Lancaster & District Green Party

The City Council has finally acted against car drivers who have been using the corner of St. George’s Quay and Damside Street as a makeshift car park. After months of complaints from passers by and local businesses, John Foster of Lancashire County Engineers has confirmed to local councillor Jon Barry, who acted on the complaints, that bollards are to be placed on the corner to prevent vehicles parking. City Councillors have long wanted to prevent parking on the corner but according to County staff, identifying who owned the land was one reason for a delay to something being done.

Stagecoach has decided that the new temporary bus stop opposite Westbourne Place is not an ‘official bus stop’ and it has been closed. Councillors are trying to get the County Council to reinstate the stop as it provides a valuable servce for people living on Westbourne Road and in Westfield Village.Following a meeting between Cllr Chris Coates, representatives from Stagecoach and the County Council it has been agreed to put in an application for an official stop.

The Environment Agency has started work on the second phase of the flood defence scheme at St George’s Quay in Lancaster.The work involves the construction of 450 metres of floodwall to protect property and land on the south bank of the River Lune.

The new stone-clad floodwall, approximately 1.4 metres high, is being constructed along the grass verge (between the river and the road). The existing quayside footpath will be widened and floodgates and steps will be included at regular intervals to provide access.

Castle Ward Cllr Catriona Stamp said “ We hope that the work can be carried out as quickly as possible to minimise the impact on residents.” The city council is allowing residents affected by the roadworks to park on the pavement while their parking bays are blocked off

The Marsh Community Centre has been successful in its bid for £284,000 of funding from the National Lottery. The money will allow the centre to continue its current work for three years and to begin five new initiatives. These include education classes for young people not in education or employment, a youth volunteering project, a Health and Fitness programme and detached youth work to other parts of Castle Ward. (more…)

Apple Day is a celebration of all things Apple - started by Commonground. Lancaster was once well served with Orchards, even close to the current city centre. It had its own local apple varietys many of which now appear to be lost.
Various events will be happening on Saturday 20th Oct From 10am-4pm there will be a stall in Market square with apple pressing and apple trees for sale.
From 3-7pm there will be further events of an apple nature in Fairfield Community Orchard, a guided walk, apple games…

The events are being organised by; Lancaster Seedsavers , LESS and The Fairfield Orchard.

A new climate change and energy advice project called ‘LESS’ launched itself in Lancaster at the end of September.LESS is a new project set up to help people in Lancaster, Morecambe and surrounding areas live more sustainably, and save energy and money. The project will give free energy-saving advice to the public at markets and community events around the district. Advice is also available online via the group’s website (www.lessuk.org) and phoneline.

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Members of the Council Tenants Forum recently took a tour of the services on offer from the succesful furniture recycling enterprise Furntiture Matters. The event was part of the regular training events organised by Council housing . Green group leader Cllr Chris Coates, who accompanied the group said ” I am really impressed by the way Furniture Matters has grown over the years and the range of services it now offers.”

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E & S Fuels Ltd have been local coal merchants in Lancaster and surrounding area for the last 16 years come along to the Open Day and be introduced to the up and coming fuels of the future On display will be new Wood Pellet Boiler Stoves as well as many other Multi-Fuel stoves and heaters.

Also taking part in the event will be Woosh Energy, LESS & Alian Energy Solutions with displays and information on Solar, wind and other renewable technologies.

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Jon Barry and Catriona Stamp have both contacted city council officers regarding the damaged wall along Long Marsh Lane. Officers have contacted Lancaster City Football Club, who are responsible for maintenance of this wall. Although the Club has agreed that the wall will be fixed, there is no sign of the hole being repaired yet.The Council’s Structural Engineer has been asked to look at another damaged part of the wall nearby, to assess whether it is dangerous.

Marsh Community Centre and the Marsh Age Link are once again holding their 2 day community festival. A range of children, Young people and family activities will be on show again. The events will take place on Saturday 1st September at the Marsh Community Centre 12pm till 11pm and Sunday 2nd September at the St Thomas more Church from 3pm onwards.