use the hard shoulder. See The Guardian article here.

Environmental campaigners said the DfT had not done enough research on the cost-effectiveness of hard-shoulder running on the M25. Converting hard shoulders for traffic use costs between £5m and £15m a mile, while widening a 63-mile stretch of the 118-mile M25 will cost £79m a mile. Amazingly one proposed motorway widening project is set to cost £1,000 per inch!

The excellent campaigning group Campaign for Better Transport said: "The more the government expands the main road network and generates traffic on it, the more surrounding roads will jam up. The biggest argument in favour of hard-shoulder running is that it manages the traffic much more carefully."

Please use this form here to write to the Secretary of State for Transport, Ruth Kelly, and ask her to include the M25 in the feasibility study and seriously consider ATM as an alternative to widening.

How quickly should refuse be removed from our streets?

Stroud District Council is in the process of applying new Government guidance to its street cleaning service.

Photo: Shopping Trolley

See Defra stuff here:
www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localenv/litter/code/pdf/cop-litter.pdf

There used to be 11 categories for purposes of keeping public land clear of litter - all with response times - now we are getting only 4 - while I am sure this will be an improvement it is yet again Government telling local councils how to do it - I am awaiting guidance on how to tie my shoelace - yet when it comes to the big issues like putting renewables on all new developments and higher insulation specs it seems we wait for ever - and indeed have things put in the way to make it difficult for local councils to go their own way....enough moaning here are the categories with examples from this ward - let me know what you think...

This is about response times rather than frequency of cleans which will go for wider consultation with Parish Councils etc...

High intensity eg shopping areas - none in ward - response within half a day
Medium intensity eg residential areas - most of Whiteshill, the top end of Ruscombe nad central Randwick Village are included in this - response within 1 day
Low intensity eg industrial areas - well that is the example they give but it included Bread Street, Lightwood Lane and other bits of Randwick and Ruscombe - response within 14 days
Special circumstances eg employee health? None in ward - Response 28 days or as soon aspracticable

I will be asking for the other bits like Westrip, Bread Street and other residential areas to be included in the one day response - 14 days is not acceptable.