Comment

Occasional opinions from York Greens

An Eco-town in York?
Andy Chase, 31/07/2008

The recent news that government cash for "eco-towns" could instead be diverted to fund brownfield developments such as the teardrop site behind York Station is excellent news; but it is also a major challenge for the city. We will not be able to develop the same land twice over.

Firstly, if it is to be "eco-" anything, then unlike satellite towns in the middle of nowhere it must live up to its billing. The road network cannot cope with thousands more vehicles, so this development must show how much-needed facilities and housing can be built without dependence on the private car: instead, we must invest in initiatives such as the "tram train" that could serve the site, as well as cycling and walking. Affordable and rented family houses are required, not high-rise piles of expensive shoe boxes like those in Hungate.

Secondly, this area is a resource for the city's future, not just a piece of land to be exploited for maximum financial gain. A transport interchange may be welcome, but what about (for example) space for a football stadium and swimming pool? The city must demand the best for this site, and the facilities it needs for the future - the opportunity will not come again.

Radiation Hazard
Andy D'Agorne, 27/05/2008

It seems that Gordon Brown has either completely lost it, or is so cynical as to think that the British public will swallow the idea that yet more nuclear plants might be the answer to rising oil prices. In 2006, only 1% of our electricity was generated by burning oil, whereas 67% of all petroleum used in the UK was for transport fuels. According to the BBC website, the government has ruled that energy companies wanting to run the new nuclear power plants will have to pay the costs for decommissioning existing sites, and pay their share of waste management costs. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estimated the cost will be £72bn over 20 years - up from an estimate two years ago of £56bn. The plants themselves will cost up to £2bn and take 15 years to build.

I'm sorry Gordon, but we don't have 15 years left to avoid the worst scenarios of climate change - only a massive programme of renewables combined with insulation, cutting energy use in domestic, commercial and transport has any realistic prospect. Our environment, economy, food security and future society depends on us adapting quickly to a more sustainable, lower energy use, as proposed in the notion of a growing number of 'Transition Towns' - (see www.transitiontowns.org ) which I hope will soon include the City of York.

There is a meeting to explore idea of Transition Towns on Wed Jun 4th, 7pm at the Priory Centre.