Yesterday, Liberal Democrats from across Leeds and beyond gathered in the city centre to join thousands of others calling for an Exit from Brexit. Here are some pictures from the march.
Leeds Lib Dems 2018 manifesto launch
Yesterday evening, Leeds Lib Dems gathered together to launch our manifesto for the 2018 Leeds City Council elections.
The core principle of the manifesto, ‘Communities in Control’, reflects the Liberal Democrat belief that people should have real input into and control over the decisions which affect them in their local area. It sets out our vision for Leeds in six core areas: Environment, Housing, Transport, Adult Social Care, Children & Families, and the local Economy.
You can read what we have to offer in full here: Leeds Lib Dems Manifesto 2018
The manifesto has been put together with input from local residents, Leeds Liberal Democrat members and our serving councillors, and it is fully costed.
Leeds Liberal Democrat Council Group leader Stewart Golton presenting the manifesto at the launch
Bus changes for February
First Bus Leeds have posted details of some changes to local bus services which will come into effect on Saturday 18 February. For most Headingley and Hyde Park buses this simply means revised timetables to improve punctuality, but the following two services will have more substantial changes:
Number 1: Some additional University Term Time evening short journeys will run from Monday – Saturday between Leeds and West Park, as service 1A.
Number 56: Journeys towards Moor Grange (i.e. out of town) will be re-routed along Hyde Park Road and Victoria Road rather than Royal Park Road, Queen’s Road and Chestnut Avenue, to avoid problems with parked vehicles.
The changes to the number 56 route are particularly important for people living along Royal Park Road, Queen’s Road and Chestnut Avenue who have been used to being able to get the bus to these areas from town. The new route means that the bus will no longer be going directly along these streets. Please share this post if you have friends living in this area, to make sure that they are aware of the changes.
You can see full details of the changes at the First Leeds website.
Christmas bin collection dates
Christmas bin collection dates come into operation in Headingley from tomorrow. Here’s a handy table showing you when to put your bin out to make sure you don’t miss a collection over the festive period.
Future of Headingley Post Office secured
The news came yesterday that the future of Headingley Post Office has been secured at last. This has been in doubt since February 2016, when Post Office Limited announced proposals to close it and replace it with a franchise counter in another shop.
Yesterday, the Post Office announced to their staff that an agreement in principle has been struck for the Post Office to relocate into Headingley Library. A period of consultation with staff and customers will now begin, and if all goes to plan the Post Office will move into the library March 2018.
Headingley Library itself will close shortly for a refurbishment, and re-open as a Community Hub in March: now complete with the new Post Office. There will be a ‘Pop up’ library in Headingley during the closure.
We are really pleased with this outcome, which preserves vital Post Office services at the heart of Headingley. It has come about thanks to dedicated hard work and campaigning from many people, and we would like to pay tribute in particular to:
- Greg Mulholland and the Headingley Liberal Democrats, who collected thousands of petition signatures online and on paper and wrote multiple letters to Post Office Limited asking them to reconsider their plans
- The Weetwood resident who originally suggested that the Post Office might move into Headingley Library, and Weetwood Liberal Democrat Councillor Sue Bentley who took this forward to the Council.
Greg Mulholland and the Headingley Liberal Democrats campaigning to save the Post Office in March 2016.
Stop Brexit march in Manchester
Liberal Democrats from across Britain, including Headingley, marched in Manchester yesterday to call for an Exit from Brexit.
Vince Cable addressed the crowds, speaking about the economic vandalism which Brexit will cause and the importance of protecting EU citizens’ rights. He told the BBC that he was really pleased by the broadly-based support for the issue which the march had demonstrated.
Tens of thousands protested against Conservative Government in Manchester today, marching against austerity and cuts outside Tory party conference. Some demonstrated against Brexit, including Lib Dem leader Vince Cable, who said he was delighted with the turn-out: pic.twitter.com/2mEdHhhh69
— BBC North West (@BBCNWT) October 1, 2017
New 29 bus timetable
First Bus have released a new timetable for the 29 bus service, which runs between the Leeds Beckett Headingley Campus and the Student Village. It will come into use on Monday 18 September.
The new service runs every 30 minutes during the day and hourly in the evening, and all buses go along Headingley Lane.
Headingley Neighbourhood Forum re-launch event
The Headingley Neighbourhood Forum is holding a re-launch event at the New Headingley Club from 2-5pm on Sunday 10th September
It is an informal, family-friendly event, involving cake and a free raffle. The purpose is to gather local views on the right direction for Headingley and for its Neighbourhood Forum over the next few years. This will include updating people on the current state of the Headingley Neighbourhood Plan: a formal document which allows Headingley people to set out their priorities for future local development.
We would encourage all Headingley residents to go along if possible, and to have your say on what you think is important for Headingley. More details are in the flyer below.
Changes to bus services in Headingley
First Bus have now completed the consultation which they undertook earlier this year, and have proposed some changes to their bus services. The main ones relevant to Headingley are:
Service 1 Beeston to Holt Park – extra buses during University term times to run every 8 minutes during the day.
Service 6 City Centre to Holt Park – extra buses; retimed journeys to reduce waiting times; more early evening buses.
Service 28 Adel to City Centre and Liberty Dock – timetable improvements and one extra bus in the early evening.
Service 29 Leeds Beckett’s University Headingley Campus to Student Village – a new timetable, with all services running along Headingley Lane.
Service 97 Guiseley to Leeds via Yeadon, West Park and Headingley – revised timetable and changes to driver duties to reduce cancellations.
The changes aren’t major, but they should add up to a better service overall. You can see fuller details on the First Bus website.
Stabbing incident in Headingley
We are very sorry to hear that there was a knife attack right in the heart of Headingley last night, and hope the person who was assaulted makes a full recovery.
West Yorkshire Police have appealed for any witnesses with information about the attack. If you can help them, please call the police on 101 quoting log 139 of Saturday 26 August.
This incident is not at all characteristic of what is normally a very friendly and vibrant community. We sincerely hope that it was an isolated attack and that there is no further danger to the public.