Torridge and West Devon Liberal Democrats
PeopleLiberal Democrats Representatives and Prospective Candidates at all levels of government. Adam Symons PPC
|
Adam Symons NewsFor more information on any of the news items below contact Adam Symons on 01237 431498 or 07786 277470
Green New Year Strategy Will Boost Economy in TorridgeBacking Given to Plans for Investment in Green SchemesWednesday 31 December 2008 Firm backing has been given to plans for investment in green schemes that will make homes warmer, cut energy bills and improve public transport. The plans, called Green Road out of Recession, have been welcomed as a New Year strategy to boost the economy in Torridge. The plans will cost £12.5bn, which would be paid for by scrapping the proposed VAT cut. The vast majority of that money will be spent immediately, making a real impact on the economy and people’s lives right away. Green Road out of the Recession proposals include:
“The plans proposed by the Lib Dems will give an immediate boost to the economy here in Torridge,” said PPC Adam Symons. “By insulating people’s homes, it will help thousands of residents whose heating bills have gone through the roof in the past year. In particular, the money which needs to be spent to boost the economy, must be spent on infrastructure which will help the economy to grow, and reduce the costs for householders in Torridge. We believe that serious investment in our future will set our economy on the right track towards sustained recovery.”
Greener Driving Will Save You CashAnd Reduce the Impact on the EnvironmentFriday 12 December 2008 The local Lib Dems PPC for Torridge and West Devon has given the thumbs up to a ten point plan which could save motorists a large amount of cash and reduce the impact on the environment. The Energy Saving Trust’s scheme lists ten easy steps to using less fuel whilst driving. Sticking to it would allow a vehicle to go 15% further on the same amount of fuel. Data shows that if every driver in Torridge & West Devon were to follow the 10 point plan, they would pump out up to 11,700 tonnes of CO2 less each year. The Trust is a joint venture between Government and top private companies including BP and EDF. It has found that simple measures such as inflating tyres properly can have a dramatic impact on your wallet, health and local environment. 
Adam Symons, taking on board the top ten tips for greener driving. The Trust also recommends driving away immediately, rather than idling, to let the engine warm up, and turning your engine off in a traffic jam as practical everyday ways to reap the benefits of lower fuel consumption. Adam said, “The Energy Savings Trust’s list has some great ideas for saving money and the environment. They are simple ideas that can make a big difference to the pockets of Torridge residents and to local air quality. Commenting, Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, said: “Spending less on filling up the car would be a bonus for everyone this Christmas, but it is not only our wallets that should feel better if we all become energy-efficient drivers. “The local benefits of following these simple rules can be huge, making a valuable difference to the environment and helping to reduce the impact on health from noxious exhaust fumes.” The list of proposals for greener, cheaper driving can be found at energy saving trust - travel. Photo: Adam Symons, taking on board the top ten tips for greener driving Note: The list: 1. Check your revs - change up before 2,500rpm (petrol) and 2,000rpm (diesel). 2. Anticipate road conditions and drive smoothly, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking. This saves fuel and reduces accident rates. 3. Use air conditioning sparingly as it significantly increases fuel consumption. 4. The most efficient speed depends upon the car in question but is typically around 45 - 50mph. Faster speed will greatly increase your fuel consumption. 5. Drive away immediately when starting from cold - idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid engine wear. 6. Accessories such as roof racks, bike carriers, and roof boxes significantly affect your car's aerodynamics and reduce fuel efficiency, so remember to remove them when not in use. 7. Avoid short journeys - a cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can take five miles to become effective. 8. Plan your journeys to avoid congestion, road works and getting lost. 9. Check your tyre pressure regularly - under-inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%. 10. If you're stuck in a jam, switch the engine off if you expect to be there for more than a minute or two. Cutting the engine will save fuel and reduce emissions.
Welcome For Rural Taxis to Replace Bus Services in TorridgeShared Taxi Services Could Transform Rural TransportThursday 11 December 2008 A cautious welcome has been given to the idea of replacing rural bus services in Torridge with taxis. Adam Symons, Lib Dems Prospective MP for Torridge and West Devon, said; “We must think of positive ways we can increase access for people in rural areas.” The ideas have come from the Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT) which identified that shared taxi services could transform rural transport and address a worrying trend in social exclusion. 
A move from big buses to taxis - Adam Symons ponders the change and buses verses taxis in rural areas. Their work identified that rural bus provision has declined over the past 20 years as bus operators focus on more lucrative urban markets. The situation has been compounded by the move away from local service provision - the closure of post offices, shops and garages - resulting in poor access to many facilities for many in Torridge. The commission is calling for a large scale, long-term pilot to assess the benefits of shared taxi schemes. Adam Symons said: “It is clear from the residents surveys we have carried out recently, that access to services, and problems with transport are high on the list of concerns for people in rural areas, such as Frithlestock. For elderly people, ensuring that they can get to local services is a real worry. This concern has grown as we lose Post Offices and community shops. Many of our local communities lost regular buses.” “It is time that we rethought our approach to access. I support this work, and believe that more flexible forms of transport, such as taxis, which meet people's needs, are in important step forward. We must think of positive ways we can increase access for people in rural areas.” Dr Lynn Sloman, who chairs the commission’s working group, said rural communities faced difficulties. “Dispersed, small populations are hard to serve using conventional buses, and in many rural areas bus services are infrequent, stop early in the day, and don't run at all at weekends. “Not surprisingly, people feel they can't rely on public transport and instead use private cars. But the evidence shows that this leads to real hardship, with low-income households forced into car ownership when they cannot really afford it.”
Note: Research by Mott MacDonald on behalf the commission assessed shared taxi schemes, known as "TaxiPlus" services, from across Europe and the UK. TaxiPlus schemes operating on a large scale are particularly successful in the Netherlands and Switzerland where sophisticated journey matching software is used to match people's trips. Because TaxiPlus services only run when requested, they are more cost-effective than conventional bus services in remote areas and at off-peak times. This enables the provision of services seven days a week from early in the morning until late at night in places where a conventional bus service would be unviable. Schemes in mainland Europe provided up to 50 times as many passenger trips as typical schemes in England, and achieved significant economies of scale. On the back of these findings, the commission has now recommended a pilot TaxiPlus scheme, running at least at county level and over seven years. It suggests offering subsidised, on-demand, door-to-door services linking to other transport modes with bookable services at off-peak times on core bus routes. The pilot would evaluate how shared taxis could improve accessibility, raise social inclusion, and offer other social benefits. It would also test potential to achieve modal shift away from the private car, bringing with it climate change benefits that would justify additional subsidy. Although there are no insurmountable regulatory or legislative obstacles to the development of TaxiPlus schemes in the UK, the framework is complicated. In the medium term, reforms to the licensing system for taxis and to the funding for public transport would help stimulate services in rural areas.
Tax Office Closure Marks Unfortunate TrendGovernment does not care about rural areas5th December 2008 News that Bideford’s tax office will be closed by the summer of 2010 has been met with dismay by local parliamentary candidate Adam Symons. Adam said: “When I talk to people out on the doorstep, they are fed up with the increasing number of call centres. They want to be able to visit and contact people who understand their local situation. The loss of this office just leads to the feeling that the Government does not care about local people and businesses.” “We seem to be asking people to travel more, right at the time when they are facing hardship, and when travel costs have been rising. Often, when we lose these types of services from towns, it hits the most vulnerable hardest. Those without internet access and without landlines often find it impossible to get in contact with these services without it costing them.” “This unfortunate trend just makes life harder for those we should be helping the most. We should actually be providing local residents with more local joined up services, so that when people have problems, they know who to turn to.”
Queen’s Speech Will Not Help FamiliesA Wasted OpportunityThursday 4 December 2008 The Government’s plans for new laws will do little to help hard-pressed families in Torridge and West Devon claims local Lib Dems Parliamentary Candidate, Adam Symons. The plans were outlined in the Queen’s Speech but disappointed Liberal Democrats say that the Government’s announcements will do very little to help people in Torridge cope with the recession. “The measures given in the Queen’s Speech are not enough to help people with the real problems we are now facing,” said Adam, PPC for Torridge and West Devon. “We need legislation to change the way energy tariffs work to make sure people get the cheapest prices for their essential fuel and power, and changes to taxes to put money back in people’s pockets. “With the massive discounts on offer in the shops at the moment, the short term trimming of VAT will make little difference and what we need is income tax cuts targeted at low earners and paid for through closing tax and pension loopholes. Residents of Torridge and West Devon who are worried by the economic situation will find little comfort in this programme. “We need action to force the banks to lend money on fair terms to small businesses and families – and make it quite clear that if the banks cannot be made to act, the government will lend directly itself. “The Government wasted the opportunity to help people in last week’s Pre-Budget Report and now with the Queen's Speech they are wasting it again.”
Free Childcare For Every Family in Torridge & West DevonBenefit From New ProposalsWednesday 3 December 2008 Children and parents in Torridge & West Devon will benefit from new proposals for free childcare for every family, according to Torridge and West Devon Lib Dem PPC Adam Symons. Adam has welcomed the proposals, launched by Party Leader Nick Clegg, which offer parents:
“I am very pleased Nick Clegg has launched these proposals,” said Adam. “Paying for childcare is a real struggle for many parents, particularly when times are tough.” “As we enter the recession, more parents are going to find themselves having to look for work or wanting a part-time job to bring in some extra money. The need for flexible and affordable childcare has therefore never been more urgent. These proposals offer real help to families in Torridge.” “My wife and I are due to have our first child in April, and we think these proposals will meet with approval from all families. Paid parental leave will give both parents in Torridge & West Devon an opportunity to spend meaningful time with their newborn baby during those precious first months.” The proposals will be debated at the party's conference in March.
Note: Additional quotes from Nick Clegg include: Nick Clegg said, “Britain is a long way off becoming a child-friendly country. Our childcare provisions are among the worst in Europe. They discriminate against workless parents and freeze fathers out of looking after their young children. What we need is a childcare revolution. “Finding childcare that fits around a family's needs can be a real struggle for parents. “The Liberal Democrats want to make things easier for parents and give children the best start in life by providing free, good quality childcare for every family. “With family budgets getting tighter, more parents are looking at going back to work or training to bring in some extra money. The need for flexible and affordable childcare has therefore never been more urgent. “As a father of two young sons, I know what a struggle it can be for fathers to take time off work to spend with their newborn child. “Paid parental leave - giving both parents the opportunity to spend meaningful time with their baby - will put mothers and fathers on a more equal footing and give families a chance to bond and enjoy those important first months.”
Water Quality Success WelcomedClean Beach and Bathing WaterTuesday 2 December 2008 Hartland Quay has passed a major quality test which shows that the bathing water is of a good quality, suitable for swimming. The results were welcomed by Adam Symons, Councillor for Hartland and Bradworthy who wants more visitors to visit the area to boost tourism. Adam said, “Tourism is vital to our local economy so I am delighted that Hartland Quay has passed the quality test. It may be a bit chilly at the moment but next year we want lots of people to come here and have a great holiday.” “So having a clean beach and bathing water is vital to attract visitors to Hartland.” “The slide in the pound means foreign holidays are more expensive. People can come to Hartland instead, have a great value holiday and enjoy the very best of what we have to offer.”
Note: The tests were carried out by environmental watchdog, the Environment Agency, which tested every main beach in the UK. Westward Ho! was also tested and also passed the water quality test.
|