It is not for Spokes to tell you how to vote. However, we can advise you how to make your vote more likely to achieve what you want in the new voting system for 6th May. You will have 3 votes, as below..
A. Scottish Parliament - Constituency vote. This is just like the old voting system - you vote for one candidate for your local constituency. Normally, vote for the candidate of your favourite party. But if you know that a party you strongly dislike might win the seat, then consider voting for whoever is most likely to defeat them. The most marginal local seats, with the two main contenders in each, are Edinburgh West (Lib/Con), Edinburgh Pentlands (Lab/Con), Linlithgow (Lab/SNP), Livingston (Lab/SNP).
B. Scottish Parliament - Regional vote (also known as 'second' or 'top-up' vote). These votes are added over a wide region (Edinburgh, Mid and W.Lothian in our local case), and provide 'top-up' MPs for parties who get a reasonable number of votes but who had few or no successes in the above 'first past the post' constituency vote. In deciding how to use this vote, look at your local position as follows.
A crucial aspect of last year's Transport White Paper [Spokes 70] was that councils are now expected to draw up Local Transport Strategies, based on sustainable transport principles. [This is not compulsory, but councils will not qualify for funding from the new Public Transport Fund unless they do].
The government has now issued draft advice on what councils should put into their local Strategy - which must also incorporate the Council's proposals under the Traffic Reduction Act. Comments on this draft must be submitted by 30 July, and a final version will be issued in autumn 1999.
The draft guidance Local Transport Strategies - Preliminary Guidance is available on the Internet at www.scotland.gov.uk. Copies may also be available from Brian O'Donnell, Transport Division 1, Victoria Quay, Scottish Office EH6 6QQ.
Please consider making your own submission, and send us a copy as soon as possible so we can take your points into account in drawing up Spokes comments.
Now is the time to write to say what you would like to see in the 1999 Queen's Speech - i.e. the government's UK programme for legislation in year 2000. Write to: Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP, Leader of the House, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.
In terms of transport, SERA (the Labour Party environment group) suggests you ask for the promised legislation to set up the Strategic Rail Authority, and the promised powers to allow congestion charging (road pricing) and charging for non-residential parking spaces. On the latter, please emphasise there should be charging not just on employers for providing 'workplace parking', but also on large retail developments for the amount of 'non-workplace' parking provided [Spokes 71].
Despite the Scottish Parliament, it is still important to lobby at UK level. The Strategic Rail Authority will cover all of Britain; and whilst the Scottish Parliament will need its own legislation for congestion and parking charging, it is more likely to do so if the English legislation is already under way.
April 28 Gorgie Car-Free project Talk & slides on the 120-flat scheme now under construction. 7.30pm, Southsider Pub, W. Richmond St. 225.1119, Brenda.
June 4 Green Transport Plans 1-day UK conference in Preston. Minister expected, and launch of new government Green Transport Plan guidance. Reduced (!) price for members of voluntary groups £95+VAT. Details 0171.582.3872.
June 5 SUMMER SPOKES LEAFLET provisional mailout date. Dave 01506.670165.
Our path construction/repair group organisers thank the many volunteers who have already helped this year. Great work is being done on the disused railway Straiton Pond to Loanhead, to link to the magnificent Bilston Viaduct which Midlothian Council is currently restoring. To volunteer, contact Tim Smith 0131.554.7264.
To suggest other projects - e.g. new construction, or existing overgrown or badly drained paths, contact Peter Hawkins 0131.453.3366. However, remember most such work is the Council's responsibility, so we hope you have already contacted the Council e.g via your councillor and/or by phoning Clarence!(0800 23 23 23)
Also, when cycling on off-road paths why not carry a pair of secateurs so you can quickly tackle any easy and particularly bad shoots yourself (and put the cuttings well into the side of course!).
The Blind School need tandemists to take school pupils on the back seat. Ideally you would offer one weekday evening a week. 0131.337.3675 Malcolm.
Dundee City's cycle officer is organising several 3/4-day cycle tours in Scotland and Wales in June/July, enabling Dundee 17-23 year-olds to get their Duke of Ed gold award. He needs a 'responsible female adult' to also accompany the group(s). All expenses/transport paid. Steve Page 01382.433408.
There are continuing protests against the council's proposed new dual-carriageway [details]. Meetings are 7.30 each Wednesday, Countryside Inn, near Bilston. Or email naag@dial.pipex.com
EDINBURGH TRANSPORT POLICY STUDY
We have been contacted by Annie Cooper, a final year Edinburgh University student doing an Honours thesis on Edinburgh Transport Policy. An important aspect is how transport policy can be used to achieve reduced pollution. She is hopeful the results will be used by the council in its own policy development.
Annie would like two in-depth sessions (lasting around 2-2½ hours) with a small group of interested Spokes members, using a discussion technique called Participatory Appraisal [you don't need to know anything about this!]. The meetings could be held in a pub or café, or if any interested member was able to offer their own lounge/flat that would be much appreciated.
It is hoped the first meeting could be Weds 5 or Thurs 6 May, so please contact her as soon as possible, preferably by Thursday 29 April. Phone 0131.229.4964 or email a.h.cooper@sms.ed.ac.uk
MILLENNIUM SPOKES ART COMPETITION
Spokes is considering running an art competition on the theme of the Sustrans Network in Edinburgh and Lothians area. One idea is that we would supply high-quality blank postcards, on which entrants could make their entry, which could be a painting, cartoon, poem, or anything else that would fit on.
We would hope the competition would be in conjunction with a major exhibiting opportunity such as the new Museum. Being postcards, there would also be many options for different categories of entrants, and for further display at different locations.
A lot of work will be needed in organising this, and we can only go ahead if there are a few dedicated volunteers! But the results could be very beneficial in promoting cycling, Spokes and the Sustrans network. If you can help, please write in, or phone Mark 0131.229.7190
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