Derby's controlling Labour group is currently considering whether or not to bid for Government cash for reducing congestion, but it is likely that any grant would come with the condition that road charging is introduced.
The city's Conservative group is totally opposed to the introduction of congestion charges
Richard Smalley, Conservative group deputy leader, said: "Congestion charging, or road pricing as it has been called, does nothing to reduce congestion.
"It is a blunt tax, and people who drive are taxed to the hilt. They are already taxed on fuel, on road fund licence - congestion charging is not the way forward.
"It will cost people around £1,200 pounds a year or more to access the city centre for work. If they have just left school or university and are on a low income, it could deter people from working in the city."
The Tory group said it instead wanted to continue supporting a feasibility study into tram and electric bus schemes in the city and explore the possibility of a direct rail link to East Midlands Airport.
The Conservatives also outlined plans for an extended pedestrianised area in the city centre.
Mr Smalley said he personally wanted to extend the restriction on traffic to Wardwick and Friar Gate to create a more cafe-style environment. The group said it would also push for more demanding recycling targets and a separate Green Commission at the council to scrutinise council actions and decisions.
On education, Conservative group leader Philip Hickson promised people living in the city would get to send their children to city schools.
"At the moment places are being taken by people who live outside the city.
"People who live in the city will get a city school under us," he said. "This ties in with our green agenda because, at the moment, we have parents travelling the length and breadth of the city to get to schools."
Arts and culture were also high on the list of priorities in the manifesto, with plans to establish a summer music festival in the city as well as a venue to host big name acts.
Mr Hickson said: "We want that festival established in the next year to bring talent and entertainment to the city over the summer period.
"We also need a new venue developed for attracting big name entertainment to the city as well as supporting amateur dramatic groups."
There are promises to increase funding to the youth service and improve and rebuild Derby Library.
The Tories would also increase pressure on getting development under way at the Friar Gate Goods Yard before buildings fall into disrepair.
Mr Smalley also said it was essential to improve gateways into the city through using innovative signage and public art.
Perhaps David Cameron should listen to these boys. At least they seem to have some new ideas albeit expensive ones.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-01 03:32:14
Showing posts with label david cameron. Show all posts
Showing posts with label david cameron. Show all posts
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Who is the greenest of them all - part two
Today's politicion and party under the spotlight is
David Cameron and the Conservative Party.
Personal
From day one, David Cameron has loudly worn his green credentials on his sleeve and famously cycled to Westminster with an army of cameramen following behind. It later emerged that his car followed him to work carrying his shoes and official papers.
Cameron's new home is still being built but is all set to include wind turbines and solar panels.
The leader of the Conservatives also made a very public show of switching to renewable energy suppliers and he even wears recycled shoes. Cameron's support for the environmental course is so zealous that I often get the impression that celebrated 90s activist Swampy has emerged from his tunnel, cut his hair and somehow become leader of the Tory party.
However, he has a tendency to want to grab the headlines. Remember the "Hug a Hoody" gaff. Well last weekend he was pictured in his garden planting a tree. Great. Except this tree clearly came from a garden centre and he must have used his car to collect it and therefore emitted a garden shed full of carbon into the atmosphere took the gloss of it somewhat.
The Conservatives back government plans to reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2050, and would like to go even further. Crucially, they back the idea of annual adjustments to targets, which would be reviewed and set by an independent body.
The Tory stance on nuclear power is still uncertain and they have not ruled out the possibility of a new generation of nuclear reactors as a last resort. The backing of EU targets to source 20 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2020 has been soured somewhat by opposition from a number of Tory MPs who have opposed plans to build wind farms in their constituencies.
When it comes to green taxes, the Conservatives have indicated that they would be prepared to make decisions unpopular with the electorate. A proposed green air miles allowance would limit travellers to one short-haul flight a year at a lower tax rate. Any further air travel would then be taxed at a higher rate. Motorists would also be likely to face a raft of new taxes dependent on where and how often they use their cars.
However, the green tax issue, along with the Conservatives' environment agenda as a whole remains vague, as the party has yet to complete its broader policy review. And while policy remains forthcoming, David Cameron for now has the luxury of making the political running when it comes to saving the world.
Verdict
A party that on the face of it cannot make up its mind what to do and led by a complete prat. Is it too late to bring back Hague? We all know he had a nightmare last time but now he has more experience behind him, sounds plausible and would regain political trust. The fact that he allegedly reads my column has nothing to do with it.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-16 09:28:28
David Cameron and the Conservative Party.
Personal
From day one, David Cameron has loudly worn his green credentials on his sleeve and famously cycled to Westminster with an army of cameramen following behind. It later emerged that his car followed him to work carrying his shoes and official papers.
Cameron's new home is still being built but is all set to include wind turbines and solar panels.
The leader of the Conservatives also made a very public show of switching to renewable energy suppliers and he even wears recycled shoes. Cameron's support for the environmental course is so zealous that I often get the impression that celebrated 90s activist Swampy has emerged from his tunnel, cut his hair and somehow become leader of the Tory party.
However, he has a tendency to want to grab the headlines. Remember the "Hug a Hoody" gaff. Well last weekend he was pictured in his garden planting a tree. Great. Except this tree clearly came from a garden centre and he must have used his car to collect it and therefore emitted a garden shed full of carbon into the atmosphere took the gloss of it somewhat.
The Conservatives back government plans to reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2050, and would like to go even further. Crucially, they back the idea of annual adjustments to targets, which would be reviewed and set by an independent body.
The Tory stance on nuclear power is still uncertain and they have not ruled out the possibility of a new generation of nuclear reactors as a last resort. The backing of EU targets to source 20 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2020 has been soured somewhat by opposition from a number of Tory MPs who have opposed plans to build wind farms in their constituencies.
When it comes to green taxes, the Conservatives have indicated that they would be prepared to make decisions unpopular with the electorate. A proposed green air miles allowance would limit travellers to one short-haul flight a year at a lower tax rate. Any further air travel would then be taxed at a higher rate. Motorists would also be likely to face a raft of new taxes dependent on where and how often they use their cars.
However, the green tax issue, along with the Conservatives' environment agenda as a whole remains vague, as the party has yet to complete its broader policy review. And while policy remains forthcoming, David Cameron for now has the luxury of making the political running when it comes to saving the world.
Verdict
A party that on the face of it cannot make up its mind what to do and led by a complete prat. Is it too late to bring back Hague? We all know he had a nightmare last time but now he has more experience behind him, sounds plausible and would regain political trust. The fact that he allegedly reads my column has nothing to do with it.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-16 09:28:28
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