Karen Lewing and Hannah Cooper, Arboretum Ward city councillors, are keen to promote the ways in which residents can get rid of furniture and other large items in an effort to stop the fly-tipping that takes place in some of the private alleyways between and behind houses in the area.

Karen said, “ Unfortunately, there are people who think it’s ok to dump items they no longer want in private alleyways and once one item is there, they multiply until it is an unsightly mess.”

“Hannah and I have asked the enforcement officers at the city council to take action and we were pleased to see one alleyway recently cleared, but it’s still bad in other streets, and there isn’t any excuse for it. St. Richards Hospice and The British Heart Foundation both offer a brilliant free service for collecting furniture that is good enough to be sold and raise funds. They will also take electrical items so long as they still work.”

Hannah said, “The City Council have a bulky waste collection if residents need help to get rid of large items that are not suitable for resale. However, if people receive council tax support they can use the collection service for free. To request a collection please go to the city council’s website and book a collection. If you do not have access to the internet, please call the city council on 01905 722 233 or speak to staff at the customer service centre at the Guildhall in town.”

The post No excuse for fly-tipping, say City Councillors appeared first on Worcester Green Party.

Cllr Andrew Cross’s online petition calling for the car parks at closed County Hall to be opened up to ease pressure on the car parks at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester has no gained more than 500 signatures.

Other proposals, which form part of the petition, include installing a Beryl Bike bay near County Hall and the ‘immediate implementation of a park and ride’ at Sixways to serve the hospital which so far has yet to happen.

The park and ride scheme, which was due to launch in the autumn, has yet to go live.

Meanwhile, plans for a new 850-space multi-storey carpark for the hospital have been submitted but are set to take months to build so offer no quick-fix solution to the delays faced daily by patients, visitors and NHS staff.

However, Worcestershire County Council has ruled out the use of its carparks by hospital patients and staff. A council spokesperson said: “While the main County Hall offices are not in use, the car park is still needed to accommodate staff and visitors to the wider County Hall campus including Wildwood. The County Hall car park has also been used to accommodate specialist contractor vehicles and equipment for ongoing investigative works.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Cross, a Green Party city and county councillor, said patients including newborn babies and their parents, are stuck in the long queues snaking in and out of the hospital.

He said: “I have created this petition out of frustration that it is taking so long to resolve the long-standing problem of dire congestion at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

“In April this year, Cllr Katie Collier and I witnessed first-hand the grim congestion at the hospital. To show the extent of the problem, we created a sped-up walk-past video of the cars queueing for about 90 minutes to leave the hospital.

“In July, after the closure of County Hall due to legionella and RAAC (crumbling concrete), I wrote to senior County officers who advised that there were no legal or logistical barriers to doing opening up the County Hall car parks for overspill hospital parking;  they said it was a political decision.

“I forwarded this reply to the political leader of the county council, asking him to consider this, but did not even receive an acknowledgement.”

Cllr Cross said he hoped a new park and ride scheme would be running by autumn.

To sign the petition click here.

The city councillor for Leopard Hill and county councillor for Warndon Parish said:  “But now it is nearly Christmas, and the situation for hospital staff, patients and visitors remains just as bad, and the park and ride is still at least “weeks away”.

“The hospital has a planning application in (hybrid with the new school) for a multi-storey car park with new entrance off A4440, but that will take at least a year to build if approved.

“At our weekly councillor surgery today, a resident who works at the hospital told Katie and me of the discharge of newborn babies being delayed by congestion on the hospital site, adding to clinical pressure in the hospital.

“Allowing hospital overflow parking at County Hall is a short-term measure which would have immediate beneficial impact.”

(Worcester News 18/12/24)

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Cllr Andrew Cross, supported by other Green Party councillors, has now set up an online petition calling for an urgent solution to the gridlock at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester to end once and for all the suffering of patients, visitors and staff.

Launched on action network, the thrust of the petition is to open County Hall for hospital parking as soon as possible. 

But the county council said the car parks are still in use.

The suggestion comes after a delay to the park-and-ride scheme at Sixways for hospital staff which had been planned to reduce congestion around the hospital site.

Meanwhile, a multi-storey car park will take months to build and so offers no quick fix to the problem which adds stress to patients at times when they may already be suffering from ill-health.

A park and ride scheme for Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester based at Sixways was due to launch in the early autumn, easing pressure on roads like Newtown Road and the A4440.

However, it has yet to go live. Meanwhile, County Hall has been closed since June 21 and the car parks stand virtually empty and underused. 

The closure occurred when the legionella bacterium was found in the water supply, compounded by the existence of dangerous concrete.

The presence of RAAC means parts of County Hall have been off-limits since September last year.

Cllr Cross is supported by Katie Collier who has seen first-hand the impact of the parking and traffic issues at the hospital when her dad was a patient for months following complications with a hip replacement. 

“My mother suffered an incredible amount of stress. It was an added amount of stress and anguish for my mum,” said the city councillor for Leopard Hill. 

Cllr Cross, a county councillor for Warndon Parish and city councillor for Leopard Hill, said: “Traffic congestion at our hospital’s site has been dire for far too long and the county council has done little to help.

“For over a year now, staff, patients and visitors get delayed for hours nearly every day in the hospital car parks – yet the massive car parks at County Hall are almost totally vacant because the building is unusable.

“We demand immediate action.”

“Worcestershire County Council’s empty car parks at County Hall are just a few minutes’ traffic-free walk away from the hospital. Allowing these car parks to be used for overspill hospital parking could reduce congestion on the hospital site immediately, while the longer-term solutions are put in place.”

Those who sign the petition, sponsored by Worcester Green Party, are calling for ‘car parks at County Hall to be opened up immediately for use by hospital staff, patients and visitors’.

The petition also calls for Worcestershire County Council to permit a Beryl Bike bay to be installed near County Hall and the ‘immediate implementation of a park and ride system at Sixways to serve the hospital’.

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “While the main County Hall offices are not in use, the car park is still needed to accommodate staff and visitors to the wider County Hall campus including Wildwood.

“The County Hall car park has also been used to accommodate specialist contractor vehicles and equipment for ongoing investigative works.”

To sign our petition, please click on the button below:

The post Worcestershire Royal Hospital traffic chaos: call for action appeared first on Worcester Green Party.

The idea is to better understand the needs of older people and for the city council to take these into account when making decisions.

There are already more than 85 Age-friendly Communities in the UK – places recognised for enabling people to age well and contribute to their communities.

A motion setting the ball rolling for Worcester to join that list was introduced to Worcester City Council by Cllr Karen Lewing on Tuesday (December 10).

She said there are “strong foundations already” in Worcester but the scheme would give the council a framework for “more impactful results”.

“Projections show that within two decades one in four of us will be over 65 and at the same time, there is a growing divide in experiences of ageing, with the poorest people living shorter lives and spending many more years in bad health,” said Cllr Lewing.

“If we view everything in a community through the lens of an older person’s perspective, issues like full accessibility and inclusion for them mean everyone can benefit.

“I really believe we must act now to adapt and create a city that meets the needs of all residents.”

As part of the motion, which was supported unanimously by members, one of the council’s committees will make an official application to join the UK network of Age-friendly Communities, as a first step towards joining the World Health Organisation’s global network.

The committee will also look into the creation of a new ‘Age Friendly Champion’ for Worcester.

The city council already has member champions for the armed forces; heritage; children and young people; equality, diversity and inclusion; and personal safety and civility.

These are councillors who act as advocates for particular themes or communities.

(Worcester News 15/12/24)

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Tor Pingree, Green Party councillor for St Clement, has launched the petition calling for greater investment in enabling children to get to school safely.

The petition highlights how active travel, such as walking, wheeling or cycling, is good for mental and physical health of children, adds exercise to their daily routine and reduces congestion on the city’s roads.

Cllr Pingree said: “We hear on the doorsteps that children love cycling to school and you can see this in the success of our city’s Bike Buses.

“The problem is that our infrastructure doesn’t do much to enable and encourage more active travel.”

The petition calls for drastic improvements to road infrastructure, including segregated cycle lanes, lowering the speed limits on some roads and the addition of new crossing points near schools.

The Green Party would also like to see more benches, public toilets and ramps available for those with additional needs.

Cllr Pingree added: “Many families without access to a vehicle already take children to school by other means, and more would choose to leave the car at home if the routes were safer.”

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “We are dedicated to transforming the way we travel by prioritising active travel options including cycling, walking and wheeling across our key towns and Worcester city. 

“As part of this commitment, we are actively developing Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) for each area.

The plans aim to create safe, more accessible routes and encourage a healthier, more sustainable way of getting around.”

The LCWIPs could also unlock funding opportunities for the county should plans align with government initiatives.

The spokesperson also highlighted recent projects that have supported active travel, such as the recent opening of the Kepax Bridge in Worcester.

To sign the petition; click on the button below

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The Lower Hall of the Guildhall in Worcester contains a list of recipients of Freedom of the City going back to Lord Nelson in 1802. Freedom of the City is awarded to a person or group who has provided “eminent service” to the people of Worcester.

Worcester Green Party put the motion forward to the council to recognise that key workers provided dedicated and unstinting service to residents throughout the pandemic, and particularly through the three lockdowns. It was at least equal to that of many previous recipients of Freedom of the City.

When it was put to the vote, all Green Party councillors present voted in favour of the motion. The Labour administration and most Liberal Democrats voted against, so the motion was lost and key workers will not be awarded Freedom of the City.

Speaking after the council meeting, Alex Mace, who proposed the motion said “I am proud to have put this motion forward today and to have the opportunity to express my thanks to key workers. Many councillors spoke movingly of their experiences during the pandemic. I am disappointed that the Labour administration didn’t agree there was a practical way to award Freedom of the City to key workers, when other councils such as South Tyneside and Brighton have been able to do just that. Residents should ask them why they could not support this recognition.”

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Community Advocacy and Leadership

Hannah is longstanding member of Worcester’s cycling community, helping Bike Worcester to advocate for better infrastructure and encourage more people to take up cycling. Her campaigns focus on addressing common challenges, such as unsafe roads, limited cycle lanes, and a lack of secure bike parking.

Hannah is often spotted on her dutch cargo bike, cycling for every day journeys, as well as with the Bike Bus for her children’s school. By running the bike bus, she not only promotes active travel among young people but also raises awareness about the need for safer routes for cyclists of all ages.

Promoting Change in Worcester

In her role as a councillor, Hannah has consistently highlighted the benefits of cycling as a practical and sustainable mode of transport in Council meetings and other functions. She played a vital role in ensuring Worcester’s first pump track was built in Battenhall Park, championed Bike Worcester’s accessibility campaign leading to removing cycling barriers and ensuring increased bike parking facilities across the city. Voices like Hannah’s are crucial to help improve infrastructure and lead to increased cycling rates in the City.

Recognition and Looking Ahead

Hannah’s inclusion in Cycling UK’s Top 100 Women in Cycling celebrates her dedication and impact. For her, the recognition is a chance to emphasise the importance of prioritising active travel in urban development.

“I’m honored to be part of a community that’s driving change,” she said recently. “Cycling isn’t just a personal passion—it’s a way to improve health, reduce congestion, and create a better city for everyone.”

Looking ahead, Hannah plans to continue campaigning for comprehensive cycling infrastructure improvements. Her work demonstrates how grassroots advocacy and public service can combine to promote positive change in local communities.

Hannah’s efforts, both through Bike Worcester and her council role, highlight the power of community-led action in making cities more sustainable and accessible for all.

(Bike Worcester 13/12/2024)

The post Cllr Hannah Cooper: Cycling UK Champion! appeared first on Worcester Green Party.

Neil Laurenson made the suggestion at a full meeting of Worcester City Council on Tuesday, December 10.

The Green councillor asked council leader Lynn Denham if she’d be in favour of flying the flag of Palestine, but Cllr Denham gave a technical response and avoided answering the question.

“Councils in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Rochdale flew the Palestinian flag on November 29 to mark the date when, in 1947, the United Nations formally adopted the plan to partition Palestine,” said Cllr Laurenson.

Would you as leader of this council be in favour of flying the Palestinian flag above the Guildhall and in Cathedral Square?”

Cllr Denham replied: “Within this council there are rules and requirements around what flags can be flown.

“Flags flown at the Guildhall are in accordance with the guidance published by the department for culture, media and sport.

“There are designated days when the union flag must be flown. The guidance also states that where UK government buildings have only one flagpole the union flag should be flown every day except on certain occasions when other flags may be flown.

“Requests from councillors and members of the public to fly other flags are considered by the managing director and officers with delegated authority.”

Cllr Laurenson had previously asked: “What flags have been flown on the Guildhall and in Cathedral Square since the start of 2021?”

Cllr Denham said that since January 2021, the union flag, the commonwealth flag and the armed forces flag had been flown at the Guildhall.

In 2024, the union flag, the Ukraine flag, the Worcestershire county flag, the pride flag, black history flag, the Windrush flag, the Flag of Peace and St George’s flag have all been flown in Cathedral Square.

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Cllr Andrew Cross, a city and county councillor, has reported the missing roadside gully covers in Vetch Field Avenue in Warndon Villages in Worcester but his concern is that others may have been stolen.

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “We have received reports of around 10 missing covers in the Warndon area.

“All have been made safe by our teams and orders have been placed to replace the covers.”

The missing drain covers came to Cllr Cross’s attention as the county was battered by Storm Darragh which prompted a yellow warning in Worcestershire for high winds as several trees were blown down, blocking roads.

However, because West Mercia Police have no CCTV evidence to show the suspected thefts in progress, the investigation has already been closed until more lines of enquiry become available. 

The missing covers add to the hangover for those tasked with clearing up in the wake of the storm which has already caused train cancellations and power cuts and forced various events, including markets in Worcester, to be cancelled for safety reasons.

A yellow weather warning for wind was in place across the city for most of the weekend with winds reaching around 60mph.

Worcestershire County Council’s highways team were called to around 150 incidents on Saturday alone as fallen trees closed major roads including Bromsgrove Road in Droitwich and Barbourne Road in Worcester.

Cllr Cross said: “As this is a safety issue, I also called the out-of-hours emergency team who will temporarily make them safe tonight [Sunday].

“The team advised that several gully covers have been stolen around Worcester this weekend.

“This is dangerous for road users and extra work for the already-stretched highways team during a named storm.”

Cllr Cross, who represents Warndon Parish for the county council and Leopard Hill for the city council on behalf of the Green Party, said he had reported the missing covers to both Worcestershire County Council and West Mercia Police.

However, he asked others who see missing covers to report them online by visiting the Worcestershire County Council website and to let their nearest county councillor know about it too. 

Cllr Cross said: “If anyone saw any gully covers being stolen over the weekend, please let me know. I am very keen to have any identifying evidence, or timings of when they were taken. Please don’t post evidence on social media, but email to across1@worcestershire.gov.uk.”

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said:  “We received a report yesterday (December 8) of the theft of two gully covers on Vetch Field Avenue in Worcester.

“Due to no suspect identified or CCTV available, the investigation has been closed pending further investigative opportunities becoming available.”

(Worcester News 10/12/2024)

The post Vetch Field Avenue drain covers stolen during Strom Darragh appeared first on Worcester Green Party.

Councillors Andrew Cross and Katie Collier decided to clean the dirty climbing wall themselves at Great Oaty Gardens play park in Warndon Villages, Worcester after a complaint was made about its poor condition.

It was not so much the dream team as the Green team when Cllr Cross, a Green Party county councillor for Warndon Parish and a city councillor for Leopard Hill and Cllr Collier, a Green city councillor for Leopard Hill, carried out the clean-up on Monday morning. 

Both wanted to carry out the work themselves because they said the city council was overstretched after Storm Darragh which has toppled trees and caused power cuts across the county.

Cllr Katie Collier said: “A resident was concerned about the muddy climbing wall at Great Oaty play park. Given how stretched city council officers will be following the major storm this weekend, we thought it made sense to come and deal with it ourselves.

“I’ll be following up this broken part, and also what can be done regarding the flooring around the other piece of play equipment to keep it usable in this weather.”

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That’s the idea behind a bid to make the city an Age-friendly Community.

These are places recognised for enabling people to age well and contribute to their communities for as long as possible.

The concept was developed by the World Health Organisation in 2007 and there are more than 85 Age-friendly Communities in the UK.

City councillor Karen Lewing is passionate about the scheme and is hoping for the support of others when she introduces a motion before full council next week.

“If we can’t meet the needs of older people then everyone loses out,” she said.

“Older people bring experience and expertise but we risk missing out on that through ill health, poverty and discrimination.

“Sometimes we look at older people as a burden but they are often able to work, they volunteer and they run community groups.”

Cllr Lewing said becoming an Age-friendly Community is partly about having a more joined-up approach as a council.

It would also involve working more alongside charities that she said do “so much for people in the city”.

“It’s about having the needs of older people at the heart of our decisions,” she said.

The motion itself calls for the council to make an official application to join the UK register of Age-friendly Communities.

Cllr Lewing also wants to see a councillor take on a new role of ‘Age Friendly Champion’.

The council already has member champions for the armed forces; heritage; children and young people; equality, diversity and inclusion; and personal safety and civility.

These are councillors who act as advocates for particular themes or communities.

Cllr Lewing says older people aren’t served by the current roles.

“An Age Friendly Champion would work with community groups, speak to charities, use our social media and influence policy,” she said.

“As an architect I’m aware of the limitations of place – level crossings, dropped kerbs and other barriers.

“But it’s not just about the physical world. It’s about inclusion – our older population is more diverse than ever before.”

(Worcester News 7/12/2024)

The post Worcester needs to start better meeting the needs of older people appeared first on Worcester Green Party.

The spend, which will be used to fund three projects on top of Worcester City Council’s usual gull control work, was ratified by policy and resources committee on Tuesday (November 19).

It had previously been agreed by the council’s environment committee earlier this month.

Lloyd Griffiths, the council’s corporate director for operations, homes and communities, said: “There’s a core budget for gulls that stands at around £30,000.

“That covers three elements – subsidised work around gull-proofing, subsidised egg and nest removal and officers costs.

“Officers’ recommendation is that money is taken from reserves, rather than adding it as a budget pressure,” said Mr Griffiths, adding that there are three sets of environmental reserves containing a total of more than £200,000.

The additional money will fund the gull-proofing homes in areas where gulls have been displaced to, nest and egg removal from a vacant BT building in Charles Street and anti-perching measures in High Street.

Councillor Karen Lewing, who is vice chair of the environment committee, said gull officers are confident they could make a big difference with “a little bit more money”, but as a protected species itis important that we get the right balance of keeping our license to remove nests in the most sensitive locations and also prevent damage to historic buildings and disturbance to people going about their daily business in the city centre. 

“That’s where the idea for these projects came from,” she said, “particularly the idea of getting rid of the roosting positions on the high street.

“We have seen swooping on residents when they are eating and actually it’s learned behaviour so if we can prevent it growing, that’s a really good piece of work.

“We’re also looking at a vacant building that’s next to some sensitive buildings – a doctor’s surgery and a school, so that’s also quite a vulnerable area of the city with about 18 nests across the two roofs.”

Environment committee had heard that Worcester’s biggest gull populations are in and around the Blackpole Trading Estate, Shire Business Park and the city centre.

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