The climate emergency is an existential threat. Air pollution is damaging too many lives.
The Conservatives haven't taken this problem seriously. We have no time to lose: this is an urgent crisis that demands real action now. The Liberal Democrats demand action now.
The council have wiped its hands of ensuring that children can get to school. They cater only eligible students whom they are legally obliged to provide free home-to-school transport. They will even allow parents to pay to fill up the buses that have to be laid on. By the council's own account, that leaves a large proportion of children with no transport. Local public buses have been withdrawn and no longer link the villagev and townv. Statements about environmental concerns contradict the impact of replacing buses by private cars carrying 1 or 2 children.
It is shocking when you realise that there are high levels of air pollution from vehicles in central Marlow. In particular, there are worries about West Street, Dean Street and High Street during the rush hour.
Nitrogen dioxide concentrations are above legal limits and there are concerns over particulates. These are bad for the health of our community. Your Marlow Liberal Democrats will be pushing Conservative Wycombe District Council to go further than their current plans. This is a major health issue which urgently needs addressing.
Did you know that our county and district councils are being abolished and being replaced by just one council for the whole of Buckinghamshire?
The reorganisation offers the opportunity for better services by saving money on bureaucracy. We support this change and are looking forward to the first set of elections in May. However, whilst we are working with other parties in the transition planning, it's clear that the Conservatives are fighting amongst themselves.
They must not create lots of bureaucratic, 'talking shop' Community Boards with small budgets and no public engagement.
There is the opportunity to integrate infrastructure planning (roads, schools, NHS services etc) with housing developments as part of the reorganisation of council responsibilities.
The Lib Dems support services being delegated to our local town and parish councils to make it easier to get action on local issues quicker - with due diligence on the costs and budgets involved, avoiding large local parish tax increases.
In many areas, local Neighbourhood Developments Plans are being created to influence council plans. Get involved via your town or parish council.
The Tory council does, and it wants you to subsidise it, perhaps for the next 40 years!
Introduced without a clear parking strategy it needs 300 extra cars a day to fill it. Possibly leading to cutting other parking spaces to force people to use it. It's also a design eyesore that will blight Station Road.
Liberal Democrats demand better - a clear strategy to improve the local economy - reducing commuter parking on our residential streets, encouraging short term parking to help our high street traders and providing spaces for those that work in the town.
