Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats

Parklands Ward

Parklands Ward is situated in the northern part of Gosforth. Your three Lib Dem councillors work hard to represent you - please contact them with any queries by clicking the 'Contacts' page.

You can also meet your councillors in person at their monthly surgeries at:

Gosforth Library, Regent Farm Road - 1st Saturday of each month - 11.00am to 12noon

Brunton Park Community Centre, Princes Road - 3rd Wednesday of each month -

6.30pm

• Nov 9, 2010:
  • Brunton Park Flooding Update
    This scheme is now termed the 'Princes Road Scheme'. Northumbrian Water had originally intended to complete the feasibility study in June this year. However, their thinking has required closer working with the Environment Agency (EA) to understand the impact of their initial proposals for discharging surface water into the Ouseburn and on river levels downstream. The EA has consultants working on this. In addition to surface water issues, Northumbrian Water has been investigating options to address flooding from the foul system and expects to complete the feasibility report by November 2010. There will be a drop-in meeting for residents later in the autumn once the research is complete. One possible outcome to deal with excess surface water is a new pumping station on the estate. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Nov 8, 2010:
  • Brunton Lane Bus Gate Consultation
    The public consultation on introducing a 'bus only' restriction on Brunton Lane where it crosses the Western by-pass is complete. All residents of the Great Park received a questionnaire and two drop-in events were held at Brunton First School and St Aidan's Church. The number of responses was disappointing (just 10%) with opinion divided. The traffic engineers are now advertising the proposed restrictions to encourage more responses. Brunton Lane is already used as a 'rat-run' by traffic and traffic volumes will grow. In time, traffic volumes are due to rise from 1856 vehicles a day to 6471 a day. The road is not designed to carry this number of vehicles which would cause major delays for traffic exiting from Brunton Lane on to the Great North Road. There are regular complaints from residents about the speed of traffic and pedestrian safety on the bridge. If the bridge became 'bus only' it would allow the council to widen the pavements. If you have views on this proposal please submit them to Newcastle City Council, Technical Services, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8PD. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Nov 15, 2009:
  • CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED AGAINST HEALTH BOSSES A&E PLANS
    The Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign against plans that may see sick Newcastle patients requiring emergency treatment being rushed by ambulance to a hospital near Cramlington. Newcastle North campaigner Ron Beadle has launched a petition against a decision that might see patients taken to a new hospital being built in Northumberland instead of going to the Freeman or Royal Victoria Infirmary hospitals in Newcastle. A petition features in Ron Beadle's latest newspaper Newcastle News, which is being delivered across Newcastle North during November, and online at www.newcastle-libdems.org.uk The decision by the NHS North of Tyne could see thousands of residents living in Gosforth, Kingston Park, Hazlerigg, Brunswick and Dinnington taken to Cramlington in an emergency. Ron Beadle, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle North, said: "I would urge local residents to sign the petition. "The more people that sign the petition the stronger the case we can present to NHS North of Tyne to get the decision reversed. "Local people in the north of Newcastle who are really angry at this announcement, which was taken without consultation - and came totally out of the blue." "This decision was taken by an unelected and unaccountable body, without offering the opportunity for full comment on the detail of the proposals." The new accident and emergency hospital is being built off the A19, close to the Moor Farm roundabout. The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is opposing the plans, citing the close proximity of the new hospital to the Royal Victoria Infirmary. The Trust also said the new hospital threatened development of the Great North Children's Hospital at the RVI because of proposals for paediatric care at Cramlington. The £100 million Great North Children's Hospital is due for completion in spring of next year and will be centre of excellence for the North East. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Nov 12, 2009:
  • HEALTH BOSSES' A&E PLANS ARE 'WRONG'
    Newcastle residents requiring emergency medical treatment face being rushed by ambulance to a hospital near Cramlington under plans approved by health bosses. Instead of going to hospitals in Newcastle, people may be taken to a new hospital being built in Northumberland. The decision by the NHS North of Tyne could see thousands of residents living in Gosforth, Kingston Park, Hazlerigg, Brunswick and Dinnington taken to Cramlington in an emergency. And so far none of them have been consulted about the move. Ron Beadle, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle North, has launched a campaign with other Liberal Democrats to reverse the decision. "It is quite wrong that gravely ill patients should in an emergency be rushed by ambulance to Cramlington instead of being taken to their nearest hospital in Newcastle," Ron Beadle said. "Residents I have spoken with in the north of Newcastle are really angry at this announcement. "They don't want to be treated in Northumberland - they want to be treated in their local hospital." Mr Beadle, who is fighting to win Newcastle North from Labour at the next General Election, said there were also transport issues to consider, which appear to have been overlooked by NHS North of Tyne. "How does a Newcastle pensioner, who does not drive, get to a hospital near Cramlington easily to visit a loved one?" he asked. "Most residents in the north of the city can at least get a bus to the Freeman or the RVI." Under the proposals any patient being transferred from Cramlington to another hospital might go to hospitals in North Tyneside, Wansbeck or other parts of Northumberland. "If Newcastle residents must be treated in Cramlington in the first instance, why can't they then be transferred to a hospital in Newcastle?,"said Ron Beadle. The new accident and emergency hospital is being built off the A19, close to the Moor Farm roundabout. The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is opposing the plans, citing the close proximity of the new hospital to the Royal Victoria Infirmary. The Trust also said the new hospital threatened development of the Great North Children's Hospital at the RVI because of proposals for paediatric care at Cramlington. The £100 million Great North Children's Hospital is due for completion in spring of next year and will be centre of excellence for the North East. Councillor Liz Langfield, Executive Member for Adult Care and Health at Newcastle City Council, said: "It would be an absolute disaster if the new hospital at Cramlington undermined this flagship project before it even opens. "Of course we support anything that will improve the health of our neighbours in Northumberland but his should not at the detriment of people in Newcastle. "The fact that these decisions are being taken by an unelected and unaccountable body, without offering the opportunity for full comment on the detail of the proposals, is a disgrace." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
  • LABOUR 'CLASS WAR' CONDEMNED
    A furious row has erupted between the Lib Dems and Labour in Newcastle. A Labour leaflet being distruibuted in Fenham accuses the Lib Dems of only buying the Northern Rock Tower because "we can't have empty buildings in Gosforth!" But last month Business Secretary Lord Mandelson praised the partnership that has seen the Tower re-open after being mothballed. Lib Dem Ron Beadle, who is challenging Labour in Newcastle North at the forthcoming General Election, said: "It appears the Labour Party in Newcastle is at odds with its own Government. "Only last month Lord Mandelson officially opened the building and praised the partnership that is creating jobs for local people. "However, Newcastle Labour have ignored that an instead resorted to cheap point scoring. "What Labour is doing in Fenham is the worst kind of class politics. "Labour is trying to build resentment in Fenham towards people who live in Gosforth. "It shows how desperate they are. People living in Gosforth will be rightly angry and disappointed when they hear about this." The Northern Rock Tower, which has been re-named Partnership House, was officially opened by the Business Secretary. The building was bought from Northern Rock by the city council, who have leased part of it to energy firm eaga as their new HQ. They have now formed The Real Partnership to work together to exploit opportunities in the public sector. Unveiling a plaque to mark the occasion, Lord Mandelson told staff: "I think you are all doing a magnificent job. "I love what you're doing and I love where you're going. It's a win, win, win. "It's a private enterprise solution to public service needs. We cannot do everything in the public sector and nor should we try. "That's exactly what I want to see in the economy... new business, new jobs, public need met." Bill Shepherd, the Lib Dem-run council's regeneration chief, said: "The Labour Government sacked 600 people from Northern Rock when they nationalised it, these people live all over Newcastle. "The Tower, saved from mothballing, is the new home to businesses from across the region. "This is creating real new jobs. Apparently Labour would rather have it lie empty because it happens to be in Gosforth." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Oct 19, 2009:
  • MORE SHOPS FOR THE HIGH STREET
    The Co-op is set to open in the High Street, taking the former premises of Woolworths, which will provide a second major food store. On the other side of the High Street, a new coffee shop has opened as Great Coffee @ Sanderson Young, in a renovated building on the corner of Hawthorn Road and the High Street. A further coffee shop, Costa Coffee, will open in the Shopping Centre, in the former Transcend premises. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Oct 16, 2009:
  • WORKING TO REGENERATE THE HIGH STREET
    Further meetings have taken place between representatives from Trinity Church, the Shopping Centre, and the Council to discuss ways of improving Gosforth High Street. High on the agenda is securing additional funding to install a community square outside the Trinity Centre and improvements to the frontage of the Shopping Centre. This year additional floral displays were installed to brighten up the High Street, but there is more work to do. The Council is looking at the possibility of a design code for shop premises signs, which it hopes local business would be prepared to support. A Council-sponsored business forum is talking to businesses in the High Street about issues related to trade, which it hopes can help to shape future developments. The ward councillors in Gosforth have agreed to set up a regular joint meeting so that residents can learn about future developments and offer their views. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Oct 11, 2009:
  • PARK AND RIDE BEGINS AT THE GREAT PARK
    A new park and ride service has begun operating at the Great Park - connecting the north of Newcastle to the city centre. Motorists can park their cars for free and then pay the driver the fare when they get on the bus. The scheme has space for 500 vehicles and runs from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday. Councillor Anita Lower, who is chairman of the Newcastle Great Park Advisory Committee, said: "The park and ride scheme is providing people with quick access to Haymarket via Gosforth High Street. "We are in talks with the Great Park Consortium and bus operator Arriva to provide additional services in the New Year." Day returns cost £3 for adults and kids half price. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
  • NEW SCHOOL OPENS IT'S DOORS
    Newcastle's newest school has opened its doors to pupils for the first time. Brunton First School caters for children aged four to nine and is designed to serve the community being created by the Great Park development. The school includes six state-of-the-art classrooms, two multi-purpose halls, a studio and a food technology room. It is also surrounded by extensive grounds, including a football pitch, a multi-use games area, a playground and gardens. Castle Ward councillor Anita Lower said: "The school is a landmark in the development of the Great Park as a new community needs a school at its heart. "The Castle Ward Focus Team is really pleased Brunton First School has opened. "Modern facilities are vitally important to ensure local children make the most of their opportunities." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Aug 30, 2009:
  • NEW SCHOOL OPENS
    The new Brunton First School situated on the Newcastle Great Park is to open on September 7 with two classes, reception and year 1. The school is already full for this year, however any parent wanting a place for their child should talk to the school. The construction work has been completed earlier than scheduled and further works on the site will include a pre-school facility. The school is also available for hire, providing much needed community space in the Great Park. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jan 7, 2009:
  • LIB DEMS INVEST IN THE FUTURE
    Millions of pounds look set to be spent on Newcastle's communities during the economic crisis. The Lib Dem-run city council plans to invest £21 million into energy efficiency, regeneration and boosting the economy. The cash will be borrowed, but council tax will still have to go up by 2.9% to cover the loan, meaning a rise of 65p per week for a family living in a Band D household. The Lib Dem council leaders are sticking to their pledge to keep the rise below the rate of inflation for the fifth year running - even though the amount Newcastle has been given by the Government has increased by only 1.75%, the joint lowest in the country. The three-year investment will secure jobs in the face of the credit crunch. Councillor Peter Allen, executive member for resources, said: "We've kept to our original election pledge when we took control of the council - bills down at or below the rate of inflation - and we're now delivering for the fifth year running. "At the same time we've invested extra in the services people have told us are most important to them, such as our hugely popular rapid response teams, improving the environment in every ward round the city. "We've achieved all this because we run an efficient operation, and we'll be tightening our belts further next year to the tune of £20 million plus, whilst still protecting frontline services." The council is saving around £20 million by cutting 500 posts - many of them managers and administrative staff. Front line jobs will be protected. The £21m investment will be spent on projects people in the city have raised as a priority, including: :: £7m extra spending on road and pavement repairs and improvements. :: £1.4m extra on grants for disabled facilities to make improvements in people's homes. :: £75,000 extra on Newcastle WarmZone, helping those facing fuel poverty. :: £800,000 extra on works at Walker Quay. :: £4m extra in a new regeneration fund to support various schemes across Newcastle. By using local external contractors for building work, jobs will be secured and no manpower will be taken away from frontline services. A scheme to help low-income first-time buyers with shared equity loans and cash from the Government and developers is on the cards, and more staff to help homeowners avoid repossessions. The council is also pledging to work with developers to help them out as the demand for homes drops, to increase the amount of affordable social housing in the city and to offer support packages for small businesses. Council leader John Shipley said: "As well as keeping council tax bills down, and protecting frontline services, there is much that the council can do to help businesses and individuals survive the economic recession. "Our budget proposals includes an extra £21 million of spending on infrastructure and regeneration projects - which will help keep many people in work in the construction industry locally. "We're also continuing with a package of interventions to help people in debt crisis, to help housebuilders and homebuyers alike, and to help small businesses. "Without this extra spending package, our council tax bills would have been even lower, but we think that supporting the city's economy through this crisis is simply the right thing to do." The council's draft budget proposals will go out for consultation before being put to councillors in March. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Aug 8, 2008:
  • SAVE OUR POST OFFICES: THE LAST PUSH
    Lib Dem campaigners, including Newcastle MEP Fiona Hall, Ron Beadle and Greg Stone, gather outside Walbottle village Post Office in a final push to save nine of Newcastle's post offices from closure Liberal Democrats from across Newcastle have come together for one final push to save nine of Newcastle's post offices - just days before their future is decided. The Lib Dems gathered at Walbottle village Post Office - one of the nine threatened with the axe - having collected more than 1,000 signatures from local people opposing the closures. At Walbottle the petitions and many letters of protest - all collected since the nine closures were announced six weeks ago - were posted in order that they reach Post Office Ltd by August 11, the deadline for the end of the public consultation. Newcastle MEP Fiona Hall, who was among the protestors gathered at Walbottle, said: "Posting these 1, 000 signatures today has been an appropriate way we can show Post Office Ltd that people in Newcastle want their post office services to stay open. "Many local people need, and in some cases depend on their post offices." Ron Beadle, Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle North, added: "The way the consultation works is that at the end of all this, even if one of the 'Newcastle nine' post offices are saved, another post office - not necessarily on the current target list - will be forced to close in its place. "It is a frustrating catch 22 and just shows that the past six weeks have been nothing more than a sham consultation." The branches facing closure are: :: Clayton Road :: Howard Street :: Kenton Road :: Union Society :: Walkerville :: Brunswick Village :: Garden Village :: Walbottle :: West Denton Under the Labour Government plans more than 2,500 post offices across the country face being shut - despite public outcry - and many more closed under the Conservatives. The Liberal Democrat plan to save the Post Office network would see £2 billion invested. Recently a motion was proposed in the House of Commons demanding the Government halt their plans to make 2,500 branches shut up shop. Newcastle Labour MPs Doug Henderson, Nick Brown and Jim Cousins voted against the motion and backed the closure programme. :: To contact Post Office Ltd please see www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange or telephone 08457 22 33 44 or email consultation@postoffice.co.uk. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jul 28, 2008:
  • ROYAL GEORGE SET TO CLOSE
    Councillor David Down (left) and Councillor John Shipley are concerned about the future of the Royal George pub in Brunton Park The Royal George, which has been part of the life of Brunton Park and North Gosforth since the estate was built, is set to close shortly. Residents are understandably deeply concerned at the decision taken by the owners. Interest has been expressed by a developer who has submitted an outline planning application to build a 46 bedroom rest home on the site with ancillary lounges and dining rooms. Councillor David Down says: "Residents immediately affected are being consulted directly but if you wish to let us have any comments on this proposal, please do so. "Your views are important to us." Councillor John Shipley says: "It is a matter of great regret to us that there is such increasing pressure on facilities that make up a community, such as pubs, post offices and local shops." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
  • No 33 BUS SERVICE SAVED
    The number 33 bus, which has been threatened with the axe, has been saved - for now. This service connects Garden Village to the city centre via the Regent Centre, the High Street and Jesmond. A total of six routes in the city are either being axed or cut back because operator Stagecoach says it is losing 50p of every £1 spent running them. Strong interventions by local councillors have reversed the proposed cut to the 33 and a half hourly service is now guaranteed until at least next March. Councillor David Down said: "Further discussions will take place during the autumn on how to keep the service running. "We are pleased that after representations to Stagecoach, the bus operator has agreed to keep the service running until next year. However, Stagecoach has made it clear that for the No 33 to continue local people must use the service." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY