Getting Labour’s Message Out

Since last Autumn, a team of Labour supporters and myself  have been delivering a monthly leaflet and Christmas card to all residents in the St Barnabas Ward, a total of 3,845 homes. Today, a team of five delivered the final round of my January leaflet. The February one is nearly printed and ready to go. Residents are so used to seeing me walking up and down their roads that they often come out and ask me if I can do something to improve the environment where they live. Today I was asked about cars parked on the grass verges on Habberley Estate. With the wet weather we’ve had lately, I must admit it looked terrible with the mud churned up from the car wheels. 
This estate was built in the late 50’s early 60’s and car ownership was not given the same priority as today. Consequently, many houses did not have drive ways and although quite a few owner occupiers have turned their front gardens into drives, parking their cars is a headache for many! What to do?
The verges could perhaps be put in the County Council’s Capital Programme and tarmacced. But tenants and residents would need to agree.
Another problem that has been brought to my attention over on Marlpool Gardens is dog owners not cleaning up their dog’s mess after walking them on Puxton Marsh pathways. This I’m told is because there are no dog bins for them to dispose of their dog’s mess. Who is responsible for Puxton Marsh – the Environment Agency. Do they want to help and provide Dog Litter Bins – No they do not!! So – responsible dog owners and others have to walk along paths littered with dog mess!!
If you are a dog owner, please clear it up after your dog makes a mess. Personally, I like dogs, but dog mess is revolting and a danger to health. I’ve even had complaints from local schools where dog walkers have allowed their dogs to mess on the School’s Playing Fields!! Not good – and it’s not the dogs fault.
So happy days leaflet delivering – great exercise in a good cause – particularly for our labour readers and supporters.
If you would like to help me delivering, please contact me and I would be pleased to have your help.

Kidderminster Bus Station-let there be light!

I have called on Worcestershire County Council and the First Bus Company to light Kidderminster Bus Station at night. First Bus and the other Bus Operators need to settle with the County Council to “sign off” the  “278 Agreement” which ensures adequate lighting at the Bus Station.

“I have had complaints that passengers are getting on and off buses in the dark at Kidderminster’s main Bus Station.  This is a potential danger to passengers.

Tonight, I went there to see for myself. The passenger areas in the Bus Shelters are in darkness – Why? It’s a health and safety risk – women and older people in particular should not be subject to such an area in darkness. I’ve checked this out at County Hall and have urged both sides to move quickly to a resolution.

Lamp standards are actually in-situ waiting to to be switched on. It’s down to the Bus Company’s! The County Council has not adopted the Bus Station site because of inadequate lighting, and I believe, other safety aspects. Eight metres over the River Stour Bridge and the County’s jurisdiction ceases. Therefore, the Bus Company’s must act to get the lights on. I urge First Bus and everyone concerned to ensure the Bus Station is properly lit at night”

Community Charge Council Tax Increases

Conservative Worcestershire County Council is circulating the ‘newsrooms’ with its intention to raise Council Tax by 3.5% for 2009 -2010.
Why? Interest rates are at 1.5% and inflation is falling!! Many costs are coming down – gas, electric, petrol, oil – and those are just a small selection that might be considered to have a direct impact on the County Council and its services.
If  the Public Sector is to be seen to be sharing the problems of the ‘Credit Crunch’ and downturn in the economy with the Private Sector and ordinary members of the public, then a 3.5% Tory Tax hike cannot be justified!!
Surely, cost cut backs would be preferable to a 3.5% tax increase at County Hall? Labour put serious amendments to last years Budget – amalgamate departments to save money, look at cost savings on very senior officer’s salaries in any reshaping of service departments. A possible freeze on recruiting “non essential” staff also seems a reasonable response as a cost saving measure – we can argue about whio is “essential” and who is not!!

Habberley Valley Road – B4190 from Habberley Lane Roundabout

I am asking  Worcestershire County Council to make this whole stretch of road a 30 MPH speed zone.  We have 4 speed zones on this road at the moment – 30, 35, 40 and 60 MPH !!
This is unsatisfactory and potentially very dangerous!!  Unfortunately, in the last few years, two fatalities have occured on this road. A Review is about to be undertaken and I  have urged the County Council to adopt the 30MPH limit. I also want to have a Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) installed at the juction of Canterbury Road and the B4190 (just about equi-distant between it and the Hollyfields Care Home. I have also asked for a Pedestrian Refuge in this vicinity to enable pedestrians to cross safely from Habberley Estate to the Habberley Valley side of the road and visa-versa.