Have your say on the Shunnel

If you want to have your say on the Shunnel, here’s how to do it…

1. Right-click on the form on the right here, copy it, and paste it into Word (or any other word processor).  Stretch it so it fills the A4 page and print.
2. Write down your thoughts on the Shunnel plans and post the form to ‘Shipley Area Co-ordinator, Town Hall, Shipley, BD18 3EJ’.
3. Also, why not your thoughts for other people to see here on the Shape Shipley website.  Just add a comment on any of the blog submissions.  If you’re against the Shunnel, you could also send your contact details to me too, and I’ll add you to the online petition.  I’ll gladly email campaign updates to you too if you’d like.

Neighbourhood meeting sees Shunnel plans

I went to the Neighbourhood Forum at Saltaire Methodist Church last night, and there’s certainly a lot to tell.  Lots of interesting items were on the agenda, but the discussion was understandably dominated by one thing – the Shunnel.

The packed out church hall saw a presentation from Steve Barton of Bradford Council, who was in the news a few months ago when he presented the Shunnel plans to the new Action Airedale group.  There are loads of details that residents ought to know – so I’ll run through the different elements over the next few weeks.

Shipley stays the same

The results are in, and Shipley has chosen to give Councillor Warnes another stint at City Hall.  Labour’s vote increased in Shipley, whilst the Conservatives, Lib Dems and BNP all lost votes compared to last year.  You can see all the figures here.

I would have loved to serve Shipley, but I’d still like to wish Kevin all the best.  Thank you to all the residents who voted for me, and thanks to the fantastic Labour Shape Shipley volunteers too.  Your time and support means a great deal.

So where do we go from here?  Well, the Shape Shipley idea is more important than ever.  Big decisions are on the horizon for Shipley, and the public mustn’t be ignored.  We achieved a lot together without being elected, and we can continue to do so.

Keep visiting this website for the latest news, debates, event info and campaigns.  Feel free to get in touch if you would like any help or advice.

Shipley survey shock

Here’s what you’ve all been waiting for… the Shape Shipley survey results!  Thanks to everyone who took part.  If you haven’t filled in the survey yet, don’t worry.  Simply download the survey, or contact me to request a copy.

The results so far are pretty shocking.  Out of all the online survey respondents, none thought that Shipley was tidy and environmentally friendly.  Just 17% could name Shipley’s Green Councillors, and 83% said that their interests aren’t defended by them.  It may explain why so many of you have come to me for help with vandalism, dog dirt, anti-social behaviour, recycling and more.

Of course, a survey of a different kind comes to Shipley this Thursday – the local election.  If you would like a lift to the polling station, or want a bit of voting advice, feel free to get in touch.  I’ll put some useful voting information on this website for you all tomorrow night, and then it will be the big day.  I ought to decide who to vote for.  Kevin Armstrong sounds like a nice guy!

Khan he fix it?

Yes he can.  Well, that’s what I’m hoping anyway.  I took today off work to raise your concerns at the Saltaire Police Surgery – hosted by Sergeant Khalid Khan.

We spent an hour discussing a range of issues that you have contacted me about during the last month.  A school burglary, anti-social behaviour, unsafe train travel, Moorhead Lane drug dealing, dog dirt and vandalism were all on the agenda.  Me and my friend were impressed by Shipley’s Sergeant, and we’re optimistic that all the issues will be acted on.  There was a surprise though…

Even though he has regular meetings with Shipley’s three Green Party Councillors, Sergeant Khan hadn’t heard about the persistent dog fouling difficulties in our area.  The Greens are barking mad to neglect that issue.  I’m sure that residents think it stinks (literally)…

Wheelie great news!

I’m pleased to announce that the Council will be improving its trade waste service in Shipley – starting next week!

I revealed the results of my trade waste survey here two weeks ago – showing that only 33% of hospitality businesses in our area recycle.  The Council contacted me yesterday to say that, in response to the survey, free paper recycling will be offered to all business clients in Shipley in the next few days!

It just shows what Shape Shipley can deliver…and what the Green Councillors can’t.  This achievement took two weeks.  The Greens have been in office for 7 years.   To give some perspective again, while things have stood still under Councillor Warnes – a turtle could have walked around the world!

That’s over 24,000 miles at under 4 mph.

Surely it’s time for change.

‘Shipley by-pass may be built after all’

That’s a direct quote from a Heaton Conservatives leaflet that was kindly passed on to me today.  In full, they said:

“There are signs that the Shipley By-pass may be built after all, thus relieving unnecessary traffic through our (Heaton’s) ward”

It’s all very odd.  No such road proposal has been discussed by Council, and we were told in the T&A last month that the tunnel bypass idea couldn’t be implemented until 2014 at the earliest – so why is it being mentioned in a 2007 Tory leaflet?

It may just be an empty election statement.  You’d hope that our MP would at least have the courtesy to consult local residents about this.  We shouldn’t simply ignore the statement though.  One of Heaton’s Conservative Councillors just so happens to be the Chair of Metro and a committee companion of Executive Councillor Anne Hawkesworth – strongly rumoured to be a bypass backer.

I sincerely hope that a deal hasn’t been done behind our backs.

Shining success

Following a bit of persuasion from Shape Shipley, I’m pleased to announce that nearly all of the Grosvenor Road lamps are now shining bright.  I hope that this result is a relief to local residents.

I’ve got to say though – there are other parts of Shipley that have been waiting for similar Council investment for too long.

I’ve spoken to residents near Coach Road who have had to mow the communal lawns themselves.  I’ve been told about dog dirt difficulties and anti-social problems too.  These are things that the Council should urgently address.

I’m contacting the authorities about these issues, and will post updates on this site.
To read the story of the Grosvenor Road lamp problem, click here and here.

How to shun the ‘Shunnel’

How long should it take for a Shipley Councillor to react to a proposal to carve up the town centre, Saltaire, Hirst Wood and Nab Wood?  Perhaps a few hours?

Well, Councillor Warnes took precisely 11 days.  To put that in perspective, a turtle has a top speed of 4 mph.  In the time that it took Councillor Warnes to react to the Shunnel story, a turtle could have walked over 1000 miles!

When he finally came out of his shell today (here), he did at least mention most of the points that I made back on 3rd April here.  However, he missed two vital things:

(1) That the Council should consult Shipley residents.
(2) That we need to come up with a better alternative solution.

Some of you have already contacted me with better ideas.  If you have an idea on how to solve the ward’s transport troubles, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Let there be light

I’m pleased to announce that Yorkshire Electricity have begun work to get the new Grosvenor Road street lamps lit.  Whether it was my phone call that sparked them into action or not, I’ll never know. 

Either way, I hope that residents are happy with the lamps when they’re finished.  Maybe one day we’ll find out why the perfectly good lamps were replaced!

If you have any concerns about the work on the lamps, phone 0800 0283 624.
Read the story of the new Grosvenor Road lamps here and here.
Read about other Shape Shipley action here.