Summary: The cost of Dartford Crossing tolls is to go up to £1.50, Dart-TAG will remain at £1.00 and special rates are to come in for local residents. The new measures will be introduced sometime in the Autumn --- more nearer the date.
Rosie Winterton (Minister of State, Department for Transport) in a written ministerial statement issued on 12th June has outlined Government plans for the new charging regime affecting motorists using the Dartford Crossing.
The statement (sourced from Hansard) reads as follows:
In December 2006 we consulted on proposed changes to charges for use of the Dartford crossing to address continuing congestion pressures. The proposals were to tailor charges better to the conditions at the crossing, including raising cash charges to £1.50 for cars in the daytime and removing charges altogether at night when traffic flows more freely.
In response to that consultation exercise there were calls to introduce a discount scheme for local residents. The Government announced that it would develop a discount scheme for consultation, whilst going ahead with the proposed increases.
We launched a consultation on the local discount scheme on 16 February 2008, and it closed on 16 May 2008. 67 responses were received.
The Government are today publishing a summary of responses and our conclusions following the consultation exercise. I am placing copies in the Library of the House.
The Government have taken careful note of the responses received and have concluded that the scheme should be implemented as proposed, subject to removing to the requirement for an initial sum to be credited to accounts.
The key proposals relating to eligibility, the annual administration fee, entitlement to 50 free journeys, and journeys charged at 20p thereafter, are confirmed.
The Government expect to implement the scheme in the autumn, along with the other changes on which we consulted in 2006-07. This included raising cash charges for cars from £1 to £1.50.
The Government wish to highlight the fact that car drivers who opt to pay via a Dart-TAG and account will still be able to cross for £1, regardless of where they live.
We are aiming to introduce the changes in the autumn and we will confirm the precise date when the order is laid.
Friday, 13 June 2008
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Gateway Countdown
Gateway FM goes live on 87.7 on June 23rd to provide the area's brightest, best and most local radio of all.
Courier's Open Day
Basildon's newest courier company is opening the doors at its new Head Office in Stella House, Luckyn Lane, Basildon on Thursday 26 June 2008 from 3.30pm until 6.30pm for any local businesses wishing to discuss their delivery requirements.
Managing Director of Abby Couriers, Mark Giles, said: "Since the press coverage of the opening of our new Head Office in Basildon we have had a number of calls from businesses in the Thames Gateway corridor wanting to visit us, see our operation and discuss their logistical requirements. That high level of interest is why we are now opening our offices for anyone who wishes to come along and see us in action."
Managing Director of Abby Couriers, Mark Giles, said: "Since the press coverage of the opening of our new Head Office in Basildon we have had a number of calls from businesses in the Thames Gateway corridor wanting to visit us, see our operation and discuss their logistical requirements. That high level of interest is why we are now opening our offices for anyone who wishes to come along and see us in action."
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Win a Chance to Perform at Basfest
For bands more used to playing in their garage or local pub, this is the chance of a lifetime. Basildon Council and Essex FM are searching for an amateur group to perform live in front of thousands of revellers at this year’s Basildon Festival.
In a battle of the bands competition, one talented group will win the opportunity to perform a live 45 minute slot on the main stage. They will join a Basfest line up which already includes X-Factor finalists, Journey South, and a band described as the best Beatles tribute act in the world.
Paul Brace, manager of Basildon Council’s cultural services, said: “We’re searching for the best unsigned band in Essex to play live at this year’s Basildon Festival. More than 40,000 people packed out Gloucester Park over two days last year so it won’t be for the faint-hearted.
“This is the first time we have thrown open a slot for an amateur band and we’re inviting groups of all ages and types to apply. Not only will the winners get the chance to perform alongside some seasoned professionals, they could also get the big break they are looking for.”
Five bands will be short listed by a panel of judges before Essex FM listeners vote for a winner. Among the other acts featuring at the festival is the ultra-talented and unusual tribute performer presenting her soul singer 'Amy Winehouse'. Backed by a full band, the Amy Winehouse Experience will perform hits from the award-winning album Back to Black, including Valerie and Rehab.
There will also be a touch of West End glamour as singers and dancers from The Buddy Holly Show celebrate the life of one of the most influential rock n rollers of the early 50s.
The group must be available to play on Sunday 6 July. The free Basildon Festival is taking place in Gloucester Park on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July from 11am to 7.30pm.
For more information and to apply visit the Essex FM website. Entries must be received by 20 June.
In a battle of the bands competition, one talented group will win the opportunity to perform a live 45 minute slot on the main stage. They will join a Basfest line up which already includes X-Factor finalists, Journey South, and a band described as the best Beatles tribute act in the world.
Paul Brace, manager of Basildon Council’s cultural services, said: “We’re searching for the best unsigned band in Essex to play live at this year’s Basildon Festival. More than 40,000 people packed out Gloucester Park over two days last year so it won’t be for the faint-hearted.
“This is the first time we have thrown open a slot for an amateur band and we’re inviting groups of all ages and types to apply. Not only will the winners get the chance to perform alongside some seasoned professionals, they could also get the big break they are looking for.”
Five bands will be short listed by a panel of judges before Essex FM listeners vote for a winner. Among the other acts featuring at the festival is the ultra-talented and unusual tribute performer presenting her soul singer 'Amy Winehouse'. Backed by a full band, the Amy Winehouse Experience will perform hits from the award-winning album Back to Black, including Valerie and Rehab.
There will also be a touch of West End glamour as singers and dancers from The Buddy Holly Show celebrate the life of one of the most influential rock n rollers of the early 50s.
The group must be available to play on Sunday 6 July. The free Basildon Festival is taking place in Gloucester Park on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July from 11am to 7.30pm.
For more information and to apply visit the Essex FM website. Entries must be received by 20 June.
New Tools in the Fight Against Local Low-level Crime
Antisocial behaviour, speeding cars, noise, graffiti, litter vandalism and drugs have never been problems local people feel they could tackle with confidence.
But things are changing after Neighbourhood Action Panels (NAPs) started springing up all over Basildon district. They first arrived in 2007 and are made up of local residents and their organisations who feel they have a contribution to make or who just want to get involved in protecting and improving their neighbourhoods and making them pleasant places to live in.
These include representatives from the local community, tenants associations, children and young people, voluntary agencies, schools, churches and others.
The panels are led by Essex police in partnership with the local community safety partnership (CDRP). They cover a fixed area, hold regular meetings, look closely at problems raised by local people or other community engagement methods, agree on local priorities and decide on realistic and achievable action to deal with them.
The key to their success in drawing in public support has been that although police are involved, they do not run the groups. The target problem areas are decided by local residents themselves.
This sense of ownership and being listened to has given a considerable boost to local confidence in the scheme.
The problems raised will be investigated by the local policing team who will then advise residents on an action plan to tackle them. Priorities are set by the community without influence from the police.
The police, through this support which is making these groups possible, are determined this initiative will not be a talking shop - it is designed to produce firm but considered action to deal with those issues deemed by local people as their priorities.
Basildon’s community safety partnership, a major supporter, has praised the success of the scheme so far. The partnership is encouraging residents to monitor the progress and types of problems being dealt with in their area by clicking on to Essex police’s website.
There they will find area by area coverage of the problems local people have raised, the actions being planned to tackle them and the results.
It will also give information on how to get involved and how to contribute – anonymously if necessary – in raising issues which might be tackled.
Essex police can put local residents in touch with their local neighbourhood specialist officer through their non emergency hotline 0300 333 4444, or via the Essex Police website at www.essex.police.uk.
But things are changing after Neighbourhood Action Panels (NAPs) started springing up all over Basildon district. They first arrived in 2007 and are made up of local residents and their organisations who feel they have a contribution to make or who just want to get involved in protecting and improving their neighbourhoods and making them pleasant places to live in.
These include representatives from the local community, tenants associations, children and young people, voluntary agencies, schools, churches and others.
The panels are led by Essex police in partnership with the local community safety partnership (CDRP). They cover a fixed area, hold regular meetings, look closely at problems raised by local people or other community engagement methods, agree on local priorities and decide on realistic and achievable action to deal with them.
The key to their success in drawing in public support has been that although police are involved, they do not run the groups. The target problem areas are decided by local residents themselves.
This sense of ownership and being listened to has given a considerable boost to local confidence in the scheme.
The problems raised will be investigated by the local policing team who will then advise residents on an action plan to tackle them. Priorities are set by the community without influence from the police.
The police, through this support which is making these groups possible, are determined this initiative will not be a talking shop - it is designed to produce firm but considered action to deal with those issues deemed by local people as their priorities.
Basildon’s community safety partnership, a major supporter, has praised the success of the scheme so far. The partnership is encouraging residents to monitor the progress and types of problems being dealt with in their area by clicking on to Essex police’s website.
There they will find area by area coverage of the problems local people have raised, the actions being planned to tackle them and the results.
It will also give information on how to get involved and how to contribute – anonymously if necessary – in raising issues which might be tackled.
Essex police can put local residents in touch with their local neighbourhood specialist officer through their non emergency hotline 0300 333 4444, or via the Essex Police website at www.essex.police.uk.
Council Spends Over £2000 on New Trees for Billericay
MORE than £2,000 is being spent on new tree planting in Billericay. Basildon Council is planning to plant eight trees between the roundabout of the A176 at Great Burstead and the junction of lower Southend Road at a cost of £1,000.
Half the trees will be Scots pine, a native evergreen tree, and the other half will be liquid amber, an American tree chosen for its autumn colour.
The council has also just spent £1,100 planting ten new trees along Noak Hill Road, near The Hoe. The walnut, lime and beach trees cost £1,000.
Half the trees will be Scots pine, a native evergreen tree, and the other half will be liquid amber, an American tree chosen for its autumn colour.
The council has also just spent £1,100 planting ten new trees along Noak Hill Road, near The Hoe. The walnut, lime and beach trees cost £1,000.
John Baron Responds to Article in the Sun
Commenting on the article on him in The Sun today over his opposition to 42-day detention without charge, Billericay and District MP John Baron said:
“I realise how sensitive this issue is for Mr and Mrs Taylor, but 42-day detention without charge would not have prevented the terrible events of 7/7 and will not protect us against a future attack: the Government admits as much, because the purpose of 42 days is to prolong investigation after a plot is uncovered and not to prevent it.
“No evidence has been produced to show that 42 days is necessary. The Director of Public Prosecutions has argued it is not needed and even the Security Services have not called for it. Parliament should legislate on the basis of evidence, not suspicion.
“During my service in Northern Ireland, I saw how internment became a recruiting sergeant for terrorism. 42-day detention would do the same thing. We risk doing the terrorists work for them if we now dismantle our hard-won liberties.
“Figures from Liberty clearly show that throughout Europe and North America, where the terror threat is no less than in Britain, the limit on pre-charge detention is less than one week. Why then do we need six?
John spoke out against proposals for 42-day detention on the Bill’s second reading. He is today seeking an opportunity to speak on the Report stage.
“I realise how sensitive this issue is for Mr and Mrs Taylor, but 42-day detention without charge would not have prevented the terrible events of 7/7 and will not protect us against a future attack: the Government admits as much, because the purpose of 42 days is to prolong investigation after a plot is uncovered and not to prevent it.
“No evidence has been produced to show that 42 days is necessary. The Director of Public Prosecutions has argued it is not needed and even the Security Services have not called for it. Parliament should legislate on the basis of evidence, not suspicion.
“During my service in Northern Ireland, I saw how internment became a recruiting sergeant for terrorism. 42-day detention would do the same thing. We risk doing the terrorists work for them if we now dismantle our hard-won liberties.
“Figures from Liberty clearly show that throughout Europe and North America, where the terror threat is no less than in Britain, the limit on pre-charge detention is less than one week. Why then do we need six?
John spoke out against proposals for 42-day detention on the Bill’s second reading. He is today seeking an opportunity to speak on the Report stage.
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