We were very concerned to learn of the proposed cancellation of the R1 bus route that operates between Clara Vale and Blaydon, particularly for the impact it will have on services to Clara Vale. While Crawcrook and Ryton are served by other frequent buses that can also take passengers to Blaydon, and Nexus have said that they intend to implement a new direct service from Woodside Lane to replace the loss of the R1, Clara Vale is only served by two bus routes, the R1 and R3, and the loss of the R1 would mean the village only received one bus an hour.
However, we do understand that Nexus are in a difficult position as they only receive limited funding to operate bus services and passenger numbers on the route are very low due to the area served. Public transport is in serious need of investment from the central government to ensure that all areas receive reliable, quality services. You can read the plans for the R1 and give feedback to Nexus by following the link below. The consultation is open until Friday 19th May.
Gateshead Green Party were delighted to welcome national party co-leader Carla Denyer to the borough today (4th April 2023). Carla joined Crawcrook and Greenside local election candidate Jack Phillipson for a Q and A session with residents and some leaflet deliveries before speaking to BBC Look North and visiting other areas of the north east.
You can see the BBC’s report on her visit here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001ksk5/look-north-north-east-and-cumbria-evening-news-04042023 (at 11 minutes and 10 seconds, available until 7pm on 5th April). Carla explained that she has been touring all over the North East because “we’ve got a fantastic opportunity to get Greens elected”. This is certainly the case in Crawcrook and Greenside, where Jack ran Labour extremely close in 2022.
Jack Phillipson responds to a resident’s question during the Q and A
We’re very grateful to Carla for her support today and we hope we’re able to repay her support with our first Green councillor. Everybody enjoyed the morning, thanks in no small part to the wonderful sunshine. Our attention now turns to the remainder of the short campaign, as there is not long left until the elections on the 4th May.
As readers may be aware, the Boundary Commission has recently put forward revised proposals for constituency boundaries in the North East of England. The Commission has changed its initial proposal published in June 2021 so that, instead of preserving Gateshead borough’s existing two constituencies of Gateshead and Blaydon, the borough will be split into four. The proposed new constituencies are:
Gateshead and Whickham BC
Jarrow BC (includes Felling and Pelaw)
Blaydon and Consett CC
Washington BC (includes Birtley)
We feel that this separation is going to result in poorer representation for the people of Gateshead. As we explained in our response to the Commission, “Gateshead residents will feel that their MP is unlikely to prioritise their issues over those of [the] larger centres of population of Jarrow/Hebburn, Washington/Hylton and Consett”. We are also disappointed by the timing of the proposals, given that there was no indication of these substantial changes in the earlier phases of the review and that the final consultation phase allows just four weeks for responses, with no public hearings planned.
There is still time to respond to the consultation. We would encourage all those who believe that Gateshead’s residents should be represented effectively in parliament to do so. You can submit comments on the proposals at https://www.bcereviews.org.uk/. The consultation period finishes on the 5th December 2022.
You can access the full text of our response to the Boundary Commission below.
Last Saturday (October 22nd) saw the Gateshead Green Party holding our latest action day at Crawcrook. The main goal of the day was to gather opinions from residents about the issues that matter to them and to share information about our activities via our latest newsletter. Local election candidate for Crawcrook and Greenside Jack Philipson was joined by some experienced campaigners and some new faces as he went door-to-door to find out more about how the Greens can make a difference to the local community.
Some of the attendees
We assembled at the Lambs Arms in Crawcrook on a lovely sunny morning and, after a fortifying coffee, set off to deliver our sixty-second survey forms across the village. In general the response to the survey was very positive, with many voters keen to complete a form. Thanks to a strong turnout for the event, it was only a few hours before we had covered our target areas and were able to return to the pub for a quick bite to eat and a refreshing beverage, able to reflect on a successful day’s work. The information gathered will prove hugely valuable to Jack and his campaign group as they build up to next year’s election. Thanks to everyone who attended for their efforts! Look out for us around Crawcrook and Greenside on future Action Days, details of which are below.
Jack out delivering surveys
Upcoming Action Days
Sat 26 November 11am at Lambs Arms.
Sat 7 January 2023 11am. Including social lunch. Venue to be confirmed.
We sent the following email to Gateshead Council as our collective response from Gateshead Green Party to the climate strategy consultation:
Dear Climate Action Team,
We welcome the council’s consultation on its climate strategy and have encouraged our members to engage with it, complete the survey and support any actions that arise within the wards where they live.
However, we’ve also thought collectively about what more could be done to progress more quickly to becoming a local authority which is carbon neutral and would like to offer some suggestions.
We’ve noted from our own analysis of the published figures on CO2 emissions that the Transport sector contributes the largest share and not only that, but before the pandemic, was increasing, while emissions for all the other sectors were decreasing (see the chart below).
The interactive version of the chart can be accessed here
We’ve also noted that the percentage of people in Gateshead who walk or cycle is very low compared to the rest of the country. In 2019 the percentage of people who walked or cycled at least once in the month was 75%, implying that 25% did not walk or cycle at all (see the chart below).
The interactive version of the chart can be accessed here
General observations on ward based action
We support the ward based approach outlined in the strategy and local councillors becoming champions of initiatives in their wards. However, we also recognise that some changes, particularly in relation to transport, can only realistically be implemented with central co-ordination across the whole of Gateshead. A possible way to positively engage local people with such changes may be to set up a citizens’ assembly as has been successfully trialled in other areas, such as in Oxford. See here for details.
We think that the engagement of people locally and fostering a sense of control and ownership will be the key to change. To this end we think the ward based approach could be extended to street level where councillors could ask for volunteers street by street to co-ordinate residents groups and street based initiatives to drive CO2 reductions. It would be an amazing milestone to have a whole street of local residents declare themselves to be carbon neutral!
Back to the question of transport we also have the following suggestions:
Promoting active transport
Increasing the proportion of people who walk or cycle to work or school to visit friends or to do shopping, we believe, is an important way to address rising CO2 emissions from transport.
This work should begin with schools, with councillors engaging with local schools
to understand what the existing green travel plans are, to support their development and help to identify opportunities for improvement.
To support fund raising to install bike storage areas and increase the ownership and use of bikes among children.
The next port of call would be places of work, but we think the approach may need to be informed by any lessons learned from engaging with schools.
We recognise that road safety concerns are a disincentive for people to walk or cycle. As such we think that the creation of a 20 mile an hour speed limit in all urban areas of Gateshead would create a safe environment in which active transport is more likely to flourish.
Taxis
We would encourage the council to change the licencing arrangements so that only electric vehicles are licensed to operate as taxis in Gateshead.
We are mindful of the important role that taxi drivers fulfil in meeting local transport needs, particularly for more disadvantaged members of the community, and the long and unsocial hours they need to work in order to make a living. Any changes to the licensing should, therefore, be phased and supported in such a way to ensure that the existing level of provision is maintained and taxi drivers themselves are not in any way economically disadvantaged. Our hope would be that taxi drivers would be able to gain some financial advantage from a lower cost per mile of running an electric over a petrol or diesel vehicle, which they can pass on in part to their customers.
Reduce the need to travel
People travel and contribute to CO2 emissions because the object of their journey is further away than they are able or willing to walk or cycle. Councillors should establish within their wards what services, shops or amenities are missing which necessitates people travelling outside the area and identify what can be done to bring in the missing elements. Further investigation may be required to establish whether the planning application process could be amended to deliver more balanced local economies, high streets and public services? The aim should be to develop neighbourhoods in line with the 15 minute city concept. See https://www.15minutecity.com/.
We would be happy to support any further investigation or discussions to assess the feasibility of the suggestions we’ve made.
Thank you for consideration.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Gorman
Climate Emergency Officer, On behalf of Gateshead Green Party
Recently, the Bill Quay Residents Group invited the Gateshead Green Party to support them with their campaign. Two local Greens and myself attended a public meeting there and expressed Green support. I attended two Gateshead Planning Committee Meetings in support of the local
residents as well.
It is worrying that Gateshead Council Planning Committee have agreed that 30 executive houses can be built on green fields at Bill Quay when they already have 10 years supply of housing land in the Borough!!! This land is not zoned for housing in their 20 year Plan.
Not only that, but for years they have zoned the site as part of our Wildlife Corridor. Only this week deer grazed on the land.
Of even more concern is that 8 of the Councillors either did not bother to attend or did not vote. So this wild life haven is lost to bricks & mortar by a small margin of 8 votes to 5 with 1 abstention.
We deserve better councillors who will protect the limited supply of land on our small island.
Andy Blanchflower,
Coordinator,
Gateshead Green Party.
Greetings all Gateshead Green Party supporters, I would like make a call for donations for our local (East Midlands and the North East) Field Officer Jonathon Elmer. As you may know, the Green Party operates entirely from voluntary contributions and unfortunately the Greens can’t currently afford to keep Jonathon employed. Jonathan is currently employed to provide local parties with the support they need to fight competitive election campaigns, and our near victory in Neville’s Cross shows that his approach works. Jonathan has worked really hard in his role and has been making large contributions to the support of local parties and his constituency for years. Local members have all been chipping in to help support his monthly income and we’re almost at out target but we and he, could really do with your support. We are asking for direct debit contributions to help fund Jonathan’s monthly wage. Any small amount would be a wonderful addition. No one is under any obligation and we respect and understand that not everyone can contribute. We would appreciate any help that can be offered to help Jonathan continue. Please follow the secure link if you would like to help, http://Tinyurl.com/NEGPdirectdebit.
“I hope we succeed in fulfilling Northern Irish women’s rights, but I also hope that this amendment sends a clear message: We will not tolerate even a single step backwards on abortion by a Conservative-DUP government.”
I NEWS Article by Caroline Lucas, follow link here.
Pro choice campaigners take part in a demonstration through Belfast city centre on April 30, 2016. Abortion prosecutions in Northern Ireland have forced the issue to centre of the campaign ahead of next week’s regional elections, with unprecedented political support for an end to the current ban. Northern Ireland currently bans abortion in all cases except when the life of the mother is in danger, photo credit PAUL FAITH)
Gateshead Green Party will be at the North East Vegan Festival talking all things Green!
The first NEVFEST to come to Gateshead. All in aid of Farplace Animal Rescue.
We will be hosting 70 stalls serving delicious homemade food, healthy drinks, selling quirky clothes and accessories, and speaking to you about their inspiring charities.
We will have special guest speakers to engage with you their work and views along with educational documentaries about how our food choices effect our environment, health and animal welfare.
Under 16 go free! Tickets available on the door. Show email payment confirmation to ticket desk on day.
VIP tickets allow exclusive early access along with Farplace tote filled with magasine, snack bars, vouchers and more!
Our festivals attract 1,500-2,000 people and if you would like to host a stall email Rachael events@farplace.org.uk or Kerri festivals@farplace.org.uk.
Email us if you would like to help in any way via flyering or volunteering. We offer free entry and soya hotdog to all those who support raising funds for FARPLACE ANIMAL RESCUE.
Tickets soon at www.northeastveganfestival.co.uk/tickets.html
Transition West Gateshead is an optimistic and practical response to climate change and shrinking supplies of fuel. People get together to come up with ideas and projects to make their area more aware and resilient. TWiG is presenting their annual local food festival where they promote and showcase the local food produce of the area and discuss how we can make our community for environmentally friendly.
There will be a great selection of local food available to buy on the day including fresh veg from Gibside Community Farm, free range eggs from Self Sufficient in Suburbia, Sunniside, fresh bread from Wildfire Bakery, Ryton, a hog roast and BBQ from High Strothers Farm, High Spen, woodfired pizza and garlic Bread from Earth and Fire, Gibside, herb teas and tombola, plants from Tom and Joe’s, Wylam and more to be announced! Lots of children’s activities including upcycling and face painting and demonstrations centred around living a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. A history walk and foraging experience through the woods. There will be vegan, veggie and gluten free curries from The Paddock and The Pickle Palace made using organic, surplus veggies, gluten free sweet treats from Liz’s Supperclub, High Spen, and The Pickle Palace will have a selection of jams, chutneys, pickles and preserves, the perfect accompaniment to the cheese from The Northumberland Cheese Company on behalf of The Paddock.
Gateshead Green Party will have a stall over at the TWiG Local Food Festival, and will be talking about how we can all help take care of our environment.
Come on down and have a great day for the whole family!
Saturday 15th. July 12.00 noon -4.00 p.m. £1 entrance fee, 50p for children.
