The Conservative Administration at Ebley Mill has gone and done it again…

Yes I’m talking about the Number 37 Bus service between Kings Street and Cashes Green.  Its so popular the Council won’t cough up the extra £57,000 needed to keep it going.

I guess our ‘Tory friends’ will blame Stagecoach for the reduction in service (they haven’t phased it out completely I should add) but the Bus Company isn’t a charity.  They have to make money somehow and with the Bus pass scheme being so successful it has to be paid for by someone… or services will be cut back. 

Given the conservatives new found conversion to environmentalism this behaviour seems a little strange.  (I must not be sarcastic…)

Out in the cold and wet again today!… on top of a full day of software Testing, but hey I’m tough!

One person was concerned about lcoal lib dem transport policy.  Can we connect up all the bits and pieces of the various cycle-paths etc… well maybe… I don’t like making promises I can’t keep… yes in principle I like to think cycle networks could be expanded.  I think that pedestrian and cyclists should be able to access the whole of the five valleys safely.

Wallbridge is outside of the Rodborough District Ward but in my Town Ward.  I am very keen to see pedestrian access between Rodborough and Stroud Town as part of the “Canal Quarter” development. 

So thats one thing I’m involved with. 

There will be more lovely leaflets on the way detailing ‘policy’ etc… If you live in my patch that is… and want a good read please do so.

I’m extremely tired and need a nap so that’s it for now from me….

Just got in from canvassing.  Met a couple who where very concerned about speeding along the bath road. 

Its dangerous and its illegal.  It’s also not a new problem.  If I am elected in May I will be working with the relevant authorities to tackle this potentially deadly habit. I don’t particularly care if the bureaucrats think it is a ‘County’ rather than a ‘District’ issue… It’s got to be sorted.

Back in 2004/05 I undertook a traffic survey along the A46 at Lightpill (near where I live) Its not really surprising to say that many drivers where travelling at above the legal limit. 

It is a habit, and it can be corrected. Please Kill your speed not someone else (or even yourself…) 

So many people have mentioned this during the last few days.  I’ve been out and about in Rodborough meeting people and asking their opinions on local issues.  One thing that virtually everybody mentions is Traffic and Speeding. 

Sometimes I think this issue is more about ‘Driver Calming’… But yes, having lived in one of the rat runs in question, I know where people are coming from. 

I can see a battle developing between the residents (who quite rightly want to see a solution to this problem) and the County Council (who will claim to have no money… ‘The Floods’…!)

 I will do my best!… watch this space…  

Yesterday British Waterways announced that they were withdrawing from the Cotswold Canals Partnership.

While this is a body blow to the hope many people have in Stroud District I would say that we must not jump to conclusions too soon.

British Waterways  Chief Executive Robin  Evans says that “We have thought long and hard over this decision and know  it will disappoint our partners in the project.  Ultimately, however, we have a finite pot of money and the needs of our existing waterways must take priority”

It remains to be seen whether the Canal Project can continue.  I certainly hope that it does and brings all the benefits to the Stroud area we have been promised.  As I said, it’s a little early to jump to conclusions and certainly not the time for recrimination.