Windy adventure for King's Hedges Councillor and MP

Cambridge MP David Howarth and local City Councillor Neale Upstone have been flying high in a wind turbine.

David and Neale climbed the 65m high Ecotech wind turbine in Swaffham this weekend. As part of the parliamentary committee scrutinising the draft Climate Change Bill David has been looking into renewable energy in the UK.

David commented:

“What surprised me the most was how quiet the turbine was. From just 200 yards away the blades could no longer be heard and closer in much of the noise was masked by the rustling of leaves on neighbouring trees.

“I was also impressed by the amount of electricity produced by the turbine. The two turbines at Swaffham produce enough energy over the year to power the entire town.

“There is great potential for renewable energy in the UK but we need to make sure that we capitalise on it. I recently met with representatives from a major energy company who pointed out that the demand for renewable energy in the UK is starting to exceed the installed capacity. However instead of building more turbines like this one, or working on other forms of renewable energy, the company's proposal was simply to increase the price!

“There is something clearly wrong with the energy market when demand management is needed for renewable energy. This is where we need leadership from the Government to support the development and expansion of renewable energy.“

Councillor Upstone added:

“Being so close to the turbine I realised how something clean can also be a thing of magnificence and elegance.

“The visit was a real eye-opener. There should be more centres like this Eco-Centre which wind turbines that are accessible to the public because its important that people realise just how effective wind power can be.”

Street names return: the end of "oo o"

I have managed to get the County's engineers to replace the road signs on Woodhouse Way and Apthorpe Way! This means the end of the old "oo o" sign, but I'm sure local residents will be grateful for the improvement.

The new engineers are doing a very good job, many local road names are returning.

Let me know of any damaged, missing or illegible signs near you and I will make sure they get fixed.

Milton Road Trees

I have to alert you to a new threat to the trees on Milton Road.

Cambridgeshire County Council has decided that no new trees can be planted to replace the existing stumps because of "the risk that future developments might possibly require their removal."

Quite simply, the County Council is drawing up plans for Cambridge which could include the removal of all of Milton Road's trees.

The decision to stop new planting has been taken by an officer of the County Council without telling local county or city councillors, let alone local residents.

I have been told that the County Council is:

[C]urrently working up a Long Term Transport Strategy for Cambridge and unilt the findings of this are complete and any impact that it may have on Milton Road are known, we will hold off new planting in case it is not consistent with those emerging plans.

The Conservative Councillor in charge of the traffic department has backed up the decision to suspend planting. I wrote to County Councillor McGuire asking him to reverse the decision, but he replied bluntly:

I understand that [an officer] has replied to you explaining the County's position.

I hardly need to explain how important the trees are to the area. They improve air quality and make Milton Road a much nicer place to live, and travel through, than so many other roads. Imagine how different the road would be with another line of traffic and no trees!

I urge you to support the campaign to save Milton Road trees by signing the petition.

To do this

• Sign the petition if you see it in a local shop
  
• When we call sign the petition or post the postcard back to me
  
• Email me (with full name and address so you can be added to the petition) at mike-kh@einval.com
  
• Write to Save Milton Road Trees, c/o 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge with your name and address indicating your support
  
• Drop a note into Neale or me at the usual address

Thanks for your support!

Pavements again...

Please keep these coming. I will do all I can to get the repairs done.

Good news: I've managed to get some repairs done to the pavement on Arden Road.

Bad news: Still no sign of the promised emergency repairs to the pavement outside Campkin Road shops.

However refurbishment of this area is to be discussed at North Area Committee on Thursday 26 July at Manor Community College from 7.30pm.