« Back to News

04/04/2104 - St Andrews Ward News

Labour — Representing your views

Labour Town Councillor David Andrews has been working hard to improve St Andrews Ward. He is a member of the East of Burgess Hill Town Council group and just some of the issues he has been working on include:

Details of these, and feedback on what you said to Labour councillor David Andrews about the improvements to your ward and how the changes may be financed, are given below.

Worlds End Traffic Fears

Labour Town Councillor David Andrews shares the concerns of many residents in the Worlds End area about any increase in the amount of traffic as a result of linking Rocky Lane to the Haywards Heath by-pass—which could happen as early as July this year.

Any increase in traffic will mean that just crossing the road at busy times will be difficult, and may well increase the number of cars parking in residential streets near Worlds End while commuters use trains or customers use the Worlds End shops. Councillor David Andrews will be pressing for ways to control traffic to make the roads easier for pedestrians to cross.

IMPROVING ST ANDREWS WARD

Labour Town Councillor David Andrews writes: When I was elected as your ward councillor in 2012 I undertook to keep you informed of any actions I have taken to try to improve the Ward. This is my latest update:

HIGHWAYS

IMPROVEMENTS

In my last leaflet I identified improvements which could be made in the ward. These included better bus stops, changes to green spaces, repairs/replacements to footpaths, extra lighting on paths and changes at Worlds End to enhance the village feel with more attractive paving, flower baskets and green spaces etc. Major improvements required include replacing St Wilfrid’s bridge, tidying up the road area between Janes Lane, Junction Road and Leylands Road, and replacing Worlds End pavilion with a modern community centre on the open space.

I am very keen to hear any comments you have on what could improve the ward—please ring me on 01444 247797.

FINANCE

I have been asking many questions about the amount to be collected from developers as part of planning permission for the area to the east of the railway line. I have finally managed to establish that the amount they are required to pay is £376,000 for highways and £528,000 for other items—divided into community buildings, formal sport, public art and local community infrastructure.

I can see no reason why some of this money should not now be put to good use, to carry out some of the things we all want. I will continue to push for this to happen.

DERELICT GARAGES - MANOR ROAD

I have constantly tried to get Affinity Sutton, the housing association who own these garages, to clear up the mess. My latest information is that they are looking at what they could put on the site. In the meantime they have assured me that they will demolish these garages and temporarily landscape this site.

DEVELOPMENT - EAST OF KINGSWAY

Councillors for the two wards on the east side of the railway (including St Andrews members) have now set up a working group to make sure that any income coming from the development east of Kingsway will be used for the benefit of our residents.

Our suggestions include a medical centre which we aim to discuss with the NHS, a modern community centre, a small number of shops, proper use of the open space provided and good access to Ditchling Common.

David Andrews would like to hear from you

If you have any comments on the items in this newsletter, good or bad, or to arrange an appointment for a residents’ surgery with Councillor David Andrews at a time convenient to you, phone 01444 247797

Burgess Hill Labour Party continues to grow in strength and we have plenty of lively discussion about national issues. Some of our views are:

RAILWAYS

East Coast Trains (currently in public ownership because the private franchisees could not run the franchise profitably) has paid millions of pounds in profits to the taxpayer. It is rated in the top five railway lines in the country. First Capital Connect, who will soon be bidding to keep and extend their franchise, pay millions of pounds in profits to shareholders. They are rated in the bottom five operators in a recent survey. Burgess Hill Labour Party says ‘Not For Profit’ public companies should be set up to run railway companies, with profits used to improve the railways and keep fares down.

THE LIVING WAGE

Apart from pensioners, by far the largest proportion of welfare benefits are paid to people who are in work but earn low wages. 4.8 million people (20% of all employees) are paid less than a living wage. Many of them work for large companies that make millions and often billions in profits for their shareholders. Burgess Hill Labour Party says employers should be made to pay the living wage, even if this is at the expense of their shareholders.

IMMIGRATION

The problems caused by Immigration are not the ones the Tories or UKIP portray . Only 3% of immigrants are on welfare benefits (less than the rest of the population). Overall, immigrants claim fewer benefits than the taxes they pay, so there is a financial benefit to the country. We believe that the problems include low wages exploiting migrants, a shortage of housing and other resources, and migrants not being encouraged to integrate into society.

The NHS is again recruiting nurses from the Philippines and would collapse were it not for immigrants. The fact is that our economy needs some immigration. Burgess Hill Labour Party agrees that there should be a grown up debate about immigration but based on facts rather than on right wing propaganda.

ENERGY PRICES

A Labour Government would freeze energy prices for 20 months to allow the market to be re-organised so that it works for customers. Burgess Hill Labour Party says the freeze is essential but energy companies should pay back excess profits if prices are increased before the freeze. There should also be tough regulation to prevent excessive price rises after the freeze.

« Back to News