Channel 4 have just screened our Political Slot film . (See Utube video slot on right)

In the original film, Siân (mayoral candidate for London) explained how Greens on the London Assembly won a big pay rise for cleaners in the Fire Brigade by using their power of the Mayor’s budget to create the London Living Wage Unit.

But Channel 4 apparantly didn’t want you to see that. So they cut it out.

They were happy to let us tell you about how we’ve introduced a scheme to provide advice on greening your home, and how we’ve won funding to increase the amount and quality of green space in East London. And those are great achievements - but why is it that we’re not allowed to tell you that there’s more to Green politics than the environment?

You can see the full, 'uncensored' broadcast at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSSjGnj6g7k

Fortunately, not everyone wants to stop us fighting poverty pay - organisations including the NUS, Unite, UNISON, the Fawcett Society, and Oxfam have made Siân a Patron of the new Fair Pay Network, to be launched on Monday. Keep checking http://www.sianformayor.org.uk/from next week for more details on that campaign, and on how to join in.

It would be interesting to know why Channel 4 omitted this but it' s given us another opportunity to highlight the fact that we are not just a party of the environment.

Derek

HGV's - Write to the Chief Con!

One of the ways we can try to do something about the issue of HGV's on Moorfield Rd and Barrows Green Lane is to write to the Chief Constable, Cheshie Police, Clemonds Hey, Oakmere Road Winsford Cheshire CW7 2UA.

You could use the template letter below:

I am writing to complain about the increasing number of heavy goods vehicles and the speeds they are travelling at in the road where I live

This road has a weight restriction of 7.5 tons and lorries, some of them accessing Rockwood’s plant in Moorfield Road, are ignoring this weight limit.

I understand that Rockwood’s are attempting to ensure that vehicles do not access Moorfield Rd and Barrows Green Lane but the problem continues.

Some of the drivers of these vehicles are foreign and understandably they sometimes might make a wrong turn but they are obviously breaking the law and we should try to ensure that this does not occur.

This has been a long standing problem and residents have contacted the police on several occasions without seemingly any action being taken. I appreciate that this might not be a priority but there are some families in the area with young children who are very concerned about the matter and these drivers are breaking the law.

I would be grateful for any assistance you can offer,

HGV's Movements?

Rockwood have been in touch with their German associates informing them if foreign HGV's use weight restricted roads including Moorfield Road they will be penalised.

At the moment the weigh bridge is out of action at Rockwood and HGV's are being sent to the weigh bridge in Gorsey Lane. The company is giving maps to drivers directing them along the by pass away from Moorfield Rd and Barrows Green Lane.

Also there are signs in various languages inside the gates at the plant informing drivers that they must not turn left into Mooorfield Rd.

They will also try to contact all their local hauliers to let them know about the restrictions.

Rockwood state that there are HGV vehicles that are not going to their factory that are using Moorfield Rd.

We've produced a template letter complaining about the situation for residents to send to the Chief Constable - if you want one of these email us at haltongreenparty@hotmail.com. We will hopefully delivering template letters in the vicinity.

As the Chief Con has to respond to all letters maybe this will make them take a harder look at the complaint. To date since the problems began they do not appear to have acted in any way.

The Joys of Knocking on Doors

Just to say thanks to everybody I met on the doorstep today when out canvassing.
I'm always amazed just how many people really like to see you and how friendly everyone is - think it might be something to do with Widnes folk - or is it the chemicals - or even the Green Party!!!???

You really discover things about the area and in a funny way start feeling more a part of it. Its a pity its not a deep seated cultural thing this knocking on the door of a neighbour/resident you don't know and getting to know them - canvassing for a political party is perhaps one of the few things left that provides a passport for this activity as people generally find it acceptable

So if anyone would like to experience this and supports us (well maybe not even that) give us a shout.

Thanks again

Derek

Local Recycling

We've had a query from a Moorfield Rd resident about recycling bins in their area. I have emailed the council re this issue as follows:-

"A resident in Moorfield Rd wanted to know if recyling bins could once again be sited in the Moorfield Rd area. There used to be some at the Crow Wood roundabout car park but because of vandalism were removed.

This person does not have access to a car and the nearest recycing centre is 2 miles away.
I'm not sure what the take up for using recyling bins in this area would be but perhaps it might be worth seeing whether a local firm like Rockwoods could help in some way by providing bins on thier site giving access to the public and supervising them.

Can you tell me if the council has any plans to provide bins in this area again - thanks".

Anybody else got ideas about this - please let us know

I'll let you know when I get a response from the concil

Dog Fouling Moorfield Rd Belmont Rd., Barrows Green Lane and Ribble Close Widnes

Mike Madigan Halton Dog Warden has responded to our complaints

He said that he's had several complaints about fouling on the three roads and also Ribble Close on the Weates Estate.

He will be stepping up patrols in the area over the next few weeks. People can be fined on the spot £50 for the offence.

Since the operations began in 2005, 35 people have been fined.

If there is a lot of fouling in an area the councils highways dept can be contacted through the main council number (0151 907 8300) and it will be cleaned up

To report incidents phone Mike at the council ext 3212

HGV's

The Green Party has been approached by several people recently living in Moorfield Road and Barrows Green Lane about the numbers of HGV's using both roads even though there's a weight restriction on them

I have contacted Halton Council to find out about the situation - below is the query


'Several residents of Moorfield Rd and Barrows Green Lane have reported that HGV's are using Barrows Green Lane and Moorfield Rd. These road have weight restrictions - does the council have a responsibilty to ensure situation not happening or is it entirely a policing matter.
As the main culprit seems to be HGV's accessing Rockwoods plant in Moorfield Rd would it be possible to mount CCTV in the vicinity to capture such HGV's
It seems in the past that residents have approached the council and police but nothing has really happened and the problem seems to be getting worse.
Would be grateful for any help re matter'

I'll let you know the outcome of this

Halton Greens have been out on the streets of Halton View ward today. Residents on Moorfield Rd complained about dog fouling and this is the email I sent to the council.

'We have been out speaking to residents today in Moorfield Rd (inbetween roundabout and rail line) and several have mentioned the problem of dog fouling.
Is there action you can take to deal with this please'.

I'll be letting residents know results of this contact.

Welcome to the Blog

Welcome to the blog. My name's Derek Mellor, I'm lead candidate for the Green Party in Halton