Sunday 28th February 2010

Over 2 years on and Cycle Lanes still not improved

OVER TWO YEARS HAVE PASSED AND STILL WE WAIT

Green Party parliamentary candidate for Croydon North, Shasha Khan, is again calling for Croydon Council to improve cycle lanes in the borough.

Shasha Khan said:

“It’s been over two years since Councillor Dudley Mead came on a cycle ride with us around the borough. He realised that cycling was good for the environment and people’s health and gave the impression after the ride that he was going to improve cycle routes. However, I am struggling to see any improvements.”

Shasha Khan wrote to Councillor Mike Fisher in July 2007 asking him to join members and supporters of the Croydon Green Party on a cycle ride to show how dangerous it was to be cyclist in the borough. Councillor Fisher declined saying he “hadn’t been on his bike for years” and that “Coun Mead was the best man” to join the cyclists.

Shasha continued, “During the cycle ride, there was one specific junction, St James Park onto Windmill Road, presently, two way for cyclists and one way for cars, that caught Councillor Mead’s attention. He could clearly see the junction was an accident waiting to happen. However, over two years on, nothing has been done.”

After experiencing the junction first hand, Councillor Dudley Mead advised the council officer David Wickens, who accompanied the cyclists on the day, to consult TFL to improve the junction.

Shasha Khan said:

“I am happy to show Councillor Mead the dangers of cycling around Croydon again.

“The Conservatives give the impression that they are ‘green’ but the reality is somewhat different. A cycling Mayor of London doesn’t automatically mean that people in Croydon are also going to get on their bikes. What will lead to an increase in cycle journeys are safe cycle routes but we get instead is ill thought out stunts like “Cycle Fridays”, cuts in the cycling budget and apparent good intentions which are not acted upon.”

Friday 22nd January 2010

Green Party selects Gordon Ross for Croydon South

Croydon Green Party is delighted to announce that Gordon Ross has been selected to fight the parliamentary seat of Croydon South in the forthcoming general election. Mr Ross replaces Lewisham Councillor Sue Luxton, who decided to stand down after her initial selection in 2007.

Leading spokesperson for the Croydon Green Party, Shasha Khan, commented:

“Gordon Ross is an excellent local candidate and I am delighted for him. Councillor Sue Luxton was initially selected for the Croydon South seat in 2007, around the time there was huge speculation that the Prime Minister would call an Autumn election in that year. Since then she has been working hard as the Campaign Manager for Chair of the London Assembly, Darren Johnson, as he attempts to win the seat of Lewisham Deptford, thus becoming London’s first Green Party MP. In fact, Darren’s odds have been slashed and he is now second favourite to win that constituency.”

Gordon lives in South Croydon, and works for a transport consultancy.
He is a graduate of the University of Dundee, and has worked in microbiology, design, and surveying.

Commenting on his selection, Gordon said:

"I think it is important that there is a Green Party candidate on the ballot. It gives people a chance to vote for a fairer society, and a party that’s principled on the environment.”

Gordon joins Bernice Golberg (Croydon Central) and Shasha Khan (Croydon North) as the Green Party candidates for the parliamentary seats in Croydon.

Thursday 10th December 2009

How to Have Green Christmas

At a time when countries around the world are trying thrash out a meaningful climate deal in Copenhagen, local Green Party candidates have put together a list of suggestions in order to have a Merry Christmas which doesn’t cost the earth.

Christmas Dinner:
Turkeys can’t fly very far but some have travelled a staggering 30,000 miles to get to dinner tables in this country! Shasha Khan commented, “It is important that shoppers look at labels on the food they purchase and choose the local option. European fowl and African vegetables can be forsaken for home farmed produce. Also try and support local shopkeepers.”

Presents:
With 2.5m out of work and huge cuts and tax hikes around the corner, thousands of people risk placing themselves in financial trouble. Bernice Golberg said, “Why not try giving Secret Santa presents. If you do end up with unwanted presents why not sell or pass them on using web sites or Charity shops.”

Cards and wrapping paper:
Each year, 200,000 trees are cut down to supply the UK’s 1.7 billion Christmas Cards and enough wrapping paper is used to wrap the whole of the London Borough of Sutton. Hence, it important to reuse and recycle as much as possible. Why not use brightly coloured pages from magazines or newspapers?

Christmas tree:
Each year over 6 million trees are purchased. Look out for the council tree collections if you’re buying a real one.  It is possible to save money and resources by using a tree with roots that can be reused. Shasha Khan added, “You can enjoy watching it grow all year round. The rent-a-tree concept has also been popular this year.”