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.