Published November 23rd, 2008
John Leech takes fight for allotments to the Commons
John Leech will take his campaign to improve access to allotments in south Manchester to the House of Commons this week, having secured a debate on the issue, which is scheduled for Wednesday.Mr Leech has been leading calls for Manchester City Council to reopen Parrs Wood allotments and stop the installation of a flood channel through Bradley Fold allotments. He also recently scored a great success, having received assurances that his suggestion of extending Southern Allotments has been adopted by the council.He now he hopes to challenge the Government on its failure to offer guidance to local authorities on improving allotment provisions.Mr Leech said:“The Government’s legislation urgently needs revisiting; although there is a duty on local authorities to increase the number of allotments where there is demand, the Government’s lack of guidance means that this is not happening. As a result, councils like Manchester are failing local people on allotment provision.”
“There is a clear demand for allotments in Greater Manchester; the waiting lists in some are several years long. We should be looking to reduce food miles and promote healthier living, and I am delighted that my suggestion to extend Southern Allotments has been taken on board.”
“However, Labour’s reluctance to reopen Parrs Wood allotments and the doubts surrounding the future of half of the plots at Bradley Fold threaten to scupper further advances on this front. This represents a real missed opportunity on the part of both the Government and the Council and I will be challenging the minister on this on Wednesday.”
Published November 17th, 2008
Lane End Shops Improved
The shopping parade at the corner of Lane End Road and Burnage Lane has seen major improvements to the pavements with new trees, bollards and street furniture also installed.
Councillor Iain Donaldson said: “These improvements are very welcome and should help these local shops. We now need the City Council to find the cash to carry out similar schemes for other shopping parades in the area - such as Green End and Fog Lane.
Published November 17th, 2008
CASH Grants
Burnage In Bloom is funded by a CASH grant from the City Council, approved by Councillors Iain Donaldson, John Cameron and Rod Isherwood. Other projects funded last year included the Christmas tree and lights on Kingsway, opposite Green End Road; new improved sports facilities to be installed at Cringle Fields, new gates for Cringle Park; improvements at Burnage Community Centre.If you have an idea for a project for a community or voluntary group you are involved with, or even just a group of residents, then you can apply for a CASH Grant. For an application form ring Sarah Lucas on 718 4832.
Published November 16th, 2008
Errwood Road Crossing Victory
After years of pressure from the Liberal Democrats and local residents, the City Council has at last put in a pedestrian crossing at the junction of Crossley Road and Errwood Road.
The Lib Dems raised a petition of local people calling for a crossing and handed it in to the City Council, who have listened at last.
Councillor Iain Donaldson said:
“This is a junction of two busy roads. People need to cross to get to the park and fields, as well as to the local schools, shops, bus stops, etc.
“We have been telling the City Council for years that they need to improve the safety of the junction for pedestrians, especially children and older people. “We are delighted that they have listened at last and made the crossing much safer for local people.”
