Lib Dem Newcastle leading the way on sustainability

Lib Dem Cabinet Minister for Climate Change Chris Huhne paid a recent visit to Newcastle to see for himself why the city has been named Britain's most sustainable city for the second year in succession.

Bore holes for geothermal energy sources being sunk on the old Brewery site, trials of the new Nissan Leaf electric car and electric vehicle charging points across the city and a Freight Consolidation Depot which will use electric delivery vans to city centre shops and businesses to cut congestion and emissions across town show why Lib Dem Newcastle leads the field in green initiatives. The city is also planning to make use of new clean technology to improve disposal of residual waste which cannot be recycled.

Meanwhile, the City Council has been working hard to improve Newcastle's parks and open spaces. Extensive
improvement to Heaton and Armstrong Parks, Jesmond Dene and Paddy Freemans is underway and will provide excellent facilities for local families. "Green gyms" and fitness trails are also planned, along
with cycle route improvements.

Elswick Park and Leazes Park have been completed and Harbottle Park now has a popular play area. Lottery
funding bids have been made for similar improvements for Exhibition and Walker Parks, and further developments are planned for other green spaces such as Hodgkin and Walker Riverside Parks.