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Councillors parking privileges challenged

Greens publish Bristol Manifesto

24th April 2007

For immediate release

Should Bristol's city councillors do without their parking privileges and start using the buses or chasing parking places like everyone else ?

That's what the Green Party is suggesting, ahead of next weeks city council elections.

Cllr. Charlie Bolton says:
"There's nothing like decision makers experiencing problems first hand. It concentrates the mind wonderfully if you have to face the same conditions as everyone else who suffers from Bristol's traffic congestion and woeful bus services".

After making history as the city's first Green councillor in a close-fought election in Southville last year, one of his first surprises was to be offered his own Council House parking place! He turned it down, preferring to walk or use his bike.

Now he's convinced that Bristol's traffic nightmare won't be solved until there's a powerful new body, on the lines of Transport for London, that can make the rules. He believes that needs more Greens on the council.

On May 3rd, there will be Green Party candidates on the ballot paper in all but three of the 25 seats that come up for election.

After increasing its vote across the city in 2006, the party has high hopes of doing still better this year.

Wards like Southville (Tess Green) and Ashley (Daniella Radice) within walking distance of the centre of Bristol have the best chance of electing a Green councillor.

No-one's ruling out surprises further out, where the urban, rural, and political landscape could be disrupted by the threat of the South Bristol Ring Road and airport expansion. The Greens are mounting strong campaigns against both.

In the city as a whole, the Greens want to see better protection of amenities for local communities, more affordable and energy efficient homes, and direct investment in key services like education and social care, instead of handing them over to market forces.

The full list of policies and candidates' details are on the Greens' web site at www.bristolgreenparty.org.uk

ENDS

Contact:

Charlie Bolton, Tel 0117 966 1639
Daniella Radice, 0117 952 5796
Tess Green, 0117 985 2795
Peter Goodwin (Green Party Press Officer) 01275 543280