Glossop Carnival - Day 2

Okay, I wasn't there, so I can't really comment, but it turns out that only 20 letters were signed throughout the day, which is fairly rubbish. However, it seems more people took letters away with them, so hopefully they will fill them in and send them off from home, not just bin/recycle them. Still, it was work going along because the stall has defiraised our profile. I've heard reports that a number of new people want to come along to our meetings, which is great, because we really need some fresh blood! Also, a teacher from Hollingworth Primary School wants someone to come in and talk to the kids before the end of term, so that's something that I must organise this week. The final thing to come out of it is that I've been asked to contribute 400-500 words about the wildlife in the valley and around Swallow's Wood. It's for a new free paper that is distributed around Glossop, Hadfield, etc. The article should be non-political, so no ranting about road building and all that jazz, but I can put the website address on it, so that's a big bonus. The deadline is the 17th... I must not forget!

Glossop Carnival - Day 1

A 7.30pm start, complete with hangover, to help with the Friends of the Peak District stall at the Glossop Carnival. Margaret had put the frighteners on Lucy (from FotPD) who was expecting to be lynched by angry locals for a) opposing the bypass, b) coming from Sheffield - so not "local", and c) originating from the South (so definitely not local and probably a Tory). As it turned out, she was definitely a Tory, but still no-one was hurt. The stall went down well and many leaflets were distributed, but with most people watching the football today it wasn't the bustling event that it could have been. Oh well. Tomorrow should be better (if anyone bloody well turns up!)

Back on track

It's been a while since I wrote anything in the blog, but that's just been because there's been so much going on! Back in December 2005, we had the planning application for the Glossop Spur: a 3-week consultation period, which meant mobilising as many people as possible to write in and object to the proposals. We did pretty well, but the scheme was approved all the same despite all the arguments against it. At Tameside Council we were treated like idiots and accused of lying (apparently, we made up the figures about the traffic increases). At High Peak Borough Council we were told, by a Councillor, that whatever the Highways Agency figures say, all he knew was that the traffic outside his house was worse than it used to be. I really hope that guy doesn't get to make any decisions about nuclear power, or we are all going to die.

Anyway, we've since been through the mill over the bypass proposals, for which the consultation period ended on May 5th. We're still sending letters in, much to the Highways Agency's dismay. They could really do without the extra work, but tough.. if they want to carve up our valley they can work for it!

The really bad news is the result of the M74 appeal. This is a disaster for ever road campaigner in the country. At the PI, there's every possiblity the Inspector will recommend against the road being built, but what does that matter if the Secretary of State can overturn the decision? Well, it matters not alot, so perhaps it will set a precedent where Inspectors can at least make a non-political decision, because their views are - ultimately - as meaningless as ours. Welcome to B.liar's Britain.

Quick update

No news for a while - very busy with the Environmental Statement and exhibitions. Becca visited the Highways Agency today to hear Tom Leech quiz them over the double-standard in continued road-building, despite escalating costs, vs. cancelled public transport projects.