Hull Trains has been the main provider of direct train services between Hull and London since 2000, gradually expanding its services and recently investing £60m in new, more reliable rolling stock. Open Access rail operators such as Hull Trains rely solely on ticket revenues in order to run services. Social distancing restrictions on passenger numbers means that restarting services is not viable without the financial support that has allowed franchised rail operators to recommence their services. Open access rail operators still incur costs when their trains are not running. However, they cannot remain commercially viable without running trains. If Hull Trains ceased trading, Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire would regress 20 years to having only one daily direct rail service to London. 130 jobs would be lost. Supporting Hull Trains in these exceptional circumstances would help restore capacity and competition to East Coast rail services and aid the economy’s gradual return to normality through the period of social distancing. With Transport for London being provided with at least £1.6bn of Government funding, making it possible to reinstate open access rail services that existed before the COVID-19 lockdown should be a more urgent priority for a Government committed to the Northern Powerhouse than longer term infrastructure plans.

So that cyclists can alert pedestrians that someone on a bike is approaching them from behind. Pedestrians have no way of knowing that they are being overtaken until the cyclist is upon them, then it’s too late.A simple ‘ring ring’ would make almost 100% aware that someone is approaching them.Then they would step to one side and allow the impatient biker to pass. It must be made compulsory.

Glasgow is getting millions of pounds to introduce pop up cycle lanes in response to the Coronavirus lockdown. OnBikes were delighted to work with the council for a pop-up cycle lane on Langdale Street and are calling for the North East to now be included in the next phase of projects. Based on local discussion we would like to Space for Distancing on Cumbernauld Road. During the lockdown we have seen people of all ages and abilities cycling in our communities, enjoying the safety of quieter roads. We need to make sure that this is still possible once traffic starts getting back to normal. Cumbernauld Road is one of the key roads linking communities in the North East, as well as connecting it with the City Centre where many people work. It is the main way to get to parks such as Alexandra Park and the Seven Lochs Wetland Park, places that are proving essential for mental health as people are stuck at home. In August it will also be crucial that children, young people and teachers can cycle safely to school, with Smithycroft and Parkhill Secondaries and Carntyne and St Thomas’ Primaries all nearby. It is a wide four lane road but most of the time only the central lanes are actually used by traffic, with part of the outer two lanes used at various points for parking. By adding pop up cycles lanes to just half a lane on either side, this could be made safer for people cycling without losing any space that is currently used for traffic or parking. The feeling of a narrower road would have the added benefit of stopping some of the speeding which takes place and which is particularly dangerous near to the schools. Glasgow has some of the lowest levels of car ownership in the country. According to the last census, in North East and East Centre wards 55% of households have no car while in Dennistoun ward this is 64%. Despite this there is very little cycle infrastructure in this part of the city, with most being built in the West and the South of the city. This needs to change and introducing Space for Distancing on Cumbernauld Road can be the start of that.

Bristol Energy is an energy company owned by Bristol City Council. Following huge losses, the Council has decided to sell the company. At least £35m of public money has been put into the company, but it is unclear exactly how much mismanagement of Bristol Energy has cost Bristol residents. A well supported petition is needed to demonstrate to Councillors that there is a public demand for this inquiry, and that we as Bristol residents expect an explanation for the expensive failure of the energy company we collectively own. News coverage: BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-52822862 Bristol 24/7: https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/call-for-independent-inquiry-into-bristol-energy-voted-down/ Bristol Post: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/call-independent-inquiry-bristol-energy-4168284?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar Original Council motion here (see Item 5): https://democracy.bristol.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=142&MId=8430 Watch how the motion was debated here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZWSRrV-tlo&t=2541s

Thousands of people are in dire circumstances after being deprived of most public funds since the coronavirus outbreak because of strict visa restrictions. Under current rules, people here on short term visas are subjected to the “no recourse to public funds” policy, meaning that they are prevented from accessing many benefits, such as Universal Credit. Councils are prevented from giving them certain help, including access to housing. This harsh rule is leaving thousands of families really struggling to survive during the coronavirus pandemic. We’re calling on the Home Secretary, the UK Work and Pensions Secretary and the government as a whole to scrap the “no recourse for public funds” status for migrants during Covid-19.

As part of the dispersal system Asylum Seekers are sent all over the country, having no choice on where they live. The housing provided is generally in terrible conditions, with many people having to share bedrooms with people who are complete strangers and are expected to survive on £35 per week. Once an Asylum Seeker has been granted refugee status they are then forced out of their NASS housing, having no means of support and are often left homeless.

Housing is a basic human right, however, it is no secret that the UK is amidst a major housing crisis. Millions of people are unable to access decent housing at an affordable price. With housing costs continuing to increase, many individuals and families are pushed into overcrowded situations, and into poverty. Hundreds of thousands of houses are required to be built each year in order to resolve homelessness, affordability and overcrowding issues. A shelter report found that ¼ of people have had to reduce the amount of money they spend on food, in order to cover their housing costs and avoid rental arrears. With house prices rising, many are unable to move away from the private rented sector towards home ownership, and therefore affordable housing is crucial to support the livelihood of millions. In 2019, over 10,000 people were homed in temporary accommodation due to their inability to afford the costs associated with housing. Despite this, not nearly enough affordable, or social housing was built to relieve this number. It is essential that adequate funding is given to allow Local Authorities to take control, and build enough social and affordable housing within their area to alleviate this issue, while supporting sustainable growth within the community.

We are living in a time when coming together as local community is more important than ever before and Spire FM has been at the heart of our local community. Bauer Media will be combining Spire FM with stations from Blackpool to Norwich and Swansea as Greatest Hits Radio. Although there might still be some local news, that means no more local voices or businesses on War of the Works or Ring-a-ding-a-donut, no more local schools singing on the Countdown to Christmas and no local presenters living in our communities and understanding issues from Novichok to gridlock getting out of Tescos in Southampton Road. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/may/27/local-radio-regional-stations-england-bauer-rebranding-national-network

its the heart of city radio station local and Informative cares about its listeners

Homelessness is a national scale problem in the 21st century so I'm seeking for the help of funds to identify and help those currently in need. Also to prevent homelessness being seen and chosen as the only alternative. Please sign the petition today so men, women and children no longer have to go through this during a global pandemic.

Wildfires started by barbecues are a danger to human and wildlife, property, livelihoods. People can not be relied on to use them responsibly, so their sale or use must be banned. Drier conditions mean the countryside is going to continue to be liable to burn, and there are currently damaging fires burning in Wareham Forest, Dorset https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-52799505 and Hatfield Moor, Yorkshire, https://naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2020/05/26/hatfield-moors-fire/ Recent years have seen huge fires on Marsden Moor, and at many other locations throughout the UK, which will take years for nature to recover from. Particularly hard hit at this time of year will be ground nesting birds. Use the countryside by all means, but take sandwiches or other cold food. Cook your sausages and burgers at home. Please don't start fires.

In line with the lockdown restrictions we have all been getting to know our homes a lot better, for some this has been a blessing but for many a curse. 14 women and 2 children lost their lives three weeks into lockdown, the charity Refuge had reported a 120% increase in helpline calls portraying the severity of the knock-on effect of the pandemic. The lockdown is not the direct cause of this upsurge of domestic violence but has contributed to a rise of tension within households, stemming from increased responsibility for childcare, economic struggles and reduced sociability outside of the household which can expose pre-existing abusive behaviours. Our homes are the primary barrier for individuals leaving an abusive relationship, therefore during this time we are relying on virtual support services which are vital, but they are under-supported. Although these services are saving lives, as they have done for decades, they have suffered economically long before COVID-19 and many are at breaking point, particularly women's centres supporting BAME communities. People's lives will be at an even greater risk without these domestic violence associations, many are facing risks of closure due to the lack of support from the government, emergency funding can save lives and violence can be prevented before it happens. Many associations are worried the Government funding will not reach smaller, local services. Our Government leaders and local councils need to disperse funding fairly across the charities that are working tirelessly to support our communities because no one is safe until we are all safe.