The Norwich Green

Incinerator Proposal For Trowse

The Evening News has discovered that WRG, the company hoping to build an incinerator for burning our waste at Costessey, is also looking at a possible site for an incinerator in Trowse. The site, south of Whitlingham Country Park by the Kirby Bedon Road, is currently owned by Anglian Water and is next to the sewage works.

Thorpe Hamlet Green Party campaigner James Conway said: "Among the reasons for opposing the building of an incinerator are: concerns about the effect of emissions on health and the environment; and the fact that it creates a demand for waste when we need to be reducing the amount that is produced. The proposed site in Trowse, next to the country park and close to residential areas such as Thorpe Hamlet, is totally unacceptable."

The Green Party is the only political party that is opposed to incineration anywhere in Norfolk in principle and is pressing for comprehensive recycling facilities and a resource recovery park instead.

Thorpe Park Given 'All Clear' After Health Scare

The Environment Agency has concluded its investigations into potential health risks in the Thorpe Park area and has given the estate the 'all clear'. It had been investigating concerns about potential pollution arising from chlorinated solvents used on the site when a factory was located there and from the asbestos discovered underground. However, residents in the area have now received letters from the City Council stating that there is no risk to human health.

James Conway Selected

Norwich Green Party has selected local campaigner James Conway (pictured left) to stand in Thorpe Hamlet in the May City Council elections, when one seat in each ward will be contested. Having lived on Riverside Road for two years James knows Thorpe Hamlet well – and he has already met many local residents on the doorstep. James is a former Deputy Editor of UEA newspaper Concrete and he stood in Thorpe Hamlet ward in the 2006 local elections, gaining 497 votes.

Deal Ground and Utilities Site Update

Green Councillors have been consulting Thorpe Hamlet residents over the future of the Deal Ground and Utilities site – a large area of land between Thorpe Road and Trowse. Most residents have expressed views similar to those of the Green Party, such as: green spaces on the site and Carey's Meadow should be protected; any housing should be affordable and of a high environmental standard; there should be a pedestrian and cycle bridge to Whitlingham Country Park from Thorpe Road. Now the formal consultation is complete, Council officers are working on a firm proposal for the site. Green Councillors will monitor progress and keep residents informed via future newsletters.

Clarence Harbour Pub Site Update

The former Clarence Harbour pub site, between Carrow Road and Cozens Road, has at last been cleared and secured. The site had been littered with fly-tipping for months after building work ceased. Local residents sent a petition to Environmental Health officials in July. Initially no action was taken so Green Councillor Bob Gledhill raised the issue at the October full City Council meeting and residents have continued working hard in lobbying on the matter. Council officers ended up calling in the Health and Safety Executive to order the securing of the site.

Cozens Road resident Vanessa Barber, one of the main residents involved in the campaign, said: "Thank you to everyone who helped, including the Green Councillors, for succeeding in getting the site cleared and made safe."

First Buses Under Scrutiny

Norwich City Councillors have initiated an investigation into First Bus services in the city. The Scrutiny Committees of the local Councils will be working together to challenge First Bus managers over a range of public concerns about local bus services. City Councillors will be pressing for this to be followed by the development of a strategy for bringing about reasonably-priced, reliable and comprehensive bus services in Norwich.

James Conway said: "Please get in touch if you have a local bus issue you would like the Green Councillors to raise in the investigation. The Green Party Councillors continue to press for a Quality Bus Contract to bring about greater public regulation over local bus services."