STANDING UP FOR STOCKPORT – MY LETTER TO NETWORK RAIL

Dear Mr Coucher

Tree Replanting in Heaton Moor & Heaton Chapel, Stockport

I am writing on behalf of local residents living next to and along the one-mile stretch of track in Heaton Moor and Heaton Chapel, Stockport.

I also refer to my previous correspondence to you of 7 February 2009, 4 May 2009 and 4 September 2009.

On 14 October 2009 I attended a site visit with two local residents, a representative from Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and representatives from Network Rail.  At this meeting we walked and reviewed the scale of tree-felling along the stretch of track through the Heaton Moor Conservation Area and Heaton Chapel Railway Station.  At the meeting I made it clear that I would be reporting the outcomes to the Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP who has kindly helped on this matter.  I presented the representatives from Network Rail with a detailed list of gaps where double row hawthorn replanting was requested, as well as a request for replanting along the embankments at Heaton Chapel Railway Station.  This list has been compiled by local residents at their time and their effort.  At our meeting it was agreed that I would be sent a list of the outcomes for each of the stretches identified with comments from Network Rail on the actions to be undertaken for each stretch.  Immediately after our meeting, I sent a slightly modified list from residents as there had been a slight error in the original list. I attach this list again for completeness.

I am still waiting for the response to the list I gave to Network Rail, and understandably residents are concerned about the replanting stalling.

I note that Oliver Letwin also wrote to you on 2 September 2009 and informed you that his colleague Stephen Hammond MP, the Shadow Transport Minister, had received assurances from Network Rail in the past that the tree management programme next to the railway at Heaton Moor would be sympathetically undertaken and he understood that there had been promises that sympathetic replanting would be taking place between now and next February (2010).

Residents have told me that Network Rail’s promises of double rows of hawthorn have now been broken.  They would like to see the gaps including those at the bridges (Warwick Road, Heaton Moor Road and Buckingham Road) at least replanted with mature (ie dense) shrubbery including hawthorn, hazel, holly and blackthorn.

During the course of this tree-felling project I understand that 1,000-2,000 trees were felled, and Network Rail has agreed to replant just 15 trees as a replacement.  This is effectively an environmental catastrophe in this green and lush part of Stockport.

I urge Network Rail to push on with the replanting in this planting year (ie before the end of February 2010 as agreed previously).  Already it is over a month since our meeting on 14 October.

Finally I want to stress that it is essential to work with the local community throughout projects such as this in order to build up good corporate-community relations.  Effective consultation is vital so that residents can have their say.

I look forward to receiving the response to the list that was given to Network Rail on 14 October 2009.

Kind regards. 

Yours sincerely 

Stephen Holland

Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Stockport

LABOUR’S PLANS FOR POST-ELECTION LOCAL TAX RISES IN STOCKPORT

Stockport faces a barrage of hikes in local taxes under Labour’s plans. A new Labour Party Manifesto for a ‘fourth term’ has outlined plans to introduce higher council tax bands, above inflation rises in businesses on local firms, bin taxes and anti-car taxes.

Higher Council Tax Bands: Council tax bills in Stockport have already risen by 80% since 1997, taking the bill on a Band D home from £839 to £1,506. Under Labour’s proposals more homes would be sucked into higher bands, and the amount that higher bands pay would increase too. Council tax bills in Stockport could rocket to over £8,000 a year under the new system. 

Higher business rates: The Labour Party Manifesto calls for above inflation rises in rates for local firms, ending the explicit link between business rates and inflation.

Bin taxes: The Labour Party Manifesto calls for more ‘bin bully’ policies, with “financial incentives and regulatory powers” to “move away from dealing with residual waste in the black bin”.

Road pricing taxes: The Labour Party Manifesto signals yet another tax assault on drivers, with the imposition of “road pricing” in urban areas, with no offsetting tax cuts elsewhere.

Prospective MP Stephen Holland said, “Labour’s new town hall Manifesto exposes Gordon Brown’s plans for massive hikes in local taxes on the people of Stockport. Only Conservatives are opposing these tax-raising plans and standing up for Stockport’s struggling residents who are paying more and getting less under this Labour Government.”

Stockport’s Labour MP is the Parliamentary Private Secretary of the Chancellor Alistair Darling and works closely with him.

STOCKPORT REMEMBERS

Prospective MP Stephen Holland paid his respects to mark Remembrance Day on Sunday at the Civic Service at the Stockport War Memorial, by the Stockport Art Gallery. 

At 11am a two minutes’ silence was observed, ending with the Last Post. 

A reflection was given by the Bishop of Stockport as the people of Stockport remembered our country’s fallen soldiers and servicemen, as well as our British Armed Forces serving overseas.

STEPHEN HOLLAND ADDRESSES THE ROTARY CLUB OF STOCKPORT LAMPLIGHTER

Prospective MP for Stockport Stephen Holland was guest speaker tonight at the Speaker Evening of the Rotary Club of Stockport Lamplighter. Previous guest speakers have included former Conservative MP Tony Favell. 

Stephen addressed the Club about the world of business in today’s difficult economic climate.  Recently it was revealed that the UK’s economy has been contracting for a record six consecutive quarters.

Stephen spoke about the different measures that could help businesses including:

1). Accessing credit through a National Loan Guarantee Scheme

2). Tax breaks for businesses that create jobs

3). Ending unnecessary regulation

4). Proposals to Get Britain Working

5). Controlling public spending

Stephen said, “It was a privilege to address the Rotary Club of Stockport Lamplighter and find out about the work of members supporting humanitarian projects.  I was particularly impressed with the work being done for young people across Stockport.”