LIBERAL Democrat campaigners have collected 473 signatures on a petition calling for improvements to the junction of Station Road and Burnopfield Road in Rowlands Gill, in western Gateshead.
The petition was launched after residents raised concerns about the accident blackspot with Lib Dem Councillor Jonathan Wallace.
“There has been great interest in the petition,” said Jonathan. “That’s why so many have signed. We will be handing in the petition to Gateshead Council in the very near future.”
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Welcome end to roadworks
OVERRUNNING roadworks in a village in Gateshead have at last been completed. The roadworks, to replace gas mains on Sunniside Road, Sunniside, took two and a half months longer than planned.
Sunniside Road is a main road through the village and carries a large number of vehicles travelling between Derwentside and Tyneside. Traffic lights in place from March to July ensured a great deal of congestion on local roads.
“Residents are delighted the work is at last completed,” said Councillor Jonathan Wallace, who lives in Sunniside.
“We all appreciated that the work had to be done but the two month overrun meant we all had to ensure traffic jams for much longer than we expected.”
Sunniside Road is a main road through the village and carries a large number of vehicles travelling between Derwentside and Tyneside. Traffic lights in place from March to July ensured a great deal of congestion on local roads.
“Residents are delighted the work is at last completed,” said Councillor Jonathan Wallace, who lives in Sunniside.
“We all appreciated that the work had to be done but the two month overrun meant we all had to ensure traffic jams for much longer than we expected.”
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Council Cabinet agrees parking charges
Gateshead Council's Cabinet agreed on Tuesday 18th July to the principle of car parking charges for Whickham, Blaydon, Birtley and Low Fell. However, no charges will be introduced until the Council have carried out consultation with residents and businesses.
Liberal Democrats in Blaydon constituency carried out a survey of residents and business about the planned charges. Whickham North Councillor Peter Craig produced a report based in the responses from over 140 people by email, 60 written replies and nearly 30 from businesses. This report was presented to the Cabinet by Councillor Craig.
At the Cabinet Peter outlined the concerns of many about the impact on businesses in the town centres, especially with the Metrocentre offering free parking.
Liberal Democrat councillors will be speaking to officers and members of the Cabinet about the details that were raised in the consultation we carried out.
Liberal Democrats in Blaydon constituency carried out a survey of residents and business about the planned charges. Whickham North Councillor Peter Craig produced a report based in the responses from over 140 people by email, 60 written replies and nearly 30 from businesses. This report was presented to the Cabinet by Councillor Craig.
At the Cabinet Peter outlined the concerns of many about the impact on businesses in the town centres, especially with the Metrocentre offering free parking.
Liberal Democrat councillors will be speaking to officers and members of the Cabinet about the details that were raised in the consultation we carried out.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Blaydon residents surveyed on parking
RESIDENTS of Blaydon in western Gateshead have been surveyed by local Liberal Democrats about plans to introduce car parking charges in the town’s main car park.
The survey of 300 households was carried out on Saturday 8th July.
Gateshead Council’s cabinet will decide whether or not to go ahead with plans to charge 20p an hour on Tuesday 18th July.
Local Liberal Democrats decided to carry out the survey to find out the response of residents to the Labour council’s plans.
“Many people are worried about the impact,” said Blaydon Lib Dem campaigner Mark Gardner. “The Metrocentre offers free parking and there are concerns that people will stop using Blaydon shopping precinct and shop down the road instead.”
The Liberal Democrats are currently analysing the responses to the survey from 100 people in Blaydon.
Welcome for end to police mergers
A LEADING Liberal Democrat in Gateshead has welcomed the collapse of plans to merge local police authorities into a single regional super-force.
Government ministers announced on Thursday 12th July that the plans to merge forces in England had been axed following objections from police authorities, councils and residents.
Jonathan Wallace, Councillor for Whickham South and Sunniside, said, “There was a danger that local community policing could be lost if the mergers went ahead as the police authorities would have been more remote from the people they serve.
“There is every need for the different forces to work together on tackling large scale organised crime and terrorism, but that does not mean we have to go through the enormous expense of scrapping the existing system of police authorities and forces.”
Government ministers announced on Thursday 12th July that the plans to merge forces in England had been axed following objections from police authorities, councils and residents.
Jonathan Wallace, Councillor for Whickham South and Sunniside, said, “There was a danger that local community policing could be lost if the mergers went ahead as the police authorities would have been more remote from the people they serve.
“There is every need for the different forces to work together on tackling large scale organised crime and terrorism, but that does not mean we have to go through the enormous expense of scrapping the existing system of police authorities and forces.”
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Saltwell Park shortlisted
Saltwell Park has been short listed in North East final of The National Lottery Awards 2006.
The park is one of four projects chosen by a panel of judges to go head to head in a public vote to claim the title of the North East’s National Lottery Project of the Year. The other projects are: Pallion Action Group (working with disadvantaged young people in Sunderland), The Bulls Wheelchair Rugby Club (providing an outlet for wheelchair bound people in Teeside) and Segedunum Roman Fort and Baths in Wallsend (preserving a significant Roman heritage in Tyne and Wear). The winner will earn a place in the UK final, and is set to be broadcast on national television later in the year.
Considerable work has been carried out on the park since it was awarded £6.9million of Lottery funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. It now attracts around 20,000 visitors a year.
Votes for Saltwell Park can be cast in two ways. Either by telephone by calling 0845 4348939 or via the internet by logging onto http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/ and clicking on National Lottery Awards. Voting lines are open and now and close on 11th August 2006.
The park is one of four projects chosen by a panel of judges to go head to head in a public vote to claim the title of the North East’s National Lottery Project of the Year. The other projects are: Pallion Action Group (working with disadvantaged young people in Sunderland), The Bulls Wheelchair Rugby Club (providing an outlet for wheelchair bound people in Teeside) and Segedunum Roman Fort and Baths in Wallsend (preserving a significant Roman heritage in Tyne and Wear). The winner will earn a place in the UK final, and is set to be broadcast on national television later in the year.
Considerable work has been carried out on the park since it was awarded £6.9million of Lottery funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. It now attracts around 20,000 visitors a year.
Votes for Saltwell Park can be cast in two ways. Either by telephone by calling 0845 4348939 or via the internet by logging onto http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/ and clicking on National Lottery Awards. Voting lines are open and now and close on 11th August 2006.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Parking survey of businesses in Whickham
LIBERAL Democrat councillors in Whickham, Gateshead, have carried out a survey of 100 businesses in the village centre to ask them about the possible impact of proposed charges for parking.
Gateshead Council are considering plans to introduce a charge of 20p an hour to park at the St Mary’s Green car park in the village. Currently parking is free.
The survey is being coordinated by Councillors Chris Ord, Peter Craig, Yvonne McNicol and Jonathan Wallace.
“We have already carried out a survey of residents about the proposed parking charges but we want to get the views of local businesses as well,” said Councillor Ord.
“After all, their livelihood is directly affected by the number of people coming to Whickham to shop and do businesses.”
Survey forms were delivered to businesses on Saturday 8th July.
Gateshead Council are considering plans to introduce a charge of 20p an hour to park at the St Mary’s Green car park in the village. Currently parking is free.
The survey is being coordinated by Councillors Chris Ord, Peter Craig, Yvonne McNicol and Jonathan Wallace.
“We have already carried out a survey of residents about the proposed parking charges but we want to get the views of local businesses as well,” said Councillor Ord.
“After all, their livelihood is directly affected by the number of people coming to Whickham to shop and do businesses.”
Survey forms were delivered to businesses on Saturday 8th July.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
500 sign “Save our Post Offices” petition in Rowlands Gill and Highfield
500 residents of the villages of Rowlands Gill and Highfield in western Gateshead have signed a petition calling for the Post Office Card Account (POCA) to be retained.
POCA is used by elderly people to collect their state pensions through branches of the Post Office. But the government has recently ordered POCA to be axed and elderly people will be required to open bank accounts and receive their pensions through banks instead.
There are widespread fears that this will make it harder for older people to collect their money and many Post Office branches will close as a result of lost business.
The petition has been organised by Liberal Democrats. Petition co-ordinator Dr Jonathan Wallace, who is a Gateshead Councillor, said, “Many people are angry about the government’s decision to end the Post Office Card Account.
“If a Post Office branch closes as a result of the loss of business POCA brings, it is not just the elderly who lose out. Whole communities will see the closure of important social assets, which is what Post Offices are.
“We have been pleased with the response to the petition so far where we have carried it out. We will be collecting more signatures over the summer from across much of Gateshead.”
POCA is used by elderly people to collect their state pensions through branches of the Post Office. But the government has recently ordered POCA to be axed and elderly people will be required to open bank accounts and receive their pensions through banks instead.
There are widespread fears that this will make it harder for older people to collect their money and many Post Office branches will close as a result of lost business.
The petition has been organised by Liberal Democrats. Petition co-ordinator Dr Jonathan Wallace, who is a Gateshead Councillor, said, “Many people are angry about the government’s decision to end the Post Office Card Account.
“If a Post Office branch closes as a result of the loss of business POCA brings, it is not just the elderly who lose out. Whole communities will see the closure of important social assets, which is what Post Offices are.
“We have been pleased with the response to the petition so far where we have carried it out. We will be collecting more signatures over the summer from across much of Gateshead.”
Lib Dems consult on parking plans
LIBERAL Democrats in Blaydon constituency have consulted hundreds of households about proposals by Gateshead Council to introduce parking charges at Whickham, Blaydon and Birtley.
Nearly 1000 households have been emailed a consultation form and almost 100 have so far replied.
The proposals, which will be considered by the Council’s Cabinet on 18th July, will, if agreed, see a charge of 20p an hour short stay or £1.00 a day long stay.
The consultation is being carried out by Councillor Jonathan Wallace and Councillor Peter Craig.
“We want to find out what residents feel about the proposals,” said Councillor Wallace. “So we sent out an email consultation form and have had many replies back already.
“Peter Craig is analysing all the replies and is producing a report for council officers to consider.
“We would like people to have their replies in by 12th July. People can email their views to me at j.wallace@libdems.org.uk.”
Nearly 1000 households have been emailed a consultation form and almost 100 have so far replied.
The proposals, which will be considered by the Council’s Cabinet on 18th July, will, if agreed, see a charge of 20p an hour short stay or £1.00 a day long stay.
The consultation is being carried out by Councillor Jonathan Wallace and Councillor Peter Craig.
“We want to find out what residents feel about the proposals,” said Councillor Wallace. “So we sent out an email consultation form and have had many replies back already.
“Peter Craig is analysing all the replies and is producing a report for council officers to consider.
“We would like people to have their replies in by 12th July. People can email their views to me at j.wallace@libdems.org.uk.”
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Housing Association pulls out of Ruskin Road
A plan by the Byker Bridge Housing Association to take over and renovate four council houses on Ruskin Road in Swalwell has collapsed.
The housing association had planned to take on the properties but increased costs and extra work led to the Housing Association pulling out of the scheme.
Local Councillors Chris Ord, Mary Wallace and Peter Craig are pressing Gateshead Council for an early decision on the future of the four boarded up houses, which have been attracting vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
Photo: Councillors Peter Craig and Chris Ord outside one of the boarded up houses on Ruskin Road. Byker Bridge Housing Association have pulled out of a plan to take over the properties. Now your local Councillors are pressing Gateshead for a decision on the future of the houses.
Coalway Lane action on stolen cars
Action is to be taken to stop the Coalway Lane footpath from Whickham to Swalwell being used as a racetrack for motorcyclists and stolen cars.
Following a tour of the area by Councillor Chris Ord, local police and officers of the Gateshead Housing Company, which manages Gateshead Council’s housing stock, an application was made to fence off the top of the path at the bottom of Coalway Drive, to prevent access onto the path by vehicles.
“Residents have been concerned about the use of the path by motorcycles,” said Cllr Chris Ord. “We have also had incidents of the path being used for driving stolen cars.
“These are serious dangers to people walking along the path, and especially to kids walking to Swalwell Primary School, which sits next to Coalway Lane. In addition, the bikes cause a great deal of disturbance to residents.
“The top of the path will therefore be fenced off to prevent vehicles getting access though a gate will allow people with wheelchairs or prams to get through.
“I am delighted this work is to go ahead.
Photo: Councillors Chris Ord and Peter Craig at the top of the Coialway Lane path where fencing is to be installed to prevent use of the area by motorcyclists and the driving of stolen cars.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Parking charges proposed - views sought
Lib Dem councillors have received notification of a proposal which will be put before Gateshead Council's Cabinet on July 18th. They are actively seeking residents' opinions so that they can accurately represent people's views.
The proposal is to introduce car park charges in several new locations within the Borough including both of the main car parks in Whickham, Low Fell, Birtley and Blaydon.
The reasons given are to :
1) raise funds that can be used towards maintenance and improvements of the car parks - currently there is no funding available for this.
2) allow the council to introduce restrictions on the length of stay in some car parks.
3) contribute to the disabled provision within the car parks.
4) raise funds that will contribute to enforcement costs.
The suggested costs are 20p per hour (short stay) and £1 fixed charge per day (long-stay). These costs are significantly cheaper than car park costs in Central Gateshead which are between 60p and 80p per hour and between £1.30 and £2.50 per day.
It is also intended that additional waiting restrictions will be introduced to surrounding streets to discourage a dispersal of commuter and shopper parking if subsequent surveys demonstrate a need.
Lib Dem councillors would like people's responses to these proposals and to the following issues: what do you think the impact will be?; if charges are not introduced, how do we pay for improvements to the car parks?; how often do you use the car parks and are charges likely to affect the number of times you use businesses based in Whickham?
Those wanting to respond are asked to send their views by 11th July to j.wallace@libdems.org.uk. People can also respond by posting comments about this article.
The proposal is to introduce car park charges in several new locations within the Borough including both of the main car parks in Whickham, Low Fell, Birtley and Blaydon.
The reasons given are to :
1) raise funds that can be used towards maintenance and improvements of the car parks - currently there is no funding available for this.
2) allow the council to introduce restrictions on the length of stay in some car parks.
3) contribute to the disabled provision within the car parks.
4) raise funds that will contribute to enforcement costs.
The suggested costs are 20p per hour (short stay) and £1 fixed charge per day (long-stay). These costs are significantly cheaper than car park costs in Central Gateshead which are between 60p and 80p per hour and between £1.30 and £2.50 per day.
It is also intended that additional waiting restrictions will be introduced to surrounding streets to discourage a dispersal of commuter and shopper parking if subsequent surveys demonstrate a need.
Lib Dem councillors would like people's responses to these proposals and to the following issues: what do you think the impact will be?; if charges are not introduced, how do we pay for improvements to the car parks?; how often do you use the car parks and are charges likely to affect the number of times you use businesses based in Whickham?
Those wanting to respond are asked to send their views by 11th July to j.wallace@libdems.org.uk. People can also respond by posting comments about this article.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Rowlands Gill petition almost completed
LIBERAL Democrat campaigners in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, have finished delivering petition forms to every house in the village calling for improvements to a dangerous road junction.
Campaigners are wanting the council to consider improvements to the junction of Burnopfield Road and Station Road following three accidents at the site earlier this year. The final 400 petition forms were delivered over the weekend of 24-25 June.
Petition co-ordinator Jonathan Wallace said, “We have had hundreds of replies to the petition and we will be handing it in shortly. Residents wanting their signatures included on the petition should return their completed petition forms to us as soon as possible.”
Campaigners are wanting the council to consider improvements to the junction of Burnopfield Road and Station Road following three accidents at the site earlier this year. The final 400 petition forms were delivered over the weekend of 24-25 June.
Petition co-ordinator Jonathan Wallace said, “We have had hundreds of replies to the petition and we will be handing it in shortly. Residents wanting their signatures included on the petition should return their completed petition forms to us as soon as possible.”
Hedley Hall Woodland celebrates 15 years
Great North Forest and the Woodland Trust have just marked the fifteenth anniversary of the acquisition and planting of Hedley Hall, near Sunniside with a fun-filled education day and a community celebration event.
The former agricultural site was the first to be planted in the Great North Forest. Since then it has flourished and is now a superb new, native woodland and site of nature conservation interest. The community event was also a way of showcasing the improved access and interpretation works that have been undertaken in Hedley Hall Wood over the past year, thanks to a £11,347 grant from Biffaward.
The wood is easily accessible from the Tanfield Railway from which you can take the Bowes Railway path to walk to Hedley Hall Wood. You can also start at the Causey Inn and follow Hedley Lane into the wood.
Great North Forest Link: http://www.greatnorthforest.org.uk
The former agricultural site was the first to be planted in the Great North Forest. Since then it has flourished and is now a superb new, native woodland and site of nature conservation interest. The community event was also a way of showcasing the improved access and interpretation works that have been undertaken in Hedley Hall Wood over the past year, thanks to a £11,347 grant from Biffaward.
The wood is easily accessible from the Tanfield Railway from which you can take the Bowes Railway path to walk to Hedley Hall Wood. You can also start at the Causey Inn and follow Hedley Lane into the wood.
Great North Forest Link: http://www.greatnorthforest.org.uk
Great North Forest HQ move
The Great North Forest Team moved to its new office location at the Greenhouse near Annfield Plain on the 8th May 2006 after ten years based at Whickham Thorns Activity Centre in Gateshead. The new office provides better accommodation for partnership working and space more suited to modern IT requirements.
The Greenhouse is an award winning, eco-friendly prototype development which harnesses renewable technologies, including a 32m high wind turbine, solar panels and a ground source heat pump in its construction, to make it an energy efficient building.
The Greenhouse is an award winning, eco-friendly prototype development which harnesses renewable technologies, including a 32m high wind turbine, solar panels and a ground source heat pump in its construction, to make it an energy efficient building.
Successful street surgery
LIBERAL Democrat Councillors in Whickham North, Gateshead, carried out an experimental “street surgery” on Saturday 24th June.
Instead of being tucked away inside a public building, Councillors Chris Ord and Peter Craig held an open air surgery outside the shops on Oakfield Road, Whickham. Over 20 people visited them and raised issues with them.
“This was an experiment to see if we could meet more people than we would otherwise do if we were holding the surgery in a public building,” said Councillor Ord.
“It worked very well and we are planning to try more in the near future.”
Instead of being tucked away inside a public building, Councillors Chris Ord and Peter Craig held an open air surgery outside the shops on Oakfield Road, Whickham. Over 20 people visited them and raised issues with them.
“This was an experiment to see if we could meet more people than we would otherwise do if we were holding the surgery in a public building,” said Councillor Ord.
“It worked very well and we are planning to try more in the near future.”
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Sunniside Roadworks
Residents of Sunniside have shown a remarkable degree of patience following months of work by Northern Gas Networks (United Utilities) on laying new gas pipes on Sunniside Road. Traffic lights have been in use along much of Sunniside Road since March.
The original plan by the company was to complete the work by early May but two major problems occurred which have forced the expected completion date to be moved backwards to early July.
The work that is taking place involves the removal of 829 metres of old iron gas pipe and valves with 499 metres of polyethylene pipes.
Since work began, the contractors have found rock into which the pipes have to be sunk. This was not previously expected.
In addition the gas company’s records of the existing pipe locations and layout apparently bear little resemblance to what is actually in the ground. Consequently the contractor is having to search for the pipes and valves before the replacement works can be carried out.
Councillor Jonathan Wallace, who is also a resident of the village, has been in touch with Highways Officers of Gateshead Council to try to get a completion date.
“The work is for a private company and is carried out by private contractors, so the Council in this instance is the body that oversees the work but otherwise has no direct control,” said Jonathan.
“Whilst I accept the work is necessary as the old pipes have to be replaced, I am concerned that in this instance, the estimated time to complete the work was way off the mark.
“Unforeseen circumstances are a part of daily life, but in this instance, insufficient time was considered to take into account the unexpected. However, I have been informed that the end of June or early July is the expected completion date.”
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