e-Petition: Keep Abergavenny Livestock Market

e-Petition: Keep Abergavenny Livestock Market

"We call upon the National Assembly for Wales to preserve Abergavenny's historic character as a market town by not repealing or amending the Abergavenny Improvement Acts 1854 to 1871, thereby preserving all the associated economic, social and cultural benefits of a market town."

The battle to save Abergavenny has been raging for over 4 years.

The Council has signed a deal with a developer to turn the historic livestock
market into a retail park including a very large Asda supermarket. Many believe this will
destroy the town centre, harming the local economy, and cause enormous hardship in
the farming community.

For some of us this is a battle for localisation over the forcesof globalisation, one
of the major sustainability issues of our age, though this is not the place to argue it.
A new campaign under the banner Keep Abergavenny Livestock Market (KALM) is
going strong and,among other things, has submitted a petition to the National Assembly
for Wales for putting on their new online petition website.

You can help the campaign by signing this petition online.? Click on link above

Age of Stupid John Smith MP drummer boy for airport road

http://www.antimetrix.org/

Stop the Airport Road - write to your AM, MP and tell them we don't need it and don't want it.
John smith belongs to the age of stupid.

Age of Stupid John SmithVale of Glamorgan, Labour) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in the annual Welsh affairs debate. We do not have many opportunities in the House nowadays to discuss Welsh issues exclusively, so the debate is welcome.

As previous speakers have said, our debate today takes place against the backdrop of a serious global economic crisis—possibly the worst international financial crisis in the past 100 years. I would therefore like to take the short time available to me to refer to three projects in my constituency, but not parochially, because they all have valuable strategic Welsh importance. I want to use today's opportunity to draw the House's attention to several issues surrounding the projects.

The Conservative spokesperson has already mentioned the first project. It will come as no surprise to hon. Members when I refer to the defence technical academy in St. Athan in my constituency. It is progressing well. It was recently announced that Sodexho is to be the equity partner, replacing Land Securities Trillium, which had to withdraw because—let us make no bones about it—of the financial crisis. However, in many respects, Sodexho is a better fit. Unlike its predecessors, its core activity is facilities management, and it has been involved in the scheme from day one. It was always involved, but it has just become a 50:50 equity partner.

The Minister for the Armed Forces made a statement in the House, saying that the negotiations were progressing well and were on track. A clear timetable is developing. A detailed planning application for the scheme will be submitted in May this year and construction will commence around August next year. That timetable is important, because we have lost time in the past two years, mainly because the project is so large and complex. It is the biggest single Ministry of Defence investment and its importance for Wales cannot b e overestimated.

The project will provide 5,000 direct jobs and train annually 25,000 service personnel from all three services. It will provide a defence training strategy in some of the most sought-after skills in the world—technical, engineering and information technology skills. I have always argued that the real value to Wales as a whole—not only to my constituency—is not the 5,000 jobs or the £12 billion private finance initiative investment over 25 to 30 years, or even the revenue, which runs to tens of millions of pounds, that will go directly to the local economy, but the transformation of Wales's reputation to that of a country that has a centre of technical and skills excellence. Our reputation for being dominated—still—by metal manufacture and mineral extraction can be transformed into a reputation for high value-added technology. That is the benefit: a change of reputation and an ability to attract inward investment.

I am delighted that a Command Paper was put before the House on Tuesday, offering a contingent liability of £40 million to prepare the plans for this year and the design to get on with the construction next year.

Add your comment

David Jones (Shadow Minister, Wales; Clwyd West, Conservative) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

As the hon. Gentleman will know, we on the Conservative Benches also strongly support the St. Athan project. Does he agree that one of the key benefits of St. Athan will be to improve the perception of the military as a career for young people, with the high-quality jobs that if offers, and in particular as a career for Welsh young people? Does he agree that, today more than ever, going into the military is a good, attractive career for young Welsh people?

Add your comment

Age of stupid John Smith (Vale of Glamorgan, Labour) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

I agree with every word that the hon. Gentleman just said. Indeed, he should forgive me if I have not referred to that point, because the overriding benefit of the project will be to improve training in the military. Perhaps I should remind the House that, unlike now, every technical20qualification that will be achieved at the new academy will be a civilian-recognised qualification. We will be producing engineers for the future, including civilian engineers, so I accept the hon. Gentleman's remarks. We also had all-party support, which in my view is one of the reasons why we won the bid in the first place.

Add your comment

Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire, Liberal Democrat) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

I applaud the cross-party work that the hon. Gentleman has done to secure those jobs. Does he agree that one of the opportunities for Wales will be not to repeat the errors at Deepcut Army barracks—I understand that they are being shut down, with some of the work perhaps coming to Wales—where Cheryl James, the daughter of one my constituents, was, I believe, murdered?

Add your comment

John Smith (Vale of Glamorgan, Labour) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

Of course I agree with that.

St. Athan has been a huge success story for Wales and for Welsh politics. We won the bid because we were united across the parties and because—let us be clear about this—ours was the best bid. However, I must sound a rather disconcerting note this afternoon. The Command Paper was presented to the House on Tuesday, but—I have given notice of this to the hon. Gentleman involved—it was blocked. An obscure procedural motion was used on Tuesday on a point of order to block the contingent liability of £40 million. The process cannot be stopped, but the effect of what was done on Tuesday could be to delay a recession-busting project that is vital for our country.

I am sure that every Welsh Member of this House will condemn Mark Pritchard. I understand why he objects to the scheme: because he lost the bid. His bid did not win. I understand his protesting, but what is reckless and unacceptable is his bid to block the progress of the scheme. It is important that we move ahead with the planning in May. I call on all hon. Members to condemn his action. I am afraid that I must say to Conservative Members in particular: for goodness' sake, bring some influence to bear on him, because he is delaying a vital project.

Add your comment

Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire, Conservative) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

I understand the hon. Gentleman's passion and commitment to the St. Athan project. We would all recognise and applaud that. However, it is deeply unfair of him to talk in such terms about my hon. Friend Mark Pritchard, who is not here and who does not have an opportunity to defend himself.

Add your comment

Age of stupid John Smith (Vale of Glamorgan, Labour) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

I gave notice—I have been in the House long enough to realise that I should do that. What I am doing today I do with a heavy heart. I have never done it before, but the project is too vital to play silly political games with it. The future of Wales is at risk.

Add your comment

Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham, Conservative) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

As the neighbour of my hon. Friend Mark Pritchard, may I say that he is an assiduous constituency MP and works extremely hard? As Opposition MPs, it is the responsibility of us all to scrutinise Government decisions.

Add your comment

John Smith (Vale of Glamorgan, Labour) Link to this | Hansard source | Video match this

We have an overriding responsibility to behave responsibly. I will leave it at that, because I gain no personal benefit from making such comments, but it is important that I should make them today.

The second, related issue that I wish to raise is about an important piece of transport infrastructure: the M4 link road to Cardiff international airport—that is, to Wales's international airport. That has a bearing on the technical academy, because although we will not lose the academy if we do not get the timing for that road right, we might lose some of the benefits that could come to Wales. The onus is on us to maximise all the benefits from the investment, to ensure that Welsh people and Welsh businesses benefit first from the huge opportunity that is coming our way.

We must get the transport links. Businesses in Pembrokeshire and west Wales will benefit, as will businesses in Monmouth and mid-Wales. We must get the transport infrastructure right and the M4 airport link road is a crucial factor in it, because it will serve the defence technical academy, and it will serve Barry—the second largest town in Wales—as well as providing a link to the airport.

A decision is imminent. We have had the public consultation and the Welsh Assembly Government's Deputy First Minister will take a decision shortly. The biggest decision to date has been about which route to choose. It is controversial—it will affect local people, so there is a lot of local concern about the impact on people's quality of life—but the decision on the route of the direct link to the airport is crucial. I call on the Minister to use all his influence with the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure that the decision is taken, and taken quickly.

I am deeply concerned that there may be prevarication and second thoughts about the strategic importance of this road; we should be in no doubt that this link road is crucial. We will never have a country seriously recognised throughout the world unless we have a serious international airport that provides comprehensive scheduled flights across the world. Air travel is still the cutting edge of business communication, even in comparison with broadband—I accept everything said about it earlier—and Wales must have a proper international airport. What we have now is a holiday charter airport; it is growing and doing well, but as the aviation White Paper said, it has a long way to go. This road is an absolutely necessary condition for the growth and expansion of Cardiff international airport. It may not be a sufficient factor, but as I say, it is absolutely necessary.

I flag up that issue because I hope that we will not make the mistakes of the past by thinking that some funding for a few extra routes or a few extra slots to European cities will provide us with the strategic advances that we need for the airport's future. The entire business community supports the road: the CBI in Wales, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Cardiff business club. Indeed, there is not a business in Wales that fails to recognise the importance of strategic access to the airport. It is supported by the planning authorities and it has been supported by every management of every company that has owned the airport over the past three decades.

It is a crucial issue—one of the most important road transport issues in Wales. We are really at the cusp, right on the edge, of making a decision on a matter that will drive the Wales international airport forward. The decision must be taken quickly and the right decision must be taken—that is, identifying what route to take, not having second20thoughts about whether we need such access to the airport.

Age of Stupid

The Age of Stupid: final trailer, Feb 2009 HD from Age of Stupid on Vimeo.

six key barriers to walking - the state of our streets

Cardiff is worse - Walk from the Hilton Hotel and
you want to go across the road to the castle - well this is what we see - as we go down the pedestrain tunnel - it is disgraceful. Time to do away with the tunnels and let pedestrians cross the road safely by the shortest route by a pedestrain crossing.

Tell us about the 'State of our Streets' today

[b]August 2009 marks the 80th anniversary of the formation of Living Streets. Ahead of our big day we want to find out what is important to you about your streets now. Join our survey by following the link below, and help guide our work for the next 80 years!
Read the full articleTuesday 3 February 2009

Living Streets release a joint report with London Councils and Walk London on 'Breaking Down Barriers to Walking in London'
Living Streets collaborated with London Councils and Walk London to produce a report on the primary barriers to walking in London. This report identified six key barriers to walking in the capital that need to be addressed to make it a world class walking city.

Walking accounts for 31 per cent of week day trips in the capital, but Living Streets believe that this modal share could be so much more. This report, produced in conjunction with London Councils and Walk London, identifies six key barriers to walking in London that need to be addressed for walking levels to increase in the capital.

The six barriers identified in the report are as follows: - Giving walking sufficient priority institutionally; - Obtaining integrated funding for walking improvements; - Safety concerns; - Misperceptions of walking speeds and distances; - Unattractive walking environment; - Overcoming existing travel habits.

To read the full report you can download it as a PDF here:
Download walking report Breaking Down Barriers to Walking in London PDF (871Kb)


In cardiff the walk takes you past some very dodgy loking filthy toilets.

don't try crossing the road in Penarth!

Photograph taken today in Penarth where 4 pedestrian crossings are currently closed. One has a fence around it as there is a hole, but the other three have been closed simply to ensure that more cars can pass through the roadworks... Car culture.

According to the DfT report Inclusive Mobility:
If street works mean that a pedestrian crossing cannot be used, the following should be done:

𐂄 put barriers across pedestrian accesses to the crossing.

𐂄 use signs showing Zebra, Pelican etc crossing not in use. Place them so that they face pedestrians on both sides of the road.

𐂄 extinguish or cover Zebra crossing globes, switch off the lights on Pelican, Puffin or Toucan crossings.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/162259/259428/inclusivemobility

Clearly there should be barriers on the crossings, which are missing.

I believe that there is a health and safety issue here as a partially sighted person (or a person unable to read English or Welsh) may continue to use the crossing - as most people do anyway, or even trip over the sign which is less than the 1m required for a barrier to prevent this occurrence.

Further, the DfT does say that "IF the pedestrian crossing cannot be used"... Clearly it can and has been closed for one reason - speeding motorists through the road works. This is clearly not moral or necessary.

The pedestrian crossing continues to function despite the sign, cones and covering of the beacons no significant delay for motorists - and avoiding considerable delay, inconvenience and exposure to the elements for pedestrians. Further, with Bradenham Place and Albert Road both closed, traffic is light and there is an opportunity to install a one-way system on Windsor Terrace and Stanwell Road - or simply close Windsor Road and divert traffic onto Hickman Raod and/or Albert Road and Plassy Street.

The crossing closure is not about pedestrian safety, but for motorist convenience. Is this legal, though totally unethical? As this is a zebra crossing, not a pelican, does this make a difference, as pedestrians only gain right of way once they have stepped out... where as, with a pelican crossing, the light phases may cause problems, and cause confusion.

In my search for answers, I have discovered that whilst using a crossing, pedestrians have to walk on the right hand side of the crossing. Is this the craziest rule? Alas...

Given that there are no barriers, are the free standing signs pictured actually legal?

All answers and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Ian

TV impressionist Alistair McGowan has bought a piece of the Heathrow third runway site along with Emma Thompson, Zac Goldsmith and Greenpeace.

It started like most good ideas around here, with a conversation down at the pub. And there have been many times over the last few months when I wasn't sure we were going to pull it off, but we're now the proud owners of a small piece of land within the site of the proposed third runway at Heathrow.

We're expecting the government will announce that they're going ahead with expansion at Heathrow this week and we now need you to join us. Sign up now to get your own piece of the plot. It's not a financial thing, but you will be included as an owner on the legal deed of trust.

Join the plot!

Heathrow expansion isn't only an issue for those of us unfortunate enough to live on the flight path. If expansion goes ahead Heathrow will become the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the whole country. And the government's plans to expand airports across the UK will make it impossible for us to meet our commitment to reduce emissions and stop runaway climate change.

As legal owners of this plot we will take the opportunity to oppose airport expansion at every stage in the planning process. We're joined on the deeds by Oscar winning actress Emma Thompson, comedian Alistair McGowan and prospective Tory parliamentary candidate Zac Goldsmith. Along with Greenpeace UK, that's the maximum number of owners we can put on the deed, but you can sign up to add your name and stand beside us to resist all attempts of a compulsory purchase of the land.

You'll be joining beneficial owners who've already signed-up including local Labour MP John McDonnell, Tory frontbench spokeswoman Justine Greening, Lib Dem MP Susan Kramer, environmentalist George Monbiot and acclaimed climate scientist and Royal Society Research Fellow Dr Simon Lewis.

The runway is by no means inevitable. BAA now faces a long process to get its tarmac laid. So there will be many ways you can get involved in the years it will take to get the runway through the planning process, and we will need your creativity and energy to make sure the runway never gets built. In the coming months and years we will need the help of thousands of people like you to put pressure on your MP, write letters to your local media, join us at events, tell your own community, and much more.

We'll let you know more about that shortly, we only got the final papers for the land through the end of last week, so the first step is to sign up and let us know you want to be part of the plot over the coming years.

If all our attempts to stop the runway fail, we will stand with the people from the community whose homes will be demolished to build the third runway and block the bulldozers. There will be many ways you can support the blockade even if you don't fancy joining us on the plot.

We are not going to let this new runway be built to make sure we have a healthy climate and environment for all of us and future generations. Sign up today to join the plot. If we're serious about tackling climate change, we have to stop airport expansion.

Find out more about Airplot »
Invite your friends to join »
See where our plot is on the map »
Legal and beneficial owners »
The case against Heathrow expansion (pdf) »

Cllr Petrol Head Howells rubbished criticisms of lorry road into Bute Park

Bute Park – Echo 10th Jan 2009

Cllr Petrol Head Howells rubbished criticisms of plans for Victorian parklands

Plans in best interest of city” says leisure chief! Coun Howells “What we are doing is in the best interests of Bute Park and will preserve what is one of the best examples of Victorian Parkland in the UK”.

Despite a letter from an assembly civil servant from writing on behalf of heritage minister heritage Alun Ffred Jones and calling for more consultation Coun Howells said that the council had no plans for further consultation nad the heritage lottery fund was not taking any interest in the work to the road or the lorry bridge.

We challenge Cllr Howells to attend a public meeting. Give us a chance to discuss it with you, he couldn't find the time to attend the last public meeting.

It will be over our dead bodies that Cllr Howells scars and destroys Bute Park and its landscape by building this ugly raised 4 metre wide roads with dangerous 2 metre long 1 in 5 slopes on either sidethrough Bute Park. It is extremely arrogant of Cllr Howells to state that he knows best. He has been corrupt in

1. Failing to ensure that the Bute Park new development was properly assessed for sustainability prior to implementation as in the Park & Green Space Strategy

2. Failing to consider a decision to limit the size of lorries in the Park as requested from Cllr Simon Wakefield).
3. Speaking at the planning meeting purely advocating the project without claiming to representing his electors’ views, and did not declare a prejudicial ‘interest’.

Cllr Nigel Howells, Exec member has the scheme in his portfolio
4. Reports from council officers were 'sexed down' to minimise the impact.
The Highways “Options Appraisal” was altered (between the January and August versions) to support the Parks’ claim of the present situation being ‘unsafe’ and the Project being ‘essential

There must be a comprehensive programme of public consultation on the proposed plans to restore the Park and I challenge Cllr Howells to give us a time he can attend a public meeting to give people the chance to answer these question and others.

More information here No lorries in Bute Park

Tell him what you think! NHowells@cardiff.gov.uk,
journalist who wrote the article david.james@mediawales.co.uk,
write to echo ecletters@mediawales.co.uk
write to the Heritage lottery fund jennifers@hlf.org.uk,

• New nuclear plant mooted for North Wales »

New nuclear plant mooted for North Wales

RWE Npower has acquired land and grid connections at Wylfa, Anglesey, and signalled proposals for a new nuclear power station next to the existing Magnox nuclear plant.

The energy company said it had acquired the right to connect up to 3,600MW of nuclear generation to the national grid. It has acquired options to buy farmland at Wylfa close to the existing nuclear station, but said it would consult with local people before making any firm plans for a new nuclear plant in North Wales.

Andrew Duff, chief executive of RWE npower, the UK subsidiary of the German energy giant, said: "We are serious and committed to progressing new nuclear options."

The local planning authority is currently supportive of new nuclear capacity on the island because new-build would maintain existing nuclear power employment and provide a fillip for the local economy.

Phil Fowlie, leader of Anglesey County Council, said: "Ensuring energy generation remains at Wylfa for future generations is a major priority for the county council, and we are eager to work in partnership with all potential private sector companies to ensure our 'Energy Island' aspirations are realised."

Local support for nuclear around Wylfa, where one nuclear power station is in operation but is due to shut down in the next few years, is high. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, which owns the existing Magnox nuclear station, recently put some of its land up for sale to help potential nuclear new-build.

Read the RWE npower press release.

Roger Milne 8 January 2009

Libs Climate Change Brief

Nick Clegg has ousted Steve Webb from his post as the Liberal Democrats' energy and climate change spokesman, in a reshuffle aimed at sharpening the party's performance. The climate change brief, an important one in a party with strong environmental credentials, was handed to Simon Hughes, the former Liberal Democrat president.

Independent 9th Jan 2009

Political Lobbying Greasy palms

Political Lobbying

Former ministers are being allowed to cash in with impunity on their contacts and insider knowledge, a damning report from MPs warns today. They called for strict new rules to curb the 'revolving door' that has seen a string of politicians walk straight into highly-paid jobs linked to their old areas of responsibility. The committee also drew attention to the number of former MPs and ministers employed by the nuclear industry, including Jack Cunningham, Ian McCartney, Richard Caborn, Brian Wilson and Alan Donnelly. Saying self-regulation had entirely failed, the committee called for all lobbying activity to be registered and monitored by a tough watchdog.

Daily Mail 5th Jan 2009

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1105269/Ex-ministers-cashing-insider-knowledge-leaving-Westminster.html

Green New Deal?

Green New Deal or more greenwash?

Gordon Brown today unveils ambitious plans for a 1930s American-style programme of public works to ease the pain of recession by creating up to 100,000 jobs. School repairs, new rail links, hospital projects and plans to usher in a new digital age by investing in superfast broadband will be used to keep unemployment down. The plans will also be used to tackle climate change, by means of investments in eco-friendly projects such as electric cars and wind and wave power that would also create jobs.
Observer 4th Jan 2009

New railway connections for Wales

www.monbiot.com

There are plenty of lobbyists calling for new roads, but Father Deiniol’s plan is likely to be cheaper and more sustainable. His survey of the disused railway lines of Wales shows that there is one route - from Rhyl through Denbigh, Rhuthun, Corwen, Newtown, Llanidloes, Rhaeadr and Builth Road to Dowlais - which would require only two miles of new formation to link Holyhead to Cardiff(2). The rest of the way makes use of current and former railways. He proposes that short feeder lines also be built connecting this trunk route to Mold, Llangollen, Oswestry, Bala, Hay-on-Wye and Brecon(3).

The One-Wales Line could not only offer a much faster journey than the current long detour through England, it would also knit the other railways of Wales into a coherent network, as it uses the north coast railway and crosses the Cambrian line and the Shrewsbury to Swansea line. It would help to regenerate a desperately poor region in the south called the Heads of the Valleys. The project would look rather like the Western Railway Corridor in Ireland, which is reopening 184km of disused lines between Limerick and Sligo(4).

The least the Welsh Assembly Government should do is to commission a feasibility study and cost-benefit analysis of Father Deiniol’s plan. His railway would help Wales looks like a country again, rather than a depot for someone else’s empire.


References:

1. Eduardo Galeano, 1971. Originally published as Las Venas Abiertas de América Latina. Siglo XXI Editores.

2. Tad Deiniol, 3rd February 2008. Proposal for a Direct, All-Wales, Holyhead to Cardiff Fast Rail Link. Yn Ein Blaenau. If you would like a copy of this document, I can send it to you.

3. Tad Deiniol, 2008. Map of Proposed North South Rail Link and Feeder Lines. Yn Ein Blaenau. If you would like a copy of this document, I can send it to you.

4. See http://www.westontrack.com/

Monbiot's interview with CPRE

In today's Guardian comments on George Monbiot's Interview with CPRE's head re wind farms and Open cast mining. Here

Cardiff International Airport (Welsh: Maes Awyr Rhyngwladol Caerdydd) (IATA: CWL, ICAO: EGFF) is the main airport for Wales serving around 2 million people in Cardiff and the rest of South and West Wales.

It is located in the village of Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan, approximately 12 miles (19 km) south-west of Cardiff, the country's largest city and capital.

Future ....Road access to the airport by way of the A48 trunk road was the subject of a public inquiry in 2006 but this is now superseded by needs of the forthcoming Defence Training Academy at RAF St Athan, the bid for which included plans for a direct St Athan and airport link to the M4 motorway. Really?
John Smith MP keen to get road built to airport - for more information
Campaign website http://www.bigfootcreative.co.uk/nevar/main/news.html

Airport road plan divides opinions Dec 5 2008 by Peter Collins, South Wales Echo

BATTLE lines have been drawn in an increasingly fierce debate on whether a multi-million pound access road to Cardiff International Airport should be built through the Vale of Glamorgan countryside.

The Welsh Assembly Government is expected to announce its preferred route early next year following extensive public consultation which has highlighted starkly differing opinions about the need for such a road and the environmental damage it could cause.

The Vale of Glamorgan-based Plaid AM, Chris Franks, today rejected all three alternative routes put forward by the Welsh Assembly Government, while Vale Labour MP John Smith called for an urgent start to work on the link.

Meanwhile, an action group opposed to what is regarded by many as the most likely option has criticised “deficiencies” in the study into the options and the public consultation on them.

Two of the three options centre on the A4232 from Junction 33 of the M4, while the third promotes a new road link south of J34 of the M4 with an eastern or western bypass at Pendoylan before linking with the A48 at Sycamore Cross.

Mr Franks said all three options should be dropped.

He said: “These options do not stack up economically, environmentally or financially.

“Pumping more than £100m into a scheme would have little benefit for the economy of Barry while causing a huge intrusion as a road is driven through countryside.

“If a scheme is being developed to tie in with the proposed Metrix defence academy scheme at St Athan, then I believe the money would be better put into improving both rail and bus services rather than building a road that is not needed.”

However, Mr Smith called on the Welsh Assembly Government to use some of the £140m provided by the Treasury to build the access road as soon as possible.

Mr Smith said: “The existing airport access road is a brake on the airport’s future growth. If Cardiff International Airport is to continue to be one of the fastest growing airports in the UK and to cope with the extra road traffic generated by the Defence Technical Academy and Aerospace Business Park in St Athan which are on the airport’s doorstep, the road system must be improved.

“I believe the road building will help stimulate the Welsh economy because it will create jobs for local people during the construction phase and inject money into the local economy as workers spend their money locally in our shops and businesses.”

Meanwhile, the NEVAR group (No Ely Valley Airport Road) has petitioned the Welsh Assembly Government on its handling of the consultation into the proposals.

The petition says: “We call upon the Welsh Assembly Government to consider the serious deficiencies in its study and public consultation exercise before making any decision as to road improvements or developments, other than those to reduce congestion at Culverhouse Cross.”

WAGs “New M4” proposal enormous threat to wildlife

GNo new M4!

The Welsh Assembly Government is planning a new M4 motorway around Newport which would slice through the Gwent Levels SSSI, devastating this wonderful wetland landscape. Find out more and get involved in the Campaign Against the Levels Motorway at www.savethelevels.org.uk

Sign the petition at www.gopetition.com/petitions/no-new-m4 and tell your friends and family.

went Wildlife Trust sees the Welsh Assembly Government’s “New M4” proposal as an enormous threat to wildlife. This motorway would cut through the Gwent Levels SSSI – a nationally important wetland – wreaking five miles of destruction on grazing marsh and freshwater reens that teem with wildlife. I think there is every reason to hope that the Outline Business Case for the New M4 project (expected on the WAG Transport Minister’s desk in the New Year) will put the supposed benefits of the New M4 in doubt. In fact, I think it must do, given the relatively cheap and impact-free alternatives which exist to ease traffic problems and improve road safety in south Wales. And of course, the new road would be hugely expensive and deeply unaffordable, especially in the current economic climate.

Plaid Cymru’s national council voted unanimously to oppose the New M4 at the weekend – surely this is deeply significant given that Plaid Cymru’s Ieuan Wyn Jones is WAG Transport Minister. I would dearly love to know what the thinking is within the Labour Party right now. I think it is vital that Labour is encouraged to look at more sustainable alternatives – I suspect that now could be the vital time to make representations to Labour politicians. Please do what you can to encourage the powers that be to see sense. This scheme needs killed off forever, so we can concentrate on adapting Wales to a low-carbon economy, which will keep us economically vibrant into the long-term. The CALM website below gives more details of our concerns over this scheme, and links so you can find out how to contact your constituency Assembly Members, and the List assembly members for your region of Wales.

With regard to the Labour Party, surely there is no-one better to contact than First Minister, Rhodri Morgan. His e-mail address is: rhodri.morgan@wales.gov.uk. Here’s hoping that the One Wales Coalition government of Labour and Plaid Cymru will commit now to a sensible and value-for-money programme of transport investment, which doesn’t sacrifice the local and global environment. You may also wish to e-mail the Transport Minister, to welcome the clear commitment to sustainable development that has just been made by his party. His e-mail address is: ieuan.wynjones@wales.gov.uk www.gwentwildlife.org

Green Jobs for Wales consultation

Green Jobs for Wales

A consultation document has been drawn up outlining proposals and seeking your views on how the strategy will be formed.

This consultation will deal with how the Welsh Assembly Government can support organisations and employers in Wales to best improve their own environmental performance and take advantage of the new growth market in green products and services.

Your views on the proposals we describe in the document will be extremely important to us, and will guide us in deciding how the ultimate strategy is structured and targeted.

Anyone with an interest in this area is invited to respond and we are particularly keen to encourage responses from organisations such as small, medium and large enterprises, business representative organisations, community or voluntary groups, corporate social enterprises, community interest companies and public sector organisations.

The strategy, which will be drawn up following the consultation process, will play an important part in helping Wales reduce its carbon footprint.

In order to reduce the amount of paper used in this consultation exercise, please submit a response electronically wherever possible by completing and emailing the Word version of the consultation document to: businessandenvironment@wales.gsi.gov.uk.

Alternatively you can post your response to:

Sustainable Business Team
Department for Economy and Transport
Welsh Assembly Government
Plas Glyndŵr
Kingsway
Cardiff
CF10 3AH.

Responses should be received by 20 February 2009.

Please contact the team on 029 2036 8004 or email

Date consultation commenced: 18/11/2008
End of consultation: 20/02/2009

Cabinet Paper on the Green Jobs Strategy: consultation process and timing (Saesneg yn unig)

The Deputy First Minister and the Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing have agreed a paper to be discussed at Cabinet regarding the production of a consultation document on a Green Jobs Strategy. here email
businessandenvironment@wales.gsi.gov.uk and ask for a copy!

Document Downloadlinks don't work so email

Green Jobs for Wales - Proforma for responses File Size: (83.5 KB)

Green Jobs for Wales - Consultation File Size: (240.62 KB)

WAG consultation on sustainable development

One Wales: One Planet: Consultation on a new sustainable development scheme for Wales

WAG are inviting your comments on their new sustainable development scheme.

'Welsh Ministers have a duty under the Government of Wales Act 2006 to have a Scheme that explains how they intend to promote sustainable development. Jane Davidson, Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing recently announced her decision to recreate this Scheme for Sustainable Development.

The Scheme aims to set out a way to improve the well-being of the people of Wales and move us to using only our fair share of the earth’s finite resources. The Scheme will identify a number of new commitments to promote sustainable development.

We would like your views on the new Scheme. Specific questions are outlined in the consultation document. '

Responses

Please send your responses to:

Jennifer Stimpson Sustainable Development Branch
Welsh Assembly Government Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ Tel: 029 2082 6769

Or e-mail: sustainable.development@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Responses should be received by 4 February 2009.

We intend to publish a summary of the responses to this document. Normally, the names and addresses (or part of them) of their authors are published along with the response. If you do not wish to be identified as the author of your response, please state this expressly in writing to us.

Welsh Assembly Government | One Wales: One Planet: A new ...

One Wales: One Planet: A new sustainable development scheme for Wales. Sustainable Development Scheme Consultation Events. Welsh Ministers have a duty under ...

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One Wales: One Planet: Consultation on a new Sustainable Development Scheme for Wales: Summary document File Size: (468.56 KB)

One Wales: One Planet: Consultation on a new Sustainable Development Scheme for Wales File Size: (625.89 KB)

Is there a business case for 24m Gwent levels motorway ?

The Welsh Assembly Government is proposing to build a new 24km toll motorway through the spectacular wildlife habitat of the Gwent Levels in SE Wales.

Case of the missing business case or HOW WE PLAN TO PAY FOR THIS...HOW?

The latest we have regarding the OBC (business case) is that it will be available 'early 2009'- probably March. Several CALM members and organisations have requested copies and been assured that this will be a public document.

The reason for the delays in producing the OBC (it was originally due March 08) is undoubtedly due to the current economic climate. The recession could well be enough to shelve these ridiculous plans, at least temporarily.

Save the Levels
CALM has a Facebook Group:
CALM is included in a Guardian article "A recession will give ecological development a new life":
WAG page
The Green Party oppose this.

Why is Cardiff Council cutting down so many trees?

Apparently with the approval of the Council, this weekend Cardiff University

felled several trees in the area
of the Parade between the North Building
and Trevithick. Staff working in these
buildings were given no notice of this
until 4pm on Friday and the work was
carried out on Saturday morning.

I am told anecdotally the Cardiff
City Council has destroyed many
urban trees on the pretext of
structural problems but
I don't know if there is any concrete
information on this. I seem to remember that false claims were
used by the Council in Bute Park to claim that trees had to be
felled because they were said to be rotten.

Cardiff Council's tree subcontractors appear to be very keen to chop down beautiful mature healthy trees without re-planting. I have lost count of the number locally - including Pontcanna Fields, Bute Park and in Canton, Riverside and Grangetown.

Malcolm Frazer (Arboricultural Officer) wrote:

Thank you for your E mail regarding tree felling in Cardiff.

It as to be appreciated that we have in excess of 1 million trees in the City which we are responsible for. A significant number are mature, aging trees with many affected by disease, old age and wind damage. The majority of removals are due to safety reasons having identified trees which have become unsound and liable to collapse such as the mature Beech in Bute Pk. With regards to the other locations you mention, we have not removed any trees from Pontcanna Fields this year although one of the mature Limes is diseased and will be removed. Re-planting will take place this winter filling in the gaps in the Lime Ave.

The tree removals in Llandaff Fields relates to the mature Chestnuts, unfortunately, several of these trees have become infected with this new bacterial disease and as a result are beginning to die back, in addition, it is hoped to reduce the spread of the disease by removal of the infected trees. Again re-planting of the Avenue will commence this winter. Of the 2.5 thousand trees in Bute Pk a small number have recently been removed again due to disease and old age. Over the last 12 years we have planted in excess of 700 trees around the park and more planting is scheduled as part of the Heritage lottery grant in the next few years.

The tree removals in Grangetown and Canton possible refers to the removal of highway trees. These are inspected on a three yearly cycle and only those which have inherent defects, posing a hazard to the highway are removed along with any which are becoming to large for their situation. A re-planting programme follows the maintenance work this winter with the numbers planted being dependant on available resources.

Whilst I appreciate it may appear we are removing healthy trees, we only remove trees due to safety and health reasons and we are constantly replanting trees through out the City ensuring a new generation of trees are developing for the future.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours,

Malcolm Frazer Arboricultural Officer

Danger trees to go - WalesOnline

Jun 27 2008 by Abby Alford, South Wales Echo

TWO decaying trees in the city centre will be removed on Sunday by Cardiff council. Hayes Island is home to six mature London plane trees and one flowering cherry tree. But one of the plane trees and the cherry tree have become a danger to the public. Both trees will be replaced by new plane trees in the winter.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/06/27/danger-trees-to-go-91466-21161183/

Tree felled for giant screen? - WalesOnline

WHEN I wrote to Viewpoints in May opposing the then proposed felling of two mature trees in The Hayes, I refrained from suggesting that behind the decision ...www.walesonline.co.uk/news/letters-to-the-editor/south-wales-echo-letters/2008/08/25/tree-felled-for-giant-screen-91466-21597433/

Tree felled for giant screen?

Aug 25 2008 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo

WHEN I wrote to Viewpoints in May opposing the then proposed felling of two mature trees in The Hayes, I refrained from suggesting that behind the decision lay a hidden agenda.

If I had done so this would appear to have been correct.

With the giant screen erected on the side of the St David’s Hall for the public to view the Olympics, it’s obvious that the cherry tree was directly in line with it and because it would have blocked the view it was felled.

In an act of opportunism at the same time the London plane which had been reprieved almost a decade earlier also fell because of its proximity to the snack bar counter.

After felling the stumps of both trees were removed in what must be record time compared with the many others which have been previously left standing around the city.

Also, it did not go unnoticed that the plane tree’s stump was sprouting around a score of healthy shoots in its last week. Bill JulianTrenchard Drive, Llanishen, Cardiff

Park’s trees are among the UK’s finest - WalesOnline

BUTE Park’s award-winning arboretum has 159 mature trees of 66 different varieties, from oaks, rowans, birches and sycamores to more exotic specimens such as a Chinese necklace poplar and a weeping hornbeam.

Around 50 of the park’s trees are designated as Champion trees and recognised as being among the finest examples of their type in the UK.

As part of the plans, between seven and 10 will have to be culled. This has been approved by a professional tree survey which concluded that the trees to be culled would have to be brought down anyway as they were “over mature” or diseased.

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2008/09/04/park-s-trees-are-among-the-uk-s-finest-91466-21670405/

Games of conkers could be shattered by disease - WalesOnline Pauline Buchanan Blackcorr not Buchanan-Black, director general of charity the Tree Council, fears trees could be felled rather than treated by safety-conscious local authorities.

Ms Black said: “Unfortunately, some councils don’t have proactive tree policies and take a knee-jerk health and safety reaction.”

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/10/02/games-of-conkers-could-be-shattered-by-disease-91466-21946481/

Delay warning as emergency tree work forces road closure - WalesOnline

A BUSY road will be closed six hours a day for 25 days while overhanging trees are cut down – and it could lead to even heavier traffic on one of the area’s ...
www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/10/17/delay-warning-as-emergency-tree-work-forces-road-closure-91466-22053046/
Delay warning as emergency tree work forces road closure

Oct 17 2008 by Katie Norman, South Wales Echo

A BUSY road will be closed six hours a day for 25 days while overhanging trees are cut down – and it could lead to even heavier traffic on one of the area’s most congested routes. Bus services and traffic will be diverted when the A469 Thornhill Road, in Thornhill, Cardiff, is closed from 9.30am until 3.30pm on weekdays for five weeks from Monday, October 27. The closures have been ordered by Cardiff council to make way for essential tree-felling work.

Police appeal for witnesses to car blaze
WalesOnline, United Kingdom - 11 Nov 2008
The A469 Thornhill Road from the city to Caerphilly had been scheduled to shut during the day for five weeks for the felling of 300 trees. ...

Guide warns on tree-felling law - WalesOnline A GUIDE to help people stay out of court and avoid being prosecuted for cutting down trees without permission was launched yesterday by Forestry Commission ...
www.walesonline.co.uk/countryside-farming-news/equestrian-news/2007/07/26/guide-warns-on-tree-felling-law-91466-19522812/

‘Why did council give trees the chop?’ - WalesOnline

LUKE Dibble could not believe his eyes when he woke up to find council workers chopping down a dozen conifer trees in the garden of his home.
www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/vale-glamorgan-news/2007/12/11/why-did-council-give-trees-the-chop-91466-20230677/

Trees to be felled - WalesOnline 18 Nov 2008 ... A COLLECTION of disease-ridden conker trees in Cardiff are to be felled.

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2008/11/18/trees-to-be-felled-91466-22279532/

Trees in danger because of sign delay - WalesOnline 4 Nov 2008 ... SIGNS warning walkers of bio-security measures designed to stop the spread of a killer tree disease did not go up until FIVE days after the ...

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2008/11/04/trees-in-danger-because-of-sign-delay-91466-22175987/

Keep Cardiff grinding to a halt stategy

Keeping Cardiff Moving ???

Cardiff feeble efforts defeated by petrol head policies!
Roads top of the list - no surprise there then

'We are working towards improved road networks to carry traffic around Cardiff. The transport strategy includes building new roads, where necessary, and maintaining existing roads.'
There follows lots of reasons why they should build more roads???

The Council's Walking Strategy
This document sets out Cardiff’s Walking Strategy.... Read more

Cardiff Tranport Stategy

Car share to Cardiff

Carshare2 Cardiff Newsletter Autumn2007.pdf
We are supposed to be impressed by a picture of people crossing the road by THREE sets of traffic lights!