Where do we go from here?

Political hubris comes in strange forms. Often it is an incident which is in iteslf relatively minor which comes to suddenly encapsulate the mood of the moment not because of any huge intrinsic importance in its own right but rather because, minor though it is, it suddenly confirms what everyone was beginning to think anyway.

The manhandling of an over 80 year old delegate who dared to heckle the Foreign Secretary by stewards at the Labour Conference is just such a moment. It suddenly appears to confirm the widespead feeling that Labour are becoming bullies and unduly authoritarian behind all their excuses about the need to tackle terrorism and protect people by reducing our civil liberties.

Three points stand out:-

- The Stewards may have been amateurs - volunteers BUT they are NOT untrained! Who told them to go in rough with "hecklers"? What does that tell us about the sensibilities and perceptions of those running the Labour Party?

- What exactly did the Police think they were playing at by holding the "heckler" under the suppression of terrorism act? Who told them to do that or at least indicated that it was an appropriate way to behave? Are the self same Police investigating any suggestion of assault against the delegate concerned? Why was that not their first concern? Where do their loyalties lie?

- On the day of the incident the Chairman of the Labour Party "apologised" for the incident but said that the "heckler" would NOT be allowed to return to the Conference. By the following day he was offering to meet the "heckler" who was being given a hero's return on his return to the Conference. Which was the gut reaction of the Party Chairman - banning the guy or welcoming him back? Obviously it was the former. So what does that tell us about what is seen as acceptable at the top of the Labour Party?

Of course the fuss will die down. Labour Leaders will write this off as a nine minute wonder. Nevertheless I suspect that the public attitude to Labour has fundamentally shifted. The incident is embedded in the public conciousness as a symbol of Labour arrogance and disregard for civil liberties - not because of the significance of the incident itself but because it seems to encapsulate in minature what the public already sense to be the malaise at the heart of New Labour.

Kidderminster Shuttle reports...

Task force to look at buses

by BECKY PARKINSON

A SERIES of complaints about public transport have prompted an investigation by Worcestershire County Council.

A special task force of county councillors has been appointed to look at the issue following complaints about reductions in services, increased fares and lack of information.

The existence of the group, which includes Wyre Forest District councillor for Offmore and Comberton, Fran Oborski, was announced last Friday - the day after the Shuttle/Times & News reported on the fury of Rifle Range residents at cuts in the bus service.

Mrs Oborski has repeatedly criticised public transport provision in the district.

Following the first meeting of the county council task group, she said: "All I can say is I've heard nothing but total dissatisfaction from all my colleagues in the county who have the misfortune to have First as their main bus company.

"I'm also conducting a scrutiny exercise in Wyre Forest into concessionary fares and we've been doing a questionnaire to pensioners and in that we're getting nothing but total dissatisfaction on the performance of First in their cutting of services, routes and poor customer services."

Commercial director for First, Steve Zanker, responded to Mrs Oborski's comments by saying the company had been forced to cut some services because they could not run any that were not financially viable.

He added: "I would repeat that if anyone has difficulties regarding the reliability of services, then that's something that is within our control but we don't know about."

He said any issues of this kind could be reported on 0800 5877381.

He added: "We will work closely with the county council to try and resolve any issues.

"The county council also have the option of putting more services out to tender."

Mrs Oborski and the six other county councillors in the task group will examine whether or not passenger transport services in the county are provided the way people want and what value for money the county council is getting.

They will talk with operators, other authorities and officers during the exercise.

Members of the public are also invited to have their say by contacting the scrutiny team on 01905 766610. They can also e-mail their comments to scrutiny@worcestershire.gov.uk

When the exercise is completed, the findings will be presented to the county council's cabinet and will help to formulate future policy.

The task group will next meet on Friday, October 7.

I'm back!

I managed 4 hours intensive leafletting today. Not bad less than 6 weeks since major surgery. Mind you the last 30 minutes were probably 30 minutes too much.

If anyone is wondering if the stories about a surfeit of "Daddy-long-legs" this year are true or not the answer is a resounding "yes"! They were everywhere today while I was out leafletting.

Off topic!

We are heading more than a little off topic with the next two stories - namely the Polish Election results and Skype! No doubt we will be back to bread and butter Wyre Forest issues in a few hours!

Polish Election exit polls...

Exit polls in the Polish Parliamentary elections indicate:-

The Sejm (Lower House):-
PiS (Law & Justice - right wing party strong on, yes, law and justice and tackling sleeze making massive gains) 27.6% - 157
PO (Citizens Platform - centerist Liberals in the European economic liberal traition also making massive gains) 24.7% - 138
SLD (the previously ruling post-communist left taking a total hammering) - 52
Samoobrona (Self Defence - rightist populists making steady gains) 10.5% - 47
LPR (League of Polish Families - rightists ultra-catholics making steady gains) 9.5% - 45
PSL (Peasants Party - rural leftists tottering on brink of Parliamentary extinction) 5.9% - 19
Reserved for German minority - 2

The new Polish Government will certainly be PiS - PO coaltion.

This is a "Polish" posting about SKYPE which I have placed on my other sites - but YOU may very well be able to think of your very own use for this absolutely tremendous software. Use it! Enjoy! Pass on the message...

Skype!

For those who aren't yet in on the secret what about Skype?

It is a simple download which only takes a few seconds. The instructions are dead simple. All you need to then add is a microphone or headphones / microphone. Mine cost me a massive GBP 6.99.

If you want to you can then register to make phone calls from your computer set up to any conventional phone number anywhere. Of course you'll need to work out how much you'll have to pay and compare it with your current phone supplier. It looks cheap and I may well pick up on it down the line.

BUT, meanwhile, there are THREE great FREE aspects of Skype!

1. If you are on Broadband and you use Skype to contact another computer with Skype which is also on broadband you can talk for as long as you like for NO further charge. I mean FREE to both of you! Of course the other person needs to be on line when you contact them.

2. The sound is NOT like making a phone call. The sound quality is just like talking face to face in the same room.

3. You can "conference" up to 5 computers in different locations and if they are all already on Broadband nobody pays anything extra.

So, yesterday evening I set up a conference (sounds complex but actually took just 3 seconds!)between me (in my office, upstairs), Fran (downstairs in the living room with her lap top) and my cousin Wojtek in Warsaw! As we are all on broadband we chatted together for over an hour free of any further charge and the sound quality was absolutely brilliant!

Tonight we have arranged to all meet up online at 8.30pm (Polish time) to discuss the Polish elections.

I intend to contact all my Polish and US friends who are on broadband and encoursge them onto Skype.

If you have any queries about Skype post here or contact me directly at oborski@btinternet.com

Mike Oborski
Consul RP

Kidderminster Shuttle reports...

Safety myths hit playground fun

by PAUL WHITTAKER

CHILDREN are missing out on playground fun due to myths about safety, a Wyre Forest councillor has claimed.

Rob Wheway with equipment at Springfield Park in Kidderminster.

Rob Wheway, who represents the Broadwaters ward on the district council, worked on a national report with the message that safe should not mean boring.

Having been involved with children's play since 1971, Mr Wheway said problems arose because of various "misinterpretations" of the evidence available.

The study stated that misconceptions about safety had led some local authorities to adopt an "over-cautious" approach when choosing what equipment to install in playgrounds.

The report claimed one of the biggest myths was that current EU legislation banned exciting playground apparatus.

According to the study, there was no such law and the European Standard, which has been effective since 1999, only existed in an advisory capacity.

Mr Wheway is play adviser for the national charity behind the study, The Child Accident Prevention Trust.

He said: "The biggest problem that children face today is the dependency placed on the car.

"They don't have the same opportunity to walk around their neighbourhoods like their parents or grandparents did because of the fear of traffic.

"Parks and playgrounds are more exciting now than they have ever been and it is such a shame that some are missing out."

Andrew Dickens, Wyre Forest District Council's head of cultural, leisure and commercial services, said it would continue its on-going policy of revamping its playgrounds.

He added: "We understand the importance that playgrounds have in the development of children. We are fortunate because we have been able to use Mr Wheway's advice and experience in the past and we will continue to do so in the future."

Kidderminster Shuttle reports....

Bringing police into community

by BECKY PARKINSON

A NEW police base has opened on the Comberton estate in Kidderminster and more are planned for other parts of the town, such as the deprived Horsefair and Oldington and Foley Park areas.

Community support officer Gemma Clements and PC Jeremy Short of West Mercia Constabulary stand outside the new office on the Comberton estate with neighbourhood warden Robert Kautzner.

The first office to open - in Queen Elizabeth Road, Comberton - is for use by police officers and community support officers when they patrol the area and can be visited by members of the public who want to report a crime.

Neighbourhood wardens will also use the building, which has been donated by Wyre Forest Community Housing.

Although there are no set opening times for the office yet, members of the public will be able to call in when the office is open and speak to officers about any concerns they have.

PC Bob Fearnall, Wyre Forest East beat manager, said: "This is the first office to open on an estate in the Kidderminster area and others are planned as part of a move towards local, community focused policing.

"It gives us a base in the heart of the community and means we can work more closely with our partners from the housing organisation and local councillors."

The move has been welcomed enthusiastically by Wyre Forest District councillor for the area, Mike Oborski, who is also chairman of the Offmore Comberton Action Group. He said residents were "absolutely delighted" with the new police office.

He added morale in the area was already "extremely high" after a series of anti-social behaviour orders had reduced yobbish behaviour and the Borrington Road Skate Park gave young people somewhere to go to enjoy themselves. He described the police station as "another step forward".

He said: "It's good news for everyone in the area."

Mr Oborski added the police played an integral role in the action group and "one of the big steps forward over the last few years has been the fact we now work together".

He added: "There are always going to be problems and some idiot who causes a bit of bother - that's life - but the point is it's now manageable and people feel in control of the environment."

Yvonne Leishman, director of the Community Housing Group, which Wyre Forest Community Housing is part of, added: "We are delighted to support the initiative which, we believe, will bring real benefits for the local community."

There's something happening here! What it is ain't exactly clear!

1. Yesterday the Express & Star asked us to comment on the horriffic suggestion that West Mercia Constabulary will have to merge with West Midlands Constabulary - burying local policing needs under Birmingham priorities.

2. Today we considered tabling emergency motion at Wyre Forest District Council. The Tory leadership told us there was no truth in the story so we backed off.

3. Subsequently we read tonight's new front page Express & Star story "Chief's vow on talk talks over force merger" - in which West Mercia's Chief Constable apparently pledges to talk to public on merger with West Midlands proposal!!!!!!!

4. Maybe at County Council tomorrow we will actually get to the truth!

And in the Polish Elections?

Kidderminster Shuttle reports...

Panic buying puts pressure on pumps

by BECKY PARKINSON

PANIC buying of petrol caused several Wyre Forest petrol stations to run out of fuel over the past few days

Residents in the district rushed to fill up their tanks amid national fears that three days of protests over fuel costs at oil refineries could see tankers unable to make deliveries.

That was after protests in 2000 caused motorists across the UK to suffer fuel shortages.

Kevin Holland, a cashier at Habberley Service Station in Franche Road, Kidderminster, said yesterday they had "nothing left" - after the pumps ran out of unleaded at about 10am on Tuesday and diesel later the same day.

"We've coned all the pumps off and put signs up saying `no petrol' but still people keep on coming and asking for petrol," he said, "We don't know when we'll get more in."

Raj Dattani, who owns Datt petrol station in Birmingham Road, Kidderminster, meanwhile blamed the media for causing people to "panic for nothing".

He said they had run out of petrol on Tuesday but had plenty of "fuel" yesterday.

"I think people are all panicking for nothing - that's all it is," he said, "I think it will calm down now."

A spokeswoman for Hartlebury Service Station echoed his prediction, saying they had been "phenomenally busy" on Monday, when their diesel and unleaded pumps ran "dry" and were not refilled until Tuesday evening. She believed the worst had passed.

Although Total in Worcester Road, Kidderminster, managed to keep a continuous supply of fuel throughout the beginning of the week, assistant manager, Craig Simmons, said yesterday morning it was "a matter of hours" before the pumps would run dry.

"We've kept it going until now but I think we'll run out later today," he said.

"We've had much more trade than normal."

The petrol station at Sainsbury's supermarket in Kidderminster also ran out of unleaded fuel for a few hours on Tuesday, according to manager, Ian Lewis, but was "fine" yesterday.

A spokeswoman for rival supermarket giant, Tesco, said the filling station at their Kidderminster branch had had "no problem" with supply.

The Shuttle reports...

Work sparks `rat run' fears

by PETER McMILLAN

COUNCILLORS fear residential roads will be used as rat runs by drivers trying to avoid upgrading work on the bridge on Kidderminster's busy A449 Chester Road North.

Mike and Fran Oborski, both Worcestershire county councillors representing areas that will be affected, had a sneak preview of what was in store during a public exhibition.

The exhibition, arranged by the Highways Agency, explained the purpose and implications of the bridge strengthening work - costing £335,000 - which gets under way on Sunday.

The bridge, near Chester Road Sports and Social Club, carries the road over the Kidderminster to Stourbridge Junction railway line.

Road and rail commuters will be affected by the 10-week project, while overnight working noise is likely to be heard by residents.

Following the exhibition, which was attended by around 80 members of the public, Mr and Mrs Oborski issued a joint statement.

They said: "During this period, the road will be down to a single lane controlled by temporary traffic lights. This is one of the most heavily used roads in the area so there are bound to be extensive delays.

"The Highways Agency has kept local residents in the vicinity informed but everyone across the district who uses the A449 Chester Road North needs to realise what is happening and look for alternative routes or allow for possibly lengthy delays."

A diversion will operate from the Comberton Hill junction, down Comberton Hill, along the ring road and up Coventry Street and Birmingham Road to the Land Oak junction.

In their statement, Mr and Mrs Oborski said: "The problem is that Comberton Hill and Birmingham Road are, themselves, already extremely busy roads and any diverted traffic will certainly add very greatly to the pressure on those roads.

"We are also extremely worried about what will happen at the Comberton Road-Chester Road junction traffic lights and at the Land Oak junction traffic lights. There could be real problems at both junctions."

They also feared some nearby residential roads could, effectively, become unofficial "diversion" routes, compounding the problems.

A spokeswoman for the Highways Agency said: "We're spreading the word as much as we can and urge people to allow more time for their journeys, particularly in the first few days, until the traffic pattern has settled down."

She added that "quite a few people" attending the exhibition welcomed the work because they felt the existing bridge barriers were not sufficient.

The Shuttle Reports...

Fed-up residents threaten action

by SARAH COUSIN

Anger over commuters leaving cars in street

LIBERAL councillors claim tempers are reaching boiling point among residents of a Kidderminster street besieged by commuters parking outside their homes.

Councillors Siri Hayward and Mike and Fran Oborski have accused the police of failing to enforce the access-only order in Farfield.

They are warning that direct action and protests are likely by angry residents if the matter is not resolved and are raising the issue with the police as a matter of urgency.

In a joint statement, the group said: "Many local residents are very angry and extremely frustrated by continuing commuter parking as people dump their cars in Farfield and then head to the nearby railway station.

"This is a narrow and heavily used residential road and residents are sick and tired at not being able to park outside their own houses and at the inconsiderate and sometimes even rude and obstructive behaviour of commuters who use the road as if it were a public car park."

They claimed the access-only order was being flouted because the police "cannot be bothered to enforce it".

They added: "We would not be surprised if there was some sort of protest or direct action by angry residents if the matter is not resolved and, to be honest, the residents would have our full support. They really have had to put up with far too much hassle and inconvenience.

"The police say that they have not got the resources to enforce the access-only order but, frankly, they would be far better putting a little effort into sorting the matter now, rather than waiting until the situation gets totally out of control and then having to put in a lot more effort in to resolve the issues."

Wyre Forest East beat officer, PC Bob Fearnall, said police were aware some motorists were committing an offence by continuing to use Farfield as a rat-run, despite the access only order.

"We objected to the order when it was first proposed and offered alternatives as we did not feel it was the right solution for the road.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and would be happy to meet with the councillors if they continue to have concerns," he added.

Imitation is the sincerest form of....

Wyre Forest Tories have added a blog to their web site. Better late than never! It's a bit bland though and I'm pretty sure that it will remain that way as it does not allow visitors to leave comments and a blog without comments is a bit like alcohol free beer - it superficially looks the part but doesn't deliver the kick! Come on lads, lighten up and take the risk just like we do!

A449 Chester Road North - Installation of Bridge Protection Barriers...

The Highways Agency will be carrying out improvement works to the approach barriers of the Chester Road Bridge - near the Chester Road Sports & Social Club at the junction of Chester Road North and Lyndholm Avenue - for ten weeks starting on 18th September.

There will be access to all properties at all times but the road will be down to a single lane controlled by temporary traffic lights. There are bound to be extensive delays.

In addition the bridge will be closed to through traffic for limited periods (see below). The diversion route is from the Comberton Hill junction down Comberton Hill along the Ring Road and up Coventry Street / Birmingham Road to the Land Oak Junction.

We are also worried that a number of local residential roads will effectively become unofficial "diversion" routes!

Let us know if YOU experience any problems. Contact the two County Councillors for the area, Mike and Fran Oborski on (01562) 823911.

Dates and times of rail and road closures:-

18/9/05 / Railway Closed: 00:01 - 09:00 / Road Closed: 08:00 - 16:00 / Noisy Night: No

24/9/05 - 25/9/05 / Railway Closed: 23.30 - 09:00 / Road Closed: No / Noisy Night: No

1/10/05 - 2/10/05 / Railway Closed: 23.30 - 09:00 / Road Closed: 23:30 - 09.30 / Noisy Night: Yes

22/10/05 - 23/10/05 / Railway Closed: 23.30 - 09:00 / Road Closed: 23:30 - 16.00 / Noisy Night: Yes

29/10/05 - 30/10/05 / Railway Closed: 23.30 - 09:00 / Road Closed: 23:30 - 16.30 / Noisy Night: Yes

12/11/05 - 13/11/05 / Railway Closed: 23.30 - 09:00 / Road Closed: 23:30 - 09.30 / Noisy Night: Yes

19/11/05 - 20/11/05 / Railway Closed: 23.30 - 09:00 / Road Closed: No / Noisy Night: No

27/11/05 / Railway Closed: No / Road Closed: 08.00 - 16.00 / Noisy Night: Not Applicable

Any alterations will be advertised in the local press and on the Highways Agency web site at www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo 

Kidderminster Shuttle reports...

Your chance to have a say on travel schemes

BUS passengers who benefit from concessionary bus travel in the Wyre Forest district are being asked for their opinion on how the scheme should be developed.

Wyre Forest District Council is reviewing the schemes available for pensioners and disabled people and has teamed up with the Shuttle/Times and News to enable readers to have a direct input into the way forward.

There are currently two bus pass schemes on offer - a Wyre Forest District Council Scheme and a Government Scheme.

People who take up the council scheme pay £6 for a pass and then 40p per single journey at any time within the district.

Those on the government scheme gain a free pass and can travel within the district for half price but only between 9.30am and 11pm weekdays and all day over weekends.

Among the criteria for eligibility is that the applicant must be a permanent resident in the area and be 60 years old or over. The council also offers an alternative taxi travel token scheme for anyone over 80 who does not have the use of a car or for people with certain disabilities.

But in April next year the government is planning to introduce a new scheme which would offer free bus journeys in the district after 9.30am to those eligible for concessionary travel.

The council has now set up a Task and Finish Group to investigate the different options available and it would like users' opinions. The group is considering the uptake of the current schemes, the times which transport is used and the length of journeys most people make. It is also reviewing the cost of all the options.

The group is being chaired by Councillor Fran Oborski who said: "We are anxious to hear the views of the users of the concessionary travel schemes and find out how they would like them developed.

"We would also like the opinion of people who are eligible for the schemes and are asking them to fill in a questionnaire. The results will help us decide what to offer from next April."

As part of the review, the group is meeting with representatives from local bus companies and Dial-a-Ride.

Copies of the questionnaire are available from all council offices or can be downloaded from the council's website www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk.

If you would like copies of the questionnaire, please call Rachel Booton at the district council on 01562 732730.

 Cllr Maureen Aston

We were all extremely sorry to hear of the death of Tory Councillor and Wyre Forest Cabinet Member Maureen Aston. She will be very much missed.

Back again...

Well, I'm out of Hospital and back at home.  Last night I even attended - and Chaired - my first Council meeting since the operation!

However, I am very tired so it may be a couple of weeks before postings return to normal levels.

Thanks to everyone for the kind wishes!