Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Swalwell Park Consultation
Residents of Swalwell, Gateshead, are being encouraged by local Liberal Democrat Councillors to give their views about how best to develop the village’s park as a popular, local facility.
Councillors Peter Craig, Chris Ord and Mary Wallace want residents to go to a consultation event in the park on Saturday 20th June, from 11am to 3pm. Proposals for improvement of the park will be on display.
“We are keen to ensure the views of Swalwell residents and park users are considered,” said Councillor Craig.
“There is great potential to ensure improvements to the park add to community facilities in Swalwell.”
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Blaydon, Neil Bradbury, said, “Peter, Chris and Mary have worked hard with other organsiations and groups to ensure improvements are made to Swalwell Park.
“But it is important that what is planned is what people want. So if you are a resident of Swalwell, please go to the event on Saturday 20th.”
Councillors Peter Craig, Chris Ord and Mary Wallace want residents to go to a consultation event in the park on Saturday 20th June, from 11am to 3pm. Proposals for improvement of the park will be on display.
“We are keen to ensure the views of Swalwell residents and park users are considered,” said Councillor Craig.
“There is great potential to ensure improvements to the park add to community facilities in Swalwell.”
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Blaydon, Neil Bradbury, said, “Peter, Chris and Mary have worked hard with other organsiations and groups to ensure improvements are made to Swalwell Park.
“But it is important that what is planned is what people want. So if you are a resident of Swalwell, please go to the event on Saturday 20th.”
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Fiona Hall re-elected as Gateshead's Member of the European Parliament
It was no change in the representation of the North East in the European Parliament following the elections on 4th June. The results were declared in Sunderland for the region and Stephen Hughes (Labour), Martin Callanan (Conservative) and Fiona Hall (Liberal Democrat) were all re-elected.
The votes cast in Gateshead for the parties contesting the three North East seats were:
Labour: 13,196
Lib Dem: 8,873
UKIP: 6,387
Con: 5,725
BNP: 4,062
Green: 2,435
English Dem: 1,030
Socialist Lab: 911
No to EU: 637
Christian: 544
Libertas: 234
Jury Team: 160
Liberal Democrats in the borough have expressed their delight that Fiona Hall has been re-elected. Fiona has had a leading role in a number of campaigns in Gateshead, helping to fight landfill at Pathhead and opencast mining between Whickham and Rowlands Gill.
The votes cast in Gateshead for the parties contesting the three North East seats were:
Labour: 13,196
Lib Dem: 8,873
UKIP: 6,387
Con: 5,725
BNP: 4,062
Green: 2,435
English Dem: 1,030
Socialist Lab: 911
No to EU: 637
Christian: 544
Libertas: 234
Jury Team: 160
Liberal Democrats in the borough have expressed their delight that Fiona Hall has been re-elected. Fiona has had a leading role in a number of campaigns in Gateshead, helping to fight landfill at Pathhead and opencast mining between Whickham and Rowlands Gill.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Sunniside double yellow lines not to be extended
Chapel goers in Sunniside, Gateshead, are being reassured that double yellow lines on Gateshead Road will not be extended outside the entrance to their building.
Traffic lights are to be installed next to Sunniside Methodist Chapel on the junction of Sunniside Road and Sunniside Front Street. The original proposals included extending the existing double yellow lines in front of the whole of the chapel.
“Chapel goers were very concerned that this would make it impossible for wedding cars and hearses to pull up outside the chapel,” said Cllr Jonathan Wallace.
“We raised this with the Council’s highways engineers and we can now assure chapel goers that the existing double yellow lines on the junction will not be extended.
“That means wedding cars and hearses will be able to pull up right outside the main doors to the chapel.”
The work on the traffic lights is expected to be carried out by the end of June.
Traffic lights are to be installed next to Sunniside Methodist Chapel on the junction of Sunniside Road and Sunniside Front Street. The original proposals included extending the existing double yellow lines in front of the whole of the chapel.
“Chapel goers were very concerned that this would make it impossible for wedding cars and hearses to pull up outside the chapel,” said Cllr Jonathan Wallace.
“We raised this with the Council’s highways engineers and we can now assure chapel goers that the existing double yellow lines on the junction will not be extended.
“That means wedding cars and hearses will be able to pull up right outside the main doors to the chapel.”
The work on the traffic lights is expected to be carried out by the end of June.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Lib Dem councillors take parking charges battle to shoppers
Liberal Democrat Councillors in Whickham, Gateshead, have launched a petition against revised plans for parking charges in the village.
Plans to introduce charges in the car parks in the centre of the village were first announced three years ago. An angry outcry by residents, businesses and Whickham’s nine Lib Dem Councillors persuaded Gateshead Council’s cabinet to suspend the plans.
The time since has been used to put together revised proposals which allow for the first 20 minutes in the short stay car park behind the Library to be free. After that, a charge of 20p an hour will apply.
The car park behind the Gibside Hotel will be used for long stay with a charge of £1 a day.
Liberal Democrat Councillors set up a street stall in Whickham on Saturday 23rd May to collect signatures and copies of the petition were also places in local shops and businesses. They were also joined by Neil Bradbury, Parliamentary candidate for Blaydon, which includes Whickham.
“Whilst the free 20 minutes is a concession, it does not go far enough,” said Councillor Peter Craig. “It is too short a time and people will barely be out of their cars before they have to pay the charge.
“There are serious concerns about the impact of the recession on local businesses,” said Neil Bradbury. “Whickham has to compete with the Metrocentre where parking is free.
“There should be no charges introduced during the recession and if the Council does introduce a charge at a later date, it should at least make the first hour free.
“That will give the small shops in Whickham, many of which are locally owned, a fighting chance to compete with the Metrocentre.”
Plans to introduce charges in the car parks in the centre of the village were first announced three years ago. An angry outcry by residents, businesses and Whickham’s nine Lib Dem Councillors persuaded Gateshead Council’s cabinet to suspend the plans.
The time since has been used to put together revised proposals which allow for the first 20 minutes in the short stay car park behind the Library to be free. After that, a charge of 20p an hour will apply.
The car park behind the Gibside Hotel will be used for long stay with a charge of £1 a day.
Liberal Democrat Councillors set up a street stall in Whickham on Saturday 23rd May to collect signatures and copies of the petition were also places in local shops and businesses. They were also joined by Neil Bradbury, Parliamentary candidate for Blaydon, which includes Whickham.
“Whilst the free 20 minutes is a concession, it does not go far enough,” said Councillor Peter Craig. “It is too short a time and people will barely be out of their cars before they have to pay the charge.
“There are serious concerns about the impact of the recession on local businesses,” said Neil Bradbury. “Whickham has to compete with the Metrocentre where parking is free.
“There should be no charges introduced during the recession and if the Council does introduce a charge at a later date, it should at least make the first hour free.
“That will give the small shops in Whickham, many of which are locally owned, a fighting chance to compete with the Metrocentre.”
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Visit Gateshead!
Liberal Democrats in Gateshead are encouraging people to visit the borough as part of a tourism drive. And they have produced this video to tell people what's on and what to visit.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Nick Clegg visits Gateshead
Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg MP visited Gateshead in early May to launch the North East European Parliament elections.
Nick in Baltic Square with Fiona Hall MEP and campaigners from across Tyneside.
Gateshead Councillor Ron Beadle greets Nick.
The Euro Team with Nick Clegg - Neil bradbury, Fiona Hall and Chris Foote Wood.
Nick in Baltic Square with Fiona Hall MEP and campaigners from across Tyneside.
Gateshead Councillor Ron Beadle greets Nick.
The Euro Team with Nick Clegg - Neil bradbury, Fiona Hall and Chris Foote Wood.Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Fewer job vacancies in Gateshead
Fewer jobs are available in Gateshead following the publication of vacancies available through Job Centres.
Vacancies in Job Centres based in Gateshead have fallen by a fifth in the year to the end of March 2009. There were 16,814 vacancies available at the Job Centres at Blaydon, Felling and central Gateshead, down 4,208.
Felling and central Gateshead have reductions of 19.5%. Blaydon has a larger decrease with a 23.1%.
Neil Bradbury, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman for Blaydon, said, "The drop in the number of jobs available for residents of Gateshead is worrying but not surprising, given the state of the economy.
"The Government's VAT cut has failed to boost the economy. Gordon Brown should scrap it and use the money to invest in housing improvements and green schemes.
"And he should reform the tax system to take all those earning less than £10,000 a year out of income tax completely."
Vacancies in Job Centres based in Gateshead have fallen by a fifth in the year to the end of March 2009. There were 16,814 vacancies available at the Job Centres at Blaydon, Felling and central Gateshead, down 4,208.
Felling and central Gateshead have reductions of 19.5%. Blaydon has a larger decrease with a 23.1%.
Neil Bradbury, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman for Blaydon, said, "The drop in the number of jobs available for residents of Gateshead is worrying but not surprising, given the state of the economy.
"The Government's VAT cut has failed to boost the economy. Gordon Brown should scrap it and use the money to invest in housing improvements and green schemes.
"And he should reform the tax system to take all those earning less than £10,000 a year out of income tax completely."
