The Norwich Green

First Buses Under Scutiny

Norwich City Councillors have initiated an investigation into First bus services in the city. The Scrutiny Committees of all 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 a reasonably-priced, reliable and comprehensive set of bus services in Norwich.

Councillor Rupert Read said: "Repeated price increases and an unwillingness by First to listen to public concerns have brought about a high level of discontent. The part of Earlham Road between the ring road and Fiveways is still without a local service. Some residents of Marlpit and North Earlham have highlighted the need for a more frequent service on Dereham Road in the rush hour, when full buses often pass without stopping. The Green Councillors are visiting residents with a petition on this; we already have hundreds of signatures.

Rupert Read Re-Selected

Norwich Green Party has re-selected Wensum Councillor Rupert Read to stand in the May Norwich City Council elections, when one seat in each ward will be contested. Rupert lives in the ward on Merton Road. Rupert said: "I am delighted to have been re-selected for Wensum ward, where I have enjoyed representing local residents over the last three years."

News In Brief

Good news! Following pressure from Planning Committee Councillors, UEA has agreed to make University Drive, the road from the campus to Earlham Road, two-way. The Planning Committee was aiming to improve journeys for buses going to the hospital that often get caught up in traffic around Fiveways. Green Councillors have written to UEA transport officers, urging them to consider making the new access route for public transport only, to encourage bus-use and ensure that passengers can rely on buses for getting to the hospital on time. This decision, which UEA plans to implement in the summer, should help relieve pressure on the Fiveways roundabout.

Good news! Norwich City Council has narrowly rejected an application by O2 to install a mobile phone mast outside the Earlham Road Police Station. Councillor Rupert Read and many local residents wrote in to express concern about the installation of another mast in a densely populated area. Members of the Planning Committee also expressed concern about the potential for the mast to interfere with the phone systems of the Police.

Incineration One Year On: A Public Meeting

A year after the ruling Conservatives at County Hall first announced plans to build an incinerator to burn our waste in Costessey, anti-incineration campaign group NAIL2, Norwich Friends of the Earth and the Evening News have organised another public meeting. The meeting will discuss the latest proposals (which include Trowse and Costessey as possible locations for an incinerator) and look at the alternatives to burning our waste.

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

Speakers at the meeting will include Dr Dick Van Steenis (industrial emissions specialist), Maxine Narburgh of Bright Green (zero waste expert) and Norman Brookes (meteorologist). Nelson Ward Green Councillor Adrian Ramsay will be in attendance. The meeting is open to all and will be held on Monday 29th January, 7pm at Costessey High School on Richmond Road in Costessey.