South West Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats

Welcome to this edition of 'Rickmansworth This Week e-news'

Good News ! The Government Planning Inspector has supported the decision made by Thee Rivers District Council (TRDC) Planning Committee to refuse the application to allow a significant increase in the number of heavy goods vehicles using the A412 to access the Pynesfield gravel extraction project if it goes ahead.
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Alas, as in every year I can remember - and two or three where I can't - another birthday featured.

2016 was no exception but to get through as painlessly as possible, Nick and Rosemarie went to the Grand Junction Arms in Bulbourne.

Very well run by landlord Mike Bushnell and his family, the high standards they started with have been maintained throughout.

Does your town or village have a Gardening Club - or similar? Very probably. Does it need some support? Very probably too.

If you like fresh air, a serious challenge, a sense of achievement (when things go well!), a productive hobby, the delicious taste of your own fresh vegetables and insight into the true value of food - then sign up to one.

Rosemarie and Nick hope everyone one had a Happy Christmas.

We're now back on air again up here after 8 days without telephone, internet or e-mail.

So it was quiet as well as happy...

But we've now had communication restored in time to wish everyone everywhere a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Winter gritting cuts in Cambridgeshire proposed by the Conservatives have been overturned, following a vigorous Lib Dem campaign.

At a meeting of the full county council, councillors voted overwhelmingly to put back the gritting routes that had been withdrawn by the Conservative led council earlier in the year. The County Council had previously voted through a budget which cut the percentage of roads gritted from 44% to 30%, including cuts to many school bus routes.

Protection of rights for EU citizens and UK citizens

Those who have made the United Kingdom their home should be allowed to stay. We will seek to secure the same for UK citizens living in European Union countries.

Freedom of Movement and the Single Market

Any deal negotiated for the United Kingdom outside the European Union must include membership of the Single Market and protect freedom of movement.

Liberal Democrats believe that the British people should have their say on the final Brexit deal in a referendum. Voting for a departure is not the same as voting for a destination.

British people have a right to have their say on whether the deal they are offered is the right one for them, their families, their communities and our country.

Technical developments are enabling the use of "warm" asphalts in road repairs, bringing in environmental benefits of energy saving, enhanced durability of the carriageway and a quicker reopening of roads to traffic.

The major contractor Keir, working for Highway England, agreed for Hanson, part of HeidelbergCiment, to supply "warm" asphalt to reinstate part of the A66, one of Cumbria's busiest roads, near Appleby.

In an Open Letter to the Conservative Police & Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, Liberal Democrat Sally Symington has sharply criticised his ambition to heap his own brand of DIY punishment onto criminals who have already been dealt with in the courts. She wrote,

"In re-launching his Police and Crime Plan as a Community Safety and Criminal Justice Plan, (Gazette, 30 November), Herts Police and Crime Commissioner, David Lloyd, has opened the door for a populist re-branding and re-shaping of his policies. In a 'Trump-style' claim he asserts: "Those who are responsible for crime should bear the costs, not the law-abiding citizen. Whether it is through seizing criminal assets or paid rehabilitation schemes, I strongly believe that offenders should pay back to victims and communities, putting right the harm they have caused."