Details of a traffic calming scheme for the southern part of Heywood Road (from Heys Road down to Scholes Lane) have been announced.

The proposals include a 20mph zone as the road nears the area of Park View Primary School (Rectory Lane roundabout to Scholes Lane, including Park View Road itself.

Local residents on our road banded together to help a stranded lorry that took a wrong turn in Prestwich - it took over two hours but the lorry was finally able to get back onto the main road.

Bury Council have announced that all refuse collections in Bury have been cancelled today due to the bad weather conditions.

I will update this post when I have more information about what this means for people’s rubbish.

The Chief Executive of Bury Council has issued the following statement:

Owing to the continuing severe weather conditions the council is only able to run very limited services today. The refuse collection service has been suspended. People wishing to contact the council should only do so if it is an emergency.

Due to a national shortage of grit the council has to prioritise the roads which are treated. In order to keep traffic flowing through the borough, main arterial routes and bus routes are the only roads which can be treated with current resources.

At the St Margaret’s end of Heaton Park, ‘Bury Old Road Camp’, where Goals Soccer want to replace quiet parkland by Astro-Turf, men trained before they went to fight in a war - from which many didn’t return. There was even a no-go area - the house by the park wall where soldiers returning after curfew would try to return to their barracks! This post card was to a girlfriend or Sister (Katie) in June, 1917. She didn’t seem to have time to write back. I wonder what happened to Jack? Featured is the Cook House - and its basic! The post-card is from local historian Craig’s collection – thanks for sharing it with us!

Transport bosses in Greater Manchester are encouraging people to take advantage of two days of free travel on the Metrolink network.

Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) is providing free travel on Metrolink all day, from the first tram until the last tram, this Saturday, 14 November, and next Thursday, 19 November, as a ‘thank you’ to passengers.

Councillor Keith Whitmore, Chair of GMITA, said: “We’ve invested a significant amount in improving the Metrolink network this year; projects that will make journeys smoother, quieter and more reliable.

“We’ve completely replaced the city centre tracks, provided high quality new street finishes, upgraded two of the busiest city centre stops and installed the first sets of new ticket machines – major improvements that were completed on time and on budget.

“However, we fully appreciate that passengers were left without a full service while all this work was done, and we want to thank them for their patience and understanding during that time – that’s why we’ll be providing these two days of free travel.”

The city centre section closed in April and services returned on 2 November.

Major overhauls of the St Peter’s Square and Piccadilly Gardens stops – two of the most heavily used on the network – have been completed.

The St Peter’s Square stop has been widened and the platform heights modified to allow level boarding for all passengers. The Piccadilly Gardens stop has also been widened and new canopies have been installed to provide better shelter for even more people.

New state-of-the-art ticket machines that take bank notes and credit and debit card payments, have also been installed on the two revamped stops. They will be rolled out across the Metrolink network by spring next year
All the city centre stops now bear Metrolink’s new identity, which will be rolled out across the remainder of the network.

Councillor Ian Macdonald, Vice Chair of GMITA, said: “Shoppers will be able to benefit from free travel this Saturday and I hope more people will choose to leave the car at home and try the tram instead.

“Commuters will benefit from free travel next Thursday, but I hope people will also take the opportunity to travel in to the city centre in the evening to sample the Christmas markets and get into the festive spirit.

“Meanwhile, the investment in Metrolink is going to continue, with several brand new trams in service by the end of this year, all-new ticket machines installed across the network by spring next year and four new lines being built.”

A total of 40 new trams have been ordered to provide more room on existing services and to cater for passengers on new lines being built to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden in Tameside, Chorlton in South Manchester and MediaCityUK in Salford.

Passengers who have a season ticket which covers the days valid for free travel can claim a refund by writing to Customer Service Secretary, GMPTE, Freepost MR7 116, Manchester, M1 9QL, by 7 January 2010 with their name, address and telephone number.

They will also need to provide a photocopy of their Metrolink Travel Club membership card as well as a photocopy of their season ticket if it is still valid, or the original ticket if it has expired.

Overnight work is due on Bury Metrolink line. Residents are being advised of overnight work taking place on the Metrolink line running to Bury next week.

Work is expected to take place overnight at a number of stops along the line between Sunday 1 November and Friday 6 November while the trams are not running. Work is anticipated on the following dates:

Crumpsall – 1 November
Bowker Vale – 2 November
Heaton Park – 2 and 3 November
Prestwich – 3 November
Besses o’ th’ Barn – 4 November
Whitefield – 4 November
Radcliffe – 5 November
Bury – 5 and 6 November
Woodlands Road – 6 November

Metrolink aims to keep any disturbance caused by the work down to a minimum.

Anyone with any queries can contact the Metrolink team on 0161 244 1555 during office hours or email future.metrolink@gmpte.gov.uk. Anyone who wishes to report issues or incidents relating to the work should call 0161 205 2000

The Council is consulting on a proposed new traffic safety zone and 20mph area art the southern end of Heywood Road.

The area covered includes the bottom of Heywood Road, from the Rectory Lane mini-roundabout to the junction with Scholes Lane. It also includes the Park View Road as a 20mph zone, through to its junction with Bury New Road. The scheme includes four sets of “raised cushions” along Heywood Rosd (perhaps similar to those on Whittaker Lane). North of the Rectory Lane roundabout it is proposed to have some speed reduction signage and other features, but not to make this a 20mph zone or to have physical restrictions.

The area has been identified as a dangerous area for accidents, particularly because of the amount of school traffic that uses the area, particularly Park View Primary, but also there are walking routes to other schools.

The full consultation letter is here. The deadline for comments is 20 November 2009. The report of the consultation will come to the Prestwich Local Area Partnership in January 2010.

Please get in touch with your local Councillors if you have any other comments, ideas or concerns.

The Council is consulting on some significant improvements to the junction on Bury New Road and Hilton Lane/Scholes Lane.

Local Lib Dem Councillors with Parliamentary Candidate Vic D’Albert

Why are the works being carried out?
Following receipt of a petition handed in by your local Lib Dem Councillors from local residents in March 2007 investigations have been carried out to assess the feasibility of installing controlled pedestrian crossing facilities within the Bury New Road / Scholes Lane / Hilton Lane junction, Prestwich.

Pedestrian surveys have found that large numbers of school children cross the junction travelling to and from school particularly across the north arm of the A56 Bury New Road.

In the period from April 2004 to March 2007, 13 road traffic accidents were recorded at the junction, resulting in 25 casualties. 1 of these was recorded as a serious injury accident with the remainder recorded as slight injury accidents. This was the highest number of collisions reported at any site in the Borough.

What’s happening?
Assessment of the existing junction capacity found that it is insufficient to provide controlled pedestrian crossing facilities on all arms without major widening works. It is therefore proposed to provide controlled crossing facilities on the two arms of the junction which have the highest pedestrian flows, namely Bury New Road north and Scholes Lane arms (see
the plan on the attached leaflet).

In order to achieve this localised widening of the existing junction at its south west quadrant is required. To facilitate this a small pocket of Barnfield Park land has been appropriated as Highway.

The works include refurbishment of the existing carriageway and footways within the junction, construction of a retaining wall, tree felling and new landscaping to Barnfield Park.

When will the works begin and how long will they last?
The civil engineering highway works are planned to commence on 25th October 2009 with completion anticipated in April 2010.

The works will mainly be carried out Monday to Friday; however some works including the carriageway surfacing and tree felling will be carried out at weekends.

Inevitably the works will create disruption for local residents and road users, however Bury Council will
endeavour to keep this to a minimum.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR ENQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS
If you experience any problems with the construction works then please contact us.
During office hours 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday:
Mr Peter Stokes on 0161 253 5791
If you would like to discuss the principal of the scheme in more detail please contact us.
During office hours 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday:
Mr Ken Asquith on 0161 253 5809
Email: engcon@bury.gov.uk
In an emergency out of the above hours on: 0161 253 6606

Please contact your local councillors if you have other questions, comments or ideas on this scheme.

Passengers in the west and north of Greater Manchester are being warned of further disruptions to First Bus services on Monday, due to ongoing industrial action.

The union for First Bus drivers is continuing with strike action planned for Monday 19 October, which will affect services operating from depots in Bolton, Bury and Wigan.

First Bus will be operating half hourly services on the 37 (between Bolton and Swinton Civic only), 471 (between Bolton and Bury only), 507, 524 and 540 (between Bolton and Westhoughton, Washacre only), and these services will be free to use.

GMPTE is advising passengers to explore alternative travel options on the day and to expect demand on the services listed above and on services provided by other operators, as well as on trains and trams, to be significantly greater.

Staff will be on hand across the network to advise passengers, notices will be placed on affected bus stops and stations.

Dedicated school services will not be affected. Details of which First services will and will not run, together with – where appropriate – services that will be provided by alternative operators, will be available from www.gmpte.com.

Information about public transport services in Greater Manchester is also available by calling Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 (Calls cost 10p a minute. Mobile and landline networks may charge more. Lines are open from 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 8pm at weekends.)

Details are also available from www.firstgroup.com or by calling First’s Customer Careline helpdesk on 0845 788 1155 and selecting option two.

Queries relating to SystemOne tickets should be sent in writing to Customer Services, SystemOne Travelcards, c/o GMPTE, 2 Piccadilly Place, Manchester, M1 3BG.

Having been at the Lib Dem Conference in Bournemouth last week the party set out the following clear priorities for the country:

Build a sustainable economy
Make society fairer
Reform our broken political system

Key policies agreed by the Lib Dems include:

Investment in green jobs
The Lib Dems will switch Government spending into environmental projects
that will create jobs and build a greener future.
This will include investment in public transport infrastructure and major
energy efficiency schemes.

Fairer tax system
The Lib Dems will raise the basic allowance to £10,000 - taking millions
of people out of paying tax altogether and saving low and middle income
earners £700 a year. This will be paid for by closing many of the tax
loopholes which benefit the best off.

Invest in education
The Lib Dems want to increase spending on education, paid for by cutting
lower priority spending. They will fund smaller infant class sizes and
provide extra funds for pupils from the poorest backgrounds.
The Lib Dems reiterated their opposition to Tuition and Top-Up Fess.

Reform politics
The Lib Dems agreed a range of measures to reform the political system.
They want to give voters the right to sack MPs who have been shown to be
guilty of fraud. They also want to curb big donations to political parties
so that no-one can Œbuy‚ our political system.

“Overcrowding on Greater Manchester’s Trains could get worse,” says Transport Chief Keith Whitmore

Overcrowing on Greater Manchester’s trains could get worse if Department of Transport (DFT) rules lead to five trains, currently used betweeen Oldham and Manchester, being mothballed next month,” says Cllr Keith Whitmore - the first-ever Liberal Democrat Chairman of the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA).

Cllr Whitmore said:
“Due to Transport Authority activities in Greater Manchester, we will next month begin conversion of a train line from Oldham to Manchester to carry Trams. When this happens, five trains will become available. We believe that the DFT’s super profits, raised from North West rail companies, should be used to allow those five trains to continue operating in Greater Manchester, where they will be invaluable in relieving some of the chronic overcrowding we experience.”

“The DFT has refused to make any funding available and have instead decided that these trains will be put into cold storage, very likely never to see the light of day again in our area. This is frankly scandalous.”

Andrew Stunell MP has started a petition on this isuue which can be signed here.

In the last eight weeks, 28 British soldiers and Royal Marines have been killed in Afghanistan. However easy it may be to forget, we are a nation at war. Already more than 75,000 British men and women have done tours of duty in Afghanistan.

Thousands upon thousands of our compatriots, putting their lives on the line in the burning heat and the frozen winters of a country on the other side of the world. I want to pay tribute, on behalf of all of us, to the tenacity, bravery and extraordinary professionalism of every one of them. Their families, too, have borne with incredible fortitude the separation, the fear, and the anguish of bereavement. We salute them.

I’m afraid the hardship has been deepened, for all of them, by the enormous difficulties of this war. After nearly 8 years, victory not only seems more distant than ever, failure seems inevitable unless we change course.

I know some of you believe we should call for British troops to withdraw now. If things continue on the present disastrous course, then sooner or later that is a judgement which we may need to make. That is why we must change course. We have one more chance, one only, to turn things around.?

Success cannot be secured through military means alone. Development assistance must be bigger and faster. Talks with moderate elements of the Taliban network must commence. The international community must at last agree to a single plan in place of the present patchwork of duplication, disunity and muddle.

The threadbare legitimacy of the government in Kabul must be strengthened by reaching out across ethnic and tribal divisions. And here at home Gordon Brown must change gear, too.  He must now show the leadership and conviction that has so far been so disastrously lacking in making the case to the British people.

?You cannot win a war on half horse power. We owe it to the young men and women serving in Helmand to give them all the political leadership and all the resources they need to do the job. We should either do this properly or we shouldn’t do it at all. So I say to the Prime Minister: time is running out.

Unless you change course, there will be no choice but to withdraw, and that would be a betrayal of the servicemen and women who have already made such enormous sacrifices on our behalf. I do not want British troops to come home defeated by political failure. I want them to come home, mission successfully completed, with their heads held high.

Today is the beginning of real change in Britain

Let me tell you why I want to be Prime Minister. It’s because I want to change our country for good.

Because I want to live in a country where prejudice, insularity and fear are conquered by the great British traditions of tolerance, pluralism and justice. Where political life is not a Westminster village freak show, but open, accessible and helpful in people’s everyday lives. Where fine words on the environment are translated into real action.

Where every child can grow up safe and secure, able to flourish, no matter their background, their income, or the colour of their skin. Where we make sense of the complex, globalised world of our times and play a creative role in shaping it.

Where rights, freedom and privacy are not the playthings of the government but safeguarded for everyone. I want to be Prime Minister because I want to be the first Prime Minister in my lifetime to be on the side of the weak against the powerful, on the side of freedom against conformity, on the side of human innovation against government decree.

I want to be Prime Minister because I have spent half a lifetime imagining a better society. And I want to spend the next half making it happen.

I was lucky enough to be brought up in a large, warm family that had almost no time at all for the status quo. By parents who encouraged us, required us, as children always to ask why. Always to assume that there is a better way of doing things. If you only bother to look for it. That’s the spirit I found in the Liberal Democrats. It’s why I joined, and why I wanted to lead our party.

Friends, this has been quite a week for us. I’ve been called a number of names. Even “a good leader”. By Evan Harris. I am never going to duck asking the important questions, however difficult they are. But I am immensely proud to lead a party that actually debates things, openly and democratically. Let’s always remember: we are in this together.

So let us not look back any longer. Let us look forward. From this point on, keep your eyes on our goal. Let today mark the beginning of real change in Britain.

These are extraordinary times. A global recession. Mass unemployment. A broken political system. Government finances in crisis. And still: inequality rising and climate change spinning out of control. Faced with these extraordinary challenges; We need an extraordinary government.

Blue-Red, Red-Blue

Because one thing, above all others, is certain. The way we got here is not the way out. The blue-red, red-blue politics that got us into this mess cannot clear it up. The way we got here is not the way out. Britain needs a change of direction. Let today mark the beginning of real change in Britain.

Look at what the old red-blue politics offers. Back in 1997, Peter Mandelson told us to judge Labour after 10 years in government. It’s been twelve years. And we have made our judgement.

If you’re poor, you’re still far less likely to go to university than if you’re better off.

If you’re from an ethnic minority, you’re more likely to be stopped by the police, even when you haven’t done anything wrong.

If you’re a woman, you’ll probably be paid less than the men you know. And if you’re a child born in the poorest neighbourhood of my city, Sheffield, you will probably die 14 years before a child born the same day, just up the road, in a more affluent part of town. We have made our judgement of Labour. They betrayed the best hopes of a generation.

People are hungry for change. So the question now is: what change? David Cameron talks about change. But is it real change?

He talks about broken Britain but campaigns for tax breaks for the very rich. He says he cares about the environment but then teams up with climate change deniers in Europe. He claims he wants to clean up politics but won’t tell you whether his biggest donor pays taxes in Britain. That isn’t real change, it’s fake change. And Britain deserves better.

To be fair, the Conservatives do have one belief. That it’s their turn to govern. They think power should come easily. You get the sense from so many of them that they became Conservatives mostly because it looked like the simplest route to a job in the cabinet.

I chose the Liberal Democrats. Not because I thought it would be an easy route to power. I knew it would be hard. But because I wanted to fight for what I believed in, however hard, however long it took.

The Conservatives want to inherit power; I want us to earn it.

The thing about David Cameron is – the PR might be good, but what’s behind it? It’s like my grandmother would have said. There’s less to him than meets the eye.

As for me? Well, occasionally I’m a bit too blunt in interviews – but at least you know I’m not just spinning you a line. I speak out.

On the Speaker of the House of Commons.

On Afghanistan.

On bankers’ bonuses.

On citizenship rights for the Gurkhas.

And I am so honoured that some of you have been able to be here with us today.

People are turning to the Liberal Democrats. Because they see there’s something different about us. It’s our pioneering spirit.

It was a liberal, Gladstone, who helped develop the concept of universal human rights. It was a liberal, Lloyd George, who introduced the world’s first universal state pension. It was a liberal, Beveridge, who invented the NHS.

Ours is the party of Paddy Ashdown, the first person to put climate change on the national agenda. Ours is the party of Charles Kennedy. Of Ming Campbell. Who used all the courage of their convictions to oppose the illegal invasion of Iraq. Ours is the party of Vince Cable, the first to see problems brewing in our economy, the first with a vision of how to take us to recovery.

It’s because Liberal Democrats are different that, when Gordon Brown let casino investment banking loose on our economy. The Conservatives said yes, and only Liberal Democrats said no.

When Gordon Brown let house prices rocket and personal borrowing get out of control, the Conservatives said yes, and only Liberal Democrats said no. When the contracts were being drawn up for new polluting runways. When our civil liberties were being torn up. When our troops were massing on the borders of Iraq. The Conservatives cheered from the sidelines, and only Liberal Democrats said no.

We are the only party that offers real change at the next election. Labour is dying on its feet. We are replacing them as the dominant force of progressive politics. We are the alternative to a hollow Conservative party that offers just an illusion of change.

Make no mistake. There is only one party that will bring real change to Britain. The Liberal Democrats.

The Challenge

The biggest challenge for the next government will be sorting out the public finances. It’s a challenge neither exhausted Labour nor fake Conservatives are fit to take on. This year’s deficit is likely to be one of the highest in Europe. We will borrow £175bn this year alone – £5,550 every single second.  Total national debt could hit £1.2 trillion next year – £20,000 for every man, woman and child.

I’ll be straight with you. There is no easy solution. There isn’t a serious economist in the world who agrees with the Conservatives that, right in the grip of recession, with two and a half million unemployed, we should pull the rug out from under the economy with immediate spending cuts. But, once the economy recovers, we are going to have to control spending tightly for many years to come.

We were right, in years gone by, to campaign for new spending to help people, to support them, as children, as young adults, as parents and as pensioners. As Charles Kennedy rightly says: our commitments demonstrate generosity of spirit. And those manifestos were right for an age of plenty. Now something different is needed.

But let me make something very clear. I am not going to abandon our vision for a better Britain because money’s tight. It makes me more determined. Balancing the government books isn’t a maths test.

Fiscal discipline is not an end in itself. We offer discipline for a purpose. Not just austerity, but progressive austerity. Reducing the deficit, yes, but also building a fair society and a green economy. Still driven by generosity of spirit, but fit for the circumstances of the day. It’s the only way to deliver real change in Britain.

That’s why our approach is completely different from the two other parties’. We aren’t going to salami-slice budgets like Labour and the Conservatives. Pretending that you can save billions of pounds just by using fewer paperclips and putting up the price of Parliamentary salads.

It isn’t true, and everyone knows it isn’t true. We know what happens when you simply squeeze budgets, across the board, until the pips squeak. We know, because we lived through it before, under the Conservatives. We remember the tumble-down classrooms, the pensioners dying on hospital trolleys, the council houses falling into total disrepair. We remember, and we say: never again.

Liberal Democrats will do things differently. Not shaving a bit off everything, but asking fundamental questions about what the government should and shouldn’t be doing. Working out, openly and publicly, what works and what doesn’t. So we can completely cancel the things that don’t work. In order to protect, and even in some cases extend, investment that really matters. That is progressive austerity.

We’ve already identified big areas where substantial long-term savings can be made. Reducing the bureaucracy of Labour’s centralised state, databases and agencies. Cutting the cost of politics - changing our electoral system and having 150 fewer MPs. Reforming tax credits so they go to the people who really need them. Spending less on defence procurement.

We heard yesterday Gordon Brown is considering taking one of the Trident nuclear submarines out of service. I welcome that step in the right direction.  But if you want to lead nuclear disarmament around the world, you need to be more decisive. That is why we say no to the like-for-like replacement of Trident.

Some people have asked me why we’ve talked so much about identifying cuts. I know it doesn’t feel comfortable some of the time. But we’re doing it because we know that the more we save, the safer our schools and hospitals will be. And we know that if we save enough, we will still be able to include in our manifesto, despite these difficult times, some of the pledges for new investment that we hold so dear.

Because if we end the child trust fund, we can pay for smaller classes for five, six and seven year olds. If we stop the waste of money on the useless NHS IT system. We could improve maternity services so every new family gets a great start.

If we substantially reform politics, with fewer MPs, government ministers, departments and quangos, we could save billions. And we could put the money into insulating homes and improving public transport, creating thousands of new, green jobs. Building up Britain’s infrastructure not our bureaucracy.

Many of these decisions will be difficult. Taking them is the price of fairness. But if we are brave enough to take them. It will be the beginning of real change in Britain.

I want to say something to teachers, doctors, nurses, police officers, social workers, in fact to everyone who works in our public services. Britain depends on people like you and the services you provide. I know these are anxious times for you.

Everyone is talking about cuts. But neither Labour nor the Conservatives has come clean about what that means for you. They’re not treating you like grown-ups. I want to work with you, hand in glove, to agree the way forward on pensions and on pay.

On pensions. Of course, we will guarantee every penny of entitlements you’ve already built up. But we do need to have a proper, independent review of what’s fair, not just for public sector workers, but also for the taxpayers who pay your salaries. Let me reassure you: my particular focus will always be on the gold-plated pensions enjoyed by senior civil servants, quangocrats, judges – and MPs. At a time of pressure for everyone, it’s only right for those with the broadest shoulders to take the greatest weight.

Next: pay. We will never go back on an existing pay deal. That would be a betrayal. But in future, we need to work together to agree strict, disciplined limits. Again, I believe people with the most generous salaries should take the brunt of cuts so their lower-paid colleagues don’t have to. But if it comes down to discipline on pay or mass redundancies. I think we all agree: protecting jobs must come first.

Young people are bearing too much of the burden of this recession. Imagine how it must feel to have slogged your way through school, college or university, maybe racking up thousands of pounds in debt, only to find there isn’t a job, any job, at the other end. This is supposed to be one of the most hopeful, optimistic moments in your life.

Imagine sitting at home day after day, no money, nothing to do but wait for your fortnightly appointment at the JobCentre. We used to worry about getting our children onto the property ladder. Now we have to worry whether they’ll ever get a job. There can be nothing more dispiriting at this formative moment. It destroys your self-confidence, perhaps for good.

I want to say, to young people. I am sorry. I am sorry that you have been, already, let down so many times. I am sorry that you will spend your working lives burdened by the debts of a previous generation.

But sorry isn’t good enough. Our job isn’t to feel bad about problems, it’s to fix them. My commitment to the next generation is simple. The Liberal Democrats will not fail you.

A New Promise

So today we make a new promise to young people that they will not be unemployed for longer than 90 days before we find them work or training. Let me spell out what that would mean: If you lost your job today, we’d find you work, training, or a paid internship by Christmas. Right now, we would cancel Labour’s VAT cut and use the money to invest in young people’s futures.

We would pay for 10,000 more university places and 50,000 more college places this year. And we would introduce a new “Paid Internship” scheme to give people real job experience. With an allowance of £55 a week. Young people would get experience that could make all the difference when it comes to looking for a job.

And you know. We could pay for 800,000 placements. for 800,000 young people. For the cost of just one weekend’s VAT cut. If it’s between 15p off a cinema ticket and a decent future. I know what we should choose.

I have always believed that you can’t make progress as a society unless every generation tries to do better for its children. That’s an idea that’s at the core of Liberal Democrat values. Providing opportunity for our children, even as we provide dignity and security in retirement and old age.

To build a fair society, you have to start with children. And you have to start young. In Britain today, a poor, bright child will be overtaken by a less intelligent, but wealthier child by the time he is seven. This has to change. The first few years are the most important in determining a child’s future. Those first few years when their character, their personality are being shaped.

The first few years are the most important ones. That’s why we’ve always said: scrap the Child Trust Fund, which gives people a cash handout on their 18th birthday. And invest the money when it can really make a difference. With classes of just 15 for five, six and seven year olds. The beginning of real change in Britain.

If you want to know how fair a society is. Look at its tax system. Britain’s is painfully unfair. The poorest pay a bigger slice of their income than the richest. Polluters are allowed to get away with harming our environment without paying for the clean-up. And we lose as much as £40 billion a year to tax dodgers.

That’s why the Liberal Democrats are going to reinvent the tax system to make it fair. Not changing the amount we raise, but changing who pays.

We will raise the income tax threshold to £10,000, funded by closing loopholes that the wealthy exploit. And by making sure polluters pay for the damage they cause. I’ll be honest. If you’ve got a house worth over a million pounds. If you fly trans-Atlantic a couple of times a month.  If you get a seven-figure bonus paid in share options to get round income tax. You will pay more.

That is what is fair. Why on earth should you get tax subsidies paid for by people whose salaries are just a tiny fraction of yours? I don’t want to penalise people who work hard. If you can make it big: all credit to you. But what it should win you is respect, not exemption from your tax bill.

In exactly the same way as on public spending. Many of these decisions on tax will be difficult. Taking them is the price of fairness. If we are brave enough to take them. It will be the beginning of real change in Britain.

So if there’s one policy you take away from this conference. One policy to mention on every doorstep, in every phone call, in every leaflet. Let it be this one.

We will deliver fair taxes Under a Liberal Democrat government, people will not pay a single penny of tax on the first £10,000 they earn. Millions of people will find themselves with an extra £700 in their pocket, and up to four million low earners and pensioners will pay no income tax at all. The beginning of real change in Britain.

After the expenses scandal, people are crying out, rightly, for something different at Westminster. Labour and the Conservatives have betrayed them.  They offered warm rhetoric about change when the scandal was at its height. And then did nothing. They will defend the status quo to the last breath.

Only the Liberal Democrats will clean up Westminster, reform expenses, end big donations and elect the Lords. Only the Liberal Democrats will give people the right to sack MPs who are found guilty of serious wrongdoing.  And only the Liberal Democrats will secure, once and for all, fair votes for everyone.

That means radical electoral reform, argued for from first principles. Not just some minor tinkering, put forward by a dying Labour government as a last, desperate attempt to save its skin.

We must do away with safe seats. Did you know, nearly half of Britain’s constituencies have elected the same party in every election since I was born? These are seats where you could put a red or blue rosette on the back end of a donkey and it would still win. Only when every MP has to do a decent job and win the trust of the people they represent will we ever clean up politics for good. It will be the beginning of real change in Britain.

Imagine a Liberal Democrat Cabinet

Imagine a Liberal Democrat cabinet. Maybe the odd heated meeting. But imagine Liberal Democrats at work.

Dr Vince Cable, of course, in his office at the Treasury. Ushering in fairer taxes.

Cutting the banks down to size. Tearing up the Treasury red tape that strangles local government. And that’s all between breakfast and lunch before he rattles off another book for the day.

I tell you, when it comes to bankers’ bonuses, I can’t think of anyone better to send into the negotiating room. You think Vince would listen to those reckless bankers demanding their millions? He’d say what we all believe: There will be no bonuses for failure, not today, not tomorrow, not ever again.

Then there’d be David Laws at the schools department, hunting down all those boxes and boxes of bureaucratic rules and paperwork that get in teachers’ way, and throwing them out. I mean, recycling them. And if the civil servants say the pupil premium is too complicated. They can’t work out how to invest the extra money to the benefit of the most deprived children. You know David will do the maths himself.

Chris Huhne at the Home Office. Restoring the civil liberties so shamefully discarded by this Labour Government on his first day with a Freedom Bill. Cancelling ID cards to help fund 10,000 more police on the streets. You know Chris won’t be put off by technocrats saying it can’t be done. He’ll produce volumes of statistics showing he’s right and look sternly over his glasses until they cave in.

Norman Lamb reinventing our NHS for modern times, giving communities and patients a real say. Professor Steve Webb getting to work at the crack of dawn to improve pensions for women. Sarah Teather and Norman Baker, building Britain’s infrastructure – the homes we need and the public transport we deserve. Julia Goldsworthy, devolving so much power to local communities she finds she can halve the size of her department.

And, Simon Hughes, taking charge of environment and energy policy. This is a man who’s faced death threats to bring a killer to justice. Who’s been involved in every environmental campaign you can think of since the 1980s. He isn’t going to listen to vested interests who say “it’s too difficult”. He’d set our course for the zero carbon future we need. The beginning of real change in Britain.

The Beginning of Real Change for Britain

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our age, no doubt about it. But it’s also, very much, a challenge of our age. Like so many of the problems governments have to deal with. From financial regulation to terrorism and internet crime.

It crosses borders.

You can’t stop the weather at the cliffs of Dover. That’s why the big deals, the ones that matter, are struck at international forums – like Copenhagen this December. A summit that must, must agree an international plan of action to keep global warming not just below 2 degrees, but below 1.7 degrees. Because that’s what the best science tells us is now needed to prevent catastrophic climate change.

Who do you want representing Britain at a crucial summit like that? Labour? They have let us down internationally. It wasn’t just Iraq. It was their disregard for European colleagues, refusing to attend summits, grandstanding about how superior they were. It was their disregard for international law. Their backroom deals with Saudi Arabia over BAE, with Libya over Lockerbie, with America over torture.  Labour has undermined Britain in the world.

But what’s the alternative? William Hague? David Cameron and William Hague think the nineteenth century state still makes sense in a twenty-first century world. They simply do not understand that in an age of globalisation power must be exercised by nations together, not squandered by nations going it alone.

William Hague gives speeches about the enduring importance of the English speaking world. When everyone knows the new power centres are China, India and Brazil. A Cameron-Hague foreign policy would be the most insular and self defeating in modern times. How much influence would they have in Berlin, in Paris, in Brussels?  Not a gram. Or even an ounce. And because they wouldn’t stand tall in Europe, they would count for little in Washington too.

But there is a third option. Imagine Liberal Democrats around the negotiating table.

Ed Davey, our outstanding shadow foreign secretary. Drawing on the wisdom of Shirley Williams. Paddy Ashdown. Ming Campbell. We would secure Britain a stronger role in the world. By putting us at the heart of the European Union and committing us to abide fully by international law.

The beginning of real change for Britain.

Go with Your Instincts: Vote Liberal Democrat

You know, before I went into politics I managed development aid projects in Central Asia. I led negotiating teams on international trade deals with China and Russia.  I worked on new rules to help create the largest single market in the world, here in Europe. I’ve seen how different things could be if Britain would only play its cards right.

I know there are people who agree with a lot of what we’ve got to say. But who still don’t vote Liberal Democrat. You don’t think we’re contenders. I urge you to think again.

If you don’t agree with our policies. If you don’t want big change in Britain. Then don’t vote for us. But if you like what you hear. If you share our vision for a different kind of future. Then go with your instincts; vote Liberal Democrat.

Elections are decided by your cross on the ballot paper. Power is not any party’s to be inherited. Power is yours to give to whoever you choose.

So don’t turn away, don’t stay at home, don’t vote Conservative just because you think it’s the only option. This is Britain. We don’t settle for second best because we think it’s inevitable. We don’t compromise on our beliefs because people might not agree with us. We stand up for our values with our heads held high.

So when you enter that polling booth, choose the future you really want.

Make no mistake: the Liberal Democrats will do things differently in Britain. But if you want real change in Britain, you have to take a stand. If you want what we propose, you have to vote for it.

If you want tax cuts for ordinary people, paid for by closing loopholes for the very rich. If you want the right to sack your MP if they’re proved corrupt. If you want children to start out at school in classes of just 15. Then vote for it.

If you want our prisons to work, so there’s less crime. If you want a lasting job in a new, green economy. If you want Britain to stand tall again in the world. Then vote for it. This is a vital moment in the history of our country. And you have the power to shape it.

Labour is lost. They haven’t the ideas, energy or vision to start again. If you voted for them in the past, you have a choice. You can give away your vote to a fringe party. You can stay at home in despair. Or you can join with the Liberal Democrats and make the difference.

If you supported Labour in 1997 because you wanted fairness. You wanted young people to flourish. You wanted political reform. You wanted the environment protected. Or you simply believed in a better future. Turn to the Liberal Democrats.  We carry the torch of progress now.

The choice at the next election is fake change from the Conservatives. Or real change from the Liberal Democrats. At a time like this.

A time of real crisis. Britain cannot afford to be taken in by David Cameron’s illusion of change. Britain needs leadership from a party with real passion, and it’s the Liberal Democrats.

There is hope for a different future, a different way of doing things in Britain, if we are brave enough to make a fresh start. So let today be the first day of the future of British politics. It may be only the beginning. But it is the beginning. The beginning of real change in Britain.

If you want things to be different, really different, choose the party that is different.

Choose the Liberal Democrats.

Tory-run councils have been advised to delay major commercial and housing developments until the Conservatives get into power. (Source - www.planningresource.co.uk)

Shadow communities secretary Caroline Spelman has apparently written to Conservative local authorities to set out more clearly the practicalities of her party’s intention to scrap regional planning structure and to give local councils more freedom to break regional guidelines like “greenbelt”.

We will be asking Conservative-run Bury Council that this instruction from Party HQ won’t be affecting the redevelopment of Prestwich village centre….

Nick Clegg has today launched a new Liberal Democrat pledge to put service personnel and their welfare at the heart of our defence policy.

Nick said: “Many soldiers fighting on the front line are on salaries lower than those of trainee police and fire fighters. 13,000 members of the armed forces take home less than £17,000 each year. Under Labour, our lions are being paid peanuts.

Our servicemen are being sent to fight in treacherous conditions in Afghanistan while living close to the poverty line. It is time to stop short-changing our troops.

That is why if elected, the Liberal Democrats would ensure that no service personnel receive less basic pay than someone starting out in the Police or fire brigade.

If you believe our troops should receive better pay, then help us spread the word. Please make sure all your friends know about our new policy, especially those with family members serving in the Armed Forces.

To back the campaign and help spread the word, see my website: NickClegg.com/ArmedForcesPay

Nobody can put a price on the sacrifices our troops make on our behalf - but we can start rewarding them properly”

Ann and I visited St. Margarets Church Flower Festival yesterday. Some fantastic displays and it was great to catch up with so many friends we hadn’t seen for a while.

Please find below the latest information from NHS Bury about the National Pandemic Flu Service:
As you will be aware, important changes have been announced to the way in which the NHS is managing the growing swine flu pandemic in England, this sees the launch of The National Pandemic Flu Service.

The National Pandemic Flu Service is a self-care service that will asses a patient’s symptoms and, if required, provide an authorisation number which can be used to collect antiviral medication from a local collection point.

The service can be accessed online at www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk and for those who do not have internet access, the same service can be accessed by telephone on 0800 1 513 100 (Minicom 0800 1 513 200).

For England, the online health resources remain as:

• Health information www.nhs.uk
• Public information www.direct.gov.uk
• Business information www.businesslink.gov.uk
• The Swine Flu Information Line (automated) can still be contacted on 0800 1 513 513.

Key messages are:

• If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu:
• Stay at home and check your symptoms at the National Pandemic Flu Service at www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk or Telephone 0800 1 513 100.

You should call your GP directly if:

• You have a serious underlying illness
• You are pregnant
• You have a sick child under one year old
• Your condition suddenly gets much worse
• Your condition is still getting worse after seven days (or five days for a child)

Prestwich Local Area Partnership have launched this “Be Active in Prestwich” pocket sized map.

The map promotes walking, cylcing and jogging in Prestwich, with suggested cycling routes from Rhodes to the bottom of the Clough, public footpaths, ideas for health walks and heritage walks.

The map can be picked up from the Library, or you can download a copy here.

No time to wait to object to object to Goals Soccer Centre’s planning applicaiton to Manchester Council. Send in your responses by 20 July 2009. See this guide or download our leaflet now.

It’s started with a storm at Prestwich Clough and should end in glorious sunshine at Prestwich Carnival. After 35 days, 55 events, 1,000’s of visitors to events, money raised for charity Prestwich Festival puts its feet up and says goodbye for 2009 with a final 5 days of fun.

The last free archery session is today (Thursday 18 June) at The Phoenix Centre. During the festival over 100 11 to 8 years olds have already enjoyed these free session’s.

This evening also sees the Festival Music Night taking place between 7pm and 10pm. It promises to bring the some classical sophistication to The Longfield Centre with a wonderful night of music with the Bury Music Service Band, Affetside Choir and to round off the evening, in grand style Besses o’ th’ Barn brass band.

Tomorrow, there will be a Friday Night Social - Shangri La at 8pm at, Carlton Club, Bury Old Road featuring live music. And finally a bumper weekend of family entertainment will take place at the Prestwich Carnival.

On Saturday 20 June a Football Tournament organized by FC United of Manchester will take place from 9am until 4pm at St. Mary’s Park.

As well as Butterstile Fun Day which takes place from 12.00 noon at Butterstile Primary School. The friends of Butterstile will be holding their traditional fun day. As part of the fun all the children from the school will have the chance to enter a series of competitions to celebrate Prestwich, the four categories are photographs, poems, paintings or portraits.

And finally on Sunday 21 June Prestwich Carnival Grand Parade kicks off at 1pm. The Parade arrives in the park at 2.30pm with six arenas showcasing local talent.

Prestwich Festival and Carnival Organiser, David Curtis, said: “This year’s carnival is going to be special. The publicity of Love Prestwich Festival has really got out there so there’s many more stalls and attractions this year. Love Prestwich Festival was all about showcasing the best of Prestwich Come with the family and enjoy this day - I have it on good authority that the Prestwich Carnival Sunshine Team will bring the sun with them this year!”

Carran O’Grady LAP Manager said “Feedback from Preswich residents and businesses has been great about the Love Prestwich Festival and people want the Festival to return in 2010. We will look at the highlights of this our first year soon and look at making it even better for next year. All organizers should be applauded for the hours of planning their individual events which made the 55 events amazing”.

Cllr Vic D’Albert, Chair of Prestwich LAP said “Love Prestwich Festival finishes the way it started - on a high. I’ve been to as many events as possible throughout the Festival and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them all. The Clough Day was fantastic, The Farmers Market sold out, Prestwich has got Junior Talent was amazing to mention just a few. I’m already knocking on the door to get more Farmers Market in Prestwich and an annual Festival. As usual I’ll be at the Carnival volunteering with my bucket which raises money for local groups as many Festival events have and then like everyone else enjoying the best Carnival around.

The Highways Agency is advising drivers using the M60 between junctions 19 at Middleton and 23 at Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester to allow extra time to complete their journeys over the next six weekends.

Starting Friday (June 19), work is being carried out along this 6-mile section each weekend until August, weather permitting.

A full carriageway closure will be in place with a contraflow on the opposite side of the motorway while the work is being carried out. Various entry and exit slip roads will also need to be closed.

The work is taking place over weekends when traffic volumes are lighter and disruption to drivers can be kept to a minimum – however some delays can be expected. Work will start each Friday at 9pm and the motorway will be fully reopened by 5am each Monday.

To ensure the ongoing safety of road-users and our workforce, a 40mph speed limit will be in place throughout the roadworks – which are planned to be completed by 5am, July 27.

Overhead message signs will be used to advise drivers of the closures so they can choose an alternative route.

Highways Agency project manager Manuelle Salathe said:
“We regret any disruption this work may cause to drivers and would encourage them to plan their journey in advance and allow for extra time to get to their destination.”

The exploratory works are taking place to assess the condition of the carriageway on this section of the M60.

The Highways Agency’s North West Traffic Officer Service will deploy extra crews for the duration of the work with a dedicated patrol to cover the roadworks area and react quickly to any breakdowns or accidents to help keep drivers on the move.

The Highways Agency Regional Control Centre will be monitoring incidents and traffic conditions from motorway cameras as well as using electronic signs to provide drivers with up-to-the-minute information.

Oasis are performing in Heaton Park on Thursday 4th, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th 2009.
The event management team are distributing this leaflet to nearby residents this weekend, but no doubt the concerts will affect everyone in Prestwich.

Prestwich is going to be VERY BUSY on the days of the concert - so please be prepared! Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need any information or help.

The text of the factsheets is reproduced here, or you can download printable versions of page one here and page two here.

Oasis will be playing three concerts on the 4, 6 and 7 June and on each day there will be a series of road closures in place in and around the concert venue at Heaton Park.

Road closures will come in to place on the evening of each concert from 9.30pm onwards until the audience has dispersed and the roads can safely be opened, which is anticipated to be around 1am.

The road closures will affect:
• Bury Old Road between Heywood Road and Scholes Lane/Sheepfoot Lane;
• Sheepfoot Lane, between Bury Old Road and Middleton Road.

Nick Clegg has taken a strong stand on cleaning up Parliament and leading the call for a complete overhaul of our political system. Last week at Prime Minister’s Question Time he challenged Gordon Brown to reform our electoral systems. Now even Brown’s own ministers are echoing Nick’s call.

Nick is making the case to:
- Give people the right to sack MPs
- Stop all big party political donations
- Elect the House of Lords
- Make the voting system fair - so that governments can’t just get all that power and all that money with only a minority of you voting for them
- Put an end to self serving politics and put you back in charge
- But Nick can’t do it all on his own. He needs our help.

Many residents have expressed concern over the Oasis concerts which are taking place in Heaton Park on Thursday 4th, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June 2009. (There is no concert on the Friday).

As your councillors we have raised a great number of concerns to the event organisers and to Bury Council which is part of the event management group.

Whilst I’m sure we all wish the concerts to be a great success, we do have to live here as well! The Local Area Partnership in Prestwich has had two presentations on the plans, and what measures have been put in place to manage traffic, parking, litter, noise and local residents needs.

The event organisers have prepared this set of Answers to “Frequently asked Questions” to help local residents plan for the event.

Please get in touch if there are other issues you wish us to raise in advance of the event.

The Liberal Democrats have launched their manifesto for Europe: “Choose a different, better future”

Labour’s recession is hurting people badly.

- Unemployment is rising every day
- People are worried their businesses could go under
- Every week people are losing their homes
- Ministers are too busy fighting among themselves to govern properly

The Liberal Democrats will give people the help they need.

We will cut income tax bills by £700 for the vast majority of people, and close
loopholes exploited by the wealthy

No one earning less than £10,000 will pay income tax at all
20 hours of free, quality childcare a week from 18 months to five years old
The European Parliament election is a big choice for Britain.

Labour’s arrogance has messed up Britain’s relationship with other European countries

The Conservatives and UKIP think that on its own Britain can face the economic storm, climate change, international crime, people-trafficking and terrorism

Liberal Democrats know effective cooperation creates prosperity – more than 3 million jobs in the UK depend on trade with other EU countries.

Liberal Democrats are working with our European neighbours to protect Britain and catch terrorists and criminals who operate across national borders.

Liberal Democrats know that countries have to work together to tackle climate change.

Vote Liberal Democrat and make a difference

Prestwich Festival kicks off today with the Prestwich Clough Day and then runs right through to Prestwich Carnival on 21 June. Between these two main events are no less than 55 other events that make up the first ever Pretwich Festival.

The Festival has been funded largely by the Local Area Partnership in Prestwich which brings together your local councillors with partners and community groups, together with voluntary donations and sponsorship. Its a brilliant way to celebrate the place we all live in, so why not go along to some of the events!

The full programme is available here.

Nominations have now closed for the elections for the European Parliament on 4 June 2009. This is the full statement of persons nominated.

Liberal Democrat list is headed up by our existing Member of the European Parliament Chris Davies MEP. Chris is a great friend to our area and has been to Prestwich on many occasions. Here’s his campaign website.

Meanwhile Prestwich residents are being encouraged by Bury Council to “vote early” or vote by post” with the following message:

Prestwich residents are being encouraged to vote early, or use a postal vote, in the forthcoming European elections.

The poll is held on Thursday June 4, the same day as the first of three Oasis gigs in Heaton Park.

The concert means that two main roads bordering the park – Sheepfoot Lane and Bury Old Road (south of Heywood Street) - will be closed to traffic at 9.30pm, half an hour before polling stations close. This means that some residents who leave it to the last minute to vote will not be able to drive close to their station.

Elections officers in Bury say that one way to avoid any potential problems would be to use a postal vote – the closing date to apply for one is May 19 at 5pm. Alternatively, some people might choose to go the polls a bit earlier. The polling stations open at 7am. For a postal vote, or to make sure you are on the electoral roll, contact Bury’s elections office on 0161 253 5224 or email electionservices@bury.gov.uk

You can apply online to vote by post - this site fills in your form, but you do need to print it off to sign and send off to the Council

Prestwich Festival will take place for the first time in 2009. It is intended to be an annual four week calendar of events running from 17 May to 21 June. The festival will provide the opportunity to showcase as many events as possible during a four week period and will build on its success year on year, similar to existing events like Prestwich Clough and Prestwich Carnvial.

Click here for an first look at the packed events listing

Manchester City Council are considering plans to cut two holes in the Heaton Park Wall opposite St Monica’s RC High School on Bury Old Road.

We’re assuming that the two new double gates that are proposed would be in place in time for the Oasis Concert, but the application seems to imply that the gates would be permanent.

We’ve already been asking Bury Council about its views on the issue and suggesting that the Council should be raising serious concerns with Manchester about the impact the proposals have on Prestwich, the School and on traffic.

You can view the full Planning Application on Manchester Council’s Website here.

The Manchester rock band “Oasis” will be performing in Heaton Park on Thursday 4th, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June 2009 in probably the largest events the park has seen since the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1982.

Local residents are understandably very concerned about the impact of the concert on our local area. Your local councillors have already been involved in advanced planning for the event, which will look at all the local issues - buses, traffic, schools, noise, crime, litter etc. We want the events to be a success, but Prestwich people need to live with it too!

The following letter is being delivered to local residents shortly (from Manchester City Council), it is advertising two surgeries which will take place:

Tuesday, 5th May from15:00-19:00hrs at Heaton Park Bowls Complex (St Margaret’s Rd entrance)
Wednesday, 6th May from 15:00-19:00hrs at Parkside Training Centre (Sheepfoot Lane)

Dear Local Resident,

I am writing to give you some information about events taking place in Heaton Park in 2009, and to reassure you that every effort will be made to minimise any inconvenience that may arise from the increase in traffic and noise resulting from the events.
The enclosed list shows events that we have confirmed so far, including Race for Life and a large music concert over 3 days that will feature the band Oasis. As you live close to the park you will know that these events attract a large number of people and that a significant amount of traffic will be generated. Heaton Park staff work closely with the event organisers, the Greater Manchester Police and Health & Safety Officers to make sure that all large events are well managed, safe and enjoyable, and that they cause the least disruption possible to local residents.
We also have several drama productions taking place and sponsored walks/runs. Tickets are now on sale for The Comedy of Errors by Shakespeare’s Globe Touring from 23rd to 28th June.

So far no other large events like Oasis concert or the Race for Life are taking place. However, Heaton Park is an attractive event location because of its size and position, and we are regularly approached by organisers wanting to use the park for events. As a result this list may be added to in the coming months and is subject to change.

You can keep up to date with events at Heaton Park by visiting our website at www.heatonpark.org.uk which is kept update with news and events at the park.

Oasis Concert - 4th, 6th & 7th June
The major headline artists include Oasis, Kasabian and The Enemy, this ticketed event will take place on the papal field and will attract a higher than usual number of visitors to the park over this period.

The impact on the local community of staging these concerts has been at the forefront of the planning process to date and that control measures far in excess of anything put into place for previous events at Heaton Park will be implemented.

An Event Management Plan that focuses on all aspects of the event incorporating strategies for the management of the access and exiting of visitors to the park venue and measures to reduce any level of anti-social behaviour will be in place.

Alongside this, robust noise control mechanisms will be put in place and monitored by both the organisers and Environmental Health officials so the noise from music and associated sources (such as amplified voices) will not be audible to such an extent that it constitues a nuisance at any noise sensitive properties – specifically residential properties. A curfew of 23:00 will be set for the concerts – with the anticipated end of the live event programmed to be earlier than this.
The plan will incorporate a park and ride scheme with a shuttle bus service to accommodate in the region of 8,000 cars away from the park area, an increased bus and metrolink service offer to encourage people to utilise public transport, as well as traffic and parking control measures to be implemented and co-ordinated between the Councils of Manchester, Rochdale and Bury, to maintain as far as possible normal transport provision in the area and to reduce the impact on residents.
The event organisers - with the support and input of all key agencies including Manchester City Council, Bury Metropolitan Borough Council, Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, the North West Ambulance Service and GMPTE - will put in place measures within the Event Management Plan to address issues outside of the event arena.

We will be holding the following surgeries at Heaton Park, which I invite you to attend, to answer any specific questions that you may have:

Tuesday, 5th May from15:00-19:00hrs at Heaton Park Bowls Complex (St Margaret’s Rd entrance)

Wednesday, 6th May from 15:00-19:00hrs at Parkside Training Centre (Sheepfoot Lane)

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any more information.

Yours faithfully,

Graham Wightman
General Manager, Heaton Park
Tel: 0161 773 1085 X209
Email: g.wightman@manchester.gov.uk
If you have particular concerns and worries please get in touch with us. Emails and phone numbers are on the back of the leaflet.

Sedgley Ward Councillors have received a 500 signature petition from Mrs Z Smith of the Meades, Prestwich. Residents are concerned at the poor quality of much of the older street lighting in Sedgley Ward especially on narrow, heavily parked roads.

Cllr Andrew Garner said ‘We agree with the concerns of residents. Much of the older street lighting needs replacing. One missing street light on Kings Road has caused problems and we’ve been asking and asking for it to be replaced. Too many residents report problems about walking on our pot-holed pavements. How can we encourage residents to leave their cars at home and walk, if they cannot see where they are walking’.

Conservative controlled Bury Council are also considering reducing the amount of funds available for street lighting repairs and are even considering switching off street lights at night to reduce their electricity bill. This proposal might be a ‘green issue to save the planet but if I’m returning home alone from an evening community meeting or event, I need to know that I can see my way home!’ said Cllr Ann Garner.

Cllr Steve Wright has been meeting with concerned residents this week and said ‘ We are pleased that so many residents feel so strongly about this. Mrs Smith left the petition in two local shops. She didn’t badger anyone to sign this. Residents signed it as they felt it was important’.

Sedgley Ward Councillors have received a 500 signature petition from Mrs Z Smith of the Meades, Prestwich. Residents are concerned at the poor quality of much of the older street lighting in Sedgley Ward especially on narrow, heavily parked roads.

Cllr Andrew Garner said ‘We agree with the concerns of residents. Much of the older street lighting needs replacing. One missing street light on Kings Road has caused problems and we’ve been asking and asking for it to be replaced. Too many residents report problems about walking on our pot-holed pavements. How can we encourage residents to leave their cars at home and walk, if they cannot see where they are walking’.

Conservative controlled Bury Council are also considering reducing the amount of funds available for street lighting repairs and are even considering switching off street lights at night to reduce their electricity bill. This proposal might be a ‘green issue to save the planet but if I’m returning home alone from an evening community meeting or event, I need to know that I can see my way home!’ said Cllr Ann Garner.

Cllr Steve Wright has been meeting with concerned residents this week and said ‘ We are pleased that so many residents feel so strongly about this. Mrs Smith left the petition in two local shops. She didn’t badger anyone to sign this. Residents signed it as they felt it was important’.

Local Councillors have reacted with anger after another spate of graffiti in Prestwich, and are calling on the Council to take immediate action to clean up the mess.

Cllr Vic D’Albert, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Holyrood ward and Chair of Prestwich Local Area Partnership said “I am disgusted that vandals continue to bring misery to local people by daubing our streets with graffiti. And I am equally angry with the Council’s woefully inadequate response. This has been going on for too long now, and it’s about time action was taken. The Local Area Partnership and the Police are already using very tight resources to try to manage this problem, but the Council need to take action now to help us and clean up the streets”

Liberal Democrats at Bury Town Hall have been campaigning for action for months. At a Council meeting in February they staged a demonstration displaying photographs of graffiti which has blighted Prestwich for months. The Council have offered graffiti kits for residents and businesses, but have so far directed no extra resource to clear up a problem which is getting worse.

 Lib Dem spokesperson for Environmental Service Cllr Ann Garner said “The graffiti is on everything from streets signs to walls, and from utility buildings to business property. Graffiti kits are not a suitable solution except in limited circumstances. The Council have the power to insist that utility companies clean up graffiti on their property, and need to direct real efforts into cleaning it from their own property. I am proud of what Prestwich has to offer, and it is being ruined by graffiti which goes uncleaned for months.”

Cllr D’Albert concluded “We need to work together on this. Prestwich Councillors are doing their bit by leading the community fight. The Police did their bit by catching offenders, and we are supporting them to try to catch the latest offenders. But the Council are letting us down. They need to take action to clean up Prestwich now. “

The picture shows all 9 Prestwich Lib Dem Councillors taking their graffiti protest to a recent Council Meeting. Pictured L to R: Cllr Wilf Davison, Cllr Vic D’Albert, Cllr Ann Garner, Cllr Donal O’Hanlon, Cllr Steve Wright, Cllr Tim Pickstone, Cllr Mary D’Albert, Cllr Andrew Garner and Cllr Richard Baum.

The future of the threatened Post Office network could now be decided by a national consultation launched last month by MPs.

I am urging all local residents to offer their ideas for developing Post Office businesses so they are secure for the future.

The Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Committee’s Post Office Consultation can provide a blueprint to save the entire Post Office network, and it is vital that local people get involved in putting ideas forward. Their online forum gives them a chance to hear from as wide a cross-section of public opinion as possible.

The parliamentary inquiry started in December, with the online forum opening in January. The Liberal Democrats, both locally and nationally, have campaigned strongly against Post Office closures , as well as backing the fight to keep the Post Office Card Account (POCA).

The Post Office Network had a reprieve in December when the government bowed to pressure from the Lib Dems and other groups to retain the Post Office Card Account, but it’s only a short term solution.

The Post Office still needs to be made viable if we are to avoid seeing more closures, and the best way of doing that is to provide more government services through the Post Office.

I strongly urge as many people as possible to take part in this consultation. The BERR Committee’s report will carry a lot of weight, and could provide a blueprint for the future of the Post Office network. It is vital that local people make their voices heard.

The online forum can be found at: http://forums.parliament.uk/post-office-future/index.php?index,1

 PROPOSALS from the Liberal Democrats for big improvements to schools and teaching will see around £11 million of extra cash for schools in Bury to boost the education and life chances of thousands of children say local party members.

The plans were launched by Party Leader Nick Clegg and Shadow Secretary of State for Schools, David Laws MP. They call for raising standards in all local schools; closing the gap between children from rich and poor families and ending the era of Government meddling in education.

Speaking about the proposals to a meeting of members and residents, Councillor Tim Pickstone, who leads the Lib Dems in Bury said:

“There are a number of radical ideas to ensure all young people get the best start in life. The extra cash will make a real difference in our local schools.

“I am particularly pleased that funding is proposed to cut infant class sizes to private school levels of 15.

“We will also introduce a £2.5bn Pupil Premium, to ensure that extra funding goes to the pupils with the highest needs, whichever school they are in. And some of that extra money will pay for after school and Saturday classes, and extended school days.

“We will also get central government off the back of schools, teachers and pupils. The days of ministers in Whitehall stifling schools and interfering with everything that happens in the classroom must end.

“Schools here in Bury need to be freed to teach children rather than spend their time obeying ministerial orders and trying to achieve government targets.

“The schools proposals put forward by the Liberal Democrats will go a long way to ensuring that the many thousands of local children who go to local schools have at least as good a start in life as the small number who are educated privately.”

The proposals will be debated at the party’s spring conference in Harrogate in March.

Bury Liberal Democrats are helping small businesses get through the credit crunch, according to the Civil Engineering Contractors Association. The Association told Lib Dem MP for Hazel Grove, Andrew Stunell, that Bury Council are leading the way in providing help to small businesses by paying invoices from local firms within 10 days. This measure, introduced by the Council in late 2008, was part of a policy motion put forward by the Liberal Democrat opposition.

The motion also called on the Council to produce a guide for local people and businesses explaining where they could get help in troubled times. It also called on the Council to investigate using vacant council properties to house the Citizens Advice Bureau in the town centre.

The Lib Dem motion was adopted by the Council and these policies are making a difference to local businesses in Bury.

The world watched in horror yesterday as the conflict in Gaza claimed its latest innocent victims in the rubble of a UN school. Any hopes of reconciliation are being snuffed out as anger spills into protests around the world.

The past two weeks have been a telling indictment of the international community. We have an outgoing US president sanctioning Israel’s military response and an aching silence from the president-elect. We have a European Union encumbered by clumsy decision-making and confused messages.

And at home we have a prime minister talking like an accountant about aid earmarked for Gaza without once saying anything meaningful about the conflict’s origins. Gordon Brown, like Tony Blair, has made British foreign policy effectively subservient to Washington. But waiting for a change of heart in Washington is intolerable given the human cost.

Of course, Israel has every right to defend itself. It is difficult to imagine what it must be like to live with the constant threat of rocket attacks from a movement which espouses terrorist violence and denies Israel’s right to exist. But Israel’s approach is self-defeating: the overwhelming use of force, the unacceptable loss of civilian lives, is radicalising moderate opinion among Palestinians and throughout the Arab world. Anger in the West Bank will make it virtually impossible for Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority president, to continue to talk to Israeli ministers.

Brown must stop sitting on his hands. He must condemn unambiguously Israel’s tactics, just as he has rightly condemned Hamas’s rocket attacks. Then he must lead the EU into using its economic and diplomatic leverage in the region to broker peace. The EU is by far Israel’s biggest export market, and by far the biggest donor to the Palestinians. It must immediately suspend the proposed new cooperation agreement with Israel until things change in Gaza, and apply tough conditions on any long-term assistance to the Palestinian community.

Brown must also halt Britain’s arms exports to Israel, and persuade our EU counterparts to do the same. The government’s own figures show Britain is selling more and more weapons to Israel, despite the questions about the country’s use of force. In 2007, our government approved £6m of arms exports. In 2008, it licensed sales 12 times as fast: £20m in the first three months alone.

There is a strong case that, given the Gaza conflict, any military exports contravene EU licensing criteria. Reports, though denied, that Israel is using illegal cluster munitions and white phosphorus should heighten our caution. I want an immediate suspension of all arms exports from the EU, but if that cannot be secured, Brown must act unilaterally.

Finally, the world’s leaders must accept that their response to the election of Hamas has been a strategic failure. The removal of the EU presence on the Egypt border in response to Hamas’s election, for example, has made it easier for the rockets being fired at Israel to get into Gaza in the first place. An EU mission with a serious mandate and backing from Egypt and Israel would help Israel deal proportionately and effectively with the threat from weapons smuggling.

Attempts to divide and rule the Palestinians by isolating and punishing Gaza will not succeed. To secure peace in the Middle East, Hamas must turn its back on terrorism, and help create Palestinian unity. Only unified leadership in the West Bank and Gaza can offer Israel the security guarantees that it rightly seeks.

My proposals to stay Israel’s hand in this conflict may be unwelcome to some, but they have the country’s long term interest at heart. No terrorist organisation has ever been defeated by bombs alone. Only a new approach will secure lasting peace for Israel itself.

With the festive season now upon us we are offering residents some useful tips on how to avoid becoming a target for crime.

The following tips will help residents avoid becoming victims of crime during the festive seasons:

Before you go out remember to:

Make the home look occupied - burglars do not want to be seen or disturbed.

Make sure that you lock all outside doors and windows and, if you have a burglar alarm, make sure it is set.

Use automatic timer-switches to turn your lights on when it goes dark. You can convince any potential burglar that you are at home by having plug-in timer controls for lamps.

A plug-in timer for the radio would make it sound as if someone was home. Tune the radio to a station that has more
talking than music.

Personal safety:

Walk confidently and be aware of your surroundings - this will put off many attackers.

Wearing a shoulder bag with the flap facing you and the strap over both your arm and head.

Always leave a club or pub with a friend and let someone know where you are. Make plans beforehand on how you are going to get home and at what time.

If you have to telephone for a taxi, always try to use a firm you know. Don’t get into a private hire taxi unless you have booked the car first. Only hackney carriages are insured to carry passengers who have flagged them down. Always sit in the back, preferably behind the driver.

On public transport try to sit near the driver, avoiding an empty upper deck on buses and vacant compartments on trains. If you are pestered by someone, complain to the driver or guard. They can get help by radio, telephone or alarm depending on the type of transport.

If you have no choice but to walk alone at night, it is best not to take any shortcuts through dimly lit areas. Also it is wiser to walk facing the oncoming traffic where you can be seen and avoid the surprise of a vehicle approaching from behind.

Protect your vehicle:

Always keep your vehicle locked (including windows) even if you only leave it for a few seconds.

Get into the habit of not leaving any items in the car. The cost of replacing a broken window is often far more than the value of goods stolen. If you can, take your belongings with you, rather than leaving them in the car.

Don’t leave keys in a coat pocket and the coat unattended. Be aware of dropping keys into bags or briefcases where they might remain visible.

Cllr. Andrew Garner said: “By following these helpful tips local residents can greatly reduce the chance of becoming a victim of crime over the festive period. We want everyone to have an enjoyable and safe festive period.”

Back in the summer your local Lib Dem Councillors brought the problem of graffiti in Prestwich to the attention of Bury Council. As many local people will know we have some terrible stretches of graffiti, mostly in a few areas such as the Village centre, Sedgley Park and on our own side of Prestwich in the area around Heaton Park metro and up Bury Old Road. When we raised the issue in the summer we were asked to let the Council know the problem areas so that they could clean the graffiti up. Some excellent work has been done, particularly by our local Police and our local Prestwich Area Manager, but the worst of the graffiti is still ruining our area. All the Graffiti we reported in the summer is still there - so I put my camera to good use all nine Prestwich Lib Dem Councillors took the issue straight to the town hall! I’ve been asked to send in the images to the Council for them to take action - so watch this space!

Representatives from all 3 main political parties called today for a fair question to be put forward on the forthcoming referendum on transport investment and the corresponding congestion charge.

Councillor David Goddard, Liberal Democrat Leader of Stockport, Councillor Susan Williams, Conservative Leader of Trafford and Graham Stringer, Labour MP for Manchester Blakeley and all agreed that the question should include reference to the congestion charge, as well as the proposed investment, to ensure clarity and fairness in the process.

Cllr David Goddard, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “Sir Neil McIntosh allowed the words ‘congestion charging’ in the referendum question for Edinburgh but refuses it for the people of Greater Manchester.

“My question is simple, why were the words included in the question for the Edinburgh toll road referendum but not recommended for the Greater Manchester referendum?”

Cllr Susan Williams, said: “The public of Greater Manchester have a right to know what exactly they will be voting for in the referendum later next month. To leave the congestion charge out of the question is completely misleading and makes a farce out of the whole process. I will be pressing very hard to correct this anomaly on Friday at AGMA.”

Graham Stringer MP, commented: “Congestion charging is the most controversial part of the transport innovation proposals and it is only fair that it is mentioned in the question.”

The Congestion Charge Vote is set for 11th December and will be your only opportunity to have your say. If YOU vote we can STOP it, if you don’t vote YOU may have to PAY it!

For more information on the ‘NO’ campaign goto www.stopthecharge.co.uk

Late last year Bury Council commissioned the consultants URBED and AGDR to draw up a vision, and strategy for the centre of Prestwich. This was after many years of campaigning by your local Prestwich Liberal Democrat Focus Team to get Bury to take our town centre seriously. Local people are now being asked to have our say on the proposals in the consultation period which is 13 October - 24 November 2008. Every household in Prestwich is being sent a consultation newsletter which includes a survey to send in your views. The newsletter is here, the full report is here. The vision for Prestwich is that it becomes a sustainable “urban village” inlcuding: - a community hub - a lively high street - a gateway to parkland - a place to live - a place to work

You can visit the special consultation website at www.bury.gov.uk/prestwich regeneration or email your views to prestwichregeneration@bury.gov.uk. Please let us, your local Councillors, know what you think so we can best represent your views.

Council Leaders across Greater Manchester have decided that local people should vote on whether congestion charging should be introduced in the area.

The Congestion Charge Vote is set for 11th December and will be your only opportunity to have your say, to vote whether people who drive to work in Manchester should pay an extra tax each day. The money raised will be used to improve public transport. We think it will be an unfair tax, we will be voting against it. If YOU vote we can STOP it, if you don’t vote YOU may have to PAY it!

For more information on the ‘NO’ campaign goto www.stopthecharge.co.uk

If you are over 18 years of age and live in Prestwich, you can vote in all local elections including referendums. The Congestion Charge Referendum vote is in December. To register as a resident, complete the form sent to each house in the last few weeks, or phone Bury Council on: (0161) 253 5000 and ask for a form.

Two elderly residents have recently taken bad tumbles on uneven paving. Andrew has been out and about looking at broken and worn pavements that the Council fail to mend effectively. Much of the damage is caused by cars parking on the pavement. Andrew has been told by Council Officers that pavements don’t get fixed until the trip hazard is larger than the depth of a 50 pence piece. This is ridiculous and be assured, Cllr Andrew Garner is fighting for pavement improvements!

A referendum on the issue of an elected Mayor took place on July 3rd, when local people were asked whether they wished to change the way the Council is run. The option to replace the current system with an elected Mayor was defeated.

Commenting on the result, leader of Bury Liberal Democrats, Cllr Tim Pickstone said, “The Lib Dems in Bury campaigned hard for a “No” vote in the referendum, and I am glad that the idea of an elected Mayor has been rejected by local people.”

The “Yes” campaign suggested that the voting for a Mayor would help defeat plans for a congestion charge. Cllr Pickstone rejected this view,: “The idea that a Mayor could stop the congestion charge was always false, and I always thought that local people wouldn’t believe it. Bury Lib Dems continue to oppose the congestion charge, and the Council is now free to carry on working hard to get improved public transport for Bury without this additional tax.”

Cllr Pickstone added, “The issue of the Mayor was always about more than the congestion charge. A Mayor would have meant a less democratic system for local people, and would have cost a small fortune every year. Liberal Democrats believe that decisions should be taken in local communities, not by one person at the Town Hall. We also believe that tax payers money should be spent on better services and lower taxes, not on a big car and a big office for an elected Mayor. The rejection of the Mayor gives us the best chance to continue fighting for real power for local people, and better local services for everyone.”

Today polling stations are open in the referendum to decide whether Bury should have an elected Mayor.
People should vote at their normal polling stations (that we used for the elections in May). The polling stations are open from 7.00am - 10.00pm. You do not need your polling card to vote.
If you have a postal vote which hasn’t yet been returned, you can fill this in in the normal way and take it round to your local polling station.

The local Liberal Democrats are urging everyone to vote NO in the election because we believe this to be an undemocratic waste of public money. Lots of people have questions about this important issue, the local Lib Dems have produced this factsheet
to answer some of your questions.

On July 3rd, the people of Bury will be asked to vote in a referendum. You should have already received your polling cards and people who have a postal vote should have received their ballot papers in the last few days. Everyone will have their chance to say whether or not you want the way the Council is run to change, so that it is led by an elected Mayor.

Lots of people have questions about this important issue, the local Lib Dems have produced this factsheet
to answer some of your questions.

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR POST OFFICES - SAY NO TO CLOSURE

Under proposals submitted by The Post Office and supported by the Labour Government, a further 5 Post Offices are being proposed for closure in the Bury area.

They are at Limefield on Walmersley Road, Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe, Elton, Greenmount and Rochdale Road.

We believe these are much valued community facilities that are depended upon by many in our communities, especially the elderly.The Post Office is now consulting on their proposals. Please sign and encourage friends to sign. The more support we can get the more likely we can make The Post Office listen to local people.

Sign the petition here

In the wake of the announcement that dozens of post offices in and around Greater Manchester, including 5 in Bury and 11 across the Stockport Borough, are scheduled for closure, Liberal Democrats from across the area have launched a petition to ‘Save our Post Offices’.

Hazel Grove Constituency MP Andrew Stunell, Cheadle Constituency MP Mark Hunter, Manchester Withington MP John Leech and Rochdale MP Paul Rowen, along with Lib Dem Councillors and activists launched the petition today in central Manchester by holding a demonstration to oppose the plans and asking local residents to sign up in support of the protest.

Speaking after the launch Mr Hunter said: “It’s not too late for action on this issue. I hope local people will speak out and sign our petition to save their local post office. Many are under threat now and many more will surely follow if the Government gets is way.

“Post Offices are a vital part of the community; they often help to keep local other shops afloat and are relied on by a very wide variety of people particularly the elderly and young mums. It seems to me that Labour is fast becoming a Government that knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. The Liberal Democrats are committed to the future of the Post Office and we will keep up our campaign to show the Government that local people want to keep their Post Offices open.”

Mr Stunell added: “We lost a lot of Post Offices in this area when the Conservatives were last in Government, and now we are faced with a Labour Government that does not understand how strongly people feel about their local Post Office.

In fact the situation could soon get even worse - the Post Office Card Account that many pensioners rely on for drawing their pensions and benefits is being reviewed and if that work is lost by Royal Mail than even more Post Offices will surely be closed in the future.

The Liberal Democrats have a viable plan to prevent further closures and help to sustain the network; a plan that wouldn’t cost the earth that would invest in our local Post Office network not chop it up. Post Offices should be local and should be supporting our communities and we will continue to fight with our local community to save them.”

Manchester based regeneration experts ‘URBED’ are seeking the views of local people on their initial options for a regeneration strategy that is looking to reshape the face, and the fortunes of Prestwich. Having conducted an appraisal of the area, the masterplanning options are now available to view in Prestwich Library and at the Longfield Centre for a three week period between 19th May and 6th June 2008. The library is open from 9am to 7.30 Mondays and Thursdays, 9am to 5pm Tuesdays and Fridays , 9am to 1pm Wednesdays and Saturdays and 10am to 2pm on Sundays. For those unable to attend the consultation, the documents are available to view online by visiting Urbed’s website on http://www.urbed.coop/ . There are three documents available online which (links below) including the “Options Report” which looks at a number of options for areas in Prestwich for development, including; The Longfield Centre, The Health Centre, Metrolink Station, Tesco’s, a Techno Park and Prestwich Hospital among others. URBED will use feedback from the options to help produce a final masterplan and development strategy for further consultation later on in the year that addresses the concerns of the community and local business community, as well as the development aspirations of developers.

Prestwich Option 1 - using an expanded Tescos to anchor the centre

Prestwich Option 2 - Anchoring the centre in the south

Prestwich Baseline Report Draft Baseline Report May 2008 Prestwich Consultation Report Report of proceedings of the Prestwich Roundtable Workshop in the Longfield Suite 13th March 2008 Prestwich Options Report Options Report for Prestwich May 2008 Prestwich Masterplanning Options

Liberal Democrats at Bury’s election count last night:

Here’s our new team of Councillors in St Mary’s Ward - Donal O’Hanlon, Mary D’Albert and Richard Baum…… Labour MP Ivan Lewis sneaks past behind.

Lib Dem Councillors elected last night Mary D’Albert, Vic D’Albert and Ann Garner with some of their group colleagues Steve Wright, Wilf Davison and Donal O’Hanlon.

More pictures here

Liberal Democrats have continued to move forward on Bury Council making another gain from Labour and holding off a challenges from the Conservatives. This is the fifth election in a row in Bury where we have made gains.

Full results to follow, but in our key wards in Prestwich the results were as follows:

Holyrood
Vic D’Albert (Lib Dem) 1632
Labour 669
Conservative 852

St Mary’s
Mary D’Albert (Lib Dem) 1308
Labour 1013
Conservatives 692

Sedgley
Ann Garner (Lib Dem) 1488
Labour 906
Conservatives 1238

Across Prestwich the share of the vote was:
Liberal Democrats - 45%
Labour 26%
Conservatives 28%

The Liberal Democrats now have ALL NINE councillors in Prestwich. We’ll be doing our best all year round to stand up for the local community.

Across the motorway Lib Dem candidate Julie Baum put in a stunning performance to move into second place with a 50% increase in the Lib Dem vote.
Besses
Julie Baum (Lib Dem) 614
Labour 1084
Conservatives 584
Others 354

Well done to all our candidates, but particularly to re-elected Councillors Vic D’Albert and Ann Garner, and to new Councillor Mary D’Albert.
A huge thank you to the whole Lib Dem campaign team for a stunning result. Full results to follow.

Please don’t forget to vote in the important local elections on Thursday 1 May 2008. These elections will decide who will represent you at the Council for the next four years.

Ann Garner, our hard working local councillor for the last 5 years is the Liberal Democrat Focus Team candidate on Thursday.

Important Information
- Polling Stations are open from 7.00am - 10.00pm
- You don’t need your polling card to vote
- If you have a postal ballot, but have not yet sent it in, you can complete it as normal and take the completed envelope to your local polling station on the day.

Polling Stations in Sedgley
Downham Crescent/Meade Hill Road areas - Mobile Van on Meade Hill Road
Park Road and Brooklands Road areas - Mobile Van on Castle Hill Road
Kings Road, Bishops Road, Sedgley Park Road areas - Sedgley Park Primary School, Bishops Road
George Street, Bland Road areas - Mobile Van on Portugal Road
Whittaker Lane and Bent Hill areas - St Hilda’s Primary on Whittaker Lane
Recory Lane, Park View and Deyne Avenue areas - Park View Primary

If you need any more information, or need a lift to the polling station call our helpline on 0161 798 0117

Thank you!

Apologies for the Video Hight - we need to upgrade our software!

Election statement to readers of the Bury Times:

Liberal Democrats across Bury have had a brilliant response from local residents. People are telling us that they are fed up of Labour closing post offices, taxing poorer people and watching the economy slide. People are uncertain what the Conservatives stand for, and haven’t noticed any improvement since they took over last year.

Liberal Democrats in Bury have three clear priorities:

We want safe, thriving communities across Bury. People must feel safe in their own streets and communities. This isn’t just about tackling crime, it’s about stronger, united communities. That’s why we’re opposing Post Office closures and why we secured massively increased funding for children in the Council budget. It’s also why we have always opposed the unfair and divisive congestion charge.

We want Bury to be the greenest Metropolitan Borough in Britain. Last year Lib Dems secured blue recycling bins for every house, and this year more money for parks and cleaning. We cherish Bury’s beautiful environment. We will work hard to protect it.

We believe in giving power to local people, not keeping it at the Town Hall. This means that decisions should be made locally in the six towns that make up Bury. It means local people making decisions at the most local level about the services that effect communities.

On May 1st we have a choice - A return to the 21 years of neglect under Labour’s rule in Bury, uncertainty under the Tories, or a clear vision for a better Bury from your local Liberal Democrats.

Liberal Democrats have announced a full team of candidates to contest the elections for Bury Council on Thursday 1 May 2008. One third of the seats on the Council are up for election, with one councillor to be elected in each of the 17 wards.

Two Councillors are seeking re-election - Vic D’Albert in Holyrood and Ann Garner in Sedgley.

Liberal Democrat candidates are:
Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor
Ramsbottom - Janet Turner
Tottington - David Foss
North Manor - Ewan Arthur
Bury West
Elton - Robert Sloss
Church - Tamsin Thomson
Bury East
Moorside - Nissa Finney
East - Emma Davison
Redvales - Paul Jenkins
Radcliffe
Radcliffe North - Lynne Molloy
Radcliffe West - Joanne O’Hanlon
Radcliffe East - Mike Halsall
Whitefield and Unsworth
Unsworth - Theo Tzymcyca
Besses - Julie Baum
Pilkington Park - Wayne Burrows
Prestwich
Holyrood - Vic D’Albert
St Mary’s - Mary D’Albert
Sedgley - Ann Garner

The Lib Dems have claimed to be the “practical” party of local government at the launch of their campaign for council elections in England and Wales. Leader Nick Clegg said the party’s record was a “success story - quality services, and value for money”.

Speaking at the campaign launch in Sheffield, he accused Labour of failing on crime and the Tories of having “no stomach” for addressing green issues.

The party currently controls 29 local authorities across Britain, and is defending 700 Council seats on May 1st. We also hope to make other gains in Bury, including of course in St Mary’s.

Today, Nick Clegg said the party had come up with local solutions to problems including housing, crime and the environment.

“The Liberal Democrat record in local government is a success story - quality services, and value for money. And we are ready to apply the lessons that we have learned to councils throughout this country. “ He said: “We don’t promise to fix or solve every problem, but we do promise to give people a say, to give them the opportunity to fix things for themselves.”

People in Bury are being given the chance to raise public transport issues face-to-face with the managers responsible for running their services next week.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) is hosting a Transport Operator Surgery at Bury Travel Shop on Saturday 29 March between 11am and 1pm.

Representatives from First Manchester and Stagecoach Metrolink will be attending, along with officers from GMPTA and GMPTE.
The event is the first of four to be held in Bury this year.

Councillor Andrew Garner, GMPTA spokesperson for Bury, said: “We want to hear more about people’s public transport experiences and any suggestions for improvements. “When we held more formal meetings in Bury we had low attendance, but I’m sure these new surgeries will give us the chance to speak to a much broader range of passengers. “I’d encourage anyone with something to say about local public transport issues to come along on Saturday – and let us know how we can improve the services they use.”

Four surgeries a year will be held at bus stations, key transport interchanges, and other suitable locations in each of the ten Greater Manchester districts.

GMPTA also holds regular Greater Manchester-wide transport seminars. Its website – www.gmpta.gov.uk – is also being developed to allow online consultations and a dedicated ‘tell us about your local transport issues’ section.

Liberal  Democrats in Bury have accused Ivan Lewis MP and David Chaytor MP of failing to support local services after they voted to support the Government’s massive post office closure programme.

The Government has ordered that one in five branches be closed. Opposition MPs tried to stop the closure programme on 19th March when a motion was proposed in the House of Commons demanding the Government halt their plans to make 2500 branches shut up shop.

But enough Labour MPs rallied around the Government’s closure plans to reject the motion and ensure the closure programme can continue unhindered. Two of those voting to close post offices were Bury’s MP.

Disappointed local Liberal Democrat campaigners are calling on Ivan Lewis and David Chaytor to explain why s/he voted to close post offices.
“Our MPs have let down people in Bury by voting to allow the closures to continue,” said Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson Vic D’Albert. “In May the announcement will be made as to which branches here will be put forward for closure. This was an opportunity for Ivan Lewis and David Chayor to make a stand on behalf of residents. I am disappointed they have backed the Government rather than local people.

“The loss of post offices will hit communities hard in Bury. They are vital assets for many local people and closing them will cause many difficulties for older people and others with mobility problems, in particular.
“Despite the decision of our MPs to help the Government press ahead with closure, Liberal Democrats are continuing to fight the demolition of the post office network.”

A new door-to-door transport service for people with access and mobility difficulties is off to a flying start in Bury. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) extended the popular Ring & Ride service at the end of January when it added nine new minibuses to provide extra trips across the conurbation.

In the first few months, 246 passengers journeys have been made from Bury on the new ‘cross boundary’ service into neighbouring districts. And 2,355 journeys have been made across the conurbation.

Councillor Andrew Garner, Bury spokesperson for GMPTA, said: “Ring & Ride makes a real difference to people who find it difficult to use ordinary public transport to get out and about. “It has always been a very popular service for making trips in Bury but we’re always listening to users’ suggestions for improving it. “We surveyed passengers and they said they would be prefer to keep on paying a fare rather than travelling for free - so long as we invested in this new cross boundary service. “So I am delighted to see so many people finding it useful. It is clearly giving Ring & Ride users in Bury a lot more choice about where they can travel.”

Ring & Ride is run by Greater Manchester Accessible Transport Limited. Managing Director, Bernard Rowen, said: “I’m really pleased to see the new cross boundary services get off to such a good start. “Previously we could only offer local district based services but the new minibuses are allowing us to take people that bit farther afield into neighbouring areas. “The investment has clearly been worthwhile and I’m glad to be able to offer such an improved service. I’d encourage anyone who might want to give Ring and Ride a go to call us and register to use the service.” Passengers must register their details before they travel by calling the Bury depot on 0161 764 1999.

The service currently runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Journeys can be booked from seven days in advance up to one hour before travelling.

To book a journey on the cross boundary service call 0845 688 3989 (lines open between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday). Fares are set at £2 for a single journey, and £1 for a single journey for GMPTE concessionary permit holders. For more information on Ring & Ride visit www.ringandride.info

Children in Bury will be able to save £1 a week on the cost of school travel from next month.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority is introducing a new £6 weekly ticket for three of the school bus services it provides in the borough. It currently costs 70p for a single child ticket.

The School Saver ticket will be valid on the 799 service to Derby High and the 797 and 798 to St Monica’s RC High.

Councillor Andrew Garner, Bury’s spokesperson on the Passenger Transport Authority, said: “The new School Saver ticket could save families in the borough nearly £40 a year on school travel costs.

“I’m pleased we’ve been able to provide the ticket on three of the school bus services we provide in Bury. Unfortunately, we’re not able to extend the offer to commercial services.

“However, we will continue to keep child fares relatively low on all bus services in Greater Manchester by paying the bus operators for part of the cost of journeys.

“The System One Bus Saver 7 ticket is also good value for money and will carry on being available across Greater Manchester. It costs £7 and allows children to travel on bus services anywhere in the county for one week, including at weekends.”

The new School Saver ticket will be on sale from Monday 31 March in newsagents, supermarkets and garages across Bury with the Pay Point sign, as well as from the GMPTE Travelshop in Bury Interchange. The System One Bus Saver 7 is also available in the same locations. A list of the shops with the Pay Point system is available online at www.paypoint.co.uk/locator.

Pupils will be able to buy the School Saver ticket up to three days in advance of its start date and will need a GMPTE Under 16 membership card. The card is free and application forms can be picked up from Travelshops or downloaded from www.gmpte.com/under16.

Last night the Council’s consultants for the Regeneration of Prestwich hosted a workshop to engage residents views on the issues regarding the development of Prestwich.

The event at the Longfield Suite was well attended with about 100 people - residents, Council officers , Councillors, local businesses and school representative present.

Amongst other things we were asked to highlight the best and worse features of the Town Centre, highlight towns that we would like to see at least attributes of introduced into plans for Prestwich and what we would like to see Prestwich be like in 15 years time.

We finished by highlighting areas that we would like to see developed across the town centre - with the reasons why.

All in all a very successful event that certainly got me thinking and focussed on the future of Prestwich - a Prestwich I hope we can all be proud of when the plans eventually come to fruition.

Well done Urbed - it’s over to you!

Last night’s meeting of Prestwich Local Area Partnership (LAP) was the final meeting of the municipal year, and contained some great news for local organisations to whom we were able to award thousands of pounds in grants.

The LAP controls a number of grant funds and can allocate them to local groups throughout the year. Already this year for instance, we have allocated £10,000 to the Rainsough community centre, with more to follow for Children’s Centre outreach both there and in Carr Clough.

Last night the following awards were made:

- Prestwich Carnival were awarded £2,125, which will ensure the continuation of this excellent community-wide event for the next two years. This money was awarded from the Kickstart Community Initiative fund, which is to benefit the entire community.

- The Prestwich Clough Centenary group also received £2,125 so that the Clough Day which has taken place for the last two years can continue for the next two as well. This too is a wonderful Prestwich event, and we are proud to provide the money to keep it going. This money also came from the Kickstart Community Initiative fund.

- £1,500 was given for the provision of a sensory garden for disabled children at Butterstile. This money came from the Kickstart fund, which is for small projects.

- Heaton Park School applied for money for fencing around the school, which will be an asset to the local community and which we were happy to provide £5,000 towards. This grant was made from the Cleaner, Greener, Safer capital fund, which is for capital schemes benefitting the local environment.

- The Cleaner, Greener, Safer capital fund was also the source of money for the Downham Tenants and Residents Association, for whom the LAP has given £500 towards the cost of creating a “wildlife corner” for communal use on land that is currently an eyesore.

- And the Cleaner, Greener, Safer capital fund has been made available for refurbishment of the Parksway ginnel in Sedgley ward, where £1,000 will be used for essential security work.

- A ball zone will be created at Parrenthorn school, with £5,000 coming from the Community Development fund for projects in the community.

- In addition, a further £5,000 has been made available from this fund for a new under 5’s play area in Polefield.

Altogether last night there was over £22,000 of money invested by the LAP into much needed community projects. This is a massive investment, and we have secured major projects like the carnival and much-needed play facilities, as well as smaller things like the Downham wildlife corner.

Yellow School Buses are proving so popular that they were used for nearly 20,000 school trips in Greater Manchester last year.
Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority already pays for the buses to take pupils to and from Bury Church High School. But schools across the borough are also hiring them for trips to museums, sports centres and theatres.

Councillor Andrew Garner, Bury’s spokesperson on the Passenger Transport Authority, said: “I’m pleased that schools are hiring the buses for trips as it means they’re being put to good use and not standing empty during the day.
“The Yellow School Buses are all fitted with CCTV, seatbelts and a lift for wheelchairs so it makes sense for schools to use them for trips out. All of the drivers have also had criminal records checks and have been specially trained to look after children.
“The buses have helped to cut antisocial behaviour on journeys to and from schools by 75% since they were introduced, and teachers have also praised them for improving attendance levels. I’m sure local schools will continue to benefit from them in the future.”

There are now 36 Yellow School Buses in Greater Manchester, which take more than 2,000 pupils to and from 22 schools. Children who travel on the buses sit in the same seats every day, have regular drivers, and have to sign up to a code of conduct.
The Yellow School Bus drivers have taken part in a special training programme, which includes customer care, first aid, disability awareness, health and safety, and conflict avoidance.

Another 120 Yellow School Buses could be introduced at schools across Greater Manchester over the next few years if the bid to the government’s Transport Innovation Fund is successful.

More information about the Yellow School Buses, including a full list of services, is available at www.yellowschoolbus.info.

Lib Dem’s Secure More Money for Children and Young People, and more money for Parks and Cleaner Streets 

Liberal Democrat Councillors saved services for young people and vulnerable children and secured extra expenditure on much needed environmental services such as parks, cleaner streets and environmental enforcement in Bury Council’s budget for next year.

The Lib Dem proposals, which were agreed and have become part of the budget:

- saved advice services for children and money for youth services across Bury

- saved services for disabled children, the “young carers” service and provision for children who are at risk

- secured new money for our parks and environmental services

- secured new money for a cleaner environment such as street cleaning and enforcement such as dog fouling and fly-tipping

 Cllr Tim Pickstone, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group said:

 “This is a difficult budget again for Bury. We all need to be clear on why these difficult savings once again have to be made. The blame is quite clearly with the Labour Government who, despite many years of pressure, continue to effectively give Bury a “poor deal”.

“Services to young people are already stretched  -  A vibrant youth support service is essential to ensure educational staying on rates and engagement in training or employment, with the subsequent positive impact on reducing anti-social behaviour”

“We are not prepared to put up with an unsafe reduction in support for vulnerable children, and to not see advances in supporting the environment in this borough.”

Cllr Richard Baum, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Resources said

“The people of this Borough want cleaner streets, green space and safe places for their families. And the Liberal Democrat group will ensure that as much as possible is done to give them what they want. Our proposals tonight are to invest in parks in this Borough to ensure that every community has a well-managed place of peace and greenery to enjoy.

Attacking the Labour Party Proposal to cut vital services for a zero Council Tax rise Cllr Pickstone said:

“This proposal is madness. We would all like to have a zero council tax rise, but the Labour Party are proposing to scrap £700,000 on much needed services for disabled people, are proposing to scrap services for young people and vulnerable children, and proposing to run Bury Council into the ground by running reserves down to a dangerous level. This is a disgrace - I am shocked that that Labour Party will stoop so low in a pathetic attempt to gain votes.

“There are two opposition parties in Bury. One, the Lib Dems, have achieved over £1/3 million of expenditure on young people, children and the environment, while Labour have achieved nothing but a cheap gimmick at the expense of vulnerable people.” 

National Grid plan to run cables through a disused rail tunnel that crosses the Peak District National Park. If they go ahead, the tunnel could no longer be used as a railway, despite there having been several proposals in the last 10 years to do just that (Central Railways, Arriva, and Translink–all rejected by the Government!) That would be a big mistake.

MPs and local people are trying to persuade the government to intervene, to protect the route so that it could, in future, be re-opened and provide much-needed passenger and rail-freight services connecting the east and west sides of the Pennines.

See recent article in the Guardian Please act quickly as the National Grid work is scheduled to start in January 2008.

We need MPs across the country to sign Early Day Motion (EDM) 459 calling on the Government to intervene and help safeguard the Woodhead Tunnel for future rail use. Campaign for Better Transport have set up an easy e-action form on their website.

Click here to write/send an e-mail to your MP asking them to sign EDM 459:

Plus there’s a petition online calling for the railway to be reopened: Visit the Save Woodhead Tunnel website.

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous 2008.

A quartet of carol singers are helping to give Metrolink a festive feel this week by singing on board the trams. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) arranged for the quartet, from the University of Manchester Chorus, to accompany passengers travelling on Metrolink from Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 December.

Michael Renshaw, GMPTE’s Interim Service Delivery Director, said: “We hope the carol singers have helped to bring Christmas cheer to passengers and have encouraged people to use Metrolink over the festive season. “Some people are put off using public transport when they’re doing their Christmas shopping as they’ve got lots of bags to carry. But travelling on Metrolink can actually be an easier way of getting about. “Metrolink passengers don’t get stuck in traffic jams or have to worry about finding somewhere to park. All of the tram stops also have ramps or lifts so you avoid having to walk up and down steps.”

Greater Manchester’s Yellow School Bus services are reducing congestion, improving pupil behaviour and boosting school attendance, according to the latest report heard by transport bosses. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) now funds the services to 22 schools, providing safe and reliable journeys for more than 2000 pupils. Councillors heard that the Yellow School Buses have made a major impact on the school run, taking more than 265,000 car-miles off the road this school year. And antisocial behaviour on school buses has reduced by 75% at schools that have the yellow buses. Schools have also praised the services for improving attendance records.

One Yellow School Bus currently runs to Bury Church school and the scheme has proved a hit with pupils and parents. Bury spokesperson for GMPTA, Councillor Andrew Garner, said: “Yellow School Buses are a safe and reliable way of getting pupils to and from school. “We already know from anecdotal evidence that they are popular, but this report really highlights the benefits of the service. “The services are really helping to tackle local congestion caused by the school run, as well as offering a safe travelling environment for pupils. I’m sure other road users appreciate the services too as they take so many cars off the road each morning and afternoon. “We have bid for government funding to buy more Yellow School Buses and reports like this really illustrate what a strong case there is for expanding the service.” Pupils using Yellow School Bus services have to sign up to a code of conduct, use the same seatbelt-equipped seats every day and have regular drivers to help build a good working relationship. All Yellow School Bus drivers have undergone an extensive training programme run by GMPTE, which includes training in customer care, first aid, disability awareness, health and safety issues and conflict avoidance. A major expansion of Yellow School Bus services could be introduced at schools across Greater Manchester over the next four years if the bid to the government’s Transport Innovation Fund is successful. Two more vehicles are due to be introduced at schools in Wigan early in the new year, taking the number of Yellow School Buses in Greater Manchester to 36, running to 22 schools. To find out more about Yellow School Buses and for a full list of services visit www.yellowschoolbus.info

A Liberal Democrat amendment at last nights Council meeting finally exposed Bury Labour’s position on Congestion Charging when they failed to oppose the proposed Congestion Charging scheme.

A Liberal Democrat amendment called for the bid to the Governments Transport Innovation Fund to be supported but made it clear that Bury was opposed to the proposed Congestion Charging scheme, and called for a consultative referendum on the issue.

My colleague Cllr Richard Baum told the Council, “We need to send a message to the government that we will not stand for their bullying.  That we have been elected to stand up for what people want – a quality public transport system paid for through the taxes we have already paid, sustained through more users and leading to improvements all round. 

You can read the full text of the Lib Dem amendment here.

Upgrades to Metrolink carried out over the summer are being praised for making it easier for disabled people to travel around the region.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority is investing over £100 million on improvements to the Metrolink network, including new track, trams and ticket machines.

Nearly 4,000 tactile paving stones were laid at 22 platforms on the Bury and Altrincham lines as part of the track upgrades. New boarding points have also been created for people with wheelchairs or prams so that they know where to get on the trams.

Councillor Andrew Garner, Bury’s spokesperson on the Passenger Transport Authority, met members of the Baddac Access and Eye-openers groups at Radcliffe Metrolink stop on Thursday to see what impact the upgrades have had. He said: “We wanted to carry out as much work as possible while sections of the Metrolink network were closed to replace worn-out track. We’ve always tried to make Metrolink as accessible as possible for disabled people. I’m pleased we were able to improve the stops to make it easier for people to use the service.

“We upgraded nearly twenty miles of track during the summer and we will continue to make improvements to Metrolink in the future. We’ll soon be installing new ticket machines, and we’ll be adding eight new trams to the network in 2009 to relieve overcrowding at busy times.”

Michelle Chadwick from Baddac Access said: “I’m visually impaired so the Metrolink improvements have made it much easier for me to travel on the network. The new tactile paving stones and boarding points have helped to reassure me that I’m standing in the right place while I wait for a tram.

”I tend to travel on Metrolink every couple of days and have really noticed the difference the new track has made. My guide dog didn’t used to like riding on the trams but its now much smoother. I’m sure I’ll use Metrolink more often in the future.”

Engineers used nearly 40 miles of rail, 60,000 tonnes of stone and 40,000 sleepers to upgrade the Metrolink track during the summer. They also re-waterproofed the Metrolink bridge over the M60 at Besses o’ th’ Barn, and replaced a road bridge over the Metrolink line in Radcliffe.

The Metrolink network has been designed to be accessible for everyone. All of the stops have a ramp or lift, and the trams have special sections for people with wheelchairs or prams. The new tactile paving stones make it easier for blind and partially-sighted people to find the edge of platforms.

Further information about public transport services in Greater Manchester is available at www.gmpte.com, or by calling Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 (calls cost 10p per minute from landlines). Lines are open from 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 8pm at weekends.

Sorry for the lack of activity on this site in the last couple of months.  I started a new job at the begining of October and my feet haven’t touched the ground since!  I now work for Andrew Stunell MP who is the Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.  My new role compliments my work as your local councillor and gives me far more insight into the role of Local Government and how it affects our community.

I was priviliged to be among the passengers trying out the new Metrolink track on Thursday morning when the Bury line reopened.

Two local MP’s joined myself and Councillor Roger Jones, Chair of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, on a tram ride from Bury to Manchester. They promised this summer’s track upgrades would be just the start of a multi-million pound investment in Metrolink.

Millions of pounds will be invested in Metrolink over the next few years and I am delighted this first stage of improvements has been completed. Improvements to stops and ticket machines will follow in the near future, and adding eight extra trams to the network in 2009.

I was amazed how much smoother and quieter a tram journey now is, it is a vast improvement on the old track. Some of the Metrolink track on the Bury and Altrincham lines was more than 50 years old as it was used by trains before Metrolink opened in 1992. Nearly 20 miles of track has been replaced during the summer, and the platform surfaces have been upgraded to make it easier to get on and off the trams.

Further information about public transport services in Greater Manchester is available at www.gmpte.com, or by calling Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 (calls cost 10p per minute from landlines). Lines are open from 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 8pm at weekends.

A Bury charity is to receive £20,000 to keep on helping people with learning disabilities build the skills and confidence they need to use public transport.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) today agreed to continue funding a ‘travel training’ initiative run by Bury People First.

The innovative ‘Out and About Scheme’ began last year after getting a start-up grant from GMPTA. Since then the training has helped 14 people across the borough gain more independence.

Some needed short-term help to familiarise them with how public transport works in their area and to give them the confidence to use it alone. Others have benefited from a one-to-one personalised training programme over several months.

The funding, which will help the scheme continue for another year, was agreed at the GMPTA Policy Committee earlier today.

Bury spokesperson for GMPTA, Councillor Andrew Garner said: “Bury People First is one of the first charities in Greater Manchester to run this type of travel training scheme and I am delighted it has been such a success. I look forward to seeing them give even more people the skills and confidence to travel on public transport in the coming year.”

More than 100 people across Greater Manchester have now benefited from travel training after three ‘pilot projects’ were launched last year in Bury, Salford and Stockport with funding from GMPTA.

Further information about the grants available to voluntary organisations to set up travel training schemes can be found in the Accessible Transport section of the GMPTE website (www.gmpte.com) or by calling GMPTE on 0161 244 1259.

In March 2007 the Liberal Democrat team on Bury Council successfully proposed a budgetary amendment which extended the “Blue Bin” recycling scheme to every house in the Borough.

The success of the scheme was confirmed in a response to a question our colleague Cllr Tim Pickstone raised at the Full Council meeting last night. 1,020 Tonnes of recyclables were collected in July 2007 - the first month after the Blue-Bin roll-out up from 767 Tonnes in July 2006 - a massive 33% increase!

Its excellent to see such a great response from the public to the recycling initiative. The Lib Dem’s are already asking when the scheme can be made fortnightly for everyone. My colleague Cllr Richard Baum also asked for a report on the small number of households who’ve not yet received their bins (mostly farms, but a few areas with restricted lorry access). I’ll let you know this information when its received.

LIBERAL Democrats in Bury have welcomed plans that will make Britain a zero carbon country by the middle of the century.

The plans will be debated by Liberal Democrats at the party’s conference in Brighton on 17th September. Members from Bury will be going to the conference to back the proposals.

“Liberal Democrats have long argued that we have to tackle the problem of pollution and damage to the planet. The proposals put forward by Sir Menzies Campbell that we will debate at conference will mean that by the middle of this century, Britain will be a zero carbon country.

“That will mean that we will be producing overall no extra carbon dioxide, the main polluting gas that is leading to global climate change. Increasing amounts of carbon dioxide we are currently producing are almost certainly the cause of the extreme weather conditions we have suffered over the summer.

“Liberal Democrats have made the environment the main feature of our conference later this month. Going green means changing for the better many of our activities. And it means the Government changing policies as well. Under Labour for example, Gordon Brown has cut the tax burden on pollution, whilst putting up the tax burden on people.

“That means under Gordon Brown it has become cheaper to pollute. I strongly believe that people in Bury will benefit from the Lib Dems’ green tax switch. At our conference we will debate plans to switch the tax burden from people to pollution.

Engineers lifted a new 50 tonne road bridge into place over the Bury Metrolink line on Wednesday as part of a £100 million project to improve the network.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) replaced the bridge, on Withins Lane in Radcliffe, during this summer’s work to upgrade nearly 20 miles of track on the Bury and Altrincham lines.

The Metrolink bridge which goes over the M60 at Besses o’ th’ Barn has also been renovated, and the platform surfaces have been upgraded to make it easier to get on and off the trams.

Paul Griffiths, GMPTE’s Projects Director, said: “I’m pleased we’ve been able to replace the Withins Lane bridge while the Bury and Altrincham lines have been closed. The work to upgrade the Metrolink network is running to schedule and the Bury line is due to reopen in mid September.

“This is just the start of a multi-million pound investment in Metrolink. We have ordered eight new trams to tackle overcrowding, and we will be upgrading the ticket machines in the near future.”

The Bury Metrolink line is currently closed between Bury and Manchester Victoria, and the Altrincham line is closed between Altrincham and Cornbrook. The Bury line is due to reopen on Thursday 13 September and the Altrincham line is due to reopen on Tuesday 28 August.

Liberal Democrat Councillor and Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority spokesperson Cllr Andrew Garner said “This is great news for Metrolink users and I am looking forward to travelling on the new line when it re-opens next month”

A company that ignored Bury Council’s warning to stop excavating near
protected trees has been ordered to pay £19,000 for wilfully damaging them.

At a hearing at Bury Magistrates court earlier this month Thomas Barnes PLC
pleaded guilty to two offences contravening the town and country planning
act while working on the site of the former Thorndyke House, Bury New Road,
Preswich.

Magistrates heard that in October 2002 a tree preservation order was issued
by Bury Council in respect of nine trees at the site in Prestwich.

Nearly two years later in April 2004 landscaping plans were submitted as
part of a development of 10 flats on the grounds.

Bury council’s landscape architect Michael Dowd was concerned that a
proposed wall and pathway could damage some of the protected tress’ roots
and he contacted the developers. They then submitted revised planes, which
were approved by the council.

The officers took evidential photographs and warned the site manager
regarding the condition of the trees, that the area must not be excavated
any further and that areas should be re-instated rapidly and adequate tree
protection measures put in place immediately.

Examination found that the damage caused rendered both trees beyond saving
as living specimens and the weight of the structure could not be supported
by what remained of the roots and could collapse with serious health and
safety consequences. Following correspondence between the council and
representatives of the company, proceedings were started.

The magistrates decided that the most serious aspect of the case was that
the company continued with excavation work despite the council’s warning in
October 2005 that it was causing damage to the trees, and told to reinstate
the ground.

They took into account the previous good record of the company and fined the
company £8000 on each offence giving a total fine of £16, 000 with legal and
investigation costs of £3000. The grand total was £19 000 to be paid within
28 days. The company have the option of appealing against this decision
within 21 days.

Bury Council continue to pursue the company to arrange for replacement trees
to be put in place.

Councillor Ann Garner said “It is imperative that the company replace these trees as soon as possible, the protection of our environment is more important than developers profits”

Liberal Democrat Councillor and Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority spokesperson Cllr Andrew Garner is calling on local bus operators to use their common sense when dealing with free bus travel for the elderly on cross-boundary routes. At present, buses such as the X43 from Manchester to Burnley are only free as far as Rawtenstall. Bus operators then have the power to demand that elderly travellers disembark and wait for the next bus to arrive, before paying to continue their journey.

Cllr Garner said “It is absolute madness that these elderley people are forced to get off the bus and wait by themselves for up to half an hour for the next service. Many of them are vulnerable and alone, and are being left at a bus stop whilst a perfectly suitable bus drives off in the direction they are travelling! For a lot of our elderly people, bus travel is the only way to visit family and friends. We should make services as welcoming as possible, and this does just the opposite.”

At present, individual bus drivers can use their discretion, and let their elderly travellers back onto the same bus, if they get off at the boundary and join the back of the queue. But many passengers are not so lucky, and are told that it is against the rules for them to carry on their journey on the same bus. GMPTE have said that no policy changes will be made because all travel for the elderly becomes free in April 2008, regardless of distance. But Bury’s Liberal Democrat GMPTA representatives are concerned that this is still eight months away.

Cllr Garner continued “I am not asking for the whole of the journey to be free. Passengers are more than happy to pay for the journey from the boundary of Bury onto Burnley. What I want is common sense from bus operators, to instruct their drivers never to force an elderley person off the bus simply because they are no longer in Bury. With Winter just a few months away, we should not be making frail passengers get off a bus and wait in the cold for the next one.”

Residents who live alongside the Metrolink line need to be aware that the contractors currently working on renewing the track have informed the Council that some limited work may be needed during the night. Your local councillors have protested against this proposal, and we have received assurances that no heavy cutting or noisy work will take place. 

Residents should only have to endure some noise for one night in the majority of cases, but on occasion there will be areas which are inconvenienced for two nights. Please contact one of your councillors if work is disturbing you during the night and we will report this immediately to the relevant authorities.

The proposed areas and dates for night working are given below:

Thursday 16^th August – Prestwich to Heaton Park

Friday 17th August  –  Heaton Park to Bowker Vale

Saturday 18^th August – Bowker Vale

Thursday 23rd August  –  Prestwich to Heaton Park  

Friday 24^th August – Heaton Park to Bowker Vale

Saturday 25^th August – Bowker Vale to Queens Road

Wednesday 29^th August – Bowker Vale to Crumpsall

The work will take place in the above mentioned locations between the hours of 10pm and 10am each night and every effort will be made to keep un-necessary noise down to a minimum.  For more details about the track upgrades programme, please phone 0161 228 7811 or visit www.gmpte.com.  Alternatively call Carillion Control on 01788 866 080.

Bury Council met this week in its first “Emergency Full Council” meeting for many years.  The Council was called by the Labour group on the basis of ideas floated by the Conservative Administration on Bury Council to reduce the capacity of the soon to be built Radcliffe Riverside School from 900 children to 600.

Liberal Democrats believe that full consultation with parents and the community must take place before any decision is made. Whist we weren’t able to support the Labour Party in suggesting that a decision for a 900 capacity school had to be made there and then we did propose an amendment on behalf of the Lib Dem Group guaranteeing that Radcliffe Riverside does get built, and that work starts straight away for the planned 2009 opening. Thankfully the Lib Dem proposal received support from all parties.

In Prestwich many of us have painful memories of the discussions when one of our local schools was threatened with closure a year ago (Prestwich Arts College on Heys Road). We said then that there should be a place in a Prestwich high school for every Prestwich child that wanted one, the same must be said for Radcliffe.

The proposal to introduce a congestion charge for Manchester raises too many questions for local people and should be opposed - say local Lib Dems.

Liberal Democrats in Prestwich have raised concerns about the proposals to charge local people up to £5 a day for driving into into Manchester with toll points at the M60 and the “intermediate ring road”.

 • Charging people to cross the M60  will divide the local communities of Prestwich and Whitefield. Why should we pay to make a local journey to schools, shops or health facilities that doesn’t go anywhere near Manchester!  Either all roads will have charges or terrible “rat runs” will be created. What happens to Simister village just outside the M60?
• The scheme just isn’t Green. It does nothing to tackle the big source of air pollution in Prestwich/Whitefield, the M60.

• For an extra tax of up to £1,300 per person a year what do we get? A few more trams and a few school buses? Using the tram costs more than the proposed charge!

Lib Dem leader Cllr Tim Pickstone said: 
“Everyone knows we need to work hard for the environment and to reduce congestion, but this scheme just seems so wrong for our local area. We cannot support a scheme that divides our local community and does nothing to solve the major environmental questions that face us today.

Tell us what you think. Sign our online petition at www.prestwichsaysno.com