The MP for Blackpool North Paul Maynard said, “He hopes that means continuing with the vital regeneration work started by the last administration”. Already the political falsehood that is the hallmark of political speaks is undermining the need of honest dialogue in Blackpool. Neither Blackpool MP has a clue as to the true nature and value of the product that was Blackpool. The Golden Mile, that wondrous hive of tacky and cheap places of innocent fun, has long since disappeared and replaced by a feeble imitation of an American cash factory.
The very first contact so many have with the town is the means of arrival. Arriving by road and you are met by roadworks, congestion and no access to the centre of the hub. This is then exacerbated by the lack of central and safe car parking. What has been wrong with building large multilevel car parks at various parts of the slums with good and fairly priced public transport? The memory of every Blackpool youth is pulling home made chariots filled to over brimming with tripper’s baggage. This was only available because about 90% of the trippers arrived by rail, slap bang in the centre of town.
Blackpool North station is not fit for purpose. It no longer is the centre of town and disgorges its loads (sic) in one of the worst areas in any seaside resort in the country, Lord Street and bedshit land to the immediate north. No public transport link to other areas unless you cart your baggage across one of the busiest roads in town. Did the Planners not consider that a high number of visitors are not capable of carrying their valises so far as the bus stops on Talbot road? The traipsing under the fixed toilet of the underpass is an insult and a deterrent to both the town and our much wanted visitors? Taxi fares are now prohibitive through no fault of the hard working cabbie but as a degenerative cancer spawned by years of stupid political ideology and consumer ignorance.
Where has been the foresight that should have built not one, but several promenade venues that can accommodate the hordes that live within a short train journey of the town? Where is the new and futuristic conference hall that can house indoor athletics in winter, and the Olympic sized pool that should be hosting the USA and Australian teams for the 2112 Games? Where are the good and reasonable priced hotels with ample car parking and access to the venues that appear and disappear with monotonous haste? How many of the Promenade Hotels have car parking for ever one of their rooms? Like it or not, most visitors come by car and without adequate and safe parking do not come.
Blackpool South station and the railway company that services that part of town should be prosecuted under Trades Description law. Pre WW1 carriages have everything except the cattle for which they were designed, platforms that cannot be accessed by wheelchair passengers, no security for the vulnerable and no guarantee that the decrepit line will carry the ancient trains.
So we have adopted MP’s who know nothing of the town and now have a council led by a person who claims more in mileage expenses than many pensioners receive in gratuity. It makes one wonder, has he learned his accountancy from the same book used by the former deputy leader of the council?
Here endeth the first lesson.
The new leader of Blackpool Council, Simon Blackburn with Cllr Gillian Campbell
BLACKPOOL’S regeneration must continue for the good of tourism, businesses – and residents.
New council leader Coun Simon Blackburn has pledged to put the people first, and Blackpool North MP Paul Maynard said he hopes that means continuing with the vital regeneration work started by the last administration.
The campaign that saw Labour storm to victory at the polls was based on five key promises – to cut the cost of democracy, to improve roads, tackle antisocial behaviour, improve transport, and to keep in touch with constituents.
Following his victory, Coun Blackburn pledged: “If you listen to people on their doorsteps, you hear their concerns are the bread and butter issues – dog dirt, litter, the cost of senior council officers, and asking why so many roads are closed.”
“I hope that going forward Coun Blackburn and his colleagues will take a balanced approach and appreciate with support the little businesses in the town can help the situation we’re in. But we do need support and we will be looking to them for that.”
Paul Maynard?
ReplyDeleteBetter off with Bill Maynard.