Lancaster & District Green Party

As anyone who has tried to get on a train with thier bike over the Christmas break will know provision for cyclists is poor to say the least. Currently there is no minimum requirement for train operators to carry bicycles and each operator has a different set of rules and booking procedures. This makes the system extremely complex to use, especially where multiple operators are used. Its not possible to book bicycle reservations online and hence one does not know whether there will be room for a bike on a train when a ticket is purchased.

There is an e-petition calling for the train operators to provide an integrated system for the carriage of bicycles and ensure there is adequate capacity available. To add you name go to: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/bikes-on-trains/

Following an extraordinary meeting of all political group leaders on Lancaster City Council on Friday 24th Oct to discuss the impacts of the recession on City Council services Green Group leader Chris Coates said;

“The situation is very bleak. Not only might we have lost £6 million in Icelandic banks, but the recession could undermine any number of council projects which could leave us with a real budget crisis on our hands next year.” (more…)

Historic Fleetwood pier, built in 1910, was completely gutted by the fire. At the height of the blaze 10 fire engines and 90 firefighters from Lancashire Fire Service were at the scene. They eventually contained the fire but too late to prevent the pier being reduced to a smouldering ruin. The wind was offshore so homes on the promenade were not in danger No one was reported missing or hurt.

Gina Dowding said “It’s a shame that a landmark for Fleetwood has now gone. There will obviously be rumours, but it shouldn’t have been left derelict for so long.” Lancashire police said the fire was unexplained and an investigation will be carried out.

PUPILS returning to school today across Lancashire will find only free range eggs on the dinner time menu. From the start of the school year, Lancashire’s catering staff will be cooking up their usual treats using only free range eggs. The decision will affect more than half a million eggs each year.

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The Knott End to Fleetwood ferry is to operate throughout the year. A trial service was run last year, when the ferry was used by over 6,000 passengers. Now Wyre Borough Council has agreed to fund the ferry for a regular winter service .

Gina Dowding said “ This is really good news. The ferry trip saves residents in the Knott End area a 25-mile round trip. It is a vital piece of the local public transport jigsaw.”

Times of the ferry can vary with the Tide – for up to date information see the Wyre Online Website.

Negotiations which would have seen eight of the UK’s nuclear power stations sold to French state-owned energy firm EDF have broken down. EDF had been expected to announce a £12bn deal to buy British Energy, however, it is understood that shareholders were holding out for a higher offer. The rejection is a major setback to the UK’s plans to build a new generation of nuclear power stations. The British Energy’s sites are considered prime locations for any new power stations.

See the full story on the BBC News site.

Following a meeting last week of the Action For Fleetwood Group, which was attended by leading representatives of the National Association of Local Councils, residents are to be consulted over the possibility of a Fleetwood town council being set up.
If there is seen to be enough support, the council may get the go ahead.
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The next meeting of the Action Group for Fleetwood will discuss issues affecting the town, including the setting up of a town council, the smell from the sewage works, Fleetwood Masterplan, CCTV and the barrage project.

The meeting will take place on June 3 at the Senior Citizens Club in Warrenhurst Road, starting at 7pm. (more…)

The Green Party’s visually stunning broadcast for the local elections was broadcast on Tues 15th April at 18.25 on ITV and 18.55 on both BBC1 . The film,produced by Contaminant Media and animated by sought-after Shroom Studios, uses no actors; instead real people were invited to discuss their concerns, making a compelling argument for Green solutions for a more affordable and fairer society.

If you missed is catch it now on YouTube

Gina Dowding, the Green prospective parliamentary candidate for Lancaster & Fleetwood, shared a platform with the Mayor of Delhi, Ms Arti Mehra, at the Local Government Association national conference in Liverpool on Wednesday 12th March. The former Lancaster City Council cabinet member joined the Indian Mayor in a panel discussion on the threats posed by climate change and the sorts of actions that local councils could take to reduce carbon emissions and to prepare for the effects of global warming. (more…)