Eric Ollerenshaw

Eric Ollerenshaw, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Lancaster and Fleetwood, has welcomed a report released today on new railways.

The report from the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) has called for an expansion of the existing rail network, with a proposal for over 40 new stations and 14 extra lines.  This includes a new station at Fleetwood along with one at Cleveleys.

Eric said: “This provides much needed backing for re-opening the railway line from Fleetwood to Poulton.  Out of the 20 national schemes recommended, the Fleetwood proposal was the 4th cheapest while also being the 4th highest in terms of cost benefit.

“I just hope the Government will listen to this strong evidence in support of what everybody in Fleetwood already knows: the loss of the railway led to the decline of the town and a restored railway is vital to its regeneration”.

The report is available from the ATOC website.

In a recent letter to the Lancaster Guardian, Miles Bennington, Conservative Representative for Primrose, responds to a letter from Labour Councillor Liz Scott.

Dear Sir,

I’d like to thank everyone who signed the petition to clean up Primrose.  In response to Liz Scott’s letter in last week’s edition, I’d like to thank her for starting her review into the state of Lancaster’s pavements – it’s nice to see some action so soon after my petition!

However, I’m not sure what a review will really achieve.  I’m sure most people in Lancaster could tell her what needs doing; broken pavements need fixing and holes in the road need mending.

I’d like to thank everyone who signed the petition to clean up Primrose

Miles Bennington

Perhaps instead of commissioning a review, Liz Scott and her fellow Labour Party colleagues could have voted in favour of the extra £47 million for roads and pavements proposed by the Conservatives earlier this year.

She was right when she said I don’t live in Primrose, but the people who complained to me do and at least the publicity generated by the petition might see some action at last for the residents and some return for their Council Tax.

Miles Bennington
Conservative Representative for Lancaster East

The petition called for a roll out of the ‘Street Pride’ cleaning scheme in the Primrose area of Lancaster, and was carried out after suggestions from local residents.

The petition was signed by over 100 Primrose residents and was handed into the Council at a full meeting held at Morecambe Town Hall on the 23rd of July 2008.

Poor Road Maintenance

Residents had complained of poor road maintenance, uneven pavements, large numbers of weeds and refuse in the alleyways. A ‘Street Pride’ clean would have made minor road repairs, cleaned the streets, sorted out some of the pavement problems and hopefully fixed the speed bumps.

Thank you to everyone who signed the petition.

Miles Bennington

Whilst handing in his petition, Miles called for a change in policy to allow residents – not just councillors – to suggest new roads for Street Pride. The cabinet will discuss a possible change to policy in September.

Miles said: ” Thank you to everyone who signed the petition.  Hopefully the Council will sit up and take notice of Primrose in the future.”

For more information about the Pride in Primrose campaign, please visit our campaign page.

Gordon Brown has insisted that Lancashire is receiving all the transport funding it needs, during a question session at 10 Downing Street.

Replying to a question from the Lancashire Evening Post, Bumbling Brown astounded local Conservatives by suggesting that not only is Lancashire’s transport network getting all the funding it needs, but that our roads are getting better.

Transport Funding

The Prime Minster said: “I don’t think it is true to say that transport spending has been skewed to one particular area.

“In every part of the country we are spending (on) transport according to the needs of these different areas.”

According to the Treasury, the North West received £276 per person in transport funding, £43 less than the UK average and £338 less than in London.

This astonishing statement by the Prime Minister shows how out of touch the Government is with reality.

Eric Ollerenshaw

Eric Ollerenshaw, Lancaster and Fleetwood’s Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, said:

“This astonishing statement by the Prime Minister shows how out of touch the Government is with reality”.

Lancashire Conservatives have pledged £47 million of improvements to the County’s roads and pavements if they take control of the County in next May’s local elections.

Conservative Pledge

The improvements were pledged while the Conservatives presented their alternative budget to full council at County Hall.

The extra money would be financed by a combination of existing sources and would not lead to an increase of Council Tax.

An amount of £900,000 would also be set aside for cleaning and improving gullies to reduce the risk of flooding in residential areas.

Local Conservatives have succeeded in their fight to improve road safety outside The Grove.

Residents of The Grove are now able to turn into Bowerham Road more safely thanks to the efforts of local Conservative Representative Miles Bennington and your local Conservatives.

Last year residents in and around the Grove had complained to Miles about the junction. Parked cars were blocking visibility making it difficult and dangerous.

Road Safety Group

With the help of Roger Mace, the Conservative Leader of the Council, the problem was raised at the ‘Officers Road Safety Group’ which meet in early September.

The group decided to act on residents’ concerns and, as you may have noticed, ‘Keep Clear’ signs have recently been painted on the road outside The Grove.

If you have any local concerns, problems with Council services, or questions about local Government, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.