Have your Say!

Civic Centre Craziness

I could hardly believe it when I heard that English Heritage had awarded Listed Building status to the ugly, ineffective and structurally imperfect Civic Centre in Plymouth. It's estimated it is going to cost £40 million to sort it out- and who will be paying? Local tax payers of course!

I completely agree that buildings of historical importance need protecting and we have a rich and beautiful history which has provided many valid receivers of listed status. But 50 year old buildings which are already complained about and detested? Honestly!

And now that the news the status was awarded on the back of one person's opinion has been revealed, I am even more angry, as I suspect many local people are. I have certainly heard a lot of frustration and disbelief being vented by those I have spoken to about it so far.

The council and MPs are going to fight this decision on behalf of our constituents and I'd be grateful to hear your opinions on the matter.

I'm going to try and calm down now!

Gary

posted by Gary Streeter M.P. on Friday, June 29, 2007

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How can we make the A38 safer?

Another tragedy on this road recently when three people lost their lives. Sadly, this is not the first incident of this kind along Devon Expressway and unless urgent action is taken, it won't be the last.

There are three "informal" junctions at Lyneham, Cadleigh and just after Smithaleigh on the Plymouth bound side which are extremely dangerous and totally unsuitable on a road along which most drivers are doing 70 mile an hour.

In addition to this the slipways are badly planned and not up to the required standard, and the Deep Lane junction is a disaster waiting to happen.

We are in serious need of an urgent review of this stretch of road, particularly the part between Marsh Mills and Ivybridge. I asked a question in the House of Commons relating to this matter on Wednesday 20th June and feel duty bound to fight hard for changes.

I am very keen to have your support in this matter- what can be done to improve the safety of this road, and where are the black spots?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours,
Gary

posted by Gary Streeter M.P. on Thursday, June 21, 2007

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Future of schooling

The debate over grammar schools has once again been raging, both nationally within the Conservative party and locally, as plans for Sherford Town continue.

I am certainly in favour of grammar schools- in my experience they now attract pupils from all backgrounds, and can give a valuable platform for bright youngsters. The three grammar schools in Plymouth do an excellent job. I am not in favour of a return to compulsory examinations and streaming at eleven however, as the sense of unnecessary failure which would be felt by some is both cruel and pointless.

We have fantastic comprehensive schools within SW Devon which are doing a grand job in supporting pupils through their formative years and steering them towards happy futures, filled with achievements in many areas and aspects of life.

Some parts of the local area aren't so fortunate with their choice of schools and we need to work hard to help this improve. Good teachers should be offered more incentives to work in challenging schools, and children whose behaviour shows signs of being destructive need early attention and guidance.

I would leave to hear your thoughts about how we can improve our poorer schools and maintain our good standards within SW Devon.

Yours,

Gary

posted by Gary Streeter M.P. on Wednesday, June 06, 2007

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