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.

£3,000 – deal or no deal?

Not the words of Noel Edmonds, but Shipley’s Area Development Officer instead.  Hirst Wood and Wycliffe / Saltaire each have £3,000 to spend on themselves - if residents suggest spending ideas soon.  That was one of the many interesting announcements at this evening’s local Action Group meeting.

All spending suggestions need to be received, ideally, before the next meeting on 11th July.  So, where do you think the money should go?  Contact me to let me know, or leave a comment on the website for others to see.  I’ll collect your ideas together and take them to the July meeting.  It’s not the jackpot, but hopefully the money will help a great deal in Shipley.

I’ll give you a few extra details in the next few days…

Shape Shipley’s future

Thursday 3rd May is polling day - a key opportunity for you to shape Shipley’s future.

The winning candidate will be granted access to influential committees and powerful chambers.  Most importantly, they will be your representative for your ward.  Vote for the person who would deliver results for residents like you.

I started Shape Shipley, and it symbolises the kind of Councillor that I’d like to be for you -  innovative, active, honest and inclusive.  If you share my passion for a better Shipley, please vote for me – Kevin Armstrong.

- Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm.
- Don’t worry if you haven’t received a polling card – you can still vote as long as you’re registered.
- If you haven’t used your postal vote yet, you can take it with you to your nearest polling station.
- If you can’t get to the polling station due to an unexpected emergency, you can arrange for a proxy vote (where someone votes on your behalf) any time until 5pm.
- If you have any queries about voting, call Bradford Council’s electoral services unit on 01274 432286.

Feel free to contact me if you would like a lift to the polling station, or if you would like to ask me any last minute questions.  Happy voting!  I’ll reveal the result on Friday.

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!

Sir Titus saved

I am delighted to announce that the Sir Titus Salt statue in Roberts Park has now been fully restored.  Since I reported the statue graffiti to the Council, the clean-up team certainly took their time to tidy up Sir Titus, but they did a good job.  Just look at the before and after photos…
I think Sir Titus looks a lot happier now that the graffiti’s been removed!

Thanks again to the resident who reported the graffiti to me.  Thanks also to the cleaners for preserving the statue so well.

The Police will work hard to find the culprits.  In the meantime, it is vital that we continue to condemn spray painting like this, and take pride in our area.  If you see any graffiti, please contact me or report it to Bradford Council on 432000.

Read the previous Sir Titus graffiti story here.

Are you bin served?

One of Shape Shipley’s volunteers was stopped by a resident last week who needed some help.  The retired resident said that they had repeatedly asked the Council to collect their paper bin for the last three months, without any luck.

One week later,  the resident’s overflowing bin, together with 31 other retired residents’ recycling, was wheeled away and emptied by the Council.  I’ve also arranged for the bins to be collected every other week from now on.

This is what Shape Shipley is all about.  I hope that you can see from this blog that I care about transport and trade waste improvements, but I care about street lights, bins and dog dirt too!  All these things and more help to shape a better Shipley.

Thanks to everyone who’s been in touch so far.  If you would like a hand with anything, feel free to get in touch.  Alternatively, you might be able to find the information you need in the contact section, and you can take part in the community survey too.  I’ll reveal the survey results soon, so fill yours in quick!

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.

Sir Titus graffiti shame

A resident contacted me yesterday to say that the Sir Titus Salt statue in Roberts Park had been vandalised.  I reported it immediately, and then went to investigate it myself.

As you can see from the photos, it was a horrible sight.  In my opinion, it was also a real insult to the community’s heritage and pride.  Graffiti appeared on his front, back, shoe and stand.  Some bits were too offensive to show on the website.

Fortunately, the park manager was very cooperative.  He agreed to deploy a clean-up team within 24 hours, so Sir Titus will soon be back to his good self.

The park is applying for National Lottery funding (as Lister park did before becoming ‘Britain’s best park’), so with a bit of luck, the statue and the park will be well protected in future.  In the meantime, if you spot any graffiti, report it as soon as possible by using the guide in the contact section.

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.