Halton council are going through a process, presumably like several other north west region authorities, of developing areas of their landscape ensuring that it 'fits in' and dovetails with regional needs.
They had a meeting, open to residents, which I attended a couple of weekends ago. A presentation was given about the aims of the project and then participants were asked for their views about their local area, what landscaping features they wanted maintaining and future developments etc.
The event had been publicised in the local press and various relevant organisations had been contacted about it. There were 10 participants!
It's a shame that so few people attended. However I'm not sure whether this figure could have been increased substantially by for example mailing all residents about the event even if it were viable in terms of costs. When we tried to get people involved in a Lorry Watch scheme in Halton View recently by leafleting and personal contact, out of approximately 200 residents we got one response!
Of the people who were present there were none from areas that perhaps were more in need of landscaping and improvements in street furniture. The environment we live in effects us on so many levels and according to research is fairly crucial in relation to our feelings of well being.
It was a case of the voices being listened to being the ones who had more direct access to the resources available. I thought of one estate area in Halton - Halton Brook were apparantly there are no landscaped garden areas only a run down green area in the centre of the estate. Maybe there are plans for some initiatives in Halton Brook but the council reps did not give me the impression that any were planned.
It seems that the development team, a private consultancy agency plus the council's 'landscaping' section will be talking directly with other groups in Halton. Lets hope they get to the parts others can't reach.
Having said all that another feeling I had was that it was good to be living in a community were you did have an opportunity to have your say - we need to take care of our democracy by supporting it!
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Monday, 2 March 2009
Council response: Multi-recycling blue bins in Moorfield Rd
I got this response from Halton council regarding the multi-recycling blue bins situation in Moorfield Rd Widnes (see blog 24th February).
It seems that residents in a part of Moorfield Rd are able to multi recycle but not so in another part.
However as stated in the text below the council will be writing to residents not covered once they know more about availability.
"Many thanks for the information regarding Mr...
I have spoken to the section once again and they have confirmed that at present the only collection for Mr .... is the paper and green waste collections and NOT the multi recycling. We needed the address to be totally sure of this.
As yet there are no definate plans to extend the multi recycling to specific areas but we are hoping to acheive this is the near future.
I apologise for not being able to give you a more positive answer but we will write to the residents of Moorfield Road once we know more information on plans to extend the service to them.
Kind regards
Customer Service Advisor
Halton Direct Link"
I think we'll have to keep asking the question!!
It seems that residents in a part of Moorfield Rd are able to multi recycle but not so in another part.
However as stated in the text below the council will be writing to residents not covered once they know more about availability.
"Many thanks for the information regarding Mr...
I have spoken to the section once again and they have confirmed that at present the only collection for Mr .... is the paper and green waste collections and NOT the multi recycling. We needed the address to be totally sure of this.
As yet there are no definate plans to extend the multi recycling to specific areas but we are hoping to acheive this is the near future.
I apologise for not being able to give you a more positive answer but we will write to the residents of Moorfield Road once we know more information on plans to extend the service to them.
Kind regards
Customer Service Advisor
Halton Direct Link"
I think we'll have to keep asking the question!!
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Stop that Carrot from Sinking!
Recent research on the rate of global warming has given me some semi sleepless nights recently and prompted this particular blog.
Prof Chris Field told the American Science conference in Chicago in February 2009 that global temperatures will be beyond anything previously predicted. He said that even the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) had underestimated the rate of change, and that warming is likely to cause more damage than has hitherto been forecast.
The IPCC projected only last year that the world needed to reduce its carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 based on the assumption that Artic summer ice may be gone by the end of the century. However recent research is indicating the summer ice could be gone within 5 years - so this figure needs to be radically readjusted.
Apparently for the world to be relatively safe it’s necessary to keep the temperature rise estimated for the end of the century at less than 2%. Currently we are heading for a projected 6% which will have devastating consequences for us all - ie without sounding melodramatic the end of life as we know it!
How is the UK performing? If we consider all carbon emissions including aviation, shipping and carbon emitted in other countries for goods consumed in the UK then we have increased our emissions by 8% since 1990. Even without including the latter we are barely breaking even.
What should we do? - well shout about it to all and sundry, lobby your MP, organise email petitions to Gordon Brown (or find out if there are any active ones currently), contact your councillor ( is our council aware of these recent findings and if so what initiatives are we planning to do about it is as a council). The list could go on…
In the final analysis if we are to tackle the problem effectively head on it’s obviously got to be at international level.
As Danny Chivers (New Internationalist) put it, “Imagine ten rabbits lost at sea in a boat carved out of a giant carrot. The carrot is there only source of food, so they all keep nibbling at it. The boat is shrinking rapidly but none of them wants to be the first to stop, because then they’ll be the first to starve. There’s no point in any of them stopping unless everyone stops – if even one rabbit carries on eating, the boat will sink”.
That’s why the Copenhagen talks on climate change at the end of this year are going to be so crucial. With a new US administration in toe perhaps there will be real progress who knows? But we all have a responsibility this year to push for the international single mindedness necessary to meet the challenges facing us all. We owe it to future generations.
So shout as loud as you can, stop that carrot from sinking!
Prof Chris Field told the American Science conference in Chicago in February 2009 that global temperatures will be beyond anything previously predicted. He said that even the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) had underestimated the rate of change, and that warming is likely to cause more damage than has hitherto been forecast.
The IPCC projected only last year that the world needed to reduce its carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 based on the assumption that Artic summer ice may be gone by the end of the century. However recent research is indicating the summer ice could be gone within 5 years - so this figure needs to be radically readjusted.
Apparently for the world to be relatively safe it’s necessary to keep the temperature rise estimated for the end of the century at less than 2%. Currently we are heading for a projected 6% which will have devastating consequences for us all - ie without sounding melodramatic the end of life as we know it!
How is the UK performing? If we consider all carbon emissions including aviation, shipping and carbon emitted in other countries for goods consumed in the UK then we have increased our emissions by 8% since 1990. Even without including the latter we are barely breaking even.
What should we do? - well shout about it to all and sundry, lobby your MP, organise email petitions to Gordon Brown (or find out if there are any active ones currently), contact your councillor ( is our council aware of these recent findings and if so what initiatives are we planning to do about it is as a council). The list could go on…
In the final analysis if we are to tackle the problem effectively head on it’s obviously got to be at international level.
As Danny Chivers (New Internationalist) put it, “Imagine ten rabbits lost at sea in a boat carved out of a giant carrot. The carrot is there only source of food, so they all keep nibbling at it. The boat is shrinking rapidly but none of them wants to be the first to stop, because then they’ll be the first to starve. There’s no point in any of them stopping unless everyone stops – if even one rabbit carries on eating, the boat will sink”.
That’s why the Copenhagen talks on climate change at the end of this year are going to be so crucial. With a new US administration in toe perhaps there will be real progress who knows? But we all have a responsibility this year to push for the international single mindedness necessary to meet the challenges facing us all. We owe it to future generations.
So shout as loud as you can, stop that carrot from sinking!
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Blue Bin Recycling Scheme - Wrong Post Code!
The issue of the new blue bin recycling scheme being available to as many residents as possible continues.
An older person in Moorfield Rd Widnes asked if I could help him in recyling tins bottles etc as he was very keen to do as much as possible re reducing landfill use.
He does not have a car and his nearest recycling area is a 30 minute walk away. So at the moment he has a mountain of cans and nowhere to put them!
I've emailed the council about the matter as follows,
"I have been approached by a resident in Moorfield Rd Widnes in his eighties who is trying desperately to recycle tins bottles etc but is hampered because of not living in an area that is part of the new blue bin scheme.
Could you tell me if his property will be receiving this particular blue bin service in the near future?
Derek Mellor"
I think the council should respond positively to people in this person's position by perhaps looking at other ways they could help in the short term.
I'd like to hear from anyone wanting this service and not receiving it at the moment. Give us a ring on 0151 423 1692
An older person in Moorfield Rd Widnes asked if I could help him in recyling tins bottles etc as he was very keen to do as much as possible re reducing landfill use.
He does not have a car and his nearest recycling area is a 30 minute walk away. So at the moment he has a mountain of cans and nowhere to put them!
I've emailed the council about the matter as follows,
"I have been approached by a resident in Moorfield Rd Widnes in his eighties who is trying desperately to recycle tins bottles etc but is hampered because of not living in an area that is part of the new blue bin scheme.
Could you tell me if his property will be receiving this particular blue bin service in the near future?
Derek Mellor"
I think the council should respond positively to people in this person's position by perhaps looking at other ways they could help in the short term.
I'd like to hear from anyone wanting this service and not receiving it at the moment. Give us a ring on 0151 423 1692
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Lorry Watch - progress report.
The pilot Lorry Watch scheme which had been set up as a joint venture between residents and Trading Standards and ran from October to December last year has resulted in approximately 40 firms being contacted by the council regarding HGV's using local roads that have weight restriction orders on them.
Following on from information provided by volunterers Trading Standards are currently writing to keepers requesting details of drivers in order to issue warning letters.
It was a pity that a press release at the beginning of the scheme was not released as it might have encouraged other people to become observers. As it worked out there were only 4 of us able to offer any time and this unfortunately was limited.
Trading Standards has promised to contact us to review the project and to see whether it can be extended.
Halton seems to becoming the mecca of the HGV with such developments as Eddie Stobarts and the proposed Rail Freight terminus at Ditton in the offing. We need to take action now as this problem is not going to go away. So if you want to do something about the ever increasing numbers of HGV's on our roads locally and you have some spare time please consider helping out.
We can make a difference as other Lorry Watch Schemes in the country have shown and it can be enjoyable and satisfying (and I'm not sad) doing something in the community for the community rather than sitting back and complaining expecting others to do it!
Contact Geraldine Marchment Trding Standards at Halton Trading Standards 01925 442445 or ring me for a chat 0151 423 1692.
Derek
Following on from information provided by volunterers Trading Standards are currently writing to keepers requesting details of drivers in order to issue warning letters.
It was a pity that a press release at the beginning of the scheme was not released as it might have encouraged other people to become observers. As it worked out there were only 4 of us able to offer any time and this unfortunately was limited.
Trading Standards has promised to contact us to review the project and to see whether it can be extended.
Halton seems to becoming the mecca of the HGV with such developments as Eddie Stobarts and the proposed Rail Freight terminus at Ditton in the offing. We need to take action now as this problem is not going to go away. So if you want to do something about the ever increasing numbers of HGV's on our roads locally and you have some spare time please consider helping out.
We can make a difference as other Lorry Watch Schemes in the country have shown and it can be enjoyable and satisfying (and I'm not sad) doing something in the community for the community rather than sitting back and complaining expecting others to do it!
Contact Geraldine Marchment Trding Standards at Halton Trading Standards 01925 442445 or ring me for a chat 0151 423 1692.
Derek
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Obama and Widnes Resident's Success!
Two things that happened today have genuinely uplifted me.
First, I’m sure like millions of others, I consider that the inauguration of Obama offers the world a new start in a shift from the old politics of seeking self interest to a new era of pushing for a more sharing and caring world.
But for me personally it’s also the emphasis that Obama placed in his inauguration speech on meeting the challenges of climate change. If he is able to stick to his prime goals in this area then the future security of the world, particularly of the poor of the third world, will be enhanced.
The other uplift came in the form of the success of Derby Road area residents in persuading a St Helens Planning committee meeting to turn down yet another proposal for the restart of quarrying and subsequent land filling at Bold Heath quarry.
Councillors at the meeting accepted the arguments put forward by residents that the development should not go ahead on health grounds and the increase of heavy goods road traffic in the area.
First, I’m sure like millions of others, I consider that the inauguration of Obama offers the world a new start in a shift from the old politics of seeking self interest to a new era of pushing for a more sharing and caring world.
But for me personally it’s also the emphasis that Obama placed in his inauguration speech on meeting the challenges of climate change. If he is able to stick to his prime goals in this area then the future security of the world, particularly of the poor of the third world, will be enhanced.
The other uplift came in the form of the success of Derby Road area residents in persuading a St Helens Planning committee meeting to turn down yet another proposal for the restart of quarrying and subsequent land filling at Bold Heath quarry.
Councillors at the meeting accepted the arguments put forward by residents that the development should not go ahead on health grounds and the increase of heavy goods road traffic in the area.
Saturday, 17 January 2009
London Airport Expansion - what a disaster!!
Caroline Lucas sums the decision up
'The Green Party said this evening that the decision to allow Heathrow to build a third runway was indefensible and
immediately put Britain in breach of European air quality guidelines.
Green Party leader Dr Caroline Lucas MEP said the announcement was "irresponsible, deceptive and environmentally disastrous."
Dr Lucas said: "This decision demonstrates a complete contempt for the environment, for the health of UK citizens and for our democratic processes.
"A third runway will have disastrous consequences for residents in my South East constituency - leading to serious environmental damage and social upheaval through increased pollution, and the destruction of local communities."
Dr Lucas warned that the Transport Secretary's proposals for Heathrow would condemn the UK to an unsustainable future of significantly higher noise and air pollution - and to accelerating climate change. "Any government which, on the one hand pledges to make a significant reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020, and on the other gives the green light to the greatest expansion of aviation in a generation, is guilty of either the most shameless hypocrisy, or the most unforgivable ignorance and stupidity," she said.
The MEP and long-standing campaigner against the expansion of the aviation industry added, "Despite the promises which were made to limit further expansion, this Government has persisted in a deceptive campaign for a third runway
which its own figures estimate will almost double the number of flights using Heathrow each year.
"Whichever way you look at the Government's proposals on aviation, they are a social and environmental disaster. What we need is a sustainable transport policy which incentivises train travel, makes aviation pay its true costs and restricts airport capacity."
The Tories and Lib Dems have quite rightly expressed their opposition to the announcement. It's a shame that locally they don't oppose in a similar the expansion of Liverpool airport if they are really serious about tackling climate change. Check out Peter Cranie's blog at www.petercranie.blogspot.com re further discussion.
'The Green Party said this evening that the decision to allow Heathrow to build a third runway was indefensible and
immediately put Britain in breach of European air quality guidelines.
Green Party leader Dr Caroline Lucas MEP said the announcement was "irresponsible, deceptive and environmentally disastrous."
Dr Lucas said: "This decision demonstrates a complete contempt for the environment, for the health of UK citizens and for our democratic processes.
"A third runway will have disastrous consequences for residents in my South East constituency - leading to serious environmental damage and social upheaval through increased pollution, and the destruction of local communities."
Dr Lucas warned that the Transport Secretary's proposals for Heathrow would condemn the UK to an unsustainable future of significantly higher noise and air pollution - and to accelerating climate change. "Any government which, on the one hand pledges to make a significant reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020, and on the other gives the green light to the greatest expansion of aviation in a generation, is guilty of either the most shameless hypocrisy, or the most unforgivable ignorance and stupidity," she said.
The MEP and long-standing campaigner against the expansion of the aviation industry added, "Despite the promises which were made to limit further expansion, this Government has persisted in a deceptive campaign for a third runway
which its own figures estimate will almost double the number of flights using Heathrow each year.
"Whichever way you look at the Government's proposals on aviation, they are a social and environmental disaster. What we need is a sustainable transport policy which incentivises train travel, makes aviation pay its true costs and restricts airport capacity."
The Tories and Lib Dems have quite rightly expressed their opposition to the announcement. It's a shame that locally they don't oppose in a similar the expansion of Liverpool airport if they are really serious about tackling climate change. Check out Peter Cranie's blog at www.petercranie.blogspot.com re further discussion.
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