DUNGENESS
Do you support new build at Dungeness power station even though the industry
has not solved its waste problems?
This nuclear station has maintained a reasonably
good safety record and with the de-commissioning of the A station and
the progressive depletion of fossil fuels, I would not in principle oppose
a new builld station should it be necessary.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Do you welcome wind farms in the district? Should
the government be urged to do more to develop all forms of renewable
energy - eg subsidising national grid connections?
I
support research into the development of all renewable energy sources
and have no major objection to the current proposed local wind farm
site.
GM Foods
Are you aware that over the next year or so the Government will decide
whether to allow GM crops to be commercially grown across the UK? Do
you have any concerns?
I have yet to be convinced that genetically
modified food is unsafe. It may even offer a solution to relieve third
world famine.
EMERGENCY PLAN
The government has made local authorities near nuclear power stations
responsible for drawing up plans to protect the public in a nuclear
emergency. Do you know what Shepway's local emergency plan is, and do
you think that potassium iodate tablets should be available to everyone
in the district?
With the Channel
Tunnel and the nuclear station falling within Shepway's boundary, the
importance of national, regional and local emergency preparedness cannot
be under estimated. A review of emergency procedures is to be undertaken
by a Shepway scrutiny committee in the coming year and the whole question
of appropriate de-contamination methodology will doubtless be taken
into account in that review.
CYCLING
Do you support safe sensible cycle routes to schools and town centres?
Would you make this a budget priority?
I support the Sustrans
cycle route concept. I am also keenly aware of the high mortality rate
from road accidents involving children travelling to and from schools
in the UK, the highest in the EU. In the circumstances, I would tend
to give a higher budget priority to traffic calming and road safety
measures in the vicinity of schools, as opposed to dedicated cycle routes.
OPERATION STACK
Do you have any alternative solutions to the underlying problems caused
by HGV's on our motorways?
Off-motorway lorry
parks for emergency use would be preferable to the present stacking
system.
RECYCLING
Is Shepway doing enough?
The short answer to whether Shepway is
doing enough - is, no!
The above responses may not necessarily align with current
thinking on these matters within your organisation. Nevertheless they
represent my honest personal opinion. Thank you for giving me the opportunity
to reply.
Yours sincerely
John Stockham, Labour, Harbour Ward, SDC.
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