Tuebrook - Stoneycroft -Anfield - Old Swan Area Committee
Thursday 30th November from 6.30 at All Saints School, Townsend Lane, Anfield
Items on agenda will include:
Policing, Traffic Issues Tuebrook Roundabout, Vacant properties, Feedback from West Derby Boys School Consultation Meeting. (Monday 27th at Quarry Road)
Please come along and raise the questions of concern to you
State of City Debate : Cllr Steve Radford calls for:
Halt the demolitions which blight and fragment communities
Communities like Anfield ,Kensington, Edge Hill and Toxteth are being destroyed by decanting and dereliction.
You don't solve poverty by destroying the homes of the poor
Stop moving anti-social families from one district to just destroy another
Put beef into the tenancy enforcement activities with vigourous local based housing management
Improve council and Housing Association's asset control.
Sell vacant houses too expensive for the council to renovate
Provide independent witnesses against extreme anti-social behavior - stop putting residents in the firing line
Promote Liverpool as one of the cities safest night life centres
Recognise excellent work done in Youth Services and Sports Centres
Make community management bottom up - stop creating artificial borders drafted by officers who don't even live in the city
At the close of the debate Cllr Steve Radford presented The Edge Lane alternative plan to council Leader Warren Bradley stating "you don't have to destroy hundreds of homes to improve Edge Lane stop listening only to the officers, embrace the views of residents"
Cllrs Steve Radford, Hazel Williams and Chris Lenton
Liberal Party Councillors
41 Sutton Street
Tuebrook
Liverpool
L13 7EG
0151 250 5935
Dear Editor
May we protest on behalf of our Stoneycroft residents at the second attempt by the Highways Department to close the central reservation on Queens Drive by Moscow Drive.
Several years the highways manager made the same proposition and it was overwhelmingly rejected by local residents who rightly contested why they should have their journey distances substantially added to.
So why are public funds being wasted on a second consultation on the same topic only a few years later.
Even more troubling is that only half the residents who would have been directly effected by the Queens Drive closure were consulted, this negligence is not acceptable !
This is from a highways department who have repeatedly failed to take steps to reduce congestion at Tuebrook roundabout over many years.
This is from a Highways department that have consistently failed to tackle the high levels of collisions at the junction of Lisburn Lane with Knoclaid Road despite our representations
As local councilors we were not consulted over this second attempt to impose a closure of Queens Drive central reservaton, however upon hearing from our local residents we have made our objections in the strongest terms known to the officers concerned
Cllrs Steve Radford, Hazel Williams and Chris Lenton
Liberal Party Councilors for Tuebrook and Stoneycroft
Important opinions - Letter by Nina Edge in Daily Post
THE loss of local shops in L8, described by Mary Huxham in the Daily Post Letters page, is sad. It is a loss that lots of communities have suffered in many towns and cities. As the cost of transport and amount of traffic increases, we can only hope that necessity will force the return of the corner shop and local shopping streets which can be reached by foot.
Hopefully, the developers will make a commitment to replacing local shops and businesses, instead of merely talking about them as a "possibility".
Anyone who lived in the area for an entire lifetime and served their community deserves a hearing, after all the long experience of a situation is invaluable. Equally valid are the views of people who have moved to the area more recently.
The need to repair, re-use and recycle is becoming increasingly apparent. It is disappointing to find Elizabeth Pascoe, the Heritage lobby, Trevor Macdonald and anyone who was not born in the Welsh Streets belittled for daring to suggest demolition may cause as many problems as it solves.
Why has it become so controversial to merely repair a house, or even discuss the possibility of doing so?
Countless neighbourhoods in Liverpool could become vibrant again, but, as Miss Pascoe has so bravely demonstrated, the delivery of regeneration schemes may need to reach for compromise as a useful tool with which to face the future. The lead agencies in regeneration schemes would have done well to consider the legal stability of their plans before raising what may now prove to be unrealistic expectations among residents and developers.
There is no resistance to change amongst the opponents of demolition in the Welsh Streets, although a change in the behaviour of the agencies involved may be necessary before we see the return of vibrancy.
Nina Edge,
Victims - letter by another Toxteth Resident
MARY HUXHAM (Letters, November 10) berates "heritage groups" for being against mass demolition and only being concerned with buildings. She ought to know that the experience of L8 residents of past demolition schemes has been bitter indeed. Just ask Granby Street residents, whose streets are still decimated 10 years after being declared a neighbourhood renewal area, one of many examples of communities being the victims, not beneficiaries, of regeneration in Liverpool.
The Eldonian Village is a successful improvement area, but she could look closer to home for other successes. Heritage groups are responsible for the restoration and refurbishment of Toxteth Town Hall, on High Park Street, The Belvedere Community Activity Centre on Miles Street and, shortly, the magnificent Florence Institute (The Florrie), on Mill Street. These are projects which really improve people's lives and maximise the value of our shared heritage in all its forms.
I also want to "restore this area to the vibrant place it used to be and can be again"; I simply can't agree that this is best done through bulldozers and CPOs (Compulsory Purchase Orders). The current plans for the Welsh Streets concern us all, and are extremely expensive in economic, environmental and social terms.
as reported by Larry Nield in the Daily Post 17th Nov
FORMER Liverpool council leader Mike Storey should be sacked in the wake of a report from a powerful government body, city opposition politicians demanded last night.
A report on ethical standards in Liverpool by the Audit Commission revealed that members from all parties, as well as some town hall officials, believed Cllr Storey's comeback after resignation had made rebuilding relationships and trust more difficult.
The report re-opens the gaping wound caused by the public fallout between Cllr Storey and former chief executive Sir David Henshaw following the discovery of damaging emails.
That row eventually led to Cllr Storey resigning as leader 12 months ago, but he was quickly brought back into the cabinet by his protegé, Warren Bradley, with responsibility for special initiatives, including the city's 800th birthday year in 2007.
Cllr Joe Anderson, leader of the Labour group in Liverpool, said: "This report is damning of the climate at the council and it makes Cllr Storey's position untenable. His replacement as leader, Warren Bradley, should sack him immediately. This report talks about the climate of bullying and macho style of management that we continually complained about, but we were ignored.
"Now an independent body confirms that we were right all along. We need to move forward without being continually haunted by the events of the past, and that will not happen until we draw a complete and final line under this. I have never seen such a critical report from the Audit Commission in respect of Liverpool."
But last night Cllr Bradley stood by his predecessor, and said: "Mike Storey is one of the best politicians we have ever seen in our city.
"He was far too experienced, skilled and knowledgeable to be left out in the cold and is passionate about Liverpool.
"If the opposition feel he should be hung, drawn and quartered and then publicly flogged for a few emails then I feel sorry for them. Rather than play low-grade politics and dragging down the name of the city, they should be working towards our growing success.
"I stand by Mike Storey and I am happy to have him on my front bench."
Cllr Storey, a councillor for 33 years, was clearly stunned by the attack, and said the opposition were more interested in character assassination and point-scoring than the good of the city.
The former leader, who bled the Liberal Democrats to victory in 1998, referred himself to the local government Standards Board following the fall-out with Sir David, and later decided to resign as leader of the city.
In recent months, he has kept a relatively low profile but as one of the main architects of the city's renaissance, his apparent withdrawal from frontline politics was seen by many as a major blow.
He was succeeded as leader by Cllr Bradley, who promptly offered Cllr Storey a key role as executive member for special initiatives.
The report states: "Members of all parties and officers report that the appointment of the former leader of the council to the executive board is making the task of rebuilding relationships and trust more difficult."
That was backed up by Cllr Steve Radford, leader of the Liberal Party group in the town hall.
He said: "I was the one who moved a motion at council that Cllr Storey should not be reappointed to the cabinet and I have been proved right.
"For five years running, the Liberal Party group has also called for an independent chair for our own standards board and this report shows it is now time for the council to bring in that independent voice."
Apart from concern about Cllr Storey's position, the lengthy report in the main praised the progress being made in Liverpool.
It states that Cllr Bradley and Sir David's successor, Colin Hilton, were perceived by many councillors and officers to be positive role models in terms of ethical behaviour.
Cllr Bradley is establishing himself in his role, and members as well as officers report growing confidence in him.
Mr Hilton said: "I welcome this report and work is already under way on implementing the recommendations. The Audit Commission recognises that members and officers are passionate about the city and want progress to be made.
"I am pleased that the inspectors recognise that both I and the leader of the council take the issue of ethical behaviour extremely seriously, and believe it is important we learn lessons from the past in order to move the city forward.
"The integrity of the city council is paramount and it is essential that there is trust between officers and members, and that decisions are made in an open and transparent manner."
Cllr Bradley said: "This report makes clear the work we need to carry out to drive up tolerance and understanding between members and officers.
"I am pleased that the report acknowledges that my leadership is already making a difference. Trust and transparency has to be placed right at the heart of the city council and embedded at every level.
"I will do everything in my power to make that happen."
But Cllr Anderson had a very different interpretation of the report, adding: "Warren Bradley is praised in one section, but then there is the criticism about Mike Storey making his comeback at
Bradley's invitation. That must be a contradiction. We said a year ago that the honourable thing for Mike Storey to do is resign and I still feel he should go, except now Warren Bradley should sack him
Report tells of 'macho' management, lack of trust and bullying - but ends on an optimistic note
WHAT the Audit Commission report said about Liverpool City Council:
* Last year events negatively affected the leadership and governance arrangements within the council and diverted the attention of members and officers from the business of improving the lives of the people of Liverpool.
* The council should take the opportunity to stand back and reassess the nature of the relationships between the leading political groups and between leading members and officers. In particular, short term political advantage and "macho" managerial positioning need to be rejected in favour of taking a longer-term measured approach that puts the council back on track.
* A lack of trust between some members and some officers is an issue which is slowing the development of the council. Trust and confidence among members and officers and between members is lower in Liverpool than nationally (36% as against 59% nationally). Both members and officers recognise that the fault can lie on both sides. It is recognised that not all officers have been as open and honest with members as they should have been. Members of all parties recognise that on occasion they may have misused their trust.
* Several members and officers told us about instances of behaviour perceived and received to be bullying of members and of officers. Confidences are not always kept and members can throw dirt at the opposite parties or at officers to gain short term advantage. Many people are optimistic about the ability of members and officers to change their ways of working, but others speak of the "Liverpool way" of doing things, or long standing poor political and managerial behaviour and of politics being a theatre that should not be taken too seriously.
Responding to a report by the Audit Commission to governance of Liverpool Cllr Steve Radford has publically called upon Cllr Mike Storey to resign or be sacked from the Exec Board
Cllr Storey should have been expelled by the Standards Board but true to its blatant double standards they let him off the hook for a token resignation from the Leadership
So a week later Storey returned to Exec Board as if he had got away with it. Inreality he had got away with breachs of conduct which would have meant the vast majority of councillors would have been expelled
The Liberal Party opposed the appointments of Storey, Clucas and Malbrow to the current Exec Board due to their previous conduct and contempt for the rights of all councillors
The Liberal Party has moved each and every year that the local standards board should have a majority of independent members - to keep their political control the Lib Dems rejected this. In the words of Malbrow "we can't do this " Well why not?
Now the Audit Commisssion has also called for an independent Chair and more independent members.
The greatest flaw of the audit commission report it fails to tackle the dilemma of any authority having autocratic or even corrupt Chief Executives and feeble Monitoring Officers who would be happy to supress and obstruct opposition councillors.
Who would opposition councillors in this scenario be able to appeal to ?, to the ruling group who are happy to welcome and cover up this sort of abuse as it suits their political interest?
Would opposition cllrs go to the local district audit office ?What good is having a district audit office which does not reply or brushes aside complaints over Officers and Senior Cllrs abuse of authority and their undermining the council's constitution?
Planning Committee Tuesday 22nd Nov from 10.00 in Millenniun House is to consider the Esso Petrol Station and an additional feature of closing the central reservation on Queens Drive. Highways Officers and Planning did not notify ward councillors of this additional and significant feature repeating a history of repeated failure by Highways to consult ward councillors who have imposed closures which would force families to take a major hike on their drive to and from home
West Derby Single site meeting Monday 27th November
We are awaiting confirmation that there will a public meeting at West Drby Boys School, Quarry Wing on Monday 27th from 6.30 to look at plans fro consolidating both wings onto one site.
A previous meeting that had been set up clashing with the full city council and where ward councilors had NOT been invited ,in blatant contravention of the council's own constitution, was cancelled after a severe rebuke from Liberal Party Councillors
Whilst supporting the concept of single siting the local councillors are extremely anxious that Bankfiled Road can hardly operate with current levels of congestion and parking let alone putting more pupils onto the Bankfield site
Cllr Steve Radford, Hazel Wiliams and Chris Lenton
Liberal Party Councillors for Tuebrook and Stoneycroft
41 Sutton Street
Tuebrook
Liverpool L13 7EG
0151 259 5935 - 07920090322
Dear Editor,
Last April the Lib Dem Council ran out press releases that they had a plan to renovate the long term vacant properties on Prescot Drive and Prescot Road, Fairfield after years of deliberate neglect .
Cllr Bradley gave a promise all would sorted out within 6 months of him taking office.
So what has actually happened,?
This week another working party meeting was convened and to be presented with just another set of draft plans which were so considered they were passed around the table and taken away after the meeting.
Every week thousands of residents drive by Prescot Road to see this buildboard for dereliction .
The worst thing this is not a case of market failure, it is the result of neglect by the public sector agencies, council and housing associations, who have knowingly bought up and emptied properties despite the fact they had failed to allocate sufficient monies to restore these buildings. Our feeble Lib Dem Coucnil has sat back and let it happen.
The reality of "city of culture" in many of the working class / terraced communities is a city council dedicated to mass dereliction
Cllrs Steve Radford, Hazel Williams and Chris Lenton
Liberal Party Councillors for Tuebrook and Stoneycroft
Tuebrook. Stoneycroft, Fairfield, Newsham Park and Kensington Vacant Property Meeting Friday 24th November:
On Friday 24th Nov from 2.00 Housing officers will be feeding back progress on the excessive number of vacant long term properties in Tuebrook, Stoneycroft, Fairfield, Newsham Park anmd Kensington following a series of highly critical motions by The Liberal Party Group.
Riverside and LHT have again given committments to sell various properties in Stoneycroft, however they have been suggesting this was the case for the last 5 months and have not even been able to erect a for sale sign, such is the feeble management of those Housing Associations
State of City debate ; Wednesday 22nd Hope University , Taggart Avenue from 6.30
Cllr Steve Radford long with Cllrs Warren Bradley and Joe Anderson , The Chief Constable and head of Merseyside Fire Service will speak to a public debate over issues of Anti-Social Behaviour. After speeches everyone will slit into workshops.
Cllr Steve Radford hit out at continued delays in providing a traffic control system at the busy Tuebrook Roundabout, so much so he has arranged a site visit on Friday morning (17th Nov) to show officers the horrendous level of congestion there.
On Wednesday 15th Cllr Steve Radford attended the Pinehurst Residents panel and advised them that the Tuebrook councillors had allocated monies from their NRF allocation to fund an alleygate at Rector Road / Westcombe Road this financial year
Steve also said he got got an overwhelming petition from Rector Road Residents and a clear letter of support from Inspector Gerry Harris so keyhurdles had been crossed
LIVERPOOL community campaigners unveiled a "Plan B" to save their Edge Lane homes from the bulldozer.
Residents have consulted national and international experts before drawing up their alternative proposals, which do not require any houses to be bulldozed.
They now hope their ideas will meet with approval from supporters of the original controversial scheme to widen the road and build a new community next to it.
The current Edge Lane Project would see up to 300 Victorian homes pulled down to make room for an enlarged street and modern flats.
Residents' proposals suggest improving junctions and lowering traffic speeds, which they believe will speed up journey times in the long-ter
City leaders have agreed to examine them, despite being embroiled in a legal battle to push through their own plans.
Elizabeth Pascoe, 60, of Adderley Street, Kensington, said: "This is not just a cheap option which could be done before 2008.
"But it is a very simple proposal to get us out of the mess we are in.
"This is a state-of-the-art proposal, which shows it is madness to bring the motorway into the city centre and en-courage more traffic."
Plans for Edge Lane were thrown into confusion when a high court judge refused to support a compulsory purchase order (CPO) forcing residents to sell their homes.
Campaigners also successfully gained an injunction stopping bulldozers from ripping down a handful of boarded-up houses at the west end of Edge Lane last month. Their "Plan B" includes using some front gardens for a widened road, stopping traffic turning right into Holt Road and Marmaduke Road, and encouraging rush-hour speeds of 19mph.
Liberal councillor Steve Radford said: "We have always wanted Edge Lane improved, but that must be separated from the pointless demolition of hundreds of homes."
Rob Monaghan, from Liverpool Land Development Company, said: "Once we have received a copy, we will review them in light of the ongoing court case."
The article does not state however that they request for a joint meeting to progress the road scheme and take out the needless demolition of hundreds of homes was a direct result of a letter by Cllr Steve Radford, as Liberal Party Group Leader, to both Cllr Bradley (who did not reply) and Chief Executive Colin Hilton who replied in a positive manner
Liberal Party Members are actively participating in the Democracy Movement's campaign, Stop The Cheques" highlighting the excessive waste of the EU and burden on UK Taxpayers at £115m per week. If you want to help us deliver the leaflets phone Steve on 07920090322
Cllr Steve Radford is photographed against a giant protest cheque leaflet
Part of coverage by Michelle Fiddler - Liverpool Echo Chief Reporter
A BIG revamp of Liverpool's city centre could bring millions into the nightlife economy, backers claimed today.
Plans to create a more cosmopolitan area of town clustered around a new gay quarter were revealed in the ECHO last week.
The scheme would see parts of Stanley Street and Cumberland Street pedestrianised at night in abid to create a more easy-going, European-style atmosphere.
And one of the main backers of the plan said the new nightlife zone could bring millions into the city.
Steve Radford, Liberal councillor and co-chairman of the Gay Business Association, said he wanted to see a "more imaginative" use of the streets, rather than just agay village.
He said: "Manchester's vibrant nightlife makes millions for the city, I want to see something like that here.
"This is about making the city more of a nightlife city.
"It is not exclusively gay. It is about developing a diverse nightlife in Liverpool for the benefit of everybody."
Stanley Street would be pedestrianised between Dale Street and Victoria Street by using either permanent or rising bollards at night.
There are also plans to use the bollards, with resident/business only access, on Eberle Street, where Garlands and G-Bar are based, and Cumberland Street.
Cllr Radford said: "It would create a different environment for everybody. Something with a bit more imagination.
"Having a more relaxed clubland will access a wider audience.
"It is not about a gay village, because that is already there in all but name.
"It is about making it safer and more attractive to visitors whether they are gay or straight."
Labour deputy leader Paul Brant, who jointly proposed the idea, said: "For a long time Manchester has had a thriving gay quarter which has not only regenerated part of the city but also attracted visitors.
"Liverpool does not have an identifying gay quarter and this seems the ideal opportunity.
If would be unfortunate for Liverpool to continue missing out on the economic benefits and investment and opportunities for jobs."
But Gary Everett, festival director for Liverpool's Homotopia Festival, has mixed feelings about the plans.
He said: "If it is about safety, then of course this takes precedence.
"I have serious reservations, though, about the manufacture or creation of a village as it feels like we are becoming ghettoised at a time when we should be reaching out for greater integration and inclusion.
"Re-enforcing a partof the city as a 'gay' zone has Orwellian overtones and I'm not 100% certain we need to congregate, socialise and drink in the one part of the city.
"A ghetto is a backward step, but I applaud any moves to create greater visibility and acceptance."
Andy Green, who writes the Out and About column for the ECHO's Friday night club page, also has reservations.
He said: "I'm not really into villages because they can become ghettos.
"I would like to see Stanley Street pedestrianised and maybe Cumberland Street and would like Liverpool to be seen as a tourist destination for gay people.
"But I am into integration rather than separation. I am not into marking areas out."
A spokesman for the Lesbian and Gay Foundation (LGF), said: "Liverpool has lived in the shadow of Manchester for far too long.
"Liverpool is a great city. Finally acknowledging its fabulous gay community will mean that it is a 21st century UK city to be proud of."
Frank McKenna, chairman of Downtown Liverpool in Business, said: "Canal Street in Manchester has worked particularly successfully and is a place you can go and have a fantastic night enjoyed by the whole of the community.
"It's a pity it has taken so long to get this issue on the agenda here, but it is a positive move and something we welcome."
What business people say . . .
Elaine Skidmore, 32, manageress of Voodou Colour Centre, in Stanley Street, said: "Anything that makes the street busier is a good idea. I just hope they keep it clean.
"If they are going to make it more outdoors then we don't want to be coming into work and the street smelling of beer and vomit.
"It's a good idea and dead cosmopolitan as long as it is run right and policed properly."
Ken Izli , owner of the City Cafe, said: "I think it's a great idea and I'm very supportive of it.
"It will generate a lot more people to the area and give it a bit of a cultural feel.
FORMER Big Brother winner Craig Phillips is leading a campaign to stop a bed and breakfast opening in his busy street.
The builder and TV personality has spoken out against a controversial plan to convert a former nursing home in Beech Street, Kensington, on behalf of his neighbours.
Residents fear a 30-bedroom B&B will lead to traffic chaos in their road, which runs between Edge Lane and Prescot Road.
The grade II-listed building has eight parking spaces and families fear Beech Street would become choked.
Craig's campaign took abig step forward this week when Liverpool council's planning committee said it was "minded" to turn down the proposal, from Loango Estates.
Councillors will meet in a few weeks to make a final decision.
Craig, 35, who won the first series of Big Brother in 2000, said: "I am speaking on behalf of residents, some of whom have lived here for 50 years.
"I am a resident in Beech Street. I have personally developed two grade II-listed buildings and I am about to restore another property, which was bombed in the 1940s.
"Parking is the main issue here. We struggle to find anywhere to park. It will pose a huge problem if someone tries to run a business where at least 30 people will stay, as well as staff."
Liberal Party Councillor Steve Radford said: "Without doubt, there is insufficient parking here. It would be completely counter-productive to allow this to go ahead."
The proposal was recommended for approval by council officers, who said the property was close to a bus route so guests would not need to drive to it.
Councillors were told the B&B was aimed at construction workers, who might share a vehicle.
But the planning committee said it was opposed.
Cllr Peter Allen said: "People in the building trade cannot just hop on a bus with the huge amount of equipment they need.
"We must logically think these premises will generate 30 vehicles, likely to be transit vans, which take up more space than cars."
Tuebrook Public Meeting - St Johns , Green Lane, Monday 13 th November from 18.00 hrs
Officers from the Liverpool Anti social behaviour Unit and Police and local councillors will be discussing anti social behaviour problems in the Snaefell, Sutton Street, Brainerd St, Hilberry Ave, Silverdale Ave, Green Lane and New Road area.
CLARE SHORT has spoken out about a war we were led into by half-truths, and deceit. She is finally telling us what we have long suspected to be the case.
More importantly, this government has made no plans for an exit strategy. Its arrogance and obstinacy is leading to the tragic loss of life for both Iraqi citizens and British troops.
Instead of listening to government propaganda from the relative safety of Whitehall, we should listen to what the military is telling us (after all, they are the ones out there laying down their lives). We must realise our occupation of Iraq is part of the problem, not the solution. As such we should bring our troops home.
We can't impose democracy by an illegal invasion and occupation.
Daily Post Readers respond to bigted coments by Rev Braid
Safe for everyone
WE take the greatest offence at the misrepresentation of the council's debate by Rev Braid (ECHO Letters, Oct 31). He states "the impression the general public is favourable to the allocation of an area specially set aside for homosexual pursuits.”
The only single person who has suggested that the gay village area concept is setting aside a separate area for homosexuals is the Rev Braid.
The reality is, every city in the country has "gay areas" where there is a natural congregation of gay pubs and nightclubs.
We in the Liberal Party Group are not asking for preferential treatment for gays and lesbians but seeking the council to make the area safer for everybody, gay and straight.
At the moment customers in Eberle Street and Cumberland Street walk on very narrow pavements and almost at elbow length to traffic passing by. These should be pedestrianised for everyone's safety.
Secondly we believe it would enhance nightlife in the city to pedestrianise the central part of Stanley Street for the encouragement of a cafe culture area.
Cllr Steve Radford,
Leader of Liberal Party Group
The pink pound
IT comes as no great surprise to me that Rev David Braid (ECHO Letters, Oct 31) hides behind so-called “public opinion” to express his and his church's homophobic views.
I, as a gay man, welcome the possibility of a gay area in Liverpool; an area where lesbians and gays can feel relaxed and not afraid to show affection to their partners. Until that day comes however, Manchester's Canal Street will be benefiting from Liverpool's ever growing pink pound.
Cllr Steve Radford and Beech Street residents lobbied the Planning Committee 7th November to save the featured historic terrace and not replace it with a bed and breakfast for 30 beds with only provision for 8 car park places.
Craig Phillips spoke on behalf on other local residents and described how his company were developing quality apartments and a bed and breakfast would deter future investment
Cllr Radford said the overspill parking would hinder traffic on a major route. The planning committee rejected the application , however under the council procedures the matter will be heard one final time, this last meeting is expected on 21st November
RE: THE recent letter concerning myself and Edge Lane. We always have to make allowances for some people sounding off in total ignorance. What we can't make allowances for is people, in total ignorance, lousing up other people's lives, damaging society, damaging heritage and the natural environment.
As I understand what is going on (because I was doing a doctorate in such as this), even if it wasn't my own home, then I would be obliged, like the team of dozens of people who are helping me, to fight this every step of the way. It stinks. Hundreds of thousands of people nationally and even internationally are unnecessarily harmed by ignorant intervention (for whatever motives).
What we actually need is some people to have the courage to admit they made a terrible mistake, so that public money could be used to benefit us.
Elizabeth Pascoe, via email
Foot note Elizabeth Pascoe was the Liberal Party Candidate for Kensington and Fairfield Ward and has been fightng the needless demolitions in Edge Hill
Cllr Steve Radford
President of The Liberal Party
41 Sutton Street
Tuebrook
Liverpool
L13 7EG
0151 259 5935
07920090322
dear Editor.
This week a young soldier from Hindley Green, Wigan was shot on duty in Basra
How many more young men from here in the north west will die carrying out their duties in a far off land we do not belong in ?
We should never have invaded Iraq on dishonest pretext and our continued presence only unites nationalists and religious fundamentalists against us.
The Kurds in northern Iraq were divided in a bitter civil war, now they have settled their disputes and former adversaries work together in their own parliament.
It did not need British Troops to heal their division
They did the right things themselves
So we must recognise our continued presence in Iraq does little to resolve differences. the people of Iraq must be left to sort out their own destiny.
The sooner we leave the sooner they will resolve matters themselves
We should not have more families stricken by grief by sending their sons to a land which is not ours
26, Archers Green Road,
Kingswood,
Warrington,
Cheshire.
WA5 7XS
Tel: 01925 710073
Tel mobile: 07904 505553
8th November 2006
Sir,
As if the war in Iraq had not left him morally and intellectually bankrupt, Tony Blair is trying once agin to sell us all the idea of Identity Cards. He tells us they have nothing to do with civil liberties, presumably in the same way the war in Iraq has nothing to do with oil!
We are told Identity Cards are simply a modern way of doing things - how reassuring, however, we in the Liberal Party believe that forcing citizens to register their details (including fingerprints, iris scans etc) with the state is a strangely old fashioned way of doing things, remeniscent of Soviet Russia or Nazi Germany.
While the nation is on a heightned state of alert the Prime Minister opportunistically seeks to portary the database state as a cure-all for the terrorist threat. This is nonsense. Visitors to the country would not need to register for three months - plenty of time to carry out an attack. Terrorists from the UK (as all have so far been) would have a legitimate and valid ID card.
As at time when the Information Commisioner has express such grave concerns about the 'surveillance state' we should continually question the implications of the ID card scheme.
Let us not forget that they were the brainchild of a disgraced Home Secretary who (it has recently been revealed) had mental health problems and reportely wanted to 'machine gun' rioting prisoners: a very modern way of doing things!
Next on the Prime Minister's wish list appears to be a DNA database of all citizens. This Government has not yet turned the UK into a police state, but you can certainly see one from here!
Yours faithfully
DANIEL WOOD,
Chair of the Policy Committee
The Liberal Party
OUR repeated request for Eberle Street to be pedestrianised is primarily about ensuring the safety of thousands who attend popular nightclubs in these locations and are expected to queue on narrow pavements.
Not only are the pavements narrow, but the single lane roadway is narrow, which is a recipe for pedestrians to be injured by passing traffic.
The fact that some customers and door staff have been subject to homophobic abuse is an additional concern, but the call for safety overrides any consideration of customers' sexuality.
We are appalled that several years ago a senior councillor and a senior officer frustrated the previous decision of the council to pedestrianise Eberle Street over one nightclub's flyers is truly disgraceful.
It showed a callous disregard for the democratic decision of the council and the safety of our young people. We hope officers act to implement the council's decision without further delay.
Cllrs Steve Radford and Hazel Williams, Liberal Party
Thank you to Merseymart and Liverpool Echo for campaign coverage to obtain children's centres for Tuebrook and Anfield Parents
Cllrs Steve Radford, Hazel Williams and Chris Lenton
Liberal Party
41 Sutton Street,
Liverpool L13 7EG
0151 259 5935
Dear Editor
We would like to thank the Merseymart and Liverpool Echo for profiling our campaign that the communities of Anfield and Tuebrook should not have been by passed in the first waive of Children's Centres across the city , particularly when more prosperous areas like Wavertree were being given priority
We are delighted that the council's education service has now brought forward funding submissions to provide £1.4m for a Children's Centre at St Margaret's School, Lower Breck Road, Tuebrook and £800,000 for a Children's Centre at All Saints School, Anfield
We doubt without the coverage your newspaper provided that this omission would not gave been remedied so swiftly
Lastly may we wish the parents, governors and staff every success in these projects
Yours gratefully
Cllrs Steve Radford, Hazel Williams and Chris Lenton
Liberal Party Councillors for Tuebrook and Stoneycroft
Steve Radford responds to letter in Daily Post suggesting objectors cause of dereliction in Edge Lane
Cllr Steve Radford
Leader Liberal Party Group
41 Sutton Street
Tuebrook
Liverpool
L13 7EG
0151 259 5935
07920090322
Dear Editor.
One of your letter writers from Norris Green (2nd Nov) suggests that somehow Elizabeth Pascoe is responsible for the vast array of derelict and boarded up houses along Edge Lane.
She is no more responsible for this dereliction than the residents of Norris Green could be accused of as being responsible for the Boot Houses of Norris Green being defective.
Mrs. Pascoe is a victim of a deliberate council policy to decant and
demolish hundreds of homes in Edge Hill regardless of the roadway planned.
The fact is the motorway extension and Edge Lane development could be carried out with marginal amendments ,without the wholescale destruction of structurally sound houses in Edge Hill,
it is the council which is obstructionate in not recognising the rights and aspirations of objectors to live in their own homes.
Even now we in the Liberal Party Group have sent out an appeal to the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive to make progress, by making minor amendments to the Edge Lane a upgraded route and to drop the totally needless demolition of hundreds of homes in the surrounding area.
Mrs. Pascoe's battle is not about one individual , it is about the rights of thousands of Liverpool people to live in terraced homes who are threatened or will be threatened by this council's intent to blight their communities .
This blight is started by emptying and boarding up public sector owned homes, this in tern creates the environment to force out owner occupier. Having undermined the community the council then proceeds with CPO to force the last remaining residents out of their homes.
Gay Village Debate :Response to Christian Fundamentalists
Cllr Steve Radford
Leader of the Liberal Party Group
41 Sutton Street
Tuebrook
Liverpool
L13 7EG
0151 259 5935 Mobile 07920090322
Dear Editor,
We take the greatest offense at the misrepresentation of the council's debate by the so called Rev Braid.
In your letters page 31st Oct Mr Braid states " the impression the general public is favourable to the allocation of an area specially set aside for homosexual pursuits".
The only single person who has suggested that the gay village area concept is setting aside a separate area for homosexuals is the Rev Braid.
The reality is every city is the country has "gay areas" where there is a natural congregation of gay pubs and nightclubs.
We in the Liberal Party Group are not asking for preferential treatment for gays and lesbians but seeking the council to make the area safer for everybody, gay and straight
At the moment customers in Eberle Street and Cumberland Street walk on very narrow pavements and almost at elbow length to traffic passing by. These should be pedestrianised for everyones safety.
Secondly we believe it would enhance nightlife in the city to pedestrainise the central part of Stanley Street for the encouragement of a cafe culture area.
Lastly we would challenge the Rev Braid to state which church he claims to represent and whether he, like the extreme fundamentalist Muslims of Iran ,believes gays and lesbians should be prosecuted or murdered by the state.
His letter to the Liverpool Echo does not reflect the issues debated at Liverpool City Council , nor the representations made by Liverpool's Gay Business Association but his own prejudiced obsession
At a European Election the so called Rev Braid accussed homosexuals as being reponsible for child abuse, this ignored the vast majority of child abuse cases occured within the family.
I am sure the vast majority of Christian Churches would wish to disown the hompohobic venon we get relentlessly from Mr Braird
Lawyers called in as £350m link road scheme halted
As reported by Daily Post
OFFICIALS in charge of building the city's motorway link road were last night consulting lawyers after the £350m scheme was brought to a halt.
Protesters served an injunction just hours before demolition work on hundreds of homes was set to begin, paving the way for the Edge Lane widening project .
And yesterday they continued to keep the pressure up by campaigning outside a city council presentation about demolition schemes.
Liberal Party leader Steve Radford, who is opposing the scheme, delivered the injunction to Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley's home on Sunday night and yesterday morning served it on council chief executive Colin Hilton.
Cllr Radford said: "This is state-sponsored blight.
"They are trying to pressure the remaining residents to leave by knocking down all the homes around them.
"But I hope this injunction will give them an opportunity to think twice.
"We want the road to go ahead but there is absolutely no reason why all these houses need to be demolished to make way for it.
"The widening of the road hardly affects any of the houses.
"The council was holding a presentation today called Living Through Change. Well, the reality is people are living through hell and that's what we told them.
"There are increased levels of anti-social behaviour and families are being forced to sell their homes on the cheap."
On Sunday evening, solicitors acting on behalf of campaigner and local resident Elizabeth Pascoe served the injunction on all the organisations involved including the Northwest Regional Development Agency and Liverpool City Council.
Ms Pascoe, who recently went to the High Court over the scheme, took the action after Liverpool Land Development Company (LLDC) announced it was starting demolition work on 265 derelict properties around Edge Lane West area.
Last night,she said: "Nothing has happened and that is exactly what we wanted.
"I was worried there would be some kind of showdown but that has not happened."
Cllr Bradley told the Daily Post: "It is about being proactive in removing eyesore and public safety hazards, no more, no less.
"But while the legal experts are looking into the injunction I cannot say anything further."
Ian Hassall, development director of Liverpool Land Development Company said: "We are aware that an injunction has been served to prevent the demolition of derelict properties on Edge Lane.
"We are currently consulting with our lawyers and considering the implications of this injunction and the options open to us and our partners."
