Blind man arrested over protest of pavement parkers

Living Streets

Blind man arrested over protest..

....To Ieuan Wyn Jones AM Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport this is disgraceful!! Pavement parking is a serious problem which the police are not not dealing with adequately. I am writing to you on behalf of living streets and asking that AMs to take action and stop pavement parking. The House of Commons Transport Committee has slammed the Government for not tackling pavement parking. It said, "Parking on the pavement is likely to cause a grave danger to pedestrians. In particular, it creates hazards for people with disabilities and visual impairments, older people, and those with prams or pushchairs." Please can you tell me what is being done to tackle this issue in Wales and what action the minister is going to take over this case in Wales. Will he make a statement condemning the police for arresting a blind man who was justified in protesting against dangerous pavement parking and outlining action to stop this dangerous practice of pavement parking?

Did you see this story..you can hear him tell his story on the web page. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/8225778.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/8225778.stm Daniel Duckfield on his frustrations over the parking problems and his arrest A blind man who complained to police about cars parking on a pavement was arrested when he threatened to let down the vehicles' tyres. Daniel Duckfield, from Narberth, Pembrokeshire, said he and his guide dog had to walk in the road when paths were blocked by illegally-parked cars. He has complained about being cautioned and put in a cell after his arrest. Dyfed-Powys Police said it was investigating Mr Duckfield's complaints. Mr Duckfield, who became blind in December 1999, claimed police were not doing enough to tackle motorists parking illegally on pavements near his home. He said he had repeatedly complained to officers about cars blocking his path when he went out of his house, forcing him and his guide dog to walk on a main road. Last week, after phoning officers and feeling he was getting no help, he went a step further. He said: "I said all right, if you're not going to do anything I'll do something myself, I'll let the tyres down and I'll write 'no parking' on the windscreen. "I went to the door [and] locked the door. By the time I got 50 yards down my street there was a policeman running towards me. "He told me he was going to arrest me because I had threatened to let tyres down and threatened to write on windscreens." Mr Duckfield said he was taken to a police station and held in a cell before being cautioned. He said: "I thought it was absolutely disgusting. I came back here and I sat down and I almost cried but I thought, no, the temper took over me." Mr Duckfield said the arrest meant he would no longer be asked to visit schools with his guide dog. Dyfed-Powys Police said the force had held a crackdown on illegal parking in Narberth last month. A spokesperson added: "It is unfortunate Mr Duckfield decided to take matters into his own hands on this occasion." The spokesperson added Mr Duckfield's complaints would be fully investigated.

Blind man wants action over illegal town parking

Tenby Observer - ‎Aug 28, 2009‎

A man who lost his eyesight 10 years ago has hit out at the local authorities for turning a blind eye to illegal parking issues in Narberth. ...

Blind man lodges complaint

TeleText - ‎Aug 27, 2009‎

A blind man from West Wales has lodged an official complaint after being arrested for threatening to let down the tyres of illegally parked cars. ...

Secret judge saga - Protestors "refused to listen to what we have told them"!

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/green_flag_award_meetings_and_co#incoming-40045 What do you think of this? I cannot understand this. Why judges for a park award should be kept secret? Cover up so there must be something to hide ? And accusing protester's of misinformation is appalling, the judges should have arranged to meet them and not excepted that as true. Judges told ...Protesters "refused to listen to what we have told them"! And the judges asking for advice...!!! One of the judges says "having a wobble about whether of not to enter the fray! I would be grateful if you could give me a bit of a steer about how delicate the situation is or not.. as i don't want to get embroiled in a political muddle. Is this a big issue for you and your team? I like a challenge but would appreciate a heads up so I can make a more informed decision about whether to come to Bute or not. Are we likely to be lobbied on the day? A girl needs to know. Any help or advice advice you can offer will be much appreciated. so the judges are Wined and dined by the parks department! My Ref: MAT(P)/SD/2059/CLP0012 G00158 14 August, 2009 Anne Greagsby [FOI #16595 email] My Ref: MAT(P)/SD/2059/CLP0012 G00158 14 August, 2009 Anne Greagsby [FOI #16595 email] Dear Ms Greagsby ELECTORAL DIVISION: CATHAYS GREEN FLAG JUDGING OF BUTE PARK Thank you for your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 about correspondence relating to the Green Flag judging of Bute Park in 2009 received on 7th August 2009. We have considered your request and enclose the following information: Various emails between Council officers and the judging team, and the itinerary for the judging visit. Most of the documents that we provide in response to Environmental Information Regulations 2004 requests will be subject to copyright protection. In most cases the copyright will be owned by Cardiff Council. The copyright in some documents may be owned by another person or organisation, as indicated on the documents themselves. You are free to use any documents supplied for your own use, including for non-commercial research purposes. The documents may also be used for news reporting. However, any other type of re-use, for example by publishing the documents or issuing copies to the public will require the permission of the copyright owner. Details of the arrangements for reusing the material owned by Cardiff Council can be found on our website at or by contacting the Information Manager, Room 111, County Hall, Cardiff CF10 4UW (Phone 029 2087 3346). For documents where the copyright is not owned by Cardiff Council, you would need to apply to the copyright owner to obtain their permission for re-use. We supply this information based on your original request. If this information does not answer your enquiry or if you feel we have not fully understood your request, please contact me to clarify your exact requirements. If you have any queries or concerns or are in any way dissatisfied with the handling of your request please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerely Jon Maidment Operational Manager Parks show quoted sections Dear Ms Greagsby ELECTORAL DIVISION: CATHAYS GREEN FLAG JUDGING OF BUTE PARK Thank you for your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 about correspondence relating to the Green Flag judging of Bute Park in 2009 received on 7th August 2009. We have considered your request and enclose the following information: Various emails between Council officers and the judging team, and the itinerary for the judging visit. Most of the documents that we provide in response to Environmental Information Regulations 2004 requests will be subject to copyright protection. In most cases the copyright will be owned by Cardiff Council. The copyright in some documents may be owned by another person or organisation, as indicated on the documents themselves. You are free to use any documents supplied for your own use, including for non-commercial research purposes. The documents may also be used for news reporting. However, any other type of re-use, for example by publishing the documents or issuing copies to the public will require the permission of the copyright owner. Details of the arrangements for reusing the material owned by Cardiff Council can be found on our website at or by contacting the Information Manager, Room 111, County Hall, Cardiff CF10 4UW (Phone 029 2087 3346). For documents where the copyright is not owned by Cardiff Council, you would need to apply to the copyright owner to obtain their permission for re-use. We supply this information based on your original request. If this information does not answer your enquiry or if you feel we have not fully understood your request, please contact me to clarify your exact requirements. If you have any queries or concerns or are in any way dissatisfied with the handling of your request please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerely Jon Maidment Operational Manager Parks show quoted sections

bike-lane-parking violations

New website lets you post pics of bike-lane-parking violations: London, UK, world http://london.mybikelane.com/

Photograph a street you love and you could win a £50 voucher

Photograph a street you love and you could win a £50 voucher from @livingstreets: http://bit.ly/2Z2R6

More information
http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/cms/downloads/0-photo_competition_flyer.pdf

Cardiff First Welsh Sustainable Travel Town

Cardiff First Welsh Sustainable Travel Town
Cardiff has been selected to become Wales' first "Sustainable Travel
Town" by the assembly government. The scheme worth UK £28.5 million aims to
provide free cycle hire, bus travel around the city centre, and improved bike and walking routes. The council hopes extend the project to other areas of Wales once an initial two-year plan is complete. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/7936127.stm

I wonder where lorries in the park fits into a sustainable travel! Time for a new look at how the roads are laid out or more pedestrians will be injured or killed in Cardiff - who would risk cycling at present with the city a petrol head dream with petrol head clllrs who park right outside the city hall!

Time for Cardiff to go green!

From Tuesday the South Wales Echo will feature two pages of Go Green news and features every week, and its sister papers The Western Mail and the Celtic weekly newspapers will also have regular features.There will also be pull-out supplements and a section on our website, www.walesonline.co.uk

Go Green team battles for a brighter future Apr 24 2009

SUPPORTERS of the Echo’s Go Green initiative turned out in force to help Cardiff council bring a splash of colour to one of the city’s most popular parks. Read Lets hope this isnt green wash!

Perhaps the Echo will support a campaign to make Cardiff greener and protest about the rise in bus fares from £1.20 to £1.50 overnight! This wont encourage people who use cars most often for short journeys to use the bus!

The parks department should use their vehicles less and Cllrs shouldn't park in front of the city
Hall. Even worse build on our green spaces!

Bute park news

http://no2lorriesinbutepark.blogspot.com/ -

Council leader Rodney Berman is und er fire Apr 24 2009

PUBLIC anger at Cardiff’s schools reorganisation and council proposals to build on green spaces across the city erupted in the face of councillors yesterday. Read

Look what has happened to our beautiful park

WalesOnline - ‎Apr 23, 2009‎

CAMPAIGNERS against further development within Bute Park have accused Cardiff Council of planning to erect a horticultural building that will look like a ...

Nature Not Roads in Bute Park

Upcoming events:

18th/19th April - RHS Show

23rd April - Full council meeting - an opportunity to pose questions to the Council re. green spaces

As the RHS is supportive of the building of the bridge and road in Bute Park we have decided to set up an info stand and banners to inform visitors of our views on these developments.

Banners and a small number of placards have been made.

Please feel free to make some more!

We will be setting up near the entrance on North Road

10am - 2pm Saturday 18th April

10am - 2pm Sunday 19th April

Hopefully see you there!

-------------------------------

At the next Full Council meeting on the 23rd April there will be a discussion on the issue of green spaces.

Members of the public can submit questions to the Council which if selected will be answered at the meeting.

A question has to be in no later than 5.00pm five working days before the meeting. It must give your name and address and say which member of the Council Executive the question is to be put to.

You can e-mail the question to Jeff Parry, Committee Services Manager:j.parry@cardiff.gov.uk

You sit in the Council chamber to hear the reply, which you will get in writing just before the meeting, after you get your answer you can ask one supplementary question.

(see attached for more info)

We will be staging a small demo outside County Hall prior to the meeting and then as many of us as possible will sit in the meeting.

Again feel free to make more placards and banners!

e-Petition: Keep Abergavenny Livestock Market

e-Petition: Keep Abergavenny Livestock Market

"We call upon the National Assembly for Wales to preserve Abergavenny's historic character as a market town by not repealing or amending the Abergavenny Improvement Acts 1854 to 1871, thereby preserving all the associated economic, social and cultural benefits of a market town."

The battle to save Abergavenny has been raging for over 4 years.

The Council has signed a deal with a developer to turn the historic livestock
market into a retail park including a very large Asda supermarket. Many believe this will
destroy the town centre, harming the local economy, and cause enormous hardship in
the farming community.

For some of us this is a battle for localisation over the forcesof globalisation, one
of the major sustainability issues of our age, though this is not the place to argue it.
A new campaign under the banner Keep Abergavenny Livestock Market (KALM) is
going strong and,among other things, has submitted a petition to the National Assembly
for Wales for putting on their new online petition website.

You can help the campaign by signing this petition online.? Click on link above

Age of Stupid John Smith MP drummer boy for airport road

http://www.antimetrix.org/

Stop the Airport Road - write to your AM, MP and tell them we don't need it and don't want it.
John smith belongs to the age of stupid.

Age of Stupid John SmithVale of Glamorgan, Labour) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in the annual Welsh affairs debate. We do not have many opportunities in the House nowadays to discuss Welsh issues exclusively, so the debate is welcome.

As previous speakers have said, our debate today takes place against the backdrop of a serious global economic crisis—possibly the worst international financial crisis in the past 100 years. I would therefore like to take the short time available to me to refer to three projects in my constituency, but not parochially, because they all have valuable strategic Welsh importance. I want to use today's opportunity to draw the House's attention to several issues surrounding the projects.

The Conservative spokesperson has already mentioned the first project. It will come as no surprise to hon. Members when I refer to the defence technical academy in St. Athan in my constituency. It is progressing well. It was recently announced that Sodexho is to be the equity partner, replacing Land Securities Trillium, which had to withdraw because—let us make no bones about it—of the financial crisis. However, in many respects, Sodexho is a better fit. Unlike its predecessors, its core activity is facilities management, and it has been involved in the scheme from day one. It was always involved, but it has just become a 50:50 equity partner.

The Minister for the Armed Forces made a statement in the House, saying that the negotiations were progressing well and were on track. A clear timetable is developing. A detailed planning application for the scheme will be submitted in May this year and construction will commence around August next year. That timetable is important, because we have lost time in the past two years, mainly because the project is so large and complex. It is the biggest single Ministry of Defence investment and its importance for Wales cannot b e overestimated.

The project will provide 5,000 direct jobs and train annually 25,000 service personnel from all three services. It will provide a defence training strategy in some of the most sought-after skills in the world—technical, engineering and information technology skills. I have always argued that the real value to Wales as a whole—not only to my constituency—is not the 5,000 jobs or the £12 billion private finance initiative investment over 25 to 30 years, or even the revenue, which runs to tens of millions of pounds, that will go directly to the local economy, but the transformation of Wales's reputation to that of a country that has a centre of technical and skills excellence. Our reputation for being dominated—still—by metal manufacture and mineral extraction can be transformed into a reputation for high value-added technology. That is the benefit: a change of reputation and an ability to attract inward investment.

I am delighted that a Command Paper was put before the House on Tuesday, offering a contingent liability of £40 million to prepare the plans for this year and the design to get on with the construction next year.

Add your comment

David Jones (Shadow Minister, Wales; Clwyd West, Conservative) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

As the hon. Gentleman will know, we on the Conservative Benches also strongly support the St. Athan project. Does he agree that one of the key benefits of St. Athan will be to improve the perception of the military as a career for young people, with the high-quality jobs that if offers, and in particular as a career for Welsh young people? Does he agree that, today more than ever, going into the military is a good, attractive career for young Welsh people?

Add your comment

Age of stupid John Smith (Vale of Glamorgan, Labour) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

I agree with every word that the hon. Gentleman just said. Indeed, he should forgive me if I have not referred to that point, because the overriding benefit of the project will be to improve training in the military. Perhaps I should remind the House that, unlike now, every technical20qualification that will be achieved at the new academy will be a civilian-recognised qualification. We will be producing engineers for the future, including civilian engineers, so I accept the hon. Gentleman's remarks. We also had all-party support, which in my view is one of the reasons why we won the bid in the first place.

Add your comment

Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire, Liberal Democrat) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

I applaud the cross-party work that the hon. Gentleman has done to secure those jobs. Does he agree that one of the opportunities for Wales will be not to repeat the errors at Deepcut Army barracks—I understand that they are being shut down, with some of the work perhaps coming to Wales—where Cheryl James, the daughter of one my constituents, was, I believe, murdered?

Add your comment

John Smith (Vale of Glamorgan, Labour) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

Of course I agree with that.

St. Athan has been a huge success story for Wales and for Welsh politics. We won the bid because we were united across the parties and because—let us be clear about this—ours was the best bid. However, I must sound a rather disconcerting note this afternoon. The Command Paper was presented to the House on Tuesday, but—I have given notice of this to the hon. Gentleman involved—it was blocked. An obscure procedural motion was used on Tuesday on a point of order to block the contingent liability of £40 million. The process cannot be stopped, but the effect of what was done on Tuesday could be to delay a recession-busting project that is vital for our country.

I am sure that every Welsh Member of this House will condemn Mark Pritchard. I understand why he objects to the scheme: because he lost the bid. His bid did not win. I understand his protesting, but what is reckless and unacceptable is his bid to block the progress of the scheme. It is important that we move ahead with the planning in May. I call on all hon. Members to condemn his action. I am afraid that I must say to Conservative Members in particular: for goodness' sake, bring some influence to bear on him, because he is delaying a vital project.

Add your comment

Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire, Conservative) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

I understand the hon. Gentleman's passion and commitment to the St. Athan project. We would all recognise and applaud that. However, it is deeply unfair of him to talk in such terms about my hon. Friend Mark Pritchard, who is not here and who does not have an opportunity to defend himself.

Add your comment

Age of stupid John Smith (Vale of Glamorgan, Labour) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

I gave notice—I have been in the House long enough to realise that I should do that. What I am doing today I do with a heavy heart. I have never done it before, but the project is too vital to play silly political games with it. The future of Wales is at risk.

Add your comment

Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham, Conservative) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

As the neighbour of my hon. Friend Mark Pritchard, may I say that he is an assiduous constituency MP and works extremely hard? As Opposition MPs, it is the responsibility of us all to scrutinise Government decisions.

Add your comment

John Smith (Vale of Glamorgan, Labour) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

We have an overriding responsibility to behave responsibly. I will leave it at that, because I gain no personal benefit from making such comments, but it is important that I should make them today.

The second, related issue that I wish to raise is about an important piece of transport infrastructure: the M4 link road to Cardiff international airport—that is, to Wales's international airport. That has a bearing on the technical academy, because although we will not lose the academy if we do not get the timing for that road right, we might lose some of the benefits that could come to Wales. The onus is on us to maximise all the benefits from the investment, to ensure that Welsh people and Welsh businesses benefit first from the huge opportunity that is coming our way.

We must get the transport links. Businesses in Pembrokeshire and west Wales will benefit, as will businesses in Monmouth and mid-Wales. We must get the transport infrastructure right and the M4 airport link road is a crucial factor in it, because it will serve the defence technical academy, and it will serve Barry—the second largest town in Wales—as well as providing a link to the airport.

A decision is imminent. We have had the public consultation and the Welsh Assembly Government's Deputy First Minister will take a decision shortly. The biggest decision to date has been about which route to choose. It is controversial—it will affect local people, so there is a lot of local concern about the impact on people's quality of life—but the decision on the route of the direct link to the airport is crucial. I call on the Minister to use all his influence with the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure that the decision is taken, and taken quickly.

I am deeply concerned that there may be prevarication and second thoughts about the strategic importance of this road; we should be in no doubt that this link road is crucial. We will never have a country seriously recognised throughout the world unless we have a serious international airport that provides comprehensive scheduled flights across the world. Air travel is still the cutting edge of business communication, even in comparison with broadband—I accept everything said about it earlier—and Wales must have a proper international airport. What we have now is a holiday charter airport; it is growing and doing well, but as the aviation White Paper said, it has a long way to go. This road is an absolutely necessary condition for the growth and expansion of Cardiff international airport. It may not be a sufficient factor, but as I say, it is absolutely necessary.

I flag up that issue because I hope that we will not make the mistakes of the past by thinking that some funding for a few extra routes or a few extra slots to European cities will provide us with the strategic advances that we need for the airport's future. The entire business community supports the road: the CBI in Wales, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Cardiff business club. Indeed, there is not a business in Wales that fails to recognise the importance of strategic access to the airport. It is supported by the planning authorities and it has been supported by every management of every company that has owned the airport over the past three decades.

It is a crucial issue—one of the most important road transport issues in Wales. We are really at the cusp, right on the edge, of making a decision on a matter that will drive the Wales international airport forward. The decision must be taken quickly and the right decision must be taken—that is, identifying what route to take, not having second20thoughts about whether we need such access to the airport.

Age of Stupid

The Age of Stupid: final trailer, Feb 2009 HD from Age of Stupid on Vimeo.

six key barriers to walking - the state of our streets

Cardiff is worse - Walk from the Hilton Hotel and
you want to go across the road to the castle - well this is what we see - as we go down the pedestrain tunnel - it is disgraceful. Time to do away with the tunnels and let pedestrians cross the road safely by the shortest route by a pedestrain crossing.

Tell us about the 'State of our Streets' today

[b]August 2009 marks the 80th anniversary of the formation of Living Streets. Ahead of our big day we want to find out what is important to you about your streets now. Join our survey by following the link below, and help guide our work for the next 80 years!
Read the full articleTuesday 3 February 2009

Living Streets release a joint report with London Councils and Walk London on 'Breaking Down Barriers to Walking in London'
Living Streets collaborated with London Councils and Walk London to produce a report on the primary barriers to walking in London. This report identified six key barriers to walking in the capital that need to be addressed to make it a world class walking city.

Walking accounts for 31 per cent of week day trips in the capital, but Living Streets believe that this modal share could be so much more. This report, produced in conjunction with London Councils and Walk London, identifies six key barriers to walking in London that need to be addressed for walking levels to increase in the capital.

The six barriers identified in the report are as follows: - Giving walking sufficient priority institutionally; - Obtaining integrated funding for walking improvements; - Safety concerns; - Misperceptions of walking speeds and distances; - Unattractive walking environment; - Overcoming existing travel habits.

To read the full report you can download it as a PDF here:
Download walking report Breaking Down Barriers to Walking in London PDF (871Kb)


In cardiff the walk takes you past some very dodgy loking filthy toilets.

don't try crossing the road in Penarth!

Photograph taken today in Penarth where 4 pedestrian crossings are currently closed. One has a fence around it as there is a hole, but the other three have been closed simply to ensure that more cars can pass through the roadworks... Car culture.

According to the DfT report Inclusive Mobility:
If street works mean that a pedestrian crossing cannot be used, the following should be done:

𐂄 put barriers across pedestrian accesses to the crossing.

𐂄 use signs showing Zebra, Pelican etc crossing not in use. Place them so that they face pedestrians on both sides of the road.

𐂄 extinguish or cover Zebra crossing globes, switch off the lights on Pelican, Puffin or Toucan crossings.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/162259/259428/inclusivemobility

Clearly there should be barriers on the crossings, which are missing.

I believe that there is a health and safety issue here as a partially sighted person (or a person unable to read English or Welsh) may continue to use the crossing - as most people do anyway, or even trip over the sign which is less than the 1m required for a barrier to prevent this occurrence.

Further, the DfT does say that "IF the pedestrian crossing cannot be used"... Clearly it can and has been closed for one reason - speeding motorists through the road works. This is clearly not moral or necessary.

The pedestrian crossing continues to function despite the sign, cones and covering of the beacons no significant delay for motorists - and avoiding considerable delay, inconvenience and exposure to the elements for pedestrians. Further, with Bradenham Place and Albert Road both closed, traffic is light and there is an opportunity to install a one-way system on Windsor Terrace and Stanwell Road - or simply close Windsor Road and divert traffic onto Hickman Raod and/or Albert Road and Plassy Street.

The crossing closure is not about pedestrian safety, but for motorist convenience. Is this legal, though totally unethical? As this is a zebra crossing, not a pelican, does this make a difference, as pedestrians only gain right of way once they have stepped out... where as, with a pelican crossing, the light phases may cause problems, and cause confusion.

In my search for answers, I have discovered that whilst using a crossing, pedestrians have to walk on the right hand side of the crossing. Is this the craziest rule? Alas...

Given that there are no barriers, are the free standing signs pictured actually legal?

All answers and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Ian

TV impressionist Alistair McGowan has bought a piece of the Heathrow third runway site along with Emma Thompson, Zac Goldsmith and Greenpeace.

It started like most good ideas around here, with a conversation down at the pub. And there have been many times over the last few months when I wasn't sure we were going to pull it off, but we're now the proud owners of a small piece of land within the site of the proposed third runway at Heathrow.

We're expecting the government will announce that they're going ahead with expansion at Heathrow this week and we now need you to join us. Sign up now to get your own piece of the plot. It's not a financial thing, but you will be included as an owner on the legal deed of trust.

Join the plot!

Heathrow expansion isn't only an issue for those of us unfortunate enough to live on the flight path. If expansion goes ahead Heathrow will become the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the whole country. And the government's plans to expand airports across the UK will make it impossible for us to meet our commitment to reduce emissions and stop runaway climate change.

As legal owners of this plot we will take the opportunity to oppose airport expansion at every stage in the planning process. We're joined on the deeds by Oscar winning actress Emma Thompson, comedian Alistair McGowan and prospective Tory parliamentary candidate Zac Goldsmith. Along with Greenpeace UK, that's the maximum number of owners we can put on the deed, but you can sign up to add your name and stand beside us to resist all attempts of a compulsory purchase of the land.

You'll be joining beneficial owners who've already signed-up including local Labour MP John McDonnell, Tory frontbench spokeswoman Justine Greening, Lib Dem MP Susan Kramer, environmentalist George Monbiot and acclaimed climate scientist and Royal Society Research Fellow Dr Simon Lewis.

The runway is by no means inevitable. BAA now faces a long process to get its tarmac laid. So there will be many ways you can get involved in the years it will take to get the runway through the planning process, and we will need your creativity and energy to make sure the runway never gets built. In the coming months and years we will need the help of thousands of people like you to put pressure on your MP, write letters to your local media, join us at events, tell your own community, and much more.

We'll let you know more about that shortly, we only got the final papers for the land through the end of last week, so the first step is to sign up and let us know you want to be part of the plot over the coming years.

If all our attempts to stop the runway fail, we will stand with the people from the community whose homes will be demolished to build the third runway and block the bulldozers. There will be many ways you can support the blockade even if you don't fancy joining us on the plot.

We are not going to let this new runway be built to make sure we have a healthy climate and environment for all of us and future generations. Sign up today to join the plot. If we're serious about tackling climate change, we have to stop airport expansion.

Find out more about Airplot »
Invite your friends to join »
See where our plot is on the map »
Legal and beneficial owners »
The case against Heathrow expansion (pdf) »

Cllr Petrol Head Howells rubbished criticisms of lorry road into Bute Park

Bute Park – Echo 10th Jan 2009

Cllr Petrol Head Howells rubbished criticisms of plans for Victorian parklands

Plans in best interest of city” says leisure chief! Coun Howells “What we are doing is in the best interests of Bute Park and will preserve what is one of the best examples of Victorian Parkland in the UK”.

Despite a letter from an assembly civil servant from writing on behalf of heritage minister heritage Alun Ffred Jones and calling for more consultation Coun Howells said that the council had no plans for further consultation nad the heritage lottery fund was not taking any interest in the work to the road or the lorry bridge.

We challenge Cllr Howells to attend a public meeting. Give us a chance to discuss it with you, he couldn't find the time to attend the last public meeting.

It will be over our dead bodies that Cllr Howells scars and destroys Bute Park and its landscape by building this ugly raised 4 metre wide roads with dangerous 2 metre long 1 in 5 slopes on either sidethrough Bute Park. It is extremely arrogant of Cllr Howells to state that he knows best. He has been corrupt in

1. Failing to ensure that the Bute Park new development was properly assessed for sustainability prior to implementation as in the Park & Green Space Strategy

2. Failing to consider a decision to limit the size of lorries in the Park as requested from Cllr Simon Wakefield).
3. Speaking at the planning meeting purely advocating the project without claiming to representing his electors’ views, and did not declare a prejudicial ‘interest’.

Cllr Nigel Howells, Exec member has the scheme in his portfolio
4. Reports from council officers were 'sexed down' to minimise the impact.
The Highways “Options Appraisal” was altered (between the January and August versions) to support the Parks’ claim of the present situation being ‘unsafe’ and the Project being ‘essential

There must be a comprehensive programme of public consultation on the proposed plans to restore the Park and I challenge Cllr Howells to give us a time he can attend a public meeting to give people the chance to answer these question and others.

More information here No lorries in Bute Park

Tell him what you think! NHowells@cardiff.gov.uk,
journalist who wrote the article david.james@mediawales.co.uk,
write to echo ecletters@mediawales.co.uk
write to the Heritage lottery fund jennifers@hlf.org.uk,

• New nuclear plant mooted for North Wales »

New nuclear plant mooted for North Wales

RWE Npower has acquired land and grid connections at Wylfa, Anglesey, and signalled proposals for a new nuclear power station next to the existing Magnox nuclear plant.

The energy company said it had acquired the right to connect up to 3,600MW of nuclear generation to the national grid. It has acquired options to buy farmland at Wylfa close to the existing nuclear station, but said it would consult with local people before making any firm plans for a new nuclear plant in North Wales.

Andrew Duff, chief executive of RWE npower, the UK subsidiary of the German energy giant, said: "We are serious and committed to progressing new nuclear options."

The local planning authority is currently supportive of new nuclear capacity on the island because new-build would maintain existing nuclear power employment and provide a fillip for the local economy.

Phil Fowlie, leader of Anglesey County Council, said: "Ensuring energy generation remains at Wylfa for future generations is a major priority for the county council, and we are eager to work in partnership with all potential private sector companies to ensure our 'Energy Island' aspirations are realised."

Local support for nuclear around Wylfa, where one nuclear power station is in operation but is due to shut down in the next few years, is high. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, which owns the existing Magnox nuclear station, recently put some of its land up for sale to help potential nuclear new-build.

Read the RWE npower press release.

Roger Milne 8 January 2009

Libs Climate Change Brief

Nick Clegg has ousted Steve Webb from his post as the Liberal Democrats' energy and climate change spokesman, in a reshuffle aimed at sharpening the party's performance. The climate change brief, an important one in a party with strong environmental credentials, was handed to Simon Hughes, the former Liberal Democrat president.

Independent 9th Jan 2009

Political Lobbying Greasy palms

Political Lobbying

Former ministers are being allowed to cash in with impunity on their contacts and insider knowledge, a damning report from MPs warns today. They called for strict new rules to curb the 'revolving door' that has seen a string of politicians walk straight into highly-paid jobs linked to their old areas of responsibility. The committee also drew attention to the number of former MPs and ministers employed by the nuclear industry, including Jack Cunningham, Ian McCartney, Richard Caborn, Brian Wilson and Alan Donnelly. Saying self-regulation had entirely failed, the committee called for all lobbying activity to be registered and monitored by a tough watchdog.

Daily Mail 5th Jan 2009

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1105269/Ex-ministers-cashing-insider-knowledge-leaving-Westminster.html

Green New Deal?

Green New Deal or more greenwash?

Gordon Brown today unveils ambitious plans for a 1930s American-style programme of public works to ease the pain of recession by creating up to 100,000 jobs. School repairs, new rail links, hospital projects and plans to usher in a new digital age by investing in superfast broadband will be used to keep unemployment down. The plans will also be used to tackle climate change, by means of investments in eco-friendly projects such as electric cars and wind and wave power that would also create jobs.
Observer 4th Jan 2009