No, no to Lib Dem Councillors Tim Kent and Neil Harrison (‘The future of Bristol’s park’s’, Bristol Evening Post Open Lines, 31 Jan 2008). Their position on green spaces is far from green! The Lib Dems were clearly in favour of flogging off a big chunk of Castle Park’s green space when they ran the city just last year, until public opinion stopped them via a huge petition (see previous post here)! They seem to have conveniently short memories. If they were running the city they would now be selling off a significant portion of Bristol’s green spaces too. In fact Knowle Lib Dem Councillor Gary Hopkins fails to outright condemn and oppose the loss of 90 acres, 2.4%, which now seems to be agreed with the Parks Forum, whilst trying to give the impression he would be happier with losing 40 acres, 1.1% (‘Parks saved by council U -turn’, Post, 31 Jan 2008) – either represents a significant loss (note that the Evening Post story title should say Some Parks saved... to be considered accurate)!! Far from losing green space, any ‘UK green capital’ should be greening up our city! Everyone will appreciate that it is not news the Greens like me want more green space in our city!!
All the big parties are out of tune with what Bristol’s public wants and what our city needs. Just take a look at the comments on the petition opposing the sell off of acre after acre of green space on the city council website http://epetitions.bristol.gov.uk/signatures.php?id=166 . You will find comment after comment from people saying that green spaces are extremely valuable, for our health, wellbeing, climate, wildlife, and security from floods, and they don’t want to lose any, let alone 90 acres (2.4%) or indeed 40 acres (1.1%). Allowing such a loss would simply continue the pattern of previous year on year eating away at what is often impossible to replace once its gone. This is an ongoing pattern - when will it end?
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Deafening silence from the Lib Dems (and Tories for that matter) on whether they oppose building a bus route on the Bristol to Bath cyclepath - which would also mean s significant loss of green space.
ReplyDeleteSelective memories again?
Glenn,
ReplyDeleteI just watched the scrutiny debate about this and I could not really see any opposition from Charlie to the park sell-off.
Its been Green policy to protect, enhance and indeed where possible establish more, green spaces in cities since its very foundation – on the Castle Park issue our local website states our policy principle that Bristol’s green spaces cannot be funded by selling off sections of parks and allotments as this is not a sustainable strategy for the future. Everyone will indeed appreciate that this is not news Tim!!
ReplyDeleteThe link to Bristol Green Party's website section on Castle Park:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bristolgreenparty.org.uk/hottopics/0611castlepark.htm
I notice Gary Hopkins hasn't posted on this site since he refused to refute your claim that he had lied about you. Shame!
ReplyDeleteCllr Hopkins should post a comment to explain himself on this. He wont be able to refute that ne lied because he clearly did lie!!
ReplyDeleteI thought perhaps he might try to spin his way out of it somehow but perhaps he just feels that not that many people will get to know about it and that more people will get to know if he helps to keep the matter 'live' by commenting in any way!
Lib Dems are not giving the whole picture about their position (and Charlie Bolton's) on open space either - they are full of spin!