Friends of Charnock Recreation Ground

Former Birley Cllr Mike Pye joins Cllrs Karen McGowan, Denise Fox and Bryan Lodge at the Friends fun day

Congratulations to the Friends group on todays event. Since the group formed six years ago, what they have achieved is amazing. It was great to go along and join in the fun at the launch of the fitness equipment. Karen, Denise and Bryan were joined by former Birley councillor Mike Pye at today’s event when Johnny Nelson and Richard Caborn carried out a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the park.

Vote Bryan Lodge for Councillor for Birley Ward on Thursday May 3rd!

The elections for Sheffield Council are being held this Thursday, May 3rd. We urge all residents of Birley Ward to vote for Bryan Lodge: he is the only candidate that can effectively fight for the people of our ward.

As Deputy Leader of Sheffield Council, Bryan has a record of standing up to the coalition government, and of doing his best to oppose the punitive cuts inflicted on cities like ours by the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives. Remember, a vote for either of them is a vote for the parties that are slashing funding in councils in the north of England, while leaving Liberal Democrat and Conservative council budgets in the south virtually untouched! It’s clear that Liberal Democrats and Conservatives in Sheffield can’t be trusted to stand up for us: they’re too busy helping their coalition cronies.

So if you oppose the cuts, vote for The Labour Party’s Bryan Lodge on Thursday May 3rd, and help him continue to fight for your interests.

Streets Ahead Highways Maintenance

The city council announced the award of a £2.2billion contract to Amey recently to manage the city’s highways maintenance for the next 25 years. This means that every road, and footpath will be treated to deliver a renewed and smoother surface, new or improved energy efficient street lighting provided on every road, work done on highways trees to reduce ‘nuisance’, street furniture such as railings, signs, etc renewed and all traffic signals updated. “I launched the council’s bid for this scheme when I first became a cabinet member back in 2006” saidBryan. “I’ve been closely involved in this scheme throughout it’s development so I’m really pleased by the recent announcement that work will start later in the summer. The next five and a half years will see major work across the city so we’ll be working with Amey to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum and everyone is made aware of when their area will see the work start.”

Proposed 20MPH Zone for Charnock

For many years, residents across Charnock have been campaigning for speed reductions across the area. Following changes to legislation introduced under the previous Labour government, such schemes can now be introduced at a much lower cost, without the need for humps and speed cushions. Cllr Bryan Lodge and his fellow Labour ward councillors, Karen McGowan and Denise Fox, have been pressing for a twenty zone and have recently secured funding for a feasibility study to be conducted.  “This is the first stage in preparing for a scheme to be introduced and we’re hopeful that we can persuade the South East Community Assembly to choose Charnock as its scheme for 2012/13. Traffic will always be an issue across every residential area but any steps we can take to slow it down has got to be a benefit for everyone who lives in the area”. SaidBryan

Andy Burnham MP Visits Sheffield

Shadow Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham  MP, came to Sheffield today for the regional launch of Labour’s local election campaign. During his visit to Sheffield, Andy took time out for a chat with local Birley councillors Bryan Lodge and Karen McGowan.  We discussed concerns raised by members of the public across Birley over the recent Tory/ Lib Dem imposed changes to the NHS and cuts to Police numbers in the region.  Andy confirmed that a future Labour government will reverse the NHS changes.

Cllr Julie Dore, Leader Sheffield City Council, Andy Burnham MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health with Birley Cllrs Bryan Lodge and Karen McGowan

New Fire Station for Birley?

Following the decision of the Fire Authority on Monday 26th March to close Mansfield Road fire station and the retained station at Mosborough, Birley appears to be in line for a new fire station. Labour councillors Bryan Lodge, Denise Fox and Karen McGowan will seek to work with the Fire Authority to ensure that the views of the local community are considered in developing the new facility.

Birley Community First Panel Invites Funding Applications

Are you a community group that works within Birley ward boundaries, or are you wishing to set up such a group? Then please visit the website of Birley Ward Community First Panel:

http://birleywardcommunityfirst.wordpress.com/

Birley Ward Community First Panel is part of a nationwide programme set up to help community groups, and is run under the auspices of the Community Development Foundation. The money isn’t available in all parts of Sheffield, but since Birley is one of the wards chosen to participate eligible Birley groups can get financial help which could make a real difference to what they’re doing.

To find out more, simply visit the website of Birley Ward Community First Panel. If you’not part of such a group yourself, please pass the information on. Let’s do all we can to boost community groups in Birley!

 

Road Closures on Hopefield Avenue and Fox Lane

Local residents will have noticed that signs have appeared on Hopefield Avenue and Fox Lane.  Your Councillors have made enquiries regarding this and can advise that the reason for these closures are for the replacement of the gas main.  In addition to the closures, it will be necessary for signal controlled sections at various times to enable the work to be completed. It is envisaged that the closures will remain in place for up to ten weeks. If anyone experiences problems, please don’t hesitate to contact Bryan, Denise or Karen.