Safer Streets In Peterborough – Petition On Council Agenda

07:19 Monday 15th April 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[P]AUL STAINTON: There have been renewed calls for Peterborough City Council to support the 20 is Plenty campaign. Residents in Park Ward have compiled a petition calling for lower speed limits in their neighbourhood, whilst opposition councillors will also be raising the issue at this week’s Council meeting. Our reporter Johnnie D. is in Park Ward this morning. Morning Johnnie.
JOHN DEVINE: Good morning Paul. We have to explain that 20s Plenty is a national campaign to make 20mph the default speed limit wherever people live, in residential areas of course, instead of 30mph like it is now. Cambridgeshire County Council have signed up for it. Peterborough City Council have not yet, and I’m actually now standing talking to you Paul from Princes Gate in Peterborough, which runs alongside the entrance to Central Park, a public green space. Lots of joggers and dog walkers around even now. The road is not very long, but it’s in the middle of Princes Street , which is one side, and Princes Gardens which is the other. And they cross importantly Broadway, a very busy road, and Park Road. So it’s like two very very busy crossroads, either side of this short road I’m on now. And there’s residential housing each side of those roads, cars parked either side of the street, an area where you wouldn’t like to see speeding traffic really Paul. I’ve got with me this morning Richard Ferris from the 20s Plenty campaign for Peterborough, and Labour councillor John Shearman. So Richard first, why does this area need a 20mph speed limit?
RICHARD FERRIS: Because we’ve got very narrow streets here, as you say, and it’s become very dangerous now for pedestrians and cyclists. You see a lot of cycling on pavements, because cyclists no longer feel safe on the roads. The traffic speeds round here are above 30mph, at least 50% of them. And it would just make for a safer environment for everybody.
JOHN DEVINE: We’ve seen two or three examples already standing here this early of illegal driving, haven’t we, just up the road here? Continue reading “Safer Streets In Peterborough – Petition On Council Agenda”

University Boathouse Ely Wildlife Fears

17:31 Friday 12th April 2013
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[C]HRIS MANN: Plans to build a boathouse by Cambridge University on a greenfield site south of Ely are not attracting much local support. That at least appeared to be the case with people who got in touch with East Cambs District Council about the University’s planning application. Out of more than 230 comments, more that 75% of those who took part objected. Ewan Pearson is the Boat Club’s spokeman, and I spoke to him earlier. Continue reading “University Boathouse Ely Wildlife Fears”

BBC Dilemma Over Thatcher Witch Song

08:51 Friday 12th April 2013
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BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[P]AUL STAINTON: Before we go, we’ll end with the controversy on the song Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead. A lot of people who are vehemently against Margaret Thatcher and were out celebrating her death this week have been encouraging people to download and buy the Wizard of Oz track. Which should take preference though? Freedom of speech or good taste? That’s the debate that’s broken out ahead of this Sunday’s Chart Show. Because the song in the mid-week charts was at number four, and there are reports that it could be number one by this Sunday. But supporters of the Iron Lady are urging the BBC not to play the song, out of respect to the former Prime Minister. ..Some think it should be played, some think it shouldn’t. Gennaro Castaldo is from HMV of course. He’s been looking at the sales this week. Morning Gennaro.
GENNARO CASTALDO: Morning Paul.
PAUL STAINTON: Are the BBC going to be forced to play it? Is it going to be number one? Continue reading “BBC Dilemma Over Thatcher Witch Song”

Cambridge City Council And The Welfare Reforms

17:23 Thursday 11th April 2013
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[C]HRIS MANN: Cambridgeshire has been named as one of the areas in Britain where people will be best off as a result of the Government’s welfare reforms. It says former industrial areas including Middlesborough, Liverpool and Glasgow will be disproportionately affected. However, wealthier areas, predominantly in the South, such as Cambridgeshire, Surrey and the Cotswolds, will see the smallest financial losses. In a moment we’ll debate the reforms with two local politicians, but first let’s find out more about the research. Here’s Professor Steve Fothergill, formerly of Cambridgeshire University, now of Hallam, who led the study. (TAPE)
STEVE FOTHERGILL: Well, everybody’s known that the welfare reforms were going to take large amounts of money out of people’s pockets and out of the economy. Continue reading “Cambridge City Council And The Welfare Reforms”

Nigel Farage Passing Through Peterborough

08:18 Wednesday 10th April 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

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[P]AUL STAINTON: Last time we spoke to our next guest, he bemoaned the lack of English speaking migrants in Peterborough. He also said he thought people get on less well in the city than they did ten years ago. Well today, he’ll visit different parts of Peterborough, as part of his tour of England as we head towards local elections of course on May 2nd. Of course, referring to Nigel Farage, Leader of Ukip. We’ll speak to him in a moment, but first our reporter Johnny D in what’s often described as the Polish quarter of Peterborough. Good morning Johnny. Where are you? Continue reading “Nigel Farage Passing Through Peterborough”

Derek Hatton Perspective On The Death Of Margaret Thatcher

08:38 Wednesday 10th April 2013
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BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[P]AUL STAINTON: I don’t know if you’ve seen the pictures in the papers today of some of the demonstrations that were taking place around the UK yesterday, some parties almost to celebrate the death of Margaret Thatcher. Many people commenting about the death of course, and paying tribute and having their say. Some people very critical of Margaret Thatcher’s reign. But it’s in the papers this morning, pictures in Liverpool, Bristol, Brixton, with banners celebrating her death, young people on the streets who, to be honest, not even old enough to remember who Maggie Thatcher was or what she stood for. Well, sickening scenes, some say. Many mourning the passing of Baroness Thatcher. Some paying tribute. And then those people on the streets. Glasgow as well, Belfast and other places had those parties. They were calling them Thatcher death parties. Well Derek Hatton, who was the Deputy Leader of Liverpool City Council in the 1980s, famed for his anti-Thatcher rhetoric of course, says whilst he wouldn’t join in the protests, he wouldn’t condemn those who were involved in it either. Well Derek’s with us now. Derek, morning.
DEREK HATTON: Good morning.
PAUL STAINTON: You wouldn’t condemn those people who were out on the streets having Thatcher death parties? Continue reading “Derek Hatton Perspective On The Death Of Margaret Thatcher”

Parkway Dreams

08:50 Tuesday 9th April 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[P]AUL STAINTON: It’s a new musical play exploring the evolution of Peterborough and it’s being performed in the city later this month. It’s called Parkway Dreams. It’s local theatre company Eastern Angles’ 100th production. It’s previewing at the Key Theatre before touring to 12 venues across the East of England. Pleased to say that two of the people behind Parkway Dreams, Ivan Cutting and Rob Jackson are here. Morning.
BOTH: Morning.
PAUL STAINTON: Ivan I will hazard a guess that you’re the Director.
IVAN CUTTING: I am. Yes.
PAUL STAINTON: You’ve got that directorial look about you sir.
IVAN CUTTING: Do I look that worried? Haggard?
PAUL STAINTON: Steven Spielberg-esque.
IVAN CUTTING: Thank you.
PAUL STAINTON: You have that look. I’ll say Rob, you probably play the part of Peter.
ROB JACKSON: I do play the part of Peter.
PAUL STAINTON: Yes. That is. Parkway Dreams. First of all, looking at the parkways around Peterborough, all concreted over and semi-circular, not the stuff of dreams for a lot of people. Continue reading “Parkway Dreams”

Ukip Launch County Council Campaign

17:46 Friday 5th April 2013
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[C]HRIS MANN: Ukip has revealed the seats it will fight at the up and coming County Council elections on May 2nd. They are to contest all seats in both Fenland and Huntingdonshire, and it shows that their promised push is certainly going to take place here in the East of England. Let’s bring in a County Councillor and one of their organisers for the area, Peter Reeve. Hello Peter.
PETER REEVE: Good afternoon.
CHRIS MANN: So just tell us the news in terms of Cambridgeshire and what you’re going to fight.
PETER REEVE: Yes. Starting with the East of England we’re fighting 318 of the 380 seats, so most of the East of England itself will have a Ukip candidate. Here in Cambridgeshire we’re fighting 54 of the 69 seats that are up.
CHRIS MANN: Ok. Let’s not talk about the individual ..
PETER REEVE: So you can have a Ukip led Council if people want it.
CHRIS MANN: Ok. Don’t talk about individual seats, that’s all I’m going to ask you. Continue reading “Ukip Launch County Council Campaign”