Very disappointing news from Westminster this evening, where the Labour Government have survived a backbench rebellion to pass controversial proposals to hand planning decisions for large infrastructure projects to an unelected quango. This is extremely worrying for local residents who will be denied any say on major projects which will affect their local neighbourhood.
It is perfectly reasonable to try to streamline a planning process which can take years in the most extreme cases, but the decision to remove these decisions entirely from the democratic process is absolutely appalling.
So how would the new powers in the Planning Bill affect local residents in Salford? It seems likely that local residents in Irlam and Eccles would lose their say on the major proposals for the Port Salford freight terminal at Barton. Any future proposals to expand the motorway network through Salford would also be taken out of the democratic structure – indeed had this new system been in place in the past, it is possible that the M62 relief road proposals would have been rammed through despite the objections of the local community.
Just Fancy That!
June 9th – Salford Conservatives launch campaign and petition to Save Salford’s Post Offices
June 23rd - Salford Labour launch copycat campaign
The simple fact, of course, is that it is the Labour Party in Government which is proposing the closure of Post Offices in Patricroft, Adephi and Langworthy. The record also shows that all three Salford Labour Members of Parliament voted for the Government proposals to close 2500 Post Offices including the three in Salford. Labour cannot be trusted with our local Post Offices and I am sure that local residents will treat their sham campaign with the derision that it deserves.