• Remove the Pointless Fence on Den Lane, Uppermill, Saddleworth
    It is important because this fence is destroying a beautiful place that is a haven for tourists, locals and wildlife. On May 16th work started building a fence. Nobody was consulted and noone had been informed about it. Immediately the local councillors, residents, the former mayor all objected. Their requests for a site visit were all ignored. The workers refused to give their names, their bosses contacts, where they worked from, which department. They refused any information. Dozens of residents contacted Network Rail via their helpline along with the councillors - still no site visit and the request for the work to be stopped was ignored. No less than thirty letters later and still no phone call nor site visit. Rather than speak to the local parish councillors to talk about a fence that would be more in keeping, and trackside where the original fence is, Network Rail sent more men with bigger machines to, as one of their workers said, 'put it up quick'. One week later and Den Lane as it was was destroyed. And still no call from Mr Carnes office. Network Rail had already caused a lot of damage to the area, chopping down ancient trees in the middle of the nesting season. Here on Den Lane we have bats, owls, deer, foxes, jays and lots of other wildlife. Trees had been felled directly next to the roosting site of bats. What Network Rail have done is shocking. They are doing this all over the country and it has to stop. And it stops right here. And we hope others will join us in challenging Network Rail's 'slash and burn' approach. NOTE IMPORTANT Network Rail have cited cases of people and children trespassing onto the track to justify their actions. We have checked with the Police and no cases have been reported to the local Police in the last 11 years. Also Network Rail cite vandalism [their actions are an act of vandalism in fact] as another reason for the fence. However zero cases of vandalism to the track area have ever been reported. The only 'vandalism' that has occurred was the dismantling by locals of the Pointless Fence last week. That however was not vandalism, but an act of direct protest by people who felt they were being ignored. Vandalism is the defacing of property. Dismantling a fence in protest is not vandalism. Also the fence is entirely pointless - reason? You can access the line easily on the other side of the track from the bridleway. That is in fact where the fence needs to be built. Mark Carne CEO Network Rail has wasted £30,000 of public money on... The Pointless Fence. And unfortunately for the residents of Uppermill, they have also wrecked Den Lane in the process.
    513 of 600 Signatures
    Created by John Matthews
  • Build a decent playground in the centre of Ashington, Northumberland
    It's sad to see the playground and bowling green have been knocked down recently at the demolished Institute and Leisure Centre, as well as the beautiful park that was demolished on the Peoples Park field many years ago. The children are in desperate need for a free place to play with swings and a slide. Not every family can afford to pay for the new Leisure Centre facilities that are currently surrounded by a derelict building site and is a danger to children on the busy roundabout.
    244 of 300 Signatures
    Created by Myrle Howard
  • Defend our Veterans Services
    The UK Government is looking to outsource Veterans Services without public consultation taking place. Notice of tenders were issued in April 2018 which considerably expand the services that will form part of the Future Service Delivery Contract (FSDC). This contract provides provision of Armed Forces Pay, Pensions and Military HR and Administration Services and will be expanded to include: • Administration of the War Pensions Scheme and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (including payment and financial accounting with interfaces to other Ministry of Defence and other government department financial systems); • MoD Medal Office – the administration and issue of medals and awards; • Provision of Veterans Enabling and Supporting Services; and • Maintenance and development of existing Information System (IS) and enquiry services in support of the above services. We are concerned about the impact outsourcing these services will have on the quality of service provision that veterans currently receive. We are also concerned that the MoD is reserving the right to include/add any other work related to delivery of Military Human Resources or Veterans Services during the lifetime of the contract. The contract is worth up to £800 million and an estimated 400 jobs are being put at risk.
    3,887 of 4,000 Signatures
    Created by James Davies
  • Road Safety on Hampstead Lane, Highgate N6
    This stretch of road is used by many pedestrians every day. Most are local parents and their children, walking to and from either Highgate School, St Michaels, Highgate Primary or Channing. However, this stretch of road is very dangerous, particularly for children. Although it is a 20mph zone, cars frequently travel much faster than this. Although there are signs indicating the speed limit along the route, they are small and relatively inconspicuous and in places obscured by foliage. Perhaps because the route used to have a 30mph limit and also because it is a main thoroughfare out of Highgate, the existing signs do not seem to make an impact on how people drive. The risk to people walking is significantly increased by the poor quality of the pavements on both sides of the road. In several places on the North side the paving or concrete is uneven (where slabs are broken or worn or where tree roots are pushing through) and the risk of tripping over (particularly for children) is high. This side is also very narrow which means that in several places it is difficult to pass people going in the other direction or even walk two-abreast with a child. Because of the narrowness of the pavement and because cars do not/may not generally park along this route, if a pedestrian trips there is nothing to protect them from falling straight into the road. There are also a number of pot holes which fill with water on wet days which can only be passed by stepping into the road. Where other roads intersect with Hampstead Lane there is often little to differentiate road from payment: markings are worn and gutters are frequently full of leaves and water. Frequently large vehicles park in driveways in such a way that pedestrians are forced to step into the road to go round them. On the south side of the road, the T-Junction where The Grove meets Hampstead Lane is difficult and dangerous to cross due to the speed at which cars pull out of the crossing and the high density of traffic (increasingly The Grove is used as a cut-through from Highgate West Hill). Many children and their parents are at risk every day because of the combination of these factors and the Councils need to act to protect pedestrians. Hampstead Lane falls far short of the vision set out in the Mayor's Healthy Streets for London strategy (a system of policies specifically designed to help Londoners use cars less and walk, cycle and use public transport more). It is has excessive levels of noise, the air is very polluted, the intersecting roads are difficult to cross and people feel unsafe on it – all factors that actively discourage people from walking or cycling along this route.
    155 of 200 Signatures
    Created by georgina Casey
  • Save The Rock Barn
    The Rock Barn, Home of MuzoAkademy, provides unique services to the community of West Oxfordshire and is at risk of demolition to make way for 6 luxury flats. Based in the heart of Witney, the Rock Barn welcomes everyone to engage with music to enrich their lives and the lives of others. The Rock Barn has become a community hub for people from 3 yrs to 89 yrs many with mental health, physical, learning and clinical needs. There is no other provision like the Rock Barn in the local area. If you work, live or study in West Oxfordshire (child or adult) please sign.
    670 of 800 Signatures
    Created by Jon Berry
  • Norwegian Air, please reinstate flights from Gatwick to Warsaw.
    The South coast of the UK has a large Polish community, links with Warsaw and Poland, business links, and important family ties.
    214 of 300 Signatures
    Created by David Smith
  • Protect Oxford’s Towpath Wildlife
    The River Thames is in an area of ‘High Sensitivity’, according to the County Council’s Oxfordshire 'County Sensitivity Report'. This means that it requires particularly sensitive treatment during any development works. There are 4 species of Red Listed birds (in greatest danger of extinction) - Sparrow, Starling, Song Thrush, Kingfisher - nesting along the towpath. Sparrows, alone have declined by 60% in the last few years. Disturbance during the nesting season and removal of their foraging and singing sites will impact on their numbers, as is recognised by the County Council itself. Opinions may vary on how humans and wildlife should share this beautiful route. However, the County Council must adhere to national guidelines and its own policies of best practice and not try to scrape through with the bare legal minimum, as it has so far. As regular Oxford cyclists we welcome the cycle path. In Oxford, we are entirely used to cycle paths narrowing (or even disappearing during the most dangerous points). There is no reason why this one couldn't be shaped to include the nature and wildlife that makes the route such a pleasure for all of us now and for the future.
    694 of 800 Signatures
    Created by Sylvia Barker
  • Social worker for autism
    Because autism is a category all by its self and needs a person who understands autism and people who have autism
    10 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Joan Mathur
  • Safe Road Crossing
    Wester Ceddens Road links local residents to 4 primary schools, 1 secondary school, 2 nurseries, local shops and 2 churches. During term time the council provides 4 school crossing patrol personnel however, outside of school drop off, lunch and pick up times residents risk their lives attempting to cross Wester Cleddens Road. Furthermore, numerous housing developments have been built on and around Wester Cleddens Road which has increased traffic and the population.
    199 of 200 Signatures
    Created by Caroline McLellan
  • Make GCSE English exams fair for students with Dyslexia
    Many children with dyslexia are exceptionally gifted at English but will now struggle to pass their GCSE due to how many marks are dedicated to spelling and punctuation. This is discrimination and can only have a negative effect on their futures. It can also negatively impact their mental health. Both of my children are dyslexic and both have a gift for writing. Their school teachers say they are very talented, however being dyslexic they cannot grasp spelling however hard they try. They also struggle with handwriting and remembering punctuation and because of this will possibly fail to obtain a C at GCSE even if they get full marks for everything else. I know they are not unique. 10% of the population are dyslexic. Taking away marks for poor spelling, not just in English but other subjects too, could mean that these students may not be able to access further education, even if they are exceptionally bright. Dyslexic children are being set up to fail all because of spelling. I believe this approach is archaic and needs to change now.
    14,239 of 15,000 Signatures
    Created by Sonia Ash
  • Keep Bristol parks and open spaces free for all
    Many fitness instructors and dog professionals are small businesses that do not employ anyone. We do what we do because we love it, not to make big profits. We offer services that are of great value to the public and the local authority. We believe Bristol City Council should be supporting self employed people running small businesses, not making money from us.
    1,467 of 2,000 Signatures
    Created by Annie Davis
  • Safety measure for pedestrians at the junction of Friern Barnet Lane and High Road (A1000)
    There are 3 primary schools and a secondary school in the immediate area. There is huge pedestrian traffic in the area and crossing Friern Barnet Lane is incredibly dangerous It is unsafe to cross the road. Families are forced to walk on the road as there is no pavement on the southside of Friern Barnet Lane Encouraging children to walk to school is important not only for health but also for the environment.
    511 of 600 Signatures
    Created by Sonya Orchover