Petitions
Debate between Allison Gardner and Liam Byrne
Dr Allison Gardner (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab)
I rise to present this petition for a pedestrian crossing across the A34 at Tittensor village. Tittensor residents have been campaigning for a crossing for over 30 years, led by the indefatigable Josie Windsor. The A34 dual carriageway cuts directly through the village, separating bus stops that take people to school, doctors’ appointments and the shops.
My constituents cannot safely cross from one side to the other due to heavy and speeding traffic. Sadly, an elderly gentleman was knocked over recently. Staffordshire county council’s own assessment confirms that pedestrians experience delays waiting for safe gaps to cross. Indeed, the council has finally agreed to the crossing in principle but, as yet, has not allocated funds.
This petition, signed by over 100 constituents, requests
“that the House of Commons urge the Government to compel Staffordshire county council to deliver a crossing”
to improve pedestrian safety. My constituents cannot be left waiting for another 30 years to see their crossing delivered.
Following is the full text of the petition:
[The petition of residents of the constituency of Stoke-on-Trent South in Staffordshire,
Declares that a crossing should be added on the A34 in Tittensor to improve road safety and pedestrian access to services and public transport.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to compel Staffordshire County Council to deliver a crossing in Tittensor.
And the petitioners remain, etc.]
[P003249]
Liam Byrne (Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North) (Lab)
I rise to present this petition on behalf of residents of Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North. It insists that Ward End fire station must stay open.
The Fire Brigades Union has been warning for the last couple of months that un-thought-through cuts by West Midlands fire service imperil this fire station, yet the wildfires that we had across the constituency over the course of the summer underline how every single second counts and why these plans are wrong, wrong, wrong. They have not been discussed with the mayor; they are precipitate, and they need to be dropped now.
The petitioners therefore request
“that the House of Commons urge the Government to work with the West Midlands Fire Service and other relevant bodies to keep Ward End Fire Station open.
And the petitioners remain, etc.”
Following is the full text of the petition:
[The petition of residents of Birmingham Hodge Hill & Solihull North.
This petition declares that the West Midlands Fire Service must keep Ward End Fire Station open; further that firefighters have warned that the Service is considering the closure and sale of the station; further that such a closure would leave a gap in local fire cover for residents of Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North, with crews having to travel further to reach emergencies; further that fire engines would be moved to the Fire Service headquarters near the city centre and that one vehicle's cover would be reduced from 24 hours a day to daytime-only operation, increasing danger at night; and further that residents fear that closing Ward End Fire Station would place both local people and firefighters at greater risk.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to work with the West Midlands Fire Service and other relevant bodies to keep Ward End Fire Station open.
And the petitioners remain, etc.]
[P003248]