Category: Peterborough

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
Dribe BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[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”

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
Bigger Breakfast Show
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”

Living In The Past

17:20 Friday 5th April 2013
Drive BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[C]HRIS MANN: Thousands of civil servants across the country, some in Peterborough, have walked out for the start of a long weekend of industrial action. Unions say they’re defending their pay, pensions and work conditions. Well joining me now is Andy Reid from the Public and Commercial Services Union. Andy, hello to you.
ANDY REID: Hello.
CHRIS MANN: Who took part and why in this half-day strike in Peterborough today? Continue reading “Living In The Past”

Social Housing Left Empty In Peterborough

08:36 Tuesday 2nd April 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[R]ONNIE BARBOUR: As the Government’s planned housing benefit changes come into place, a block of flats belonging to a social housing provider is sitting empty in Peterborough. That’s according to Councillor John Shearman for Park Ward. He says there are around 25 empty flats at Muir Housing’s Elizabeth Court. As a reminder of the changes, people receiving housing benefit must pay now more rent in the future of they have a spare room. John Shearman is on the line to explain a bit more. John, good morning to you.
JOHN SHEARMAN: Good morning Ronnie.
RONNIE BARBOUR: What can you tell us about Elizabeth Court, and who lives there?
JOHN SHEARMAN: Right. Elizabeth Court is just off the centre of Peterborough, near Central Park, 53 flats altogether, 25 of them empty. In Peterborough we have about 370 long term empty properties that our Empty Property Officer is trying to fill. So that 25 is quite a sizable proportion of that number. Back in February I checked out with the Council how many applicants we had in Peterborough wanting a one bedroom property. It’s a staggering 5,262 people. Now that’s likely to be reduced now the Council has introduced a new allocations policy. But this new bedroom tax will make the situation worse.
RONNIE BARBOUR: How long have the flats been sitting empty? Continue reading “Social Housing Left Empty In Peterborough”

Peterborough Performing Well Despite Record Jobless Totals

07:20 Thursday 21st March 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[P]AUL STAINTON: Unemployment has reached a record high in Peterborough, 5.6%, well above the national average. That’s according to the latest figure from the Office of National Statistics, which show that nearly 400 more people were receiving JobSeekers’ Allowance in February than in January. Meanwhile in Cambridgeshire only 2.2% of the workforce are receiving the benefit. Well let’s speak to John Bridge, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce. Morning John.
JOHN BRIDGE: Yes good morning Paul.
PAUL STAINTON: This is very high, isn’t it?
JOHN BRIDGE: It is, and it is always disappointing when we see the level of JobSeeker Allowance people going up.
PAUL STAINTON: Why so much higher in Peterborough than elsewhere across Cambridgeshire? Continue reading “Peterborough Performing Well Despite Record Jobless Totals”