Wednesday, May 21, 2008
A1 improvements "kicked into long grass"
A leading Liberal Democrat Councillor in Gateshead, whose ward borders the A1, has attacked the government over the failure to improve the A1.
Hopes that the A1 Western By-pass could be improved to cut congestion (and therefore pollution) and to make traffic flow more easily have been put on hold yet again following recent comments by Labour’s Transport Minister.
Rosie Winterton MP told the region earlier this month that no work on improvements to the road will be carried out for the time being as the Highways Agency was studying options for the road.
“This is a classic case of kicking an issue into the long grass,” said Councillor Peter Maughan in the Liberal Democrats’ email newsletter to residents of Whickham and Dunston.
“We are being told that any short term improvements will be very minor, such as clearing accidents more quickly.
“This is not a solution to the problem of a road that is completely inadequate for the job it has to do.
“Every day, my constituents in Dunston have to put up with thousands of slow moving vehicles stuck in a traffic jam going through the heart of the village. This means more noise and pollution endured by residents.
“Whilst there is cross party support here in the North East for the view that major improvement to the A1 is vital for the future of the region’s jobs, businesses and environment, that message just isn’t getting through to ministers in London who prevaricate about the future of this road.”
Councillor Maughan, who is also Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Blaydon, is writing to Rosie Winterton to urge her to back improvements to the A1 and to set a timetable for the work to be carried out.
A1 advertising tower plan rejected
Plans to build an 18 metre high advertising tower on land next to the A1 in Swalwell, near the Metrocentre, have been rejected by Gateshead Council’s planners.
Had the plans been approved, the tower, which would have been internally illuminated, would have carried panels for advertising hoardings measuring 7.5metres by 5 metres.
“I am pleased this has been rejected. Had this gone ahead it would have been huge,” said Councillor Peter Craig.
“It would have dominated the roadside, distracted drivers at a very busy stretch of the A1 and would have been an unwelcome addition to the Swalwell skyline.”
Planners to see controversial housing site
Gateshead’s planning committee is to visit the site where a controversial planning application is stirring community unrest.
An application has been lodged with Gateshead Council to demolish the 100 year old house at 59 Grange Lane, Whickham, and replace it with one detached and four terraced houses.
Access to the four terraced houses will be off Grange Nook, a small street next to the site that is already tightly packed. The application has received 27 letters of objection from residents.
Planning permission has been granted in the past two years to demolish two other old houses on Grange Lane and replace them with larger numbers of smaller homes.
When the plan was presented to the planning committee today (21st May) it was agreed that a site visit by the committee was needed before any decision should be taken.
Local Liberal Democrat councillor Marilynn Ord, who opposes the plan, welcomed the decision to carry out a visit.
“There is a danger that this area will split at the seams,” said Marilynn. “The access to four of the new houses will be through a narrow street. Grange Lane itself is very narrow but is already a busy access road to the large Grange Estate.
“Furthermore, the homes around the site are nearly all bungalows and many people are concerned about the loss of privacy.
“The existing house is a good example of one of the old houses of Whickham and it would be a pity to see it demolished.
“I am hoping that the visit by the planning committee will help to show the problems that will arise by putting too many new houses here.”
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Whickham May Fayre May 2008
Congratulations to everyone involved with the Whickham May Fayre on Saturday 17th May. The weather may have been a bit damp but spirits remained high. As usual, Cllr Jonathan Wallace went along with his video camera and shot a bit of footage. He got there at the start and had to leave early for another appointment so the video didn’t catch the crowds that arrived later on.
However, he did manage to catch a slightly embarrassed Cllr Peter Maughan winning too many prizes on various tombolas!
Welcome for Post Office appeal win
Sunniside Post Office had applied for the machine to be installed in 2007. A petition signed by 200 residents of the village backed the plan, as did Sunniside’s Liberal Democrat councillor, Jonathan Wallace. But despite this, the planning application was kicked out by Gateshead Council’s Planning Committee.
Labour councillors claimed the cash machine would be a danger to traffic as the post office is on Sunniside Front Street. This is despite the fact that most cash machines are already installed on city, town and village front streets throughout the UK.
Now planning inspectors have now overturned the decision and the machine will now be installed.
“This application should not have been rejected,” said Councillor Wallace, who backed the appeal.
“I find it remarkable that Labour councillors took the decision that Sunniside should be denied this service.
“Labour’s original decision to reject the application could not be believed by Sunniside residents when they first heard it.
“At a time when post offices are under threat, the cash machine will boost the branch in Sunniside and help to ensure it survives. We are now looking forward to the machine being installed. It will be the only 24 hour, free to use cash machine in the village.”
Councillor Peter Maughan, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Blaydon, which includes Sunniside, said, “The government are pushing through the closure of a further 2,500 post offices throughout the country.
“Ministers claim the closures are needed as there is not enough business to keep them open. And here we have an example of Labour councillors actually trying to block additional business going to a post office branch.
“Thankfully, the attempt has failed. However, we are still waiting for the list of branches on Tyneside Labour want to close. When published, we will fight hard against the closures.”
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Promise of jam tomorrow is not enough – Ron Beadle
The doubling of the 10p income tax starter rate was announced last year but was put into operation at the start of April after Labour MPs voted for it in March. Since then, Labour MPs have suffered a backlash from low income people whose tax rates were doubled by Gordon Brown.
“Tens of thousands of residents of Tyneside have been hit hard by Labour’s decision to double the 10p income tax starter rate,” said Councillor Ron Beadle, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Newcastle North. Ron is also Councillor for Low Fell in Gateshead.
“Labour MPs, having only just voted to put this tax rise into operation, suddenly started shouting about how terrible it was.
“It is disappointing that they have caved in and agreed to back the Government’s last minute offer of vague promises of compensation. All that is on offer is jam tomorrow. There are no details of how the compensation scheme will work.
“Having previously been told there was no money in the kitty to reverse the tax rise, the Government has failed to explain how they will pay for the compensation scheme.
“And as is so often the case with this government, we should believe it when it happens. In the meantime, those on low incomes on Tyneside continue to lose out whilst Gordon Brown’s tax rises bite into pay packets and pensions.
“It is staggering that in the same week as vague concessions for some of the lowest paid people in the country were dragged out of the Government, Gordon Brown’s door to Downing Street was wide open for bankers to visit him and successfully argue for £50 billion bailout from the taxpayer to keep the banking system afloat.
“There is something seriously wrong when a Labour Government turns its back on ordinary people.”
Friday, April 18, 2008
Christmas isn’t coming early to Dunston
A request by Liberal Democrat Councillors in Dunston Hill for festive lights to be installed in the few weeks running up to Christmas in The Crescent, Dunston, has been turned down by Gateshead Council.
The request was spearheaded by Councillor Peter Maughan who had been contacted by shop owners whose businesses are in The Crescent.
“Four years ago we had some lights in The Crescent,” said Peter. “But since then, there has been nothing. A small investment will boost this shopping area in the heart of Dunston.
“I am disappointed that Gateshead Council has turned down our request for Christmas lights. Local shops are being squeezed by big retail chains and we need to attract shoppers from the nearby Metrocentre and Newcastle City Centre to small centres such as Dunston.
“Having an attractive display at Christmas is one way to achieve that. Unfortunately Christmas will not be coming early, or indeed at all, to The Crescent.”
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Lib Dems score century in Low Fell
Launched 20 years ago, the newsletter has proved a big hit with residents of Low Fell.
The area’s three Liberal Democrat Councillors, Frank Hindle, Ron Beadle and Charles Jevon have also used Focus to keep residents in touch with what’s happening in the area and on Gateshead Council.
Charles is now retiring from Gateshead Council. Campaigner Susan Craig has picked up the baton from Charles and is hoping to be elected in the local elections on 1st May, along with Frank Hindle who is due for re-election.
“Having spoken to many residents of Low Fell recently, I know just how useful they find Focus,” said Susan.
“It’s a great way to keep in touch and a useful way for the area’s Liberal Democrat councillors to keep residents up to date with what Gateshead Council is doing.”
Councillor Hindle said, “We are proud to have reached our 100th edition! Focus caught on very quickly with residents when we first produced it twenty years ago. And we are delighted we have kept it going all these years.
“Liberal Democrats believe that it is important for those who are elected by the people to remain in touch with the people. Focus is our main way of doing that.”
Monday, April 14, 2008
Battle for warden at North East Court
Many of the residents at North Eastern Court had moved there because of the warden service which affords them the support which they need for every day living.
Many have now approached local Councillor, Peter Maughan, who has taken up their case. But despite pressure, the Housing Association have indictated they are not prepared to meet residents whilst Councillor Maughan is present.
"The latest information I have is that at best, the Housing Association may keep on a much more restricted warden service than is currently available but a final decision is yet to be made.
"In the meantime, I have asked the Gateshead Council Cabinet Member who is the champion for older people to become involved. He has agreed to that and will if necessary help in further negotiations should these be necessary.
Demolition likely for fire hit school block
The sixth form block at Whickham School is likely to be demolished following the devastating fire on 21st March. Many children from Dunston and Lobley Hill are pupils at the school.
The fire, which is being treated as arson, destroyed the block that contained the library, two classrooms, a computer lab which contained 40 PCs and the staff room as well as the sixth form common room.
Fortunately the fire was contained and did not spread to neighbouring buildings.
"Staff and pupils are coping well, despite the terrible circumstances," said governor and Dunston Hill and Whickham East Councillor, Peter Maughan.
"The main hall is being used temporarily as common rooms for staff and sixth form. The council have indicated that demountable temporary class rooms could be provided.
"The school has always been successful and popular. As a result it is always full and is, indeed, bursting at the seams. Over the years accommodation problems have been tackled by building new blocks. The school itself however desperately needs replacing on the existing site with a single, new building.
"Under existing plans, the earliest this will happen is 2014/15. Perhaps now is the time for the government to rethink the timetable and bring forward the start date."
Residents call for Rocket to be pulled down
The findings are from a survey carried out for Gateshead Council and the Gateshead Housing Company. The survey also found that people want the site used to building affordable homes for rent.
In addition, a public exhibition was held in Dunston Activity Centre by Gateshead Council on 19-20 February. 120 residents from the Dunston area came along.
Initial findings of a survey of those who attended show most want the Rocket to be demolished.
"It is now important that the Council moves quickly to carry out the wishes of local residents," said Councillor Peter Maughan. "As a teenager living in Dunston, I remember the Rocket being built. But residents have now spoken and it is time for it to go.
"I am keen however to ensure that new shops and a village centre are created to benefit all local residents."
Whickham Community Fayre
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
MP challenged to public debate on Post Offices
The challenged was made after Blaydon Labour MP David Anderson voted with the government to continue closing post offices.
Councillor Peter Maughan, who is Parliamentary Candidate for the Liberal Democrats for Blaydon, was so angry about Mr Anderson’s backing for continued post office closures that he decided to throw down the gaunlet to the MP.
“The government has ordered the closure of one in every five post offices,” said Peter. “Mr Anderson has called for more to be done in the past to keep open post office branches.
“In the recent vote in Parliament, MPs had the opportunity to vote to suspend the closure programme. Despite some Labour MPs voting against, Mr Anderson chose to vote with the government and backed the continuation of the closures.
“In the summer, the post offices that will be proposed for closure on Tyneside will be announced. Liberal Democrats will campaign to keep them open. But Mr Anderson needs to explain to constituents now why he has backed the closure of a fifth of the branches in the area.
“Mr Anderson was elected on a self proclaimed programme of being his own man and holding the government to account. He has, however, failed to do this and has consistently voted with the government. Post offices are just one example of this.
“I have therefore challenged Mr Anderson to a public debate on post office closures so that he can explain himself to his constituents.”
