MOVING ON...........

Who ever said that Council meetings were boring has obviously never been to a Boldon Cleadon and Whitburn Community Area Forum. Last night’s meeting at Boldon Community Centre was interesting to say the least. Most visitors to this site will know the problems faced by the community of East Boldon, that of the issue of parking congestion. Residents considered the get together last night as the last chance to persuade the Council to create control measures before the years end. So what was achieved? Despite another massive public turn out (80+) nothing was really done. The Council once again fell back on its plans to place a pedestrian refuge in the vicinity of the shops to enable safe crossing of the road. Whilst this is not unwelcome, it is in the wrong place (people will have to cross other roads to get to it) and it will remove three parking bays in an area blighted by the lack of parking spaces. There will be no yellow lines on the approach to the crossing until at least the middle of next year, if at all. Residents parking schemes will take a similar amount of time to research, and then we will be placed in a “melting pot” with another hundred such hopefuls (a rise of 52 from March’s meeting).

So after three years of hard work and coherent arguments, the Council still refuses to address the concerns of residents in this area. I only hope that between now and next year nobody is killed in this area as a result of parking congestion. If they are, residents will be very clear as who is to blame.

As to the actual meeting, what a raucous event. The issue of Metro congestion was strictly not on the agenda, and despite being aware of the depth of feeling, local councillors had not ensured that it was not included. An item covering parking enforcement statistics for the area was included however, and this was the way in to tackle the overall problem. One after another, worried parents and angry residents vented their concerns on councillors. Despite attempts to curtail the debate, the Forum hierarchy was swamped with outcries and mayhem ensued. With full time officials ridiculed for their attempts to explain why safety measures could not be introduced due to red tape procedures that would take us into next year, it was left to Councillor David Potts to really raise the temperature. Launching into a venomous and personal attack against me, he called into question the whole idea of parking congestion and tried to portray me as incompetent. His claims that businesses were not suffering were ridiculed when one after another businessmen and women at the meeting attacked his claims and embarrassed him. The public were equally shocked to hear their own councillor attack both the area and myself. Mr Potts no longer represents the people of East Boldon and his actions have gone along way to seeing him loose his seat at the next election. I didn’t dignify him with a reply; he had already done enough damage to his own credibility.

So where do we go from here? I had intended to take a somewhat less involved role after last nights meeting, but the Council’s intransigence has ruined all plans for a quieter life. We also have a legal source involved now who is prepared to do some free work on our behalf. After a quick get together last night with active residents the following approach was adopted;

1. The establishment of a residents action group

EAST BOLDON RESIDENTS METRO ACTION GROUP

2. A legal claim against South Tyneside Council on disability access grounds/legislation. This is based on the fact that wheel chair and electric mobility scooter users cannot use pavements due to cars parked half on/half off pavements.
3. A referral to the Local Government Ombudsman on the Council’s failure re duty of care.
4. If the issue has not been resolved by May 2008, then an independent candidate will stand for regional election.

Long shots? Possibly, but surely this is the whole point of legal community protest; when faced with an intransigent body every possible means to achieve success must be used.

And that’s exactly what we will do………………

ONE FOR THE ROAD

Regrettably (though some will think otherwise) you wont see to much posting on this site due to tonight’s Community Area Forum meeting (I have to press my “Gladiator” outfit). This will be the last chance this year for residents in East Boldon to try and achieve a solution to traffic congestion. It will also be my last involvement at the head of the campaign, as I will be unfortunately moving out of the area. Whatever happens tonight, I have made some good friends by being involved with this issue. I also feel that not only has this fight been resident driven, it has also been dignified and honest.

I shall post a brief summary on what happened some time tomorrow, but don’t expect it to soon as I shall be calling at a local hostelry for a pre arranged celebration/ drowning of sorrows* (delete as appropriate) and I intend to have a couple of brandy and babyshams!

DEJA VOUS

On 07.06.07 and 14.06.07 I posted about a DVD which had been filmed by a local resident showing parking congestion within the radius of the East Boldon Metro Station. They footage also caught a child nearly being knocked over by a car as he walked out from between parked cars and a van. The DVD was subsequently shown by Tyne Tees Television evening news.

With regards to resident’s claims for yellow lines to stop this type of thing happening, the council said

“At the present time there are no proposals to introduce waiting restrictions on Station Road until the issue with the car park has been resolved”.

TAKEN DIRECT FROM THEIR PRESS RELEASE

Everybody who reads “Rise Like Lions” and it’s related site “Reclaiming Our Streets”, knows there will be no car park this decade, so for the next two years at least we hold our breaths hoping there will not be a fatality.

It would seem however, that East Boldon is not the only area to suffer such dangers. A two-inch column on page 3 of today’s Gazette is headed “Parking A Problem” and goes on to state;

“Transport issues have been highlighted by town Councillors.

Concerns have been raised about the number of vehicles being parked in Station Road Bridge (Hebburn) in the town centre.

A council report states “It appeared that this was caused by people parking to collect passengers leaving the Metro and was a particular problem at peak travelling times”.

OK, so what, another area with a bit of a parking problem. The article directly next to this piece, however, totally changes the perspective.

“Boy Hit By Bus Lucky To Be Alive”

“An 11 year old boy had a lucky escape after he was hit by a bus…the incident happened .. along STATION ROAD, HEBBURN,…The boy had run out between parked cars into the path of the bus…A police spokesman said the boy is very lucky to be alive”

Need I list the similarities; Metro/banked up cars/child/nearly killed… for God’s sake the road name is actually the same, Station Road. (I must buy whoever type set these articles a pint, they couldn’t have been positioned any better!)

The Council’s response to this issue is not outlined, but as a report has already been compiled on the problems, perhaps they will get their yellow lines. After all, Labour does a lot of work in Hebburn. In East Boldon, for some reason we don’t even get a report. Why risk a fatality when the solution is so simple. This council spends thousands of pounds on preventative risk assessment, but clearly it doesn’t cover the well being of children.

This morning I got up at 6 a.m. to deliver leaflets to encourage residents to attend the CAF meeting this Thursday, as it is probably their last chance to fight for something to be done this year due to the summer recess and budget allocations. After another session tonight and one early again tomorrow, I will have delivered 700 self-financed leaflets to 700 residential East Boldon addresses. So when people post insulting comments on the site about “tatty shops”, don’t waste your time, I have skin thicker than a rhino when it comes to name calling.

The best thing though, is that I KNOW I am right in fighting for change!

BUSINESS AS USUAL

It would appear by the reactions so far today that last night’s Tyne Tees coverage of the safety side of the Metro congestion problem was seen by a lot of people. Hopefully some of these people, especially those with young children, will pursue the matter at Council level.

On a lighter note, yesterday was hectic, people in and out of the house all day, the TV crew being here for about two hours and the press calling for quotes and details etc. But why did we need to Hoover behind the furniture “just in case someone came in?”

The next and to be honest final step for me as I wont be here much longer, is the CAF meeting next Thursday. I will be leafleting all weekend to try and encourage a good turn out, and together with the publicity generated by the TV coverage, we should be able to top the 80+ residents who came to the March meeting. With a break in the CAF programme to cater for the summer holiday period, this is the last chance to achieve any changes before the end of the year. It is essential that we get as many people to attend as we can.

Now, it’s back to work, back to the papers and back to keeping an eye on the government. Where the hell is Gordon Brown these days?

AN UPDATE ON THE UPDATE UPDATE

Unless they find life on Mars or Roy Keane signs David Beckham, Tyne Tees will lead with the Metro DVD. South Tyneside Council have issued a press statement that would not endorse the placing of yellow lines in the school buses area, despite a child nearly being killed. Obviously, they are waiting for a fatality before they act.

GAZETTE ADDS TO COVERAGE

An update on the update (this cant go on!) the Shields Gazette is also going to run with stills from the footage, so the pressure on the Council is mounting. Surely they will protect children and give us the yellow lines we have been calling for.

METRO UPDATE: DVD SHOWN ON TV

Tyne Tees news have been running the Metro DVD on their news bulletins, and are coming to east Boldon today to film more footage and do an interview with myself and residents. The DVD and extra footage will be shown tonight on the 6.00 p.m. programme.

COPY OF PRESS RELEASE

EAST BOLDON RESIDENTS METRO ACTION GROUP

9 STATION TERRACE ~ EAST BOLDON ~ TYNE AND WEAR ~ NE360LJ

CONTACT POINT ~ PETER ************

DVD PRESS RELEASE

“HOW TO CREATE A BLACK SPOT”

For three years residents in East Boldon have been campaigning for solutions to Metro parking congestion in the village. Since the establishment of a new Metro transport link at East Boldon Station, congestion on the side streets and commercial areas within a ¼ mile radius of the Station has reached unacceptable levels. Not only does the congestion affect those who reside in the village, but it also has a negative affect on the commercial viability of the business within the village as nobody can access their local amenities due to abandoned cars. There is also a health and safety element where by due to the build up of parked cars on side streets and main roads, it is no longer safe to cross roads.

The cause of the congestion is due to the fact that Nexus have failed to provide enough car parks spaces for commuters, and due to a land purchase issue with a local business, have been unable to build an additional car park. South Tyneside Council have been equally woeful in their attempts to help local residents and businesses. They refuse to introduce any congestion control measures until Nexus build their car park. This is a classic “Catch 22” situation.

As both Nexus and South Tyneside Council have been knowingly negligent in their duty of care, a resident’s action and pressure group has been formed to coordinate measures to force through control measures ahead of any car park extension. Abandoned and ignored by Nexus and South Tyneside Council, the fight to return the village’s streets to those who live here has taken a new direction.

For some time residents have been concerned about the dangers of two school buses collecting and dropping children off in the vicinity of the Station approach. Due to cars banked up on pavements and general congestion, the buses often have to disembark and collect from the middle of the road, hardly a safe practise but in some ways not the fault of bus drivers. On the 20^th April 2007 a letter was sent to the Education Department at South Tyneside Council outlining concerns and asking that they look at the safety issues concerning this area. They did not reply. On 22^nd May 2007 a second letter was sent reiterating concerns but also informing the authority that DVD footage showed a child nearly being hit by a car on the station approach. To date no reply has been received.

WHAT IS THE COUNCIL WAITING FOR? DO THEY WANT A CHILD TO DIE BEFORE THEY ACT? THEY ARE PREPARED TO IGNORE THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS, BUT SURELY THEY SHOULD HAVE A DUTY OF CARE TOWARDS CHILDREN?

A copy of the DVD is included in this release for your paper to watch. Should it not play, please contact the Mr Taylor and he will help you play it or send you another copy. Copies of letters to the education authority are also attached. You also have a contact number at the top of this release to obtain any background information for what is a protracted but ongoing and active matter.

CERTIFICATE 18

A couple of weeks ago a colleague of mine asked me if I wanted a DVD filmed of the Metro parking congestion as it built up through out the day around the village of East Boldon. Secretly thinking it was hardly the stuff of a Tom Cruise film, I said OK. However, the results were marvellous. Filmed over a few hours and speeded up, the footage shows a quite village slowly transformed into a commuter cark park. There was however, a disturbing element half way through the film. For some time residents have been concerned about the dangers of two school buses collecting and dropping children off in the vicinity of the Station approach. Due to cars banked up on pavements and general congestion, the buses often have to disembark and collect from the middle of the road, hardly a safe practise but in some ways not the fault of the drivers. The DVD shows such a scenario, with a child clearly shown nearly being knocked over by a passing car. The scene still brings a lump to my throat.

About eight weeks ago and before we had this footage, I wrote to the Education Department at South Tyneside Council outlining my concerns and asking that they look at the safety issues concerning this area. They did not reply. When the video came into my possession I again wrote to them, and gave them a choice;

1. Would they like to see the video?
2. Would they like to at least acknowledge our concerns?
3. Or would they like me to release the video to the press with information that they had completely ignored our concerns.

To date, I have received no reply to any of the correspondence. Copies of the footage are winging their way to all the regional papers (stills can be taken) and also to the regional news programmes. (The footage is also going to be placed on You Tube and I will post the link later).

The simple solution would be to place yellow lines on the approach to the crossing, stopping commuters abandoning their cars for whole days and freeing up the area for the movement of traffic. Requests to the Council by residents along these lines have been completely ignored, and now through the disgraceful attitude of the Education Department, they have shown they wont even protect the community’s children.

What type of council ignores the well being of its youngest and most vulnerable population? The answer, our Council.

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

One of the big problems with newspaper articles where a dispute is concerned is that it’s normally the big company who has the final say and the little fellow who misses out on the right to reply. This is what has happened to me with regard to the articles that appeared in both the Sunderland Echo and Shields Gazette over the last 48 hours. The Echo’s article ended with a Nexus comment, and the Gazette again with Nexus and also South Tyneside Council. The problem however, is that both parties were economical with the truth and wide of the mark when it comes to full disclosure.

Lets take the Echo’s article first. Nexus are quoted as saying;

“Nexus has been trying for three years to purchase land needed to extend East Boldon station car park from 56 places to 170 but has been unable to get agreement from the current owner. We are as keen to sort this out as local residents, and to blame Nexus for the current situation shows a complete misunderstanding of the problem and the efforts we have made”

What Nexus has failed to point out is that the were told by residents during the public consultation process nearly 8 years ago that the car park was to small to accommodate the number of vehicles that were envisaged to use the Station at East Boldon. These concerns were completely ignored and Nexus pressed on. Admittedly Nexus have tried to buy additional land, but a few salient points have been omitted. The owner is the same person who they purchased land from to build the original car park, the same owner who has yet to be paid in full; after nearly six years Nexus have still to cough up for the land they have used! Why then, should the owner sell more land to a company that still owes him money from some time ago? Oh, and by the way, the amount that Nexus have offered for the new area is derisory, insulting and way below the lands full commercial value. Of course Nexus are to balme, the side streets in Boldon are packed with abandoned commuter cars during the working week. On weekends, when people are not at work in such large numbers, the streets are a lot quieter. When the Metro was shut down for repairs some months ago, there was no congestion! There is also the issue of planning permission. If Nexus were so committed to solving the problem, you would think they would have planning permission in hand and ready to go. Woops, wrong again. Nothing has been applied for, and until it has, no compulsory purchase of land can be applied for. So when it comes to efforts being made, the phrases “half hearted” and “PR exercise” come immediately to mind. As a result of their lack of commitment, there will be no cark park until at least 2010.

Moving to the Shields Gazette coverage, where the Nexus quote is reprinted in full. This time though, the Council have added their ten penneth, probably prompted by the Nexus claim that “Parking control on public highways is a matter for South Tyneside Council”. Their response is as follows;

“At the present time there are no proposals to introduce waiting restrictions on Station Road until the issue with the car park has been resolved. However, to improve the crossing facilities on Station Road, it is proposed to install a pedestrian crossing and associated road markings, subject to approval by the council’s cabinet this financial year”

Here we go again! The car parking issue will not be resolved this decade. The owner won’t sell, it’s green belt land and the only way to acquire it is through compulsory purchase. When asked at the March CAF meeting how long this would take, a full time council official admitted she didn’t have a clue because she had never done one before and hadn’t even looked at the in’s and out’s of the process. Well here’s your answer from a meagre shop owner; with objections at every stage, compulsory purchase can take up to 5 years. So five years down the line the Council will look at other measures to alleviate congestion. As to the pedestrian crossing, the council did have plans to put a refuge bay in the middle of the road. What they have failed to mention is that to do so they intended to take away three parking bays outside the shops to accommodate this. That’s three parking bays in an area blighted by the lack of parking spaces, three parking bays at a block of shops slowly being commercially strangled due to a lack of parking spaces! Words defy me as to the stupidity of the idea!

With letters being sent to the council from residents and public meetings being packed out with disgruntled home owners unable to park outside their own homes or use their local shops, why is the Council ignoring it’s duty of care to the people of East Boldon? Why is it allowing businesses to suffer and why is it allowing road safety to be compromised?

I have stated publicly at meetings, been quoted in the press and now I will reiterate it here; the problems of Metro parking congestion in East Boldon are as a direct result of the failure of Nexus and South Tyneside to acknowledge their social responsibilities to this community and no amount of denial or misleading statements can detract from this. If either of these bodies thinks I’m wrong, sue me, it will be a pleasure to go to court with all the trappings of media coverage and defend my case!

THE CAMERA NEVER LIES (IF ONLY IT WOULD!)

Yesterdays Sunderland Echo and today’s Shields Gazette highlighted the closure of my shop. The arguments have been well rehearsed, but I think I will have to reiterate them due to the very misleading comments attributed to South Tyneside Council and particularly Nexus. On a more personal note, what ever happened to air brushing out people’s double chins? Is it any surprise to people that the diet and fitness regime started as soon as the Gazette arrived?

SHOP SHUT

When I first started this blog the intention was to highlight the problems of Metro parking congestion in East Boldon, something that was affecting both commerce and the aesthetics of the village; we were rapidly becoming a commuter car park. Over a three year period residents and business owners have asked politely, begged, demanded and finally pleaded for the council and its councillors to put controls in place which would free the village from the grip of abandoned cars. To date not one single measure has been put in place.

Three years ago I employed 7 members of staff, nearly all on a full time basis. Now I am the sole employee. Business income has halved over the last two years, and I have finally taken the decision to close the shop in September and move the business to another area, regrettably not in this borough. There has been a Longstaffs’s (the shop name) on this block for nearly 73 years, the nature of the business remaining virtually unchanged through out this period. Whilst managing to see off Adolf Hitler, it has taken the incompetence of Nexus and an abject failure of the Council in its duty of care, to finally close the shop down. Whilst the new tenants cannot be named yet for business reasons, put it this way they wont be selling anything the public in this community will be able to buy.

On a personal note, I have lived and worked on the shop promenade for 17 years, and have lived in the village for 41 years. Whilst my employment prospects are OK, I have been forced to move as well which causes me great anger; I have lived within a stones throwing distance of my mother and father, bother, mother and father in law, three sister in laws and two nephews/nieces and have found that close family presence sustaining and rewarding. It also leaves me with concerns for what is left behind; when I shut my doors another two shops will follow within 8 months as our trades are intrinsically linked. Boldon already has three estate agents, it doesn’t need another three! The residents and business owners have one final chance to try and change things at June’s CAF meeting, and we will be pushing for a considerable public presence. Posts will be placed here and on the sister site northernuproar.blogspot.com. For me it will be to late, as the uncertainty is to strong.

There are certain councillors from both main political parties who should be ashamed of themselves for the way they have failed to cater for people. Sadly, they don’t feel shame however, as they have never quite understood one of the main moral obligations of being elected by voters: representation. I remain convinced that their tenures as councillors are over, and the next elections will bring sweeping changes to certain wards and parties.