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ASHTON FOR FRENCH
24/12/05: An exhibition by by local artist David French running until February in the gallery in the Ashton Memorial replaces the usual Christmas exhibition by artist group Artists in Morecambe, who disbanded earlier this year.
Group founder and chairman Chris Amriding passed away a couple of months ago and will be remembered for his determination to gain recognition and find new venues for local artists.
David has included works that describe places, people and situations that are important to him. Colour and movement are the main ingredients that enable him to recreate the atmosphere and mood of these places.
"Morecambe has always been a strong central theme to my paintings in the past and during the next year I hope to create images of how I see Morecambe changing in the future.
"To do this I will draw on information and reference material previously generated. A Morecambe Marina is one idea that I feel should be described in a visual way that will inspire people to develop the idea further.
"Any reference material or ideas will be gladly received and you can contact me by email on davidjfrench@yahoo.co.uk."

WRITE AGAINST THE ROAD
23/12/05: Local group Transport Slutions for Lancaster and Morecambe is urging locals to write to the County Council objecting to the proposed Northern Bypass.
Torrisholme residents along the route and either side of the propsed £86 million bypass are up in arms about the plans.
Plans for M6 link road submitted Plans were submitted on earlier this month for the road, which supporters claim will to help reduce congestion in Lancaster -- but admit will perhaps shave just 10 minutes off journey times when completed.
The proposed three-mile route, which will tower over the existing landscape in places, will connect the existing Heysham link near Torrisholme with a remodelled junction 34 of the M6.
Objections from Torrisholme residents have already led to some modifications being made to the plans, but TSLM want the road proposal dropped and any decision to be called in by cabinet minister and deputy home secretary John Prescott.
" After years in design this nightmare is the only deal on offer for the thousands of hapless residents," feels David Gate, chair of TSLM, who adds of Torrisholme post Bypass: "This quiet leafy suburb will be transformed by a 26ft high concrete rampart cutting straight through the community, carrying noisy and polluting heavy goods vehicles to Heysham Port.
"If this were the answer to the district’s congestion problems I suppose that we would have to put up and shut up, but as the County Council admit, this is not a relief road. What is making people really angry is the fact that all this money is being spent and new traffic is being attracted into the area without properly dealing with the traffic we already have."
TSLM have posted a "Ten Worst Things" guide to their complaints about the Bypass plans, which include the point, that there is no convincing evidence that the road will regenerate Morecambe or Heysham, despite the claims often made by the pro-bypass lobby. Heavy Goods Vehicles, for example, which pass through Lancaster and Morecambe every day, are only passing through on their way to Ireland. "This is no regeneration ‘master plan’," say TSLM. "Significant developments like Luneside and the Bailrigg Industrial Park are ignored by this proposal. Regeneration claims are not supported by evidence, and remain mere pipe dreams. Even at the Lancaster Business Park, which has excellent access to the motorway, the uptake of land has been poor."
Even pro-Bypass supporter Darren Clifford, who runs the "Love the Link" web site, admits the proposed new road is not a total solution. "Some say that the Link won’t solve the problem and they’re right," he wrote recently. "It is a part of the solution. We will still need better and more affordable public transport, we will still need local employers to have serious green transport plans."
The application will be determined by Lancashire County Council, which will hold a public consultation in January, with a decision expected in April.
• Why the Northern Bypass is bonkers: Click Here (unless you're a car driver who'd like to see the whole planet covered in concrete, in which case why not visit the pro-Bypass web site: www.lovethelink.com - we realise not all car drivers feel the same way)

READY FOR ROAD TROUBLE
23/12/05: Whilst most of us are enjoying the Christmas and New Year break, City Council staff will be on alert making sure local roads are safe for holiday traffic.
Throughout the winter season including Christmas and New Year, staff working on behalf of Lancashire Highways Partnership (LHP) monitor weather forecasts and ice predictions provided by the Meteorological Service. Often LHP staff check surface temperatures on roads throughout the district in the early hours of the morning to ensure that if it is necessary, gritting of the priority road network is carried out in advance of freezing conditions which might lead to ice on roads before or during the morning rush hour.
During the recent cold snap, which lasted for a fortnight commencing on 14th November, gritting vehicles were called out on 13 occasions at various times during the day and night.
"During particularly cold spells, our Engineering and City Contract Services staff are on full alert," says Brian Abraham, Highways Manager for the City Council," including throughout the holiday season, and they work hard to minimise the risks caused by the freezing temperatures." Earlier this week, the government revealed that having an accident is the biggest fear of drivers when severe winter weather strikes, alongside concerns about other people driving too fast and the risk of skidding on ice.
Three out of four people who drive to work would still be likely to try to make their journey despite severe weather, while only one in four would be likely to go shopping or to visit friends.
The findings come from new research into drivers' attitudes commissioned by the Highways Agency, which is responsible for England's motorways and major A roads.

For information about road conditions:
• Highways Agency website - www.highways.gov.uk
• Highways Agency Information Line 0845 7504030

For weather conditions:
• Met Office website - www.metoffice.gov.uk
• Local radio broadcasts

SEEKING VIEWS: CENTROS MILLER OPENS WEB SITE
20/12/05: Centros Miller's PR company Halogen has set up a web site, Castle View (www.castle-view.info), which they intend to be a reliable up-to-date source of information on Lancaster's Canalside project. The site is very basic at present but Halogen's Steve Bryson told Virtual-Lancaster they plan to develop it in the New Year. You can also contact Centros Miller to give your views or suggestions in three ways.By email: comment@castle-view.info; by telephone: 01242 256805; or Freepost: Halogen, Freepost, 227 London Road, Cheltenham GL52 6BR.
"We also plan to commission some street surveys very early in the New Year," Steve says, "to find out more about what the general public's concerns and aspirations are."

DEFRA LAUNCHES 'COMMUNITY HALLS FOR RURAL PEOPLE' ONLINE
19/12/05: Government department Defra today launched an information hub 'Community Halls for Rural People' on its Rural Affairs website.
The website has been designed to help rural communities to benefit from the variety of funding opportunities available for community halls. It has information and links to funding sources and other advice for those running local community buildings where rural people meet, or would like to meet in the future.
'Community Halls for Rural People' can be accessed at www.defra.gov.uk/rural/communities/halls
People without web access can get paper copies of the information by calling the Defra Helpline on 0845 933 5577 or email:VillageHallHelpline@DEFRA.GSI.GOV.UK

TAXI TRAVEL ADVICE AT CHRISTMAS
19/12/05: With the festive season upon us, Lancaster City Council is reminding residents to consider their personal safety when using taxis.
There are, thankfully, few reports of illegal trading but as the Local Licensing Authority for taxis, the council is asking people to make sure that taxis and the driver are properly licensed before getting inside.
The council issues licences for both Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles and there are different regulations for both.
Hackney Carriages are authorised to ply for hire on the streets or pick up passengers from designated taxi ranks. Passengers are advised to check for the following before getting into a hackney carriage vehicle:-
- A blue and white licence plate is affixed to the rear of the vehicle showing the make, model, registration and seating capacity in black characters.
- Roof sign
- Council door signs with the wording 'City of Lancaster' in white characters, together with the plate number
- Taximeter fitted.
- Additional company signage is optional.
- That the driver is displaying his/her identity badge issued by Lancaster City Council. The badge will show a photograph of the driver, together with the holder's name, licence number and expiry date.
A hackney carriage can only charge the amount shown on the meter. If an additional charge is made is would be illegal. Ensure the meter is switched on when you start your journey.
Private Hire Vehicles are not authorised or insured to pick up passengers unless a prior booking has been made with the company operating the vehicle. Having pre-booked the private hire vehicle passengers are advised to check for the following before getting into a vehicle:
- A yellow licence plate is affixed to the rear of the vehicle showing the make, model, registration and seating capacity in black characters
- Door signs in yellow with the wording `Private Hire Pre-Booked Journeys only'.
- It will also show the plate number.
- Additional company signage is optional.
- That the driver is displaying his/her identity badge issued by Lancaster City Council. The badge will show a photograph of the driver, together with the holder's name, licence number and expiry date.
The majority of private hire vehicles have a taximeter fitted. However, it is not compulsory for a private hire vehicle to have a taximeter fitted, and where a meter is not fitted, passengers may agree to set a fare for a journey at the time when a booking is made with the operator.
Any complaints about a vehicle or driver should be made to Lancaster City Council's Licensing Office, Legal Services, Dalton Square, Lancaster LA1 1PJ or by telephoning on 01524 582033 or emailing licensing@lancaster.gov.uk

THINK TANK CONDEMNS NUCLEAR EXPANSION PROPOSALS
19/12/05: When Tony Blair announced a new energy review for the UK recently, which he hopes will usher in a new era of nuclear power and might include a third reactor at Heysham, although this is unlikely - the New Economics Foundation's policy director, Andrew Simms squared up to Sir Bernard Ingham on Radio 4's Today Programme to present a compelling case against the nuclear option.
"Promoted as the answer to climate change and energy security, it is neither. As a response to global warming, it is too slow, too expensive and too limited. And, in an age of terrorist threats and creeping proliferation, think Iran, it is more of a risk than a solution."
A little earlier in the month, NEF revealed the true costs of nuclear energy in the Financial Times: "If Britain's energy policy was like the Grand National, nuclear power would fall at virtually every fence," said a spokesperson. "But somehow, irrationally, race stewards from the sector and the Department of Trade and Industry seem to have dragged its prospects to within sight of government backing to build new generating capacity."
• Read NEF'S 'Mirage and Oasis' Reprt by clicking here: www.neweconomics.org

NEW PARTNERSHIP TO AID BULK WASTE DISPOSAL, LITTERING FINES INCREASED
19/12/05: Lancaster City Council's Cabinet has taken action to improve the bulky waste collection service. From April next year the service will be delivered in partnership with local charity Furniture Matters.
Peter Loker, Corporate Director for Community Services, said: "Delivering the service in this way means that we will be able to collect items within seven days and let householders know on what day their items will be collected. It also means that up to 50% of the items collected will be either recycled or reused."
In order to cover the costs of this improved service a charge of £15 for up to three items, and then £5 per extra item, will be introduced. Households receiving council tax benefit or housing benefit would be eligible for a 50% discount on this cost.
Cabinet also considered a report on how to increase enforcement of offences such as littering and fly tipping. Commenting on this Peter Loker said: "It's really important that we take positive enforcement action against people who spoil the district by littering, fly tipping and deliberately leaving bin bags out on the wrong day and this will be backed up by a targeted education campaign."
To improve enforcement the council is working with the police to fund an additional four community support officers who will primarily tackle offences such as littering and fly tipping.
At the moment anyone caught dropping litter could be fined with a fixed penalty notice of £50, which will rise to £75 from April 1, 2006, when the new Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act comes into effect.

CENTROS MILLER RESPONDS TO LANCASTER GUARDIAN CONNECTION WITH COMPANY
19/12/05, updated 23/12/05: Centros Miller's PR company has responded quickly to Virtual-Lancaster's note that one of the Miller Group's non-executive director is also Chief Executive of Johnston Press, owners of the Lancaster Guardian and the Morecambe Visitor (see story below).
"Everyone at Centros Miller was completely unaware of a connection between their company and Johnston Press until a member of the public in Bury St Edmunds discovered it and published it a year or so again," writes Steve Bryson, Director of the Halogen Group, "the connection being that a director of Johnston Press also happens to be a non-executive director of the Miller Group (which amongst its many business activities is also a 50% owner of Centros Miller).
"I would also be absolutely amazed if any such remote connection were to influence the even-handed approach of the Lancaster Guardian -- which incidentally has published quite a stream of negative letters voicing readers' concerns about the project in recent weeks," feels Steve. "In any event, Centros Miller would never seek or expect to receive any favouritism, as it is vital to the eventual outcome that its development proposals are judged fairly and are not subject to any such slurs.
" My guess is that Tania Pinington's letter was simply too late for last week's paper, so please wait at least to see if it is published this week before continuing to imply that there has been any such skulduggery." (As of 23/12/05, Tania's lettter had still not been printed).
"I have also responded directly to Tania about her concerns in her letter and a copy of my response is reproduced below. (Read Steve's reply to Tania by clicking here, opens in new window)
In his reply to Tania, Steve says reports of Compulsary Orders being 'slapped' on businesses, as previously reported after a meeting of the It's Our City group, are ill founded. "Compulsory purchase is not about to be ‘slapped’ on anyone," he says, acknowledging, as we have pointed out: "Private developers do not have this power. In this case it is only the council that has such a power and it can only used if the council were to decide that a proposed development would be in the greater interest of the community as a whole ...
"Compulsory Purchase Order process usually takes a whole year, as it involves a public inquiry," Steve explains. "The process can only begin once planning consent has been granted and the developer is obliged to have used its best endeavours to purchase affected properties through negotiation with the owners. If the order is eventually confirmed, owners receive compensation for their properties at full market value."
We'd like to thank Steve for responding so quickly to our report. He also tells Virtual-Lancaster: "may I explain that our meetings two weeks ago with local interest groups (local residents, site owners/occupiers, the theatres, the Musician's Co-op, the Chamber of Commerce, etc) were the very first stage in a long process of public consultation. Had we come with ready-made plans and proposals as to where each business should be relocated, you and others would rightly have been able to criticise us for foisting a fait accompli on the people of Lancaster. But we didn't do that. Instead we began a dialogue with people, asking them about their concerns and their aspirations for the site and reassuring those most likely to be directly affected that they would not lose out and that we would would closely with them over the next two or more years to ensure that any relocations fulfilled their needs and that all the costs would be covered.
"But still we find that we are criticised -- most bizarrely in your coverage for not coming with ready-made plans!"
• We would like to thank Steve for his quick response which we have published in full. We welcome a continued transparency as regards the planned development which is of considerable interest to our readers. However, Virtual-Lancaster would also like to point out that we in no way intended to 'slur' anyone in our original report. We await Friday's Lancaster Guardian with interest, a local newspaper which has much respect in our area.

LANCASTER TRANSFORMED - OR LANCASTER LOST?
18/12/05, updated 23/12/05: Developers Centros Miller and Lancaster City Council have begun their "consultation" over plans to develop the town's canal corridor area, prompting gushing praise from business chiefs and a more guarded response from residents group It's Our City.
Centros Miller (who have now responded to the letter, see above) was announced as the 'preferred developer' for the 10-acre (4-hectare) Canal Corridor North site in Lancaster city centre in April, principally owned by the council and Mitchell’s Pub Company. The proposed mixed-use development will, it's claimed, extend the city’s retail and leisure amenities. The Council is currently conducting a study to find out whether further retail space is actually needed.
Sadly it seems that local newspaper the Lancaster Guardian may already have sided with Centros when it comes to the development - no matter what it brings. We hope we're wrong but, despite urging its readers to write in with their questions for the developers, they declined to publish a letter from one business that will be affected by the changes this week -- but did print a thumbs up for Centros from local business heads. An odd decision given the level of interest in the scheme, perhaps?
"As a business owner who will be directly affected by the Centros Miller redevelopment plans I would like to voice my apprehensions in respect of my own business and of the general public who are patrons of both mine and other businesses within the redevelopment area," wrote Tania Pinington of Animal Feed & Supplies, based in Alfred Street, Lancaster, "and also use the car parks within this area."
"At the recent meeting Centros Miller were keen to put across the message that they are a 'Caring Developer' who will do everything within their power to assist the affected businesses," Tania continues in her letter, which she has now also sent to Virtual-Lancaster.
"Centros Miller stated that they were willing to assist all businesses in the area to find alternative premises within the immediate area while redevelopment takes place. However they were unable to answer questions in relation to where businesses may be relocated. Why? Would it not have been perceptible and 'caring' to have researched this matter in order to set business owners minds at rest?
"Also, if alternative premises are offered which are not thought suitable for a particular business will that be an end to their helpfulness?
"Centros Miller cannot offer any assurances in respect of the likely rents to be charged in either the temporary premises or the new premises to be built in the redevelopment," Tania says. "They cannot even state whether premises will be available for rent or whether they will all be for sale only.
"Let us not forget that to move a business at any time is a risk," Tania continues, "let alone when we have no indication of where or cost."
Separately to her letter, Tania told Virtual-Lancaster that, at one of the limited number of meetings Centros have had with residents and businesses they claimed they had few real plans for the Canalside area at this time, which covers an area including the Edward Street car parks -- which they admitted could be closed for up to two years while redevelopment takes place -- the Stonewell area (the sub post office, one of the busiest in Lancashire is likely to be relocated -- but where?), the old Mitchells Brewery and the Musician's Co-op.
"Although it will not directly affect me, it's my understanding that businesses who own their own premises and who do not want to sell are to have Compulsory Purchase Orders slapped on them (and I do mean slapped!)," Tania wrote the Lancaster Guardian. "I thought we lived in a democracy -- not a communist state."
The It's Our City group previously reported that the owner of Changes, on St. Leonardgate, had already been threatened with a CMO.
"Surely a more forbearing approach would be for the development to be planned and carried out in stages enabling businesses to move only once and leaving car parking facilities available to the general public for longer, (everyone of us knows the problems with traffic and parking in the City Centre!)" feels Tania, "and conceivably, this option would show Centros Miller to actually be a 'Caring Developer' rather than one who merely says they are."
Virtual-Lancaster wonders: Centros Miller is a joint 50:50 partnership between the Miller Group, Britain's largest family building firm, and Delancey, a development finance company.
Will the Lancaster Guardian's stance on Centros Miller be in any way affected by the fact that amongst the non-executive directors of the Miller Group is a gentleman called Tim Bowdler, who is also the Chief Executive of a Scottish based media group called Johnston Press plc -- that, coincidentally, owns the Lancaster Guardian and the Morecambe Visitor...
• As of 23/12/05, Tania's lettter had still not been printed.
• For more on how Centros Miller operated in Bury St. Edmunds to achieve their redevelpment plans visit www.knightsofsaintedmund.com - and so outraged local residenst they've put a curse on them.

CYCLE TRACK WORKS ANNOUNCED
16/12/05: National Grid (Transco) is about to lay a gas main along a section of the Lancaster to Caton cycle track. The works are necessary to enable the decommisioning and removal of the gas holder on St George's Quay as part of the new multi-million pound Quayside development.
The new main will be laid from a point near the Parliament St/Bulk Road traffic lights, and will run along the cycle track under Skerton Bridge, to a point approximately 150 metres past the northerly boundary of the Territorial Army centre off Caton Road before turning east and joining Caton Road approximately 150 metres north of the Langdale Road/Caton Road junction.
The City Council has encouraged National Grid (NG) to start the work as soon as possible in order to minimise disruption to cyclists and pedestrians during the summer months. NG's contractor, Willow, will start work on the 3 January and intends to complete the work in the area of the cycle track by the beginning of June.
The exact line of the new main is subject to site investigations and has not been determined, however all parties are keen to keep the excavation out of the cycle track if possible, but there is a balance to be made, because they also want to minimise damage to the existing trees. Temporary diversions will be in place and although a pedestrian route will be maintained, cyclists may have to dismount.
• If you want to be kept up-to-date on Lancaster's Cycling Demonstration Town Project? Then email celebratingcycling@lancaster.gov.uk to join the new e-mailing list (please write 'mailing list' in the subject box). You'll receive regular updates on forthcoming events, news and projects.

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